New 50 Bow Front. Need some advice

[A C]

I am putting together a new reef tank and would like some advice as to the equipment I am thinking about using. In the past I have had fish only and FOWLR tanks so this will be my first attempt at a reef. So what I will do is list all equipment I will be purchasing and see what you guys think. If you do see something that is a bad idea PLEASE let me know as to why it is a bad idea and what I should be using. I will try and find links to every item but not every item will be purchased using the link listed.

 

Tank

50 Bow Front Reef Ready (36x18x20)

http://yhst-32494300360055.stores.yahoo.net/marrb0050.html

 

Lighting

Current Outer Orbit HQI 36" Compact Fluorescent

Metal Halide Lamps: 1x150watt - Power Compact Lamps: 2x96 watt- Lunar Lights: 4 - Watts/Amps: 342/3

http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/index.asp?P...amp;ProdID=1209

 

Filtration

Reef Sump 75-125 Gallon 24x12x16

http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/index.asp?P...amp;ProdID=3744

 

Protein Skimmer

AquaEuro PS135 Protein Skimmer w/pump

http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/index.asp?P...amp;ProdID=2529

 

Return Pump Quiet One Pump 780GPH

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=9849

 

Heater

ViaAqua Stainless Steel Freshwater Heater 200W

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...amp;pcatid=8172

 

Circulation Pumps (2)

Hydor Koralia Water Circulation Pump 600 GPH

Hydor Koralia Water Circulation Pump 600 GPH

 

Chiller (if needed)

Prime Mini In-line Chiller 1/10

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...mp;pcatid=13113

 

This should get things started. Please make whatever adjustment you see fit, all I ask is explain why, so that I can become more educated.

 

Thanks

[reefone]

Filtration

Reef Sump 75-125 Gallon 24x12x16

http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/index.asp?P...amp;ProdID=3744

 

save ur money and build one out of a standard tank. everything else looks good.

 

info on building ur own sump.http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[lakshwadeep]

I would be worried that the heater's description doesn't explicitly say it is safe for saltwater.

 

Two koralia "2"s may not be enough for a 50 gallon.

 

The lighting seems insufficient for high light corals. Getting a MH/T5 combo would be better than MH/PC.

[A C]

I would be worried that the heater's description doesn't explicitly say it is safe for saltwater.

 

Two koralia "2"s may not be enough for a 50 gallon.

 

The lighting seems insufficient for high light corals. Getting a MH/T5 combo would be better than MH/PC.

 

Good point on the heater I did not even see that.

 

I can up the GPH on the Circulation Pumps. Any suggestion as to how much circulation I should be shooting for?

 

As for the lights: I will look into MH/T5

 

Thanks.

[drog]

+1 for MH/T5 lighting like was mentioned.

[shiver905]

the t5 is mostly likely going to me antics.

it really dosent matter if you go t5 or pc, your main source is the MH.

 

Why dont u use 2 x150 watt, so you get a more even spread of light?

Maybe 2 pendants.

 

Also you could keep anything u want under the middle of the tank. , But the sides will get a less light. You can still manage. Its a nice fixture.

[SK8URDEAD]

Good point on the heater I did not even see that.

 

I can up the GPH on the Circulation Pumps. Any suggestion as to how much circulation I should be shooting for?

 

As for the lights: I will look into MH/T5

 

Thanks.

 

i have a 62G, with 2 k3's and its enough flow and my tank is only slightly bigger then the one you have. 36x18x22, also i have a mh with 2x250 over mine and like the other guy said i think its better to have light all over the tank instead of mainly the middle for more options with coral placements, why? well because if you have a coral that requires high or low flow but lots of light and your low flow areas are only in the corner of the tank, then you want more light at the ends of the tank where there is low flow. same with sps.

 

ps if you decide to get a mh with pc's get current dual actinic pc's they make the corals colors pop and look sexy.

 

ok now for the skimmer that pretty much looks like a octopus 110 skimmer but cost more. im not sure on how good that skimmer is but if you want a cheaper $$$ skimmer that works really good get a Octopus 110 new model. they only about $110-$125 and work amazingly well.

 

if you want to save money on a sump. simply buy a overflow alone and go buy a 20L Tank and go to lowes and buy some baffles and put them in the 20L to make a sump. i did that and for my first sump which is the one you have i used $160. then after that i said i need a bigger sump so i bought the 20L(2nd sump i have built) and worked a lot better since i have room for my protien skimmer(12x12) and my refugium(dont remember the space) and alot of space left over for my return pump and for ato system. it only costed me $50 in all to build a sump and not have to wait for it to ship($41 for 20L, about $9 for only 4 baffles of glass)

 

if you are goign to have only 1 return outlet for that pump then you will have a nice flow coming out of it, but if you later on decide you want 2 return outlets then you might want to get the quiet one 4000(im buying this one because i have dual outlet and want more output flow on my returns.

 

also im not sure on the heater you have never tried it but if you want a cheap and local heater you could also get marineland stealth heater 200W works like a beauty.

[A C]

SK8URDEAD Thanks for the info.