New Tank

[ReefinRich]

Hey everyone,

So I’m in the process of building my new tank. It’s a 30x18x24 column style tank with stand and canopy. It came predrilled with the eshopps eclipse m on the back. I’ve bought a EcoTech Vectra M1 return pump for the sump. (It was 30% off, couldn’t pass up the deal). So now as I take my time to get it up and running I’m looking for some opinions. I need a sump/refugium, skimmer, and light options. While I’m not looking to break the bank, I’m not wanting to be cheap either.

I’ve been looking at the AI Prime HD light and thought about putting 2 of them over it and set it up as a parent and slave. This allows for optimal coverage. I was looking at the Bulk Reef Supply website and a single Hydra 26 recommended coverage is 18”x18”. A single Hydra 52 recommended coverage is 24”x24”. A single AI Prime HD recommended coverage is 18”x18”. So I figure a dual light setup will allow for optimal coverage of the entire tank and should be strong enough to provide decent par at the bed.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Am I thinking wrong on this process? Also if I got with the dual primes, is there a bar / rail style mounting option?

 

[ZoWhat]

No one can really answer this question without knowing if you have certain corals in mind.

Sps - high light

Lps - medium light (some low light)

Mixed - imo too hard to keep all corals happy. I've never seen a mixed reef stay happy for more than 12mos

Imo you gotta fall on one side on the fence....and choose a direction for your coral tank

sps? Or lps?

 

[Jon Fishman]

I think Bubble-Magus make nice, and affordable skimmers..... I would check for nice used ones in the for-sale section here though..... I have been stalking the Dry-Goods here since the beginning..... tons of deals, and when I end up breaking and buying something new etc.... something amazing becomes available and I have to pass on it!