New Tank Setup!!!

For sumps I'm a fan of bigger is better. The bigger the sump, the more room you have, the more water volume you have, if you don't have an ATO, the less you have to top up, etc.

I wouldn't go off and get a new one, however, unless/until you get rid of the bio balls. Then you could buy a big acrylic tank and use it as the sump.

Still, there is nothing wrong with having two connected sumps like you have, it's just an expensive way to go... but you didn't eat that expense so no loss to you.

There is one addage that I always go by on my tanks. NEVER DO ANYTHING QUICKLY. Get your tank up and running with what you've got, let it settle, get used to it, then decide if there is anything else you want to change.

 

Hi...I have a quick lighting question. I just picked up a dual 250 W MH and 4 55W PC fixture today. It has 1 dual 250W PFO ballast and 2 more PFo ballasts for the 4 remaining PC's.
Do you know of a power strip that has a timer that can handle MH and PC as mentioned above so I can turn on the PC's at like 8 am and then the MH at 10:30 am? Then have them shut off automatically too!!!
Or if there is another light automated device that I should get please let me know.
Thanks!!!

 

Look into reptile timers. They usually have 8 outlets on a powerstrip with 4 of the being always and on, and 4 being switched. 2 of the switched outlets will be controlled by one timer, and the other 2 controlled by the other timer. The one thing that you will need to watch for though, is that you don't exceed the wattage rating on the powerstrip.

 

ok cool....
a ballast question....I have one big PFO ballast for the MH...is it ok to turn this on its side and run it or does it have to be flat? I am running out of room under the tank.
Thanks!