sps tank

[bbkid43]

Im thinking about starting an sps tank. I have a few questions first.
1. What would be the cheapest tank to set up 55 gallons or under?
2. Would I need a calcium reactor to keep calcium levels high or can I do that manually?(I don't think I have the money for a calcium reactor)
3. Would wattage of metal halide would work best?
thanks
4. Which skimmer would you recommend

-Brady

 

[Ben1]

If I were to set up a 55 gal SPS tank today I would use the following

Bare bottom, two tunze streams on either end with the multicontroller, 2 x 250 watt 10k MH and 2 x 175 or 250 watt 20K MH, MRC calcium reactor with 2 chambers, geo kalkreactor, PM bullet 1 or 2 skimmer.

You may be able to get away with just the kalkreactor but as the frags fill the tank you will probably end up needing both, they work well together.

The tunzes should be enough to keep the detritus suspended and taken out mostly by the skimmer. I would go with a mix of toga branch and figi rock.

 

[Ben1]

Oh yes one more thing:

If you go with a shorter tank, like a 40 breeder (this would be my choice) you could use a single 400 watt MH 20k for lighting to save $. Dont forget fans in the hood tho. 8O

 

[bbkid43]

How much do you think the caclium reactor and the skimmer would cost?
Also would I want to have refugium or do you think a sump and skimmmer would be good enough?

 

[Ben1]

Well first off I would settle for a tank size. If you are talking about a 40 breeder, a small reactor would be fine but 55+ gives extra lenght and more room for more stonies so....

Check out www.myreefcreations.com www.geosreef.com www.premiumaquatics.com for pricing

 

[golfish]

If I were to set up a 55 gal SPS tank today I would use the following

Bare bottom, two tunze streams on either end with the multicontroller, 2 x 250 watt 10k MH and 2 x 175 or 250 watt 20K MH, MRC calcium reactor with 2 chambers, geo kalkreactor, PM bullet 1 or 2 skimmer.

I'd do things a little different but pretty much along the same thinking and amount of money spent....My only advice would be to jump up to a standard 120 gal tank...it pretty much takes up the same amount of room as a standard 48" 55 and really wont cost much more to setup..

 

[Anonymous]

Or at least go for a 75. The only extra cost will be for 20 more pounds of lr and a slightly higher tank price. The 18 inch wide 75 is a lot better than the 12 inch wide 55.

 

[Ben1]

The 18 inch wide 75 is a lot better than the 12 inch wide 55.

Very true. I personally dont like the width of a standard 55.

 

[hillbilly]

bbkid,
1- 55gal. glass tank
2-Yes, It's a real pain to keep up with calcium levels in a stony tank without one.
3-2 250watt HQI double-ended, 20K AB bulbs.
4- EuroReef CS6-1. It's "plug and play", no gate valves to fiddle with.

I would also use Tunze for circulation, not Streams though. You can't take full advantage of Streams in a 55. It's too narrow. I would use model 7410/2 Turbelle Electronics. They are much more effective in this small a tank, while still giving the "Stream" effect. This combo has worked outstanding on 55gal. tanks for me in the past. Good luck. Growing stonies are the most fun you can have in reefing IMO.

 

[middletonmark]

If you're going 4' long ... 75 or 120 [120!].

If it's smaller in size, I'd go with an Oceanic 58 .... 36 x 18 is much better than 48 x 12.

Don't need a Ca reactor at first, as if you're going with many frags it will take a while for demand to go up.