Setting up a 75g system

Hi everyone, I am in the process if gathering all the much needed equipment for my set up (don't have much yet, just the tank and canopy) and going to be doing it over the next few months.
I am looking into installing a T5 retrofit system in the canopy and was considering going with 2 Coralvue set ups to make up a 4 light system, 2 whites and 2 blues. Each of the lighting fixtures will run off its own ballast so I can have the systems put on timers to turn on and off at different times of day...blues on first and shut off last. You get the point.

My question is about Coralvue. Is it a good fixture or should I go with something else? I know I'm going to get a lot of replies that its a matter of preference but I am new to this and want opinions of 1 brand over the other.

I would like to some time down the line, way down the line, have soft corals in the tank if that helps.

My tank dimensions are 48x18x20 and is made out of acrylic so Metal halide is out of the question due to the heat factor and canopy distance to the top of the tank, I think it only sits about 6" above the surface of the tank.

The tank has a center mounted over flow with a blue background also...not that it matters, just felt like adding it in my post.

Thanks Rich

 

Oooooo. Cool. Starting from scratch. WRT the lights, you may want to consider a 6x54W setup. It will fit. Also, if you have the stand and the canopy, you can start cycling your tank pretty much right away. You just need some sand (aragonite is good). About a two inch base will suffice. And get yourself about twenty pounds of base rock along with 10 pounds of live rock. For a reef tank, you will want around 130lbs total, but it's a start. And of course a few Koralia powerheads to circulate the water within the tank. The die off from the LR will start the cycle. You don't need skimming or lights (well, actinics would help a bit) for your cycle. Otherwise, start plugging away at getting your additional powerheads, return pumps, skimmer, base rock and a partridge in a pear tree. Happy hunting!!!!! Oh, be sure to use RO/DI water for your water supply, not tap.

 

Thanks for the info, I am going at it very slowly, but want it now....lol
No I dint have the stand for it yet. The LFS I bought the tank and canopy had to order my lock line for the overflow box because it was missing in the package and when it comes in I will be ordering the stand at that time...
Not to sound like a Newb....(well I am) but what does WRT stand for in your post...

I cant wait to start buying everything I will need, My brother has a 300 gallon set up and said I could have some of his live rock along with sand to get it cycling when I have it set up, he also said he has alot of equipment that I can have that he doesn't use anymore from when he upgraded his system. Pumps, Poweheads, wavemakers, skimmers, Uv sterilizers etc, etc.. I just have to go over to his house to see what he has that I can use on my system. He even told me not to buy any light because he has them also.

I dont know if I am going to buy new or use his old stuff.........Oh man it's so nice to open up shinny new equipment tho........lol

 

Well, I used old stuff that pretty much sucked for a few months before I upgraded (I am still upgrading!!!!). And that is fine.....when you are just starting you don't need the best equipement available anyway. I would take what your bro has to offer and then you have time to pick and choose what you need next.

Oh and WRT mean's with respect to;D.

 

Nice! Another build thread! Love these things! Pics please

 

Oh I intend to take any and all hand me downs save for the lights and sump system.
He wants to make a sump for my system off of the diy pages....He's made all kinds of thinks including his whole system minus the 300 gallon tank. His canopy and stand are gorgeous.

 

Anyone know anything about Coralvue lights? Thats what my lfs recommends, told me to steer clear of Current, and I was just about to lay down the clams on a retrofit system

 

IMO current makes decent lights its the bulbs that aren't the greatest but you can change them out to whatever you want.
Like the nova extreme pro is a nice 6 light if you change out the current bulbs for some really nice ones,
but obviously if you have the money tek lights are the way to go.
unfortantly I have know experience with Aquavue lights.

 

Thanks for the responce, keep them coming, I would like info an all T5 retrofit kits out there.

 

Looks like I will have to get a taller canopy to put a bigger light fixture in it or a combination HQI with T5's