Help me Decide ...........Again

[Ortho Bill]

Current Tank and Equipment (will be 3 months old on 6/10)
37 Gallon 30x13x22
USA Orbit 2x65 w/ moonlight
Aqua C Remora Hang-on Skimmer
approx 40#'s LR
4" DSB
2 sm. tank-raised Percs.
1 sm. tank raised Purple Dotyback
1 sm. Lawnmower Blenny
1 Emerald Crab
4 Turbo Snails
approx. 15 Bl. legged Hermit Crabs
(All doing well...)

I am stuck between moving up to either a 72G RR BF(Megaflow) or a 90G RR. (Megaflow). I bought 60 #'s of LR locally yesterday and the gentleman threw in an Amiricle 150 Wet/Dry. I've read some posts here that suggest Bioballs are a ticking time bomb though. I thought I could use the Wet/Dry as a sump and replace the BB with LR. Is this OK ? I guess the main factor for me is that I'd like to add a Flame Angelfish and a Yellow Tang before concentrating on adding soft corals. I love the look of a bowfront tank but I'm think that the 72 may be too small for my current livestock and the last 2 fish on my list. I'm also concerned that my skimmer would be too small for the 90. Help me decide please.

Anyone have an opinion on the Sunlight Supply - Tec T-5 lights. I really love my current light and would be happy to purchase a 48" light but for a few dollars more I could purchase the T-5s
(4<72> or 6<90> x 54w). Am I correct that they have a higher output than regular pc's with the benefit of not having to replace bulbs as frequently?

Thanks for all your help. Bill

 

[ChrisRD]

If it were me...

I'd go with the 90 gallon (I don't like bowfronts).

If you just got another 60# of rock and you already had 40# and you're going to combine all of it (100#) in the new tank, you don't need any bioballs or any additional live rock in the wet/dry filter. Just use if for a sump.

As for the skimmer, I'd sell the Remora and upgrade to a Euro-Reef or something similar (ASM, South Bay, GEO, etc.).

As for the lighting - I'd skip the fluourescents and just go for halides. If I was going to stick to fluorescents, I would go with the T-5s or VHOs over PCs.

JMO...