New to the reef

[reefkeeper8]

I've done freshwater for years. Ijust set up a 10 gal nano reef to see if I could do it. Now I'm putting together a 55 gal. I'm trying to make most of the stuff myself. I started making agrocrette rock for my tank. Live rock is just to much. Now I'm trying to put together the lights. There is just so much information out there I need so help. Is the k rating more inportant or the wattage? I can get evrything I need from a local electric supply to put together 4-65wat cf at 6500k and 2-mh at 250 wats for around $250 is this eough? I've also read that you don't need mechical filtration if you put the right thing in your tank is this true. If anyone has anyother info that will be of help feel free to add it to.

 

[LA-Lawman]

welcome to Reefs.Org.!!!

I would say the Kelvin and wattage are both important. You need to set a goal for the livestock you want to keep. on my 10g i had a single 150w 14k double ended halide..... that was it. it did great.

I had a 20g that i ran off of VHO alone one 10k and actinic. so it solely depends on the goals for your tank.

let us know what you are thinking and we will help you make a choice. the members here are also known for finding the good deals around too. so we can probably save you some clams....

again. Welcome!!!!

 

[reefkeeper8]

I'm really not sure so I need so help there to. I have to learn what thing can be keep together as I go . I want this 55 to some want easy and I'll will work up from there so some help there is needed too. I know my wife wants it to have clownfish she loves the little guys. Ihave some xenia and a featherduster in my 10 gal. O and a florida condy that is doing some really weird stuff. But ffom there I'm still reading alot about everything. So what is the best stuff to sart out with. O and I know some guys a that own the lfs that will buy anything that I grow or breed. So some stuff that grows some waht fast and is easy to propgate to help pay for my hobby would be nice.

Thanks for any help

 

[Anonymous]

reefkeeper8
:welcome:

As far as lighting goes, that is determined by what you what to keep. As the Lawman already said, build your lighting around your livestock and go the biggest you can afford. Why? Because IMO IME it's a lot cheaper than changing the lighting out 6 months down the road when you figure out what you have may not do the job.

The lighting you spec'd in your post is though IMO way overkill for a 55 gallon tank..500 watts MH is twice what I had on a 125. I'd do one 250 MH and 2 actinics for color.

As far as you question about filtration, yes it is possible using a combination of live rock and protein skimming and responsible stocking of inhabitants.

Keep asking questions, that's the best way to learn!

 

[snapper1]

welcome :lol:

 

[bleedingthought]

I'm trying to make most of the stuff myself. I started making agrocrette rock for my tank. Live rock is just to much.

I've also read that you don't need mechical filtration if you put the right thing in your tank is this true. If anyone has anyother info that will be of help feel free to add it to.

If you were to have enough live rock, more than likely, you would need no more filtration. Except maybe a protein skimmer, which helps. But since you're making rock yourself, you're looking at no help with biological filtration. You could also look into getting a fuge.

 

[shavo]

hey, if possible can you please post pictures of the rock your making? i am seriously curious as to what you come up with

thanks,
shavo

 

[mr_X]

I started making agrocrette rock for my tank. Live rock is just to much..

i wonder if you would be so kind as to tell me how exactly did you make this rock?