Moving and starting new tank

[ahiggins]

I’m going to be moving in the next month or so and I want to take my existing 2 tanks and combine their inhabitants (corals). I like the all in one style but I feel like it’s not enough room for equipment when you get bigger sized tanks.
I really like the Red Sea packages that include sumps and basically everything but the return pump lol

My question: trying to keep less than 60 gal display gallons, what’s the better bang for your buck looking down the line? Do I suck it up and go with a sump to pump ato skimmer and keep all my dream fish/coral? Or go budget and get all in one and keep a light stock? I would like to stick under $1500 for tank and stand.

 

[W1ngz]

keep all my dream fish/coral

I think this is your answer right here. Anything less, and you'll be thinking 'I shoulda gone bigger' about 5 minutes after you get things set up.

 

[ahiggins]

I think this is your answer right here. Anything less, and you'll be thinking 'I shoulda gone bigger' about 5 minutes after you get things set up.

dang you and your science

I really like the red Sea reefer 250 but I can’t figure out which lights would be appropriate. I’ve been an ai prime gal for all my nanos but my “big girl tank” needs more than that I think

 

[W1ngz]

Careful I might bust out more dang science lol

The AI hydra 32 or 64 would be a good 'big girl' light if you're comfortable with AI.

 

[ahiggins]

I don’t plan on sps but would a single hydra 62 be too little light?

 

[don_chuwish]

I'm using 2 Hydra 26 HDs on my 120G and they are plenty. Many good used ones turning up in the selling forums. But for a Reefer 250 at just under 36" long I think a single Hydra 52 (used) or a brand new Hydra 64 could cover it if mounted high.

 

[ahiggins]

I'm using 2 Hydra 26 HDs on my 120G and they are plenty. Many good used ones turning up in the selling forums. But for a Reefer 250 at just under 36" long I think a single Hydra 52 (used) or a brand new Hydra 64 could cover it if mounted high.

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t want to have to buy multiples lol I could buy a hybrid for that kind of money

 

[ahiggins]

I already have an ai prime hd puck maybe I just buy another and mount it close to the water

 

[W1ngz]

I already have an ai prime hd puck maybe I just buy another and mount it close to the water

2 primes and a hybrid fixture would be a good option too.

 

[don_chuwish]

2 primes and a hybrid fixture would be a good option too.

That certainly could work, add a little T5 love.

 

[ahiggins]

Lol would I need anything other than the two ai primes? I had two over a 40 breeder frag tank before I sold the frags and it worked out well. Grew everything from hard lps down to super easy palys

 

[don_chuwish]

I’d start with the two Primes and see how it goes. Even adding a third might be preferable to a big chunky hybrid fixture.