new 100G setup

[dzhuo]

Hi all,
I am planning to set up a reef tank of 100G with dimension: 48"x24"x20". Will this be a good size? A bit too short?

I want the tank to be drilled. Do you know which company can do this for me? I know there are companies that sells reef ready system but I think they are too expensive.

I am planning on having a 2 x 250W MH + 2 VHO(or PC). Will this be enough light for my tank? Assume I want to keep SPS and calm...

Should I use the Pandant instead? Or should I use buy the complete hood system and let it set on top of my tank? I heard that I have to put my MH lights at least 6" - 8" above tank surface right?

I emailed hellolights.com and they recommand only a 2 x 175W MH system and said it should be sufficient, what do you think? And they also said if I buy the complete hood system, I will simply let it set on top of my tank and no need to hang it? true or not?

A lot of questions... Thanks!
David

[Pineapple House]

Welcome to RL dzhuo!!

Hi all,
I am planning to set up a reef tank of 100G with dimension: 48"x24"x20". Will this be a good size? A bit too short?
That is an exelent size tank!

I am planning on having a 2 x 250W MH + 2 VHO(or PC). Will this be enough light for my tank? Assume I want to keep SPS and calm...
The lighting will be good, but I personally wouldn't recommend using just those. I would use 2, 250wt Iwasaki MH, Dual PFO ballast, Reflectors, quick disconnects, etc. And get 4, 65wt Actinic PC's. These PC's will mount right into your system. As you might know, MH alone tend to make the water look yellowish, and the corals don't respond as much to pure daylight lighting. The PC's Actinics will all much more color to your corals (Esspecielly Green Acopora, Hydrnophora, Elagances, Tube Anemones, Green Brains, and some polyps!), and will make the water look more whitish.

Also, I wouldn't try and go with SPS and Clams quite yet, esspecielly for a beginner. I would do some heavy research on the care on SPS and Clams. I would also wait a year before adding SPS and Clams. They will need best of the best water quaility. While some might disagree with what was said above, what I said was true. If you want sucessfull reefing in keeping these alive, wait a year or so. If you want, you can start adding smaller fish when the tank has done cycling.

Should I use the Pandant instead? Or should I use buy the complete hood system and let it set on top of my tank? I heard that I have to put my MH lights at least 6" - 8" above tank surface right?
Yes, MH are recommended at least 6-12" above the water surface, due to heating issues. While you can have them closer, that might heat your water up too much. I would always recommend having Fans in the hood, to provent too much heating. If you live in a hot area, a chiller might be something to look into. A calcium reactor would also be very highly recommended for keeping SPS and clams. SPS corals will need a Caclium of 450ppm and over, and the best way to keep this that high, would be with a reactor. A DSB would also be highly recommended. There are many links to good info on DSB's, including some of my posts, such as the DSB thread (I will find the link later)

I emailed hellolights.com and they recommand only a 2 x 175W MH system and said it should be sufficient, what do you think? And they also said if I buy the complete hood system, I will simply let it set on top of my tank and no need to hang it? true or not?
No, I wouldn't do it. I would highly recommend you stick with the MH/PC combo, that IMO would be the best lighting.

PH =)

[dzhuo]

The lighting will be good, but I personally wouldn't recommend using just those. I would use 2, 250wt Iwasaki MH, Dual PFO ballast, Reflectors, quick disconnects, etc. And get 4, 65wt Actinic PC's. These PC's will mount right into your system.


Where can I buy the system that you mention above? Most of the companies I looked at have only 2x250W MH + 2 PC(or VHO) instead of 4 65W Actinic PC you mention...



Also, I wouldn't try and go with SPS and Clams quite yet, esspecielly for a beginner. I would do some heavy research on the care on SPS and Clams. I would also wait a year before adding SPS and Clams.
PH =)

Yes, I won't have SPS or calm yet. But the plan is to have the most powerful lighting system now and avoid upgrade later. I don't like the "upgrade later" theory...

thanks for your help!
daivd

[Pineapple House]

Where can I buy the system that you mention above? Most of the companies I looked at have only 2x250W MH + 2 PC(or VHO) instead of 4 65W Actinic PC you mention...
try www.hellolights.com

Note, that it will not come all in one, you will have to buy everything specificly, that's how you can get the 4, 65wt PC's in there, most come with 2, 110wt VHO actinic lighting :-)

PH =)

[dzhuo]

try www.hellolights.com
PH =)

That's the first place I checked but they don't have the 2x250W system, i don't think...

After some researching... I am so want to get the 2x400W MH Pendant instead...

david

[Pineapple House]

After some researching... I am so want to get the 2x400W MH Pendant instead...

david
That would be good to have, although the 400wt will be extremely hot, esspecielly since you are using 2 of them. Next, they will turn the water very yellow looking. I would highly recommend you invest some of your money in a chiller, although that would not be 100% nessisary. I would personally still stick with the 2, 250wt, although thr 400wt can be used. Although the 400wt Wouldn't be my choice though :-)

Also, check out Iwasaki MH bulbs, PFO ballast, etc. from hellolights, I am pretty sure they have them listed, although you may have to buy them seperatly

PH =)

[dzhuo]

Thanks for the info! That is very helpful. I decided to not use the 2x400MH Pendant and stick with the 2x250W MH + 2 PC (or VHO) instead.

I have a slightly off topic question:
I see (and heard) a lot of reefers are using what they call custom hood. Is there a company that sells those custom hood so we can just buy a retrofit system and mount it? If so, which company is selling those custom hood?

Thanks!
david

[ssgibby]

custom hoods are usually built by a DIY or a cabinet maker.

[sebae0]

depending on where your tank is you can buy the retro kit and make the canopy its not that hard. i picked up 2 250 watt mh on ebay with bulbs for 200.00 bucks. great deal. just make a conopy that is 4 x 2 and hang it over your tank with the bulbs mounted. if its in your living room do the same thing but add a couple of inches to the height and increase the height so it can stand around the corners of the tank. just extend wooden legs down to the tanks outer rim to hold it off the tank. by the way dont settle for the 175's the 250's will do a better job.

[stangnet]

regarding the holes for your tank, try getting involved with a local reef club - good contacts should be found. Around here they had a hole drilling get together. :D
ande

[dzhuo]

Sebae0,
Thanks for the info! I decided to go for 2 250W MH + 2 PC Actinic for the lighting and I am seriously consider the suggestion that you made. I will try to get a retrofit kid and mount it on a hood.

Stangnet,
I am living in San Francisco(The Bay Area) of California. Anyone also live close? I wonder where I can find out what fist club is in my area? do you know? I would love to join one...

david

[chem-e]

dzhuo,

I also live in SF and there are a couple of clubs that I was introduced to. Here's their websites...

http://www.sfaquarium.org/
http://www.bareonline.org/

Hope this helps.

[Zayetsfoot]

does anybody know of clubs in Michigan......Detroit area?

[Irisservice]

Check out this reflector if you plan on making a DIY top
It is 24"long and holds 2 PC one one on each side.

http://www.pfolighting.com/aqwebsite/aqimages/24PRLREFLARGE.jpg

[Pineapple House]

Hey Irisservice,

Do you have any link to where you could buy that MH system that you showed in the pic?

PH =)

[Irisservice]

Ask and you shall recieve!!!
http://www.marinedepot.com/a_lt_mh_pfo_acc_info.asp?CartId=
http://www.marinedepot.com/a_lt_mh_pfo.asp?CartId=

[dzhuo]

dzhuo,

I also live in SF and there are a couple of clubs that I was introduced to. Here's their websites...

http://www.sfaquarium.org/
http://www.bareonline.org/

Hope this helps.

Thanks! That's very helpful. Both web sites don't seem to have a "selling" section for members where I can search for used reef equitments though.
I will try to get involve with the clubs. Thanks a lot for the info!

thanks!
david