Q's on Prop systems

[fishes2889]

Well yes like the title says i have many questions on prop systems. The whole reason is to start rapidly growing zoa's so my collection can become bigger with trading..

I need a prop system 30 gallons or lower and 24inches max on length. What size aquarium would be best for a system so small and could the best choice be one of the small cubes, like the AP24, and put a 175 retro on it?

If not the AP, what are my choices for filtration then. Just some power heads and weekly water cahnges because there isnt going to be any fish if its not going to be self contained like the AP.

And last but not least. I have still not taken the plunge into MH's yet. I was looking around but i have no idea what zoa's grow best on higher or lower k??

Thanks Steve

 

[TyreeUM]

go to target and buy some steralite clear plastic containers and use bulkheads-they are only like 5 inches deep and you can maximize growth-use a couple t5-s on each tank or somthing, I use those things up at the university to grow my ricordea and they work amazing. I will post some pics if you are interested

 

[fishes2889]

post some pics Tyree....

Anyone else have info on MH's? I was thinking about a 20high... 175watt MH?

Steve

 

[fishes2889]

How bout this:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...OD&Product_Code=PFO175W10R&Category_Code=PFOr
or this with the XM 10,000k 175w:
http://www.hellolights.com/17methalretk1.html

Steve

 

[TyreeUM]

i have halides on my system at school-i just didnt know if you wanted to go that route. I will try to get some good pics tomorrow while I am at school-I have two finals and a job interview tomorrow so I will be busy-but I will do my best. It's a serial raceway of three steralites bulkheaded and cascading into one another with a 30 gallon steralite sump and a magdrive 12 return pump-it cost me practically nothing and it's less than 50 gallons and gives me almost 10 sqauare feet of growing space.

 

[fishes2889]

Sounds very nice i cant wait to see some pics. I will probably not be able to do this, due to space but it sounds very nice.

Steve

 

[TyreeUM]

how much space do you have?

 

[fishes2889]

Probably enough for a 20g high....

Steve

 

[TyreeUM]

is that like 24"?

 

[fishes2889]

24x12x16...

Heres 143gadgets aka chris's 20h prop system:
http://www.club-zoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1541

Steve

 

[TyreeUM]

no offense but why the 20 H-that seems like waste-why not just use a 15, same footprint right?

 

[fishes2889]

All together a 20H prop system doent seem that bad on the wallet:
Tank:20$
2 MJ900:30$
This MH or some other retro(i need other opinions on this)
http://www.hellolights.com/25hlmhrekith.html
200$ w/bulb
10lbs of LR 25$
---------------
260$

doesnt seem that bad...

Steve

 

[fishes2889]

no offense but why the 20 H-that seems like waste-why not just use a 15, same footprint right?

I guess your right. But i think they are the same price in my stores book. I'll check tommorrow when i go to work.

 

[TyreeUM]

well if cost is an issue-half that 20H isnt even being used, and a metal halide over a such a small tank would have to be placed really high like the one in the picture-which kinda defeats the purpose in my opinion-why not just put a cooler bulb lower and maximize efficiency? I run a chiller at school to keep my temp low cause the halides heat up the system so much-but they are also only 10 inches from the water surface. I think a 15 (same footprint) with t-5's would give you the same growth-if not better-but thats only from my experience.