Couple quick questions from a newb

I have a small 13gal nano tank that I'm thinking of upgrading to a 45 gal setup. There are a few things the tank needs to get up and running but I'm having a hard time figuring out what is best for the fish I currently have as well as what some of the stuff is actually called so I can look up prices online for the equipment I need. So okay, I currently have two damsels, a valentini puffer, a crimson clown and a blue hippo tang. The tang is just a baby, maybe an inch long or so but I know she is gonna get big so it's another reason I want an upgrade. The setup I'm going to be acquiring needs a new set of bulbs. I was told I needed to pick up a T5 HO dual bulb, not sure exactly what that means and my random google searches have not been very helpful with details. I also need a UV bulb for some kind of purifier thingy? I can't even remember the name of the thing, I was a freshwater girl til last year. And I might need a protein skimmer (they're not entirely sure if they're keeping the skimmer or sending it with the tank) and what kind of substrate would be best for those types of fish? In my Nano I have live sand and I kinda like the look of it but I want the fish to be happy too.

 

you will definitely need a skimmer, and one that is rated double what they say it is. so you need to find one that will be rated for 100 gallons or more.

T5's are just fluerescent bulbs that are smaller in diameter, and put out at least 10,000k. there are tons of different models out there. should have no problem finding one.

And if you are planning on having corals, you might not wanna keep the puffer, but if it is just a fish only tank, you should be good to go.

you will need more Live rock, and use new sand.

and you don't have to have a UV sterilizer....

 

Welcome to 3reef,

Great advise from dowtish, the tang will out grow your 45 unfortunately.

 

sweet, thanks for replying so fast and I know with the puffer that corals and the like are out of the question, he'd devour them but I'm more than willing to leave the pretty corals to other tanks i love the puffers personality. Are there any really good, reliable brand(s) out there for the lights? I really want to start it all off right and get the reasonably priced good stuff instead of cheap knock offs.

I know the tang will out grow it, a friend of mine has a 120 gallon setup so once she's too big he would willingly take her so she has the room to grow ( he doesn't have any blue hippo tangs and doesn't plan to get any )

 

have fun doing some research, and once you see what you like come back and start a new thread under lighting and ask about the specific brands, or just go to the search menu and type them in.

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