New to Hobby

[syncere]

It's too bad you are going 20l. I was looking around and found this on clearance at premiumaquatics and it includes the bulbs. You could always use your 20L as a sump and go with a 36" tank. Someone here had a nice 60 high for sale with stand. See now I'm just being an enabler.

I was tempted to buy it since it's the last one and sell my lights off, just don't want to go back to those elect bills.

http://premiumaquatics.com/store/mer...Code=Clearance

The more reading that I do makes me want to upgrade to a larger tank already, but I think I am at a good starting point. It is very tempting though. That would be a great light.

[syncere]

Tek t5 fixture should be here soon. So in the meantime I started modding my AC70 and this is what I got:
Any suggestions for how to mount the light or does it look ok? Its a 75w (65k) bulb I got from Lowes with a clamp-on fixture. Also my divider is about a half inch off the bottom of the AC, how will that affect it? I still have the other part of the media basket I can silicone in.

[syncere]

Anyone with a similar modification have a suggestion for a different more subtle light? I'm a little worried about how much light may get into the display cause I plan on having lights running on alternate schedules.

[ErikH]

you could run LEDs

[syncere]

How many watts would they need be to grow the chaeto significantly fast?

[syncere]

Just to update, I currently have an empty 20L tank on a stand that would be able to fit a 10 gallon sump at the biggest. I have an AC70 modded fuge hanging on right now and figured that if I could eliminate having it there that would be great. Even with all the reading of different types of sumps I still only have basic knowledge as to how they work and how I would go about building one myself. I know a lot of people recommend drilling the tank but not sure if I want to take the risk of doing it myself.
I am ok with having a HOB overflow just not sure how all those pipes work.
If possible will glass shops usually drill my aquarium if I take it in to them?
How many baffles would be enough for a 10 gallon (3-4) to give good flow?
Would it be better to drill now and get rid of the AC70?
Or keep the AC70 and build an overflow later since I won't be able to drill a full tank?

Sorry for all the questions but I am just wanting to get off on the right foot before I plan on filling the tank. Thanks

Oh and just an update of equipment I have:
20L AGA
Stand
AC70 mod
GFCI Unit
2 Buckets for mixing and siphoning saltwater mix
(1) hydor theo 50 watt in AC70 fuge
(2) jager 100 w heaters
(2) Thermometers
Powerhead for mixing saltwater mix
Salt mix
Test Kit
Koralia 2 (for the meantime till I get the new mp10w es)

Planning on buying:
Refractometer
Vortech MP10
Tek 24" T5
LS
LR
RODI unit

[StevenSeas]

I would just keep the hob fuge and use an overflow box then when you hook up the sump just hang the ac 70 on ur fuge if you want. I would also recomend a hob skimmer or one w/ a small footprint such as an aqua c urchin or euro reef nano... Both of which I believe are currently for sale on here. As for hob skimmer a aqua c remora nano would work well. The advantage to a hob skimmer would bt to maximize the space in the 10 for a good return pump, intake w/ filter sock, and then some other mech/chem filtration, maybe even a fuge and get rid of the ac 70 just my opinion.

[Big_Pun]

heres some reading on sumps also look around this site marc has alot of articles.......http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...***/index.html

you can take to most of the LFS and they can drill it for you i know Gabe does, i would go with a fuge you can use the ac70 torun other media like carbon or chemi pure elite since your going to have a small fuge or for emergencies to run more carbon. dont worry keep asking questions that way you run into less problems later. you dont need a vortech on that size tank i would run 2 of the new nano koralias (425gph)on a wave maker or the the 2x750gh on like the jbj wave maker save money for other things. also with a fuge you can run a skimmer in there.

[syncere]

Thanks. I did think about running a hob skimmer but wasn't too sure which ones would be too powerful depending on the bio-load I get when I start choosing livestock. But definitley going to be on the to-do list of reading up on it. Catching up on info on the sumps info too but just not sure whether to drill my tank or not.

[syncere]

Ok I am really debating on drilling my tank and adding a sump. From most of what I read on a tank my size is mixed opinions on why or why not to drill. So I am thinking of two different scenarios both in which I am in no rush to complete and know that either way I go there will be a price difference.

Scenario #1: Drill the tank and add a 10 gallon sump to eliminate a lot of equipment from the display. Questions I have about this set-up are based on what I have read. Is a 10 gallon sump worth having if the water volume is only going to be slightly more? How much does drilling usually run (don't have the tools, unless someone wants to help me out )and would I need to do it to both tanks? Was planning on one hole in each top corner (one for draining and one for return), is that enough?

Scenario #2: Keep the tank as is and add on/replace AC70 fuge with a good quality HOB skimmer and more live rock (25-30 total) for a more natural filtration method.
Is that enough or do I need to keep the AC70 fuge?

I know in the end it is all personal preference but having not done this before would really like to understand if they would both work. If so it would all come down to what I want to do. Ears are open to any suggestions though and greatly appreciated.

Thanks