New to SW need frag tank advice

So I'm new to salt water aquariums, and I want to start a salt water tank . I'm not too interested in fish really I don't know if that sounds odd or not. I really just like corals like zoas, pallys, acroporas and stuff like galaxys. The only fish I like are the 2 fire fish, and cardinals. I've compiled a list of items I'm assuming I might need, but not too sure for I'm a noob. So I need your SW wisdom . I don't know a good size for a frag tank but I have selected a 50 gallon aquarium. Keep in mind Im trying to stay under 1000 dollars equipment wise not counting the cost of live rock.

50 gallon aquarium new $135

AquaticLife Compact Florescent 48" 260watts - $360 is this an overkill for what corals I want?

200watt Hydor Theo heater - $19

40lbs OceanDirect live sand - $35

Eshopps PSK-75H hob skimmer - $140 have read many good things about this skimmer and was assuming I didnt want to go cheap on a skimmer.

Hydor Koralia EVO 1400 - $50

total = $739 plus any shipping charges

Is there anything else I'm going to need, Or do you think I'm getting the right stuff here? I wont be doing a sump, but may in the future add the 24" AquaFuge on the back if you think its needed. Will I need to add the minimum of 50lbs of live rock if I only plan to keep coral and maybe 2 fire fish?

 

Welcome to 3 reef TheshrimpOtaku
IMO

Everything on your list, your intended plan sounds OK
except for either your lighting or your coral selections

Zoas and Pallys amongst other species would be fine under PC lighting
but the acropora you mentioned would be better under T5 x 54 watts x 4 lamps with fitted reflectors

now whilst the total wattage I have indicated above is a lower number than your PCS
the things is T5 are more efficient, they use less power (watts) and generate more light that can be directed using a quality reflector down onto the corals below

PC lamps are not as efficient, as some of the light gets sent towards the parrallel glass tube - you cant get quality reflectors for PC lamps

PC lamps in general need replacing every 9 months as the output starts to fade after that, whereas T5s you get at least 12 months and many run them 15 or 18 between replacing

if you where happy enough to keep low to moderate light requiring corals then PCs are an option for you

if you where to consider a 6 lamp x 54 watt T5 fixture then as far as light is concerned you wont have many, if any limitations on what corals you want to keep

Steve

 

I can get the nova extreme pro then, or the Tek 48" 6 bulb at 54 watts each. I have no clue what kind of bulbs will fit in the Tek tho. I looked at the Tek before but turned away from them because I couldn't find any info on what bulbs fit in them.

 

both of those are compatible with T5 lamps
the TEK is a very popular choice IME the 48 inch model is 6 x 54 watts so that ideal IMO
but I do know others who are succesfully keeping SPS corals under 4 x 54 watt T5s

quality lamps are also required
Check out the T5 Q and A thread in the lighting section for some great advice and opinions on lamp choices
http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-lighting/t5s-q-54866.html



Steve

 

well my LFS has a deal on a 90 gallon tank 400 bucks for the tank, glass top, light which I will sell , and stand. Im probably going to pick that up plus its got more ground room then a 55 and 75 so I should be able to aquascape it pretty well. With the 90g should I stilll go with the 6 bulb Tek or move up to the 8 bulb fixture?

 

6 bulb with SLR and good ati/giessman/or uvl bulbs will be good. 8 bulbs would be best, but not necessary. if your going for growth, go with blue (460nm) and white specturm (10k-14k) bulbs. actinics (420nm) dont have good par ratings.

 

Ok, so it sounds like you want a "COWLR" (coral only with live rock) tank, maybe a coral heavy reef with few fish.

That's not a "frag tank". A frag tank is a shallow tank with lots of light for growing out coral frags. They're custom made.

It's really a matter of semantics, but usually frag tanks are made for commercial fragging of corals for resale. The reason they're shallow is to allow for optimum light penetration as well as ease of handling frags, i.e. not a pit washing station.

So now that we have to nomenclature a little more tuned in, I would say your list is on lower end of what you'd want to keep corals. They'll live, but depending on the type/species, probably wont thrive.

With a few exceptions corals need pristine conditions to thrive. That means aggressive protein skimming, lots of live rock, the right flow, lots of light, etc.

The best way to achieve acceptable skimming is with a large "in-sump" skimmer. HOB models are hit-or-miss, but mostly are underpowered and undersized for a healthy reef tank.

I would really suggest you factor in a sump for your system if you want to be serious about a coral tank. The benefits of extra water volume, added flow, and filtration cannot be minimized here. A simple 20g tank makes a decent enough sump.

As for lighting, T5's are good, but I prefer Metal Halide/T5 combo lighting. You get the "sparkle" which actually benefits corals and is aesthetically pleasing to most people, plus you get better over all penetration and efficiency with MH lights. Lighting a coral tank is not cheap, but is pretty much required unless you plan to only keep non-photosynthetic corals.

Also, you'll really want to invest in a good RO/DI water filter for making water with. Tap water usually won't result in thriving corals (some places have good tap water, but it's not a safe assumption)

...anyways... that's all my opinion on the subject.

Welcome to 3reef, and enjoy the hobby. You're starting out right by asking for advise here, please continue the research!

-Doug

 

Thanks greysoul. I know about the ro/di unit and will buy one. I have been buying store ro water for my two 10g planted tanks. I will be getting one off BRS in the build your own ro/di section. Anyway I got a 75 gallon aquarium, the 90 gallon was sold . Haven't bought my light and everything else I need yet. Im still waiting on the IRS to send my homebuyers credit..... its been 8 months and counting :'( . So now my list consists of:

80lbs Samoa pink live sand

300 watt Theo heater

Tek light 6 bulb fixture

Oceanic salt mix enough for 200 gallons

I have decided to break the $1000 mark and get the SWC Extreme hang on tank its $350 bucks, so its more then the eshopps psk-100h but its rated for a HEAVY stocked 125g aquarium. From what I've read it can easly handle a 125g tank stocked to the max. With this baby on my 75g I should be fine. I refuse to use a sump .

I will add a Aquafuge later on

refractometer

koralia evo 1050

koralia evo 750 or should I just go with a second 1050?

10lbs marco shelf rock

50lbs marco key largo rock

20lbs Live rock from lfs

Thats what I have so far, but I dont know what bulbs to order for my Tek light. Theres so many cominations. would 2 aqua blue plus giesemann, 2 fiji purples k something, and 2 UVL aquasuns work?