Any tips for New setup? Sump? Skimmer? Lights? etc

Hi Everyone,

I have been around here for a while reading and am thinking of finally taking the plunge and getting my 3ft tank up and running. I have a few questions before I get started.

1. The tank I have is 3ft (around 50 Gal I think) and I am wanting to put a sump tank under it (probably a small 1ft tank) to keep the skimmer, heater, etc in. Is this advisable for a 3ft tank or is it too small to have a sump?

2. I have a Eheim 2224 Professional Canister filter, can this be used with a sump? or do I just need a regular pump? If I can use it how would it be setup?

3. Protein Skimmer...Any good buys here in Australia? Do I need one straight up?

4. For the sump tank what should I use for the different sections? I have seen a few around in the "I Made This" forum but need advise on such a small one.

5. Lighting...What should I go with? I have a hood that has 2 fluro tubes in it (around 24" each I think). Do T5 bulbs fit in the same holders? Also what globes and how many would I need. I was thinking of 2 daylight and 2 twilight/moon ones.

6. Any other tips for a newbie would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Dean

 

Here ya go!

 

Thanks for that Annie, much appreciated!

What are the benefits of using glass baffles over acrylic?

Also I have been looking for some light setups on eBay (can pickup good deals sometimes) and I stumbled across this T5 HO LIGHT REEF HOOD 6X24W 60cm T5HO LIGHTING FIXTURE - eBay Other Supplies, Fish, Pet Supplies, Home. (end time 14-Apr-09 07:17:57 AEST)

I am pretty skeptical as it is one of those Chinese ones, but it comes with 2 x blue 13000k and 4 x white 10000k globes with 2 sets of switches.

Does this look any good or is it just the usual cheap junk? I also saw another one, used that was 2 T5's (one white one blue), 2 x leds and 1 x 150W metal halide, and it was around the $100 mark I think, would that be a better deal?

Right now I am building a new stand for the tank and am looking at how I will incorporate the lighting.

Cheers,
Dean

 

glass is easier than acrylic cause silicone sticks to it. plus, acrylic expands more than glass, so if the fit is tight, then you have the chance of blowing out your sump. if your sump is acrylic, go with acrylic. if your sump is glass, go with glass.
I would stay away from the cheap ebay lights. the quality will not be there. buying a used fixture would be better i would think.

 

You are entering a pretty expensive hobby. A cool hobby, but expensive. Lighting and skimming are something you do not want to skimp on. I have bought the cheap eBay light fixtures and they are just that.....cheap. I have owned cheap skimmers and they do not work well at all.

I am not even that impressed with the quality of the Nova line of lights. I had a small Nova extreme go poopy on me after only a month and a half. I was not impressed.

 

Thought that would be the case, but didn't know if 6 crappy lights would be better than 2 ok ones with a metal halide + LEDs. Will try and grab the used one.

From what I have read reef aquariums are much more expensive, but from having a few tropical setups over the years I am wanting to start something different. A long as I am spending my money where it counts I have no problem, just don't want to spend alot on something that a cheaper alternative will suffice.

Also what are the LED's for? just show or to they actually contribute something?

Thanks for all your help!

Cheers,
Dean

 

For the LED's, it really depends on what you keep. There are corals that will spawn based on moonlight. And, it does have an affect on fish breeding as well. A lot of controllers will actually have programs to dim/brighten the lights based on a lunar cycle to enhance these sort of things.
But, other than that, it's all just a wow factor

 

Thanks for all the tips! I am going to be building my new stand and hopefully working on my sump this weekend.

The used lights I found on ebay are sun sun 950 I think, currently at 190 with 8 hours to go. Are they any good or just more Chinese junk?

Cheers,
Dean