New 38g reef tank

[nlutfi]

Hi,
I just set up a 38g reef tank. I had a 14g biocube for about 2 weeks but i had some problems with it and ended up returning it and just getting bigger. Right now im have a skilter 400 (fliter/skimmer), aquaclear 110, 2 100 watt heaters (keeping the tank at about 78f), 40lbs of live rock, about 4in of live sand and about 1in of crushed coral on top of that. Here is the light im going to be running getting it on tuesday.Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Double Linear Strip Fixtureshttp://www.marinedepot.com/IMD/lighting_powercompact_compact-fluorescent_coralife_lunar_aqualight_deluxe_double _linear.jpg
Our state-of-the-art Lunar Aqualight compact fluorescent light fixtures incorporate the Lunar Blue-Moon-Glow LED 470nm light which creates rhythmic glitter and shimmering effects while promoting spawning cycles in corals and reef life. Backed by the proven quality of the Aqualight product line, these superb lighting fixtures allow you to Capture the Sun and now...the Moon.

Actinic 03 compact fluorescent lamp
10000K compact fluorescent lamp
3/4 watt Lunar Blue-Moon-Glow LED lamps
Three on/off switches with three 8-foot power cords for separate timers
Built-in ballasts
One Cooling fan
Sleek aluminum housing
Highly-polished reflector
Acrylic lens coverRight now my lfs is holding on to my fish and inverts while i wait on my light to come in. I have 1 clown goby, 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 rose bubble tip anemone, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 hammerhead coral (starting to split already), 1 toadstool coral, a small bunch of zoanthids, 6 hermit crabs and 6 snails, and a emerald crab. I have been adding kents liquid reactor, iodine and strontium & molybdenum. For foods i have some flakes, phytopeast, arctipods, krill and brine shrimp. I also have a glass top wondering if i should keep that on or take it off with the lighting, have a cat so alittle worried about him going for a swim too. Just wanted to get any suggestions on things to add or replace, and if you think im set up for success. Thanks for any feedback. Nick

[Germanman]

make sure u have all the test kits, use reef crystals, and a refractometer, and well other wise u look pretty great! good luck sounds fun!

[nlutfi]

yep i got all the test kits and test regularly. I hope to get a refractometer soon when my lfs gets some more in. I actully gt all my water from my lfs too they sell it in 5g jugs so i used that to fill it up. thanks for the feed back. Oh i have herd some bad things about crushed coral will i be ok with what i have in there or should i try and remove it?

[Reefscape]

Crushed coral is very bad for trapping detrius and food particles and, as such, the potential is always going to be there for raised nitrates and phosphates. I, personally, would recomend against using crushed coral in the reef and suggest Aragonite sugar grade sand, as in the following link.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CS0930

Niko

[nlutfi]

Got my light today! and got my 2 clowns back and everythings looking good. Getting the rest of my live stock back on thursday, I cant wait :p:. Anyways gunna try and get some pics soon, and more advise feedback would be great! thanks.

-Nick

[Germanman]

remember take it slow and do it right lol! good luck sounds like it came out great so far

[nlutfi]

Hey you think i could keep a clam with the lighting i have? or would i need to upgrade to mh for that? just out of curiosity. Thanks
-Nick

[Reefscape]

Hey you think i could keep a clam with the lighting i have? or would i need to upgrade to mh for that? just out of curiosity. Thanks
-Nick

I would not, no...Clams need very very good penertrating light. I would only suggest a very good T5 lighting fixture or metal halide...

Niko

[Germanman]

personally i would never keep clams under less than halides, but strong t-5s will do a good job.

[spinx]

Im sure a clam shouldnt be a problem with t5's aslong as you place the clam closer to your lighting spectrum.

[Germanman]

also keep in mind most of the clam species come form only a few feet of water so the intensity of the sun is far more then we could ever replicate...the intense colors in the clams it thought to be a UV shield for that very reason...so they will loose color if kept under low lighting and after they reach about 3 inches they become mostly dependent on the zooxanthellia doing photosynthesis.