Scallywags Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 I had a 55g about 10 years ago. I bit off a bit more than i could chew so it was kind of a disgrace ( I traveled a lot, wasn't financially stable, and didn't really have any forums to absorb knowledge). Now that i am much more stable and have finances in order I am excited to dive in! I purchased this set up used and wanted to run it by everyone. and see what you guys thought. 35g 18" x 19" x 24" by reef savvy w ghost overflow to a 20g sump Aqua Illumination nano LEDS w/ controller Phosban reactor w/pump and media seaside aquatics nano skimmer auto top off system My main questions have to do with lighting. Will the LED nano setup be enough to penetrate a 24" deep tank? I plan on mostly zoas/shrooms/softies but would like to know the possibilities going forward. The other question has to do with the sump. I hear mixed opinions on whether or not i should set up some sort of fuge in an area in the sump, whether i should just throw some extra LR in there, or just leave it be. I have always enjoyed watching all the little critters in established refugiums, so i would prefer one. I just wonder if I will have room and the best ways to set it up (obviously pictures will help when I get everything set up this Monday/Tuesday). Lastly the livestock I am interested in. Pair of clowns, 6 line wrasse, paired candy cane pistol/goby (Randalls, yasha, etc), and dragonets (Mandarin, moyer's, etc). This will clearly be down the road but preparing and setting myself up for success is the game plan this time around. Cheers all and I look forward to hearing from you!!! Link to comment
seabass Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 Welcome to N-R.com. If you would prefer a refugium, go for it. However, a 20 gallon sump doesn't give you much room for a substantial one. I personally prefer to run a protein skimmer and carbon/GFO reactor. With a heater and return pump, you've used up most of the available space. I would rethink the dragonets. While some have been trained to eat frozen food, most rely on live food for their diet, and your display is too small to support the amount of live food they require. Link to comment
Scallywags Posted May 7, 2016 Author Share Posted May 7, 2016 I was hoping to find dragonets that have been trained on frozen foods. I have also seen places sell bags saturated with live copepods. Would supplementing that every few weeks and spot feeding them be reasonable? Honeslty I would rather have dragonets than any other fish, so i would be willing to go the extra mile for them. Link to comment
Newstead Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 Definitely wait on the mandarin until you can find or order one trained on frozen. I was lucky to happen on one at my LFS that I watched eat frozen mysis there. Had him a month in my 29 and feed him 2x day frozen mysis or LRS Reef Frenzy - he actually pecks at the feeding tube impatiently! He has fattened up considerably but I have added pods twice already and they disappear quickly. Going to look into culturing pods just to ensure a supply for Jimi even with the frozen. Looks like this will be a nice build! Link to comment
BJV Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 http://saltwateraquariumhobby.com/aquarium-livestock/mandarin-fish-care-and-feeding/ Link to comment
Newstead Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 http://saltwateraquariumhobby.com/aquarium-livestock/mandarin-fish-care-and-feeding/ Great article, thanks. My plan was to move my mandarin to our 75 gal DT when the tank is a year old, but he is doing so well in the 29 and can find the feeding tube so easily, I may leave him in there as long as he stays this fat! Link to comment
Scallywags Posted May 9, 2016 Author Share Posted May 9, 2016 i was told about Chinese LEDs - mars aquas - and saw some others that look a little better quality. Anybody have any experience with these?? Mars Aqua: http://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dimmable-Aquarium-Light-Spectrum/dp/B017GWDF7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462829952&sr=8-1&keywords=mars+aqua+led Galaxy Hydro: http://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-55x3w-Dimmable-Spectrum-Aquarium/dp/B00INM0J1M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462827571&sr=8-2&keywords=mars+aqua+led Aroccom: http://www.amazon.com/AROCCOM-Marine-Aquarium-Spectrum-Fixture/dp/B00SZJDTTW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462828670&sr=8-1&keywords=aroccom+165w Vipar Spectra: (Shout out to Reef Central members??) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UMXAR5S?psc=1 Link to comment
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