New Reefer

[sticky]

Ok here is where I am at now.. one of these times I will get it nailed down and get it right.

First
Return Base Stand
Return Lighting - HAVE QUESTIONS!!

Second
I am having a custom stand/top built for my tank so that I can mount the light to the top
While that is being built going to build a Sump/Refugium
Tons of questions below!!


Ok
Lighting I am going to go with
http://www.specialty-lights.com/960202.html
Now my old hood has Blue/White light with 4 LED blue lights to simulate night/moon
All of this I have hooked on a timer to basically simulate day/night for the tank
The light I am opting for supports the coral and anemones I will add later, but how do I go about setting up a day/night cycle for the tank with the new light?

Second
55G tank, approx 50-54" from base to top of tank.
What size sump/Refugium should I shoot for building?
http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55g_sump.html
Is this an appropriate size?

I am trying to get the correct base/top measurements since it will be custom built it gives me some flexibility on what I am doing. Any photos. images, tips would be helpful on what I should have done.

Also does the weight from the top w/ lighting and some storage pose a danger to the tank from added weight?

I know these seem like a lot of questions, but my goal is avoid saving a few extra pennies in the short run. I am trying to build a "lower" maintenance system by spending some extra money up front to set the tank up correctly, create a better environment in the tank, and to avoid several months of work being wasted for something I could have done from the start.

I thank you for all your help as so far it has saved me multiple mistakes that would have cost more in the long run than up front.

[ReefNeck]

Ok here is where I am at now.. one of these times I will get it nailed down and get it right.

First
Return Base Stand
Return Lighting - HAVE QUESTIONS!!

Second
I am having a custom stand/top built for my tank so that I can mount the light to the top
While that is being built going to build a Sump/Refugium
Tons of questions below!!


Ok
Lighting I am going to go with Glad you asked first! go with THESE lights, Not grow lights http://www.specialty-lights.com/960040.html

Now my old hood has Blue/White light with 4 LED blue lights to simulate night/moon
All of this I have hooked on a timer to basically simulate day/night for the tank
The light I am opting for supports the coral and anemones I will add later, but how do I go about setting up a day/night cycle for the tank with the new light?

Ok, This fixture has 2 cords. One controls the middle 4 bulbs, The other the outer 2 bulbs. You will want the outer 2 bulbs to be Actinics (Blue). As for moonlights, That is 98% for your pleasure.....You can add them separately into your canopy when complete but you don't have to have them. That is your choice.

Second
55G tank, approx 50-54" from base to top of tank.
What size sump/Refugium should I shoot for building?
http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55g_sump.html
Is this an appropriate size?

That would be the Ultimate Sump in that link. You don't have to go that elaborate if you don't want to. I built mine out of a 20 Gallon Long glass tank., Just had glass baffles cut to size and siliconed them in place. If I had not had the 20 gallon given to me I would have wanted at least a 30 Gallon Sump. If you can build the one in that link, I would.

I am trying to get the correct base/top measurements since it will be custom built it gives me some flexibility on what I am doing. Any photos. images, tips would be helpful on what I should have done. Use the pics/info/tips on Melevs site and just size accordingly. He shows all the tools needed and step by step how to build them. Just make sure you size it so it fits 100% underneath your Cabinet stand.

Also does the weight from the top w/ lighting and some storage pose a danger to the tank from added weight? No! Consider making your canopy tall enough so that if/when you want to move to Metal Halide lighting you can build them into the canopy and have 6 inches of clearance above the water to the base of the MH bulbs.

I know these seem like a lot of questions, but my goal is avoid saving a few extra pennies in the short run. I am trying to build a "lower" maintenance system by spending some extra money up front to set the tank up correctly, create a better environment in the tank, and to avoid several months of work being wasted for something I could have done from the start.

I thank you for all your help as so far it has saved me multiple mistakes that would have cost more in the long run than up front.

I am glad I could help. You will have an incredible setup that will be easy to maintain. If you go with that larger sump in your link it makes things easier because the more total water volume you have, the easier it is to maintain. Let me know if you need anything else.

[ReefNeck]

I know someone reading this is dying to tell you that you could get a "Retro" kit for the lights and save a lot of money. A Retro kit consists of the ballasts, Reflectors and sockets and then you mount them yourself into the canopy over the tank eliminating the "Fixture" that houses them. The reason I have not mentioned this is because you said the tank will be up and running before you build the canopy. That makes a retro almost impossible to do.

You could always sell the fixture once your canopy is done and you should get more than enough to grab a Retro Kit and build them into your canopy.

Just a thought I wanted to add.

[sticky]

This is where my tank is right now

20LB of LR with salt water.
Today I am draining out some of the water and moving the tank to the floor so that I can return the base when I return the light fixture.

I am having the stand/top custom built, so if you could post links to the retro kit, or anything important I am going to need (outlets, wiring, etc).

What I plan to do is get to work on a sump/refugium and give rough estimates of a size to my friend building the stand/top. So when the stand is dropped off I can put the sump/ref under easily and then I Plan to put the tank on top. since the tank is just at a cycle state with the LR I don't consider the tank at a critical stage yet with risk of losing anything. I would rather go ahead and get the lighting and setup I need in the canopy rather than tear stuff out later and redo it.

[ReefNeck]

This is where my tank is right now

20LB of LR with salt water.
Today I am draining out some of the water and moving the tank to the floor so that I can return the base when I return the light fixture.

I am having the stand/top custom built, so if you could post links to the retro kit, or anything important I am going to need (outlets, wiring, etc).

What I plan to do is get to work on a sump/refugium and give rough estimates of a size to my friend building the stand/top. So when the stand is dropped off I can put the sump/ref under easily and then I Plan to put the tank on top. since the tank is just at a cycle state with the LR I don't consider the tank at a critical stage yet with risk of losing anything. I would rather go ahead and get the lighting and setup I need in the canopy rather than tear stuff out later and redo it.

Ok, Here are a few Reto kits. You can add more than one kit to get the amount of bulbs you want. I'll give you several options here.

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/aquari...ture.shtml#bw5

http://www.hellolights.com/48vhoretkit.html

Here is another way to do the retro piece by piece. http://www.icecapinc.com/aq.htm

While more expensive, This brand is known as one of the best if not THE best. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch..._Code=IcecapT5

[sticky]

I am leaning towards
http://www.hellolights.com/4lamvhoretki2.html

Now how should I have the bulbs configured, and should I get 2?
and set up to run like 8

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Sorry for the poor image here, if so, how should I configure the bulbs, or will just the 1x4 be enough for the tank?

[perpetual98]

Wow, that 6 bulb IceCap retro at Premium Aquatics is pricey, but it would throw some serious light! I can supply you the parts to bulb that for less than $600 too. I can probably get VHO setups too, but I haven't sourced the bulbs yet. 6 T5 bulbs is about all you're going to be able to squeeze over you tank. and I don't think that you'll be able to get 8 VHO bulbs over the tank, and I don't even think it would be in your best interest to try. If I was going to set up a 55G tank, I'd got with 4 or 6 T5 running off of an IceCap 660 ballast.

[sticky]

I still think I prefer
http://www.hellolights.com/4lamvhoretki2.html
Over the premium aquatics, not to mention the large price difference.
So with the 1x4 my question becomes
Bulb setup for the 4 bulbs
Should I pick up the 660 IceCap
http://www.icecapinc.com/aq.htm

Also what purpose exactly does the IceCap serve?
I am assuming it is to power the lights, but is that all the IceCap does?

[perpetual98]

the IceCap 660 is probably hands down the best ballast on the market for running fluorescent bulbs. You can run Normal Output, High Output and Very High Output bulbs on it, even all at the same time. It would be a waste of money to but the Hello Lights setup AND an IceCap ballast. You'd be better off sourcing the parts by themselves and building it yourself. If you want VHO, I can throw together a quote for the components for you because I've got an online store that I"m setting up. I'd have to check on the bulbs for you.

[sticky]

Sounds great, if you could price out what that light setup would cost with a 660 IceCap. If you want you can send the quote in a PM on the board or email.