Lighting and Skimmer Recommendations

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

I currently have a 50g fowlr, wanting to turn it into a reef. I would like to get some inexpensive skimmer recommendations. I also plan to light it with a few aquamana LEDs, would these suffice. Any help is appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FHDEAFQ...olid=LTR3TXGJ96X1&coliid=I3AYZRKNNNPBIG&psc=1

joeyhatch11 · Oct 9, 2015

Not sure about the light as i run T5 but for skimmers, look for a SCA-301. They are a Bubble Mag knock off and are amazing. I run the SCA-301 on both my tanks, couldnt be happier. They are rated for up to 65 gallons and run around $100.

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

I would like to run T5 but I can't seem to find a reasonably priced fixture. And I will definitely check out that skimmer, thank you. What size tanks do you run it on?

Lynn52 · Oct 9, 2015

I got my HO t5 on eBay for less than $40 for 36" 48" is a bit more. Bulbs are crappy but can be replaced with ATI or Giessemann bulbs. These are the ones I got.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/T5-Dual-36-...39W-Odyssea-/301218910911?hash=item46220bd2bf

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

Thank you, I will check them out. Do you think the sca 301 will be enough for me, or should I get the sca 302. My tank is 50 gallons with 20 gallon sump.

Virtualbasil · Oct 9, 2015

AI prime !

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

I would need like 3 of those to light the tank wouldn't I?

Virtualbasil · Oct 9, 2015

No I have a 54 gallon display and I use two

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

My tank dimensions are 36x18x18

Virtualbasil · Oct 9, 2015

I have a similar size

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

Wow. Looks good. This is where my predicament comes to life. To upgrade my 50 gallon tank I need lights and a skimmer and I would probably start fresh with new dry rock and sand. But I have a 4 bulb t5 aquatic life fixture that is 48". I had a plan to start fresh with a 75g. I would still have to buy the tank, skimmer, more rock, and build the stand and sump. Any advice on what I should do.

Virtualbasil · Oct 9, 2015

You can do easy corals like polyps with low lighting. What kind of lighting do you have now? Picture ?

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

My lighting right now is super cheap leds . That only grow polyps that are within 5" of the light. I will try and upload a picture soon. This tank was my introduction to salt water so I'm still a complete newbie. I bought the tank second hand. So I inherited a bunch of problems lol. My skimmer broke the other day and that didn't help my ongoing algae problem. GHA and cyano I think. I only have a maroon clown pair and a yellow Cori's wrasse. I need serious help with my tank. So I want to either breakdown this tank and totally restart or breakdown this tank and upgrade to a 75g.

Virtualbasil · Oct 9, 2015

Might be a phosphate problem. Your water can be dirty and blocking a lot go the light. Take your water to get tested at a LFS store for phosphate if you don't have a test kit for it. Another way to find out if your water is blocking light is to fill a totally clean white five gallon bucket up and see if it is tinted brown.

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

Okay. I think I might have a test somewhere. If I don't Im a RO process specialist at a water reclamation facility so I have access to a full lab and I can have the lab run a test for me. Here is a picture of my tank.

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

Sorry for the not so perfect picture. Tablet doesn't take very good ones lol

Vivid Aquariums · Oct 9, 2015

I would consider the Bubble Magus NAC Series, Bubble Magus Curve Series or ASM G Series Protein Skimmers. They all provide a good value.

Dave

Baaron530 · Oct 9, 2015

If you have the money and the room an upgrade would be easier than a restart. Start with new rock, sand and tank and let it cycle while the other tank is still functioning. As for skimmers there are a lot of good skimmers on the forum sale sites for great prices and same for lighting. For skimmers like to find ssomething a little over rated for tank size and bio load just to be safe, The lighting is a personal preference, leds to t5 to halides or combinations , I personally switch to cheaper full spectrum leds on my 180 from halide/t5 combo mostly due to bulb replacement but I like the colors and growth better before the switch but again i didn't buy top of the line led units.

Maximizer · Oct 9, 2015

I was planning on an upgrade or a tank redo. I have the room and money for an upgrade. The upgrade may be slow moving at first since the holidays are coming up. I already have a few things. 80 lbs of live Fiji pink sand, 25 lbs of dry reef saver rock, power heads, little fish phosban reactor with carbon and gfo, some used spare pumps, and a used 4 bulb aquatic life t5 48" with brand new ATI bulbs. All of its brand new besides the pumps and light. Correct if I'm wrong but all I need is tank, stand, 50 lbs more rock, sump, and skimmer. The upgrade would be to a 75g. But I could wait on the skimmer since it doesnt need to run while its cycling right?

joeyhatch11 · Oct 10, 2015

Maximizer said:
I would like to run T5 but I can't seem to find a reasonably priced fixture. And I will definitely check out that skimmer, thank you. What size tanks do you run it on?

I have a 33L (48x12x12) with 20L sump, roughly 42 gallons total volume. An a new custom build I made myself (40x24x12) with a 20L sump, roughly 56 gallons. For lighting I'm using generic brand T5 fixtures with ATI bulbs. Ones a 4 bulb fixture, the other a 6. They both grow anything I put under them.