Mr_Cool
Fri, 14th Aug 2009, 09:00 AM
I'm getting ready to set up my new 60 gallon cube. I have just about everything I need, or at least I know where to get it. I just have a few questions.....
1. The tank is leak-testing on the back porch now. It's been holding water for 3 days now, so I think it good, huh? When I get ready to start it up, I'm planning to use the sand from my old tank. But, it's been sitting in buckets for about 2 months. It had water in it, but when we moved into the new house, I left them in the garage. It seems like the water has evaporated by now. I gave it a really good rinse when I tore down the old set up. So, what (if any) problems with this sand give me? I plan to use my old live rock, which has been in circulating water, as well. Should I expect a cycle? If so, will it be a long one, or will the live rock keep things pretty much in check?
2. I'm planning to go with t-5 lights. Again, I used them on my old tank and just love them. But, the problem is the 60 cube is only 2 ft long, and I used to run 4 ft bulbs. I know that the smaller t-5 ballast (like you get in a retro-fit) will fire 2 24 watt bulbs. But, will my Workhorse 7 fire 4 24 watters? It works for 4 54 watt bulbs, but something tells me that ballast is just too much for 4 24 watt bulbs. I'm planning on running 6 bulbs in the cube and want 2 of them on a separate ballast for actinics. I was just hoping I could use the Workhorse 7 so I don't have to get another ballast. (One more ballast = one more plug, and I may be running short there.)
3. How big of a sump should I be running with a set up like this? I used to have more water under my display tank than in it, but that just won't work here. Is there a general rule of thumb on sumps? (Sump should have a certain % of the display tank's volume?)
I'm sure there are things that I haven't thought of, too. If you think of something I'm missing, feel free to point it out. I'd like to start a build thread, but I don't know if I'll have the time. We'll see....
1. The tank is leak-testing on the back porch now. It's been holding water for 3 days now, so I think it good, huh? When I get ready to start it up, I'm planning to use the sand from my old tank. But, it's been sitting in buckets for about 2 months. It had water in it, but when we moved into the new house, I left them in the garage. It seems like the water has evaporated by now. I gave it a really good rinse when I tore down the old set up. So, what (if any) problems with this sand give me? I plan to use my old live rock, which has been in circulating water, as well. Should I expect a cycle? If so, will it be a long one, or will the live rock keep things pretty much in check?
2. I'm planning to go with t-5 lights. Again, I used them on my old tank and just love them. But, the problem is the 60 cube is only 2 ft long, and I used to run 4 ft bulbs. I know that the smaller t-5 ballast (like you get in a retro-fit) will fire 2 24 watt bulbs. But, will my Workhorse 7 fire 4 24 watters? It works for 4 54 watt bulbs, but something tells me that ballast is just too much for 4 24 watt bulbs. I'm planning on running 6 bulbs in the cube and want 2 of them on a separate ballast for actinics. I was just hoping I could use the Workhorse 7 so I don't have to get another ballast. (One more ballast = one more plug, and I may be running short there.)
3. How big of a sump should I be running with a set up like this? I used to have more water under my display tank than in it, but that just won't work here. Is there a general rule of thumb on sumps? (Sump should have a certain % of the display tank's volume?)
I'm sure there are things that I haven't thought of, too. If you think of something I'm missing, feel free to point it out. I'd like to start a build thread, but I don't know if I'll have the time. We'll see....