Odd Setup Questions

[jl-sullivan]

I am just starting my 30 gallon. I have salt-water and sand but have not added any live rock or sand or fish. I have two really silly questions: First, I bought a couple of airstones but don't know where to put them--can they be buried under the sand? can they even touch the sand? should I leave them out entirely? Also, the lighting I have is a really bright daytime light and a "moon" light (not sure what type-it was a kit). Should I leave the moon on all night or would I be better off to use it as a dawn/dusk thing to transition? I actually read a lot about the hobby before I bought the aquarium but now I'm a bit...terrified...I think the IQ of the average marine aquarist must be about twice that of the average population :bowing:

[BIGgourami]

are the moonlights LED or flouresent? if they are floresents then they aren't really moon lights they are actinics and should be used in the dawn/dusk fashion.
if they are LED plug them in at night but unplug them during the day. it'll increase their lifetime

[jl-sullivan]

This is their ad-the instructions that came with it were not very good but from playing with it it seems that the "moon" has to be on for the "sun" to be on, but the "moon" can be on by itself.

Satellite 24 Hour Lighting System is an entry-level lighting system which includes the latest technologies and professional features that give an outstanding performance at an affordable price. The fixture is a low profile style black extruded aluminum housing with a polished parabolic reflector, locking waterproof end caps, polycarbonate splash lens, and a built-in Moon White Lunar Light.

[BIGgourami]

do you know what LEDs look like cause what you posted doesn't tell me much.
just look at the lighting fixture and are there two or three little plastic balls sticking out of the bottom or is it like a normal light tube. when you turn it on it's white light? that doesn't sound like a real moon light.

[Germanman]

moon lights are usually just an extra thing. as for air stones..they are almost never used in saltwater aquariums. usually to much large bubbles is undesirable in marine tanks because it will harm sponges and sea stars and gorgorians.

[Reefscape]

I am just starting my 30 gallon. I have salt-water and sand but have not added any live rock or sand or fish. I have two really silly questions: First, I bought a couple of airstones but don't know where to put them--can they be buried under the sand? can they even touch the sand? should I leave them out entirely? Also, the lighting I have is a really bright daytime light and a "moon" light (not sure what type-it was a kit). Should I leave the moon on all night or would I be better off to use it as a dawn/dusk thing to transition? I actually read a lot about the hobby before I bought the aquarium but now I'm a bit...terrified...I think the IQ of the average marine aquarist must be about twice that of the average population :bowing:

Hi there...Air stones are not required in a marine system..Gas exchange is carried out at the surface bu good water aggitation..

I would be tempted not to use the moonlight side of this fixture and if you want to provide moons, buy a sperate LED fixture...

Niko

[AngieW]

.I think the IQ of the average marine aquarist must be about twice that of the average population

I just wanted to laugh and say AMEN!

[jl-sullivan]

Thanks for everyone's input-I'll take out the airstones. As for the lights, the "moon" is LED, but there is only one. The daytime light is 2 lights, one fluorescent and one actinic.

[Germanman]

sounds great! good luck!

[Reefscape]

I think the IQ of the average marine aquarist must be about twice that of the average population :bowing:

Ummmm..am i an exception to that rule?....he he he

[BIGgourami]

Thanks for everyone's input-I'll take out the airstones. As for the lights, the "moon" is LED, but there is only one. The daytime light is 2 lights, one fluorescent and one actinic.

yup that's perfect


except for out put but i don 't think that'll be a problem