Upgrading tanks

I just got a 72 bow front for free so I get to start a new reef. I currently have a 56 reef now and will be moving that reef to the new one. I want to primarily make it an sps tank. So I am looking for some lighting and flow help.

 

nice upgrade tcox87 , congrats on getting a free tank

is the 72 4ft or 5ft long?

IMO 2 x 250 watt MH lamps would be an ideal way to light up that tank for SPS
Although if heat was something that might trouble you a bank of 6 x T5s would also give adequate lighting for SPS corals , provided you used quality lamps that is


flow - for an SPS dominant tank - you would want at least 50 x tank volume in turnover per hour IME ( I exceeded 80 in my last set up and will do so again thus time around)

the more sources of flow you have the better , so dont go for 2 x very large power heads or wave makers , 4 smaller ones would be better, and give you more control in how you use/ direct the resulting flow

hope that helps

Steve

 

It is a 4 ft. And I was actually thinking t5 retro fit. Would 8 be better than 6. So I need 50 X 72?

 

Provided 8 will fit across the tank and you dont waste light then yes it gives you more options on lamps so you can mess with colour to your liking without sacrificing PAR , Having said that many people achieve great success with 4 and 6 tubes


yes 50 x 72 would be a guideline , you could have less flow, but more focused it you had mixed reef with some SPS
But if its a SPS dominated set up, then 50 x 72 would be my starting point
and I would possibly increase depending on the reaction of the corals I was keeping

Steve

 

So I think I am going to with this retro set and ad a 2 bulb 36in set to complete the 6 bulb setup. Any thoughts.


http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...wired-48-4-lamp-complete-t5-retrofit-kit.html

 

that looks good to me Tcox807

Steve

 

You should not be disappointed with that selection. Then the daunting task of figuring out what bulbs you want to throw in there.

 

Jon where is your mrls pic taken at I served at Bragg for three years as a 13 p. I am goin to go with ati I think