New to 3reef! And a start-up question...

If you can start with T5 I would def do that. It might be a little more expensive but I have regretted starting with PC and not T5. You have more options open to you if you do.

 

I thought the t5 light was the way to go as well. I would love to go cheaper?

 

Im running t5's over mine with corals hard and soft and there thriving. I would stick with them plus mh take alot more energy to run and if its a enclosed canopy prolly have to run a cooler if no fans are there to circulate top air. You made the right choice with t5's and will be able to pretty much grow anything.

 

That's very good news...thanks devlzluv! (it is an enclosed canopy with no cooler/fans that I'm aware of). And don't let that cat anywhere near our fish friends!

 

Update

Thank you all very much again for the warm welcome and advice! Haven't posted in a while. After MUCH reading and discussion with fellow aquarists...the system has changed considerably...so a quick update. We'll be starting a new thread following the build/setup with pics real soon. The display tank has been upgraded to 60g...the marineland biowheel canopy has been ditched in favor of a lifereef overflow and marineland M2 wet/dry sump filter with their pro series protein skimmer. Return pump will likely be a magdrive, and powerheads will likely by hydor koralias. Lighting will likely be marineland T5 HOs (1/2 bank daylights and 1/2 actinics). Fully submersible heater in sump, not sure which one yet. Probes in sump for continuous digital monitoring/alert system for critical water quality parameters also in the works.

We look forward to starting the new thread soon and sharing our progress with you on our first foray into the world of saltwater.

Happy reefing!
Matthew & Amanda

 

Welcome!!! Asfor the lights, I'd think more along the lines of what kind of tank you want. You said FOWLR in your intro, and this can limit your ability to succesfully keep any corals. What kind of fish? If your starting more of a community tank, then with carefull fish selection, you should be able to easily convert to a reef tank down the line, in which case t5's are great for leathers and LPS (large polyp stony) corals, but if you stock your fish only tank with puffers and parrotfish, then you'll have a REALLY hard time keeping any corals. If you think you want corals later on, then plan your starter fish around this idea. Check any potential fish purchases to see if they are reef safe, and start with something simplelike Green Chromis or damsels. Just one more wordof caution though, It's really hard to get fish back out of a tank with lots of rockwork, so add with that in mind. Anyway Welcome and good luck!!! Post PICs as soon a you get your equipment please. We love to watch them grow!!!!

 

You read my mind! That's exactly the plan...start off as a FOWLR with easy to care for, peaceful, and reef-safe community fish...but with the equipment already in place for expansion into "easier" corals (considerably) down the line. The very first first we have our eyes on is a yellow coral goby (Gobiodon okinawae).

Matthew

 

Gobies jump! not all of them, but most so be careful to keep a lid over them

 

Thanks for the heads-up! But no worries, since we're planning a glass lid and wood canopy to finish it off up top.

Matthew & Amanda