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sin
Tue, 27th May 2008, 02:33 PM
some may remember months and months ago i set up my first 20g.eventually i decided to upgrade to a 55g and i let it run for a few months with everyhting from the 20g in it.i dident ever buy new stuff becuase i knew i was moving (but dident want to accept it)now i have moved and im ready to get my tank reef ready.so far heres what im working with

55g oceanic glass tank
emperor400 hang-on-the-back filter (pads in it)
elite brand heater (pulled from my 20g)
65watt power compact lighting
UV filter (i beleive its 9watt)
with a maxi-jet400 pumping through the UV filter
15lbs of aragonite brand gravel
12lbs of live sand
15lbs of live rock
20 or so lbs of fiji LR (not sure if it makes a difference but thought id put it)
1 blue damsel (roommate thought it would be a nice "surprise" to see a new fish in my tankim still thining of a nice way to get rid of it)
1 false percula
1 lawnmower blenny

ive been reading on some stuff but im not too sure what all i need to get.im not getting it all over one check so i need to know what order to upgrade/buy in.i plan on having a nice reef with alot of corals,clowns,tangs, this kind of stuff but i know im a long way off still.i saw a light at petco that the lady said was perfect for my 55g it was a power compact for $200 still not sure if im going to pick it up.i know i need to upgrade my lighting before i get any corals so im trying to save that for last since its the most expensive part.i still have my 20g tank that im thinking of using as a tank for the sump once i get one.or do i even need one?Sorry for so many questions but i want this to work correctly.thanks for the help and time!

ErikH
Tue, 27th May 2008, 02:59 PM
Scrap the filter and get an overflow box and a 29 gallon tank.
Go with T5 over PC as the bulbs last 18 months in comparison to 3-8 months.
You will need a return pump, which if you get a single overflow, you could use a mag5.
YOU NEED A SKIMMER! :)
I bought a Euro Reef RS80 for my 48...

sin
Tue, 27th May 2008, 03:47 PM
what are T5 and where can i get them?i know they are metal halide right but ive never seen them.will the 20g i have work?i dont want to buy a fourth tank heh.i also have a 10g and a 75g freshwater oscar tank.
what is mag5?i was planning on pickin up an overflow box do you know how much those materiels you mentioned cost?im also looking for a skimmer

ErikH
Tue, 27th May 2008, 03:50 PM
T5s are like regular flourescent lights, just skinnier... www.reefgeek.com (http://www.reefgeek.com) has the brand new retrofits for sale. The 20g may work, but you may need something larger, depending on your skimmer. A Mag 5 is a return pump. They are fairly cheap, and I like mine.

Kristy
Tue, 27th May 2008, 05:19 PM
The 29 or 20 gallon tank is for your sump underneath your tank. You need to measure your stand underneath to make sure you get something that fits. It doesn't have to be pretty, scratched is fine, it just needs to be watertight. The overflow sends the water down to your sump and what ever you have down there (skimmer, filter socks, live rock, bioballs, UV, filter medium, carbon...), then your return pump sends it back up to the tank. I suggest doing a search on MAASt and reading some of the posts. You can get a lot of good info on here.

phrog
Tue, 27th May 2008, 08:28 PM
Aquarium Designs has some nice T5 fixtures.

I'll take the damsel off your hands.

sin
Wed, 28th May 2008, 01:59 AM
where is aquarium designs?

and im not getting rid of it quite yet yet untill i get another fish at least

Chris
Wed, 28th May 2008, 02:14 AM
sin, Aquarium Designs (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=san+antonio+aquarium+design&ie=UTF8&ll=29.586744,-98.463936&spn=0.112556,0.22934&z=13&iwloc=A) is off 281 and the BrookHollow exit(Just a few exits outside 410). Take an immediate left at the light and it's in the shopping center in front of you.