30 Gallon Setup Questions

[A Toadstool Leather]

I am currently running a 14 gallon biocube, and it has been running for a year and a half. With 14 pounds of cycled rock can I instantly cycle a 30 gallon? I also was thinking of having 16 pounds of rock to cycle in the 30 gallon then adding the cycled 14 pounds to adhere to the 1 lb per gallon rule. What would be a good light for a 30 gallon if I plan to grow softies and lps with maybe some lower light sps in the future. If you are wondering about my stock I have:
- 1 bicolor dottyback
- 1 asteria snail
-5 red leg hermits
-various softies and lps

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

With 14 pounds of cycled rock can I instantly cycle a 30 gallon?

yes. rinse and use clean sand.

dimensions of the tanks and money in your wallet for light? whats on the 14?


I would still go slow.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Im just using the stock pc lights . They are not very good but they have grown my softies rather well

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

The dimensions for the 30 gallon will be 23.6x19.7x16.5 inches. I dont want to spend over 250$ for lighting.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Well take a look at other tanks and see what you Like as far as mounting goes.
A 16in sbreeflight is 16in and I think you can afford ramping.
I think the same for the OCen revive t247.
There's a couple reef breeders used i thing in the for sale section as well.
But a lot of folks don't like the big black box on the tank.

Have you seen any you like already?

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Cheap lighting suggestion:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Odyssea-T5-...hash=item465407c534:m:md-sm9iA2uGsXAtMjYvOGSw

Swap out the stock lights for 2 of these:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ati-coral-plus.html
and 2 of these:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/t5-ati-blue-plus.html

and you're ready to rock. I've seen some amazing growth with this setup. The fixture, although extremely cheap, is fully programmable. I've been thinking about switching to it for a while. I'd also stalk the for sale section of this site and wait for a good deal.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Would an ai prime hd work?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Would an ai prime hd work?

Go to the AI site and check the spread.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

could I put the t5 bulb in the hood?

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

An ai prime would work I guess. It has a 24x24 inch spread

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

An ai prime would work I guess. It has a 24x24 inch spread

Could be fun.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Would cycling 16 lbs of rock then adding my 14 lbs from the biocube be a good setup method? I only plan on keeping my dottyback in there

 

[Sm51498]

I would think an AI wouldn't quite have the spread you want without setting it way above the tank. Personally I hate looking up into ultra bright leds when I'm up close viewing my tank They are cool though, I have one and love it, I just like it set low down. A mix between t-5s and the prime would be freaking awesome or a hydra 26.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

What kind of t5 lights would work for a 30 gallon?

 

[Sm51498]

24" tubes would work just fine. I would personally use a retrofit but I like building stuff

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

What advantages do t5 lights offer from led aside from a lower starting cost? How often must I replace them?

 

[Sm51498]

More diffuse and even lighting, better color blending and the best track record for results on the market. You get much less shadowing and spotlighting. Bulbs should be replaced every 12 months. It's not ultra cheap for sure given the high cost of bulbs, but it is very effective and easy to use.

The trade off is of course they don't have the same controllability and ease of customizing spectrum.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

I might do 2 or 3 24in t5 bulbs. Im sure I can find a fixture for them. Would some sps be good under t5s? Im thinking of trying a monti cap later on

 

[Sm51498]

Depending on the reflector, a two bulb could grow montipora. A 4 bulb would be easier to grow montipora.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Im considering a 4 bulb ati t5 fixture. Thanks for the advice.