Converting FOWLR to REEF

Current USA Nova Extreme 30" 2x24W T-5 10,000K - Saltwater - Lighting - T-5 Fixtures at BigalsOnline

2 of these - giving you 4 x 24 watts would be within budget and be adequate for the corals you described above IMO

Current USA 24" Sundial T-5 Fixture 4x24W + LED - AquaCave

This ones just over budget but not by much and has the LED for moonlight effects

AquaticLife T5 HO 4-Lamp Light Fixtures w/ Lunar LEDs

within budget , but I have no experience of this brand

check the sponsors sites as some of them have 3 reef member discounts

Steve

 

It seems like the first option is the best, however moonlight effects would be greatly appreciated, although that 2nd light is only a 24", and i need a 30"... two of the first light would be around $150 bucks, which is a great price, but for some reason i feel skeptical about the first one. the third one is a bit pricey in its 30" version ($279.00). If the 2nd one came in a 30" version, i'd jump on it, even if it was over budget, just because of the moonlight effect.

 

Current USA 30" Sundial T-5 Fixture 4x24W + LED - AquaCave

it does and I pasted the wrong link, sorry

Steve

 

If you would consider buying two lights, how about this:

Amazon.com: Aqualight High Output T5 Dual Lamp Light Fixture - Double - 30 in.: Home & Garden

That would give you 120 W, and may give you more flexibility down the road. Two of them comes out to $204.

 

^ both options look good to me, but i am still leaning towards having moonlight effect. Also, the tank i'm converting only has a tiny little filter on the back like this

https://plus18.safe-order.net/justpetsonline/catalog/images/penguin 350 filter.jpg

It has two powerheads on both sides of the tank which i plan on replacing, but as far as filter options go, what else should i do? i really have no clue what i'm doing because the only reef i've ever had is the nano cube, which has a built in system. help with just about anything would be wonderful! (also, i'd like to avoid drilling the tank, or having to make a refugium)

 

I may do a sump set up, but i really don't want to drill my tank at all. any ideas on how i should set it up?

 

I'd be afraid to drill too. If you have the stuff on hand and are used to working with it, there are a number of DIY overflows that work well. However if you dont, i'd spend the money on a prebuilt overflow and use that. I tried a DIY myself and after the money i spent gathering the necessary tools, supplies, the oh crud that's permanent, and finally having issues with my build. I'm much happier with a hob that was given to me! i got lucky there but seriously, i haven't had a problem with this thing and it wasn't nearly as ugly as i originally thought it would be...

of course drilled is better but i've never done it so... know how you feel... Sump all the way though! wouldn't do it any other way unless it was a tiny tank with built in compartments or something...

 

oh, and where i was trying to get with that statement up there before i started rambling... In the end, with how much money i spent; i might as well have just bought a HOB to start with...

 

Maybe i should look into buying a new reef ready tank. One with a sump/fuge, and an overflow box all built in already so i dont have to drill or do any expansive plumbing, but those are really expensive, and chances are i'm gonna be close to $1500 in the hole before i even make some real progress.