awholelota
11/02/2007, 01:37 PM
so the last time i had a reef tank was about ten years ago.
touring all of the lfs here in the bay area i'm noticing tons of new products, and new techniques. i see that bio balls are gone and done with and t5ho is the new way to go. so i have questions...
i have a 55gal truvu 36lx20hx18d
i want to drill holes in the back for an overflow and return as well as a closed loop system. how much flow do i need for a closed loop system? how large of a pump should i buy? how much flow do i need for my sump return? how many holes can i drill in a plexi tank? i was looking to drill 8 holes.
i don't have much money so lighting will have to be inexpensive. i know lighting is one of the most important parts of a reef system, but my total budget for equipment, and livestock has to stay under $1000. i was looking at getting 4 or 6 helios 36" t5ho lights, or an oddysea 24" 250 metal halide with pc actinics. i've heard that oddysea isn't great, but how bad could it be? is a 24" light good enough for a 36" tank? will the 4 or 6 t5s be better? it'd come out to be about the same price. i'd be keeping mostly soft coral, a few lps, and possibly a clam or two. are t5hos good enough to get these growing?
if bioballs are gone what do i need for filtration? lfs guys tell me that live rock and a good skimmer should do the job. do i need a refugium? if so what kind of lighting do i need for it? how much lr do i need to keep the bio filtration good?
i'm sure i have more questions, but it's early in the morning and i need more coffee. my name is Boots btw. my parents were hippies.
touring all of the lfs here in the bay area i'm noticing tons of new products, and new techniques. i see that bio balls are gone and done with and t5ho is the new way to go. so i have questions...
i have a 55gal truvu 36lx20hx18d
i want to drill holes in the back for an overflow and return as well as a closed loop system. how much flow do i need for a closed loop system? how large of a pump should i buy? how much flow do i need for my sump return? how many holes can i drill in a plexi tank? i was looking to drill 8 holes.
i don't have much money so lighting will have to be inexpensive. i know lighting is one of the most important parts of a reef system, but my total budget for equipment, and livestock has to stay under $1000. i was looking at getting 4 or 6 helios 36" t5ho lights, or an oddysea 24" 250 metal halide with pc actinics. i've heard that oddysea isn't great, but how bad could it be? is a 24" light good enough for a 36" tank? will the 4 or 6 t5s be better? it'd come out to be about the same price. i'd be keeping mostly soft coral, a few lps, and possibly a clam or two. are t5hos good enough to get these growing?
if bioballs are gone what do i need for filtration? lfs guys tell me that live rock and a good skimmer should do the job. do i need a refugium? if so what kind of lighting do i need for it? how much lr do i need to keep the bio filtration good?
i'm sure i have more questions, but it's early in the morning and i need more coffee. my name is Boots btw. my parents were hippies.