Miriam's 30 gallon reef project

miriamhigg · Jan 29, 2014

I am really excited to have found this forum. I recently acquired a 30 gallon aquarium and stand. I am wanting to turn it into a saltwater aquarium with live rock and corals. I am not sure what kind of lighting I need and which protein skimmer fit for this size aquarium. Can anyone help me?

bluedevils38 · Jan 29, 2014

For lighting I would go with t5 or metal halide for best coral growth! Yes people use leds but I still don't think they make corals grow the best my corals do great under my t5! And for skimmer are you going to use a sump or are you looking for a HOB

miriamhigg · Jan 30, 2014

Thanks for your input! As far as the skimmer goes which do you recommend?

bluedevils38 · Jan 30, 2014

Well in my sump I use a sca-201 which is good up to 65 gallon and it's works really good and only around 80 bucks

Pete polyp · Jan 30, 2014

I have a 29 without a skimmer. is thus tank drilled? If so you have more options on what skimmer you can use. If its not, then I would suggest a aqua remora hang on back. I agree with using the t5 for lighting, I personally have a 24" 6xt5 fixture on my tank and like it very much. A 4 bulb t5 would be adequate, I went with 6 for more bulb options.

booth2010 · Jan 30, 2014

You should get a skimmer rated for twice the amount of water in the system for best results. I have a 29 gallon with a 20 gallon sump and have the Reef Octopus NWB 110 4" Pinwheel from Bulk Reef Supply. If you are not going to use a sump then a HOB is what you need they also have them at Bulk Reef Supply, from the reviews the Reef Octopus BH100 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer seems like a good bet. For skimmers do NOT go cheap! This is one piece of equipment not to go the cheap route on. As for lighting I love my AquaSun T5-High Output lighting.

NanaReefer · Jan 30, 2014

I run the Reef Octopus BH-1000 on my 26g. It's rated for tanks up to 75g.

Love it!

miriamhigg · Jan 31, 2014

Thanks everyone for all of the feedback!! I am going to start really soon putting this together. I want to do it right and am willing to take it slow and do it as my budget will allow me.