upgrading!

[nlutfi]

I'm finally upgrading my 38g to a 75g! Was going to run some spec by you guys and tell me what you think. 75g glass aquarium with my old 38 as the sump/refugium. going to use my old coral life pc lighting on the sump. and getting a nova extreme t5 light. with 8 t5 bulbs 4 day and 4 actinic also with moonlights. going to have about 90lbs of live rock and 90lbs live sand. i have a 600gph overflow box with a mag7 and the return. let me know what you all think. i will post a log once i start getting everything. hopefully be up and running soon.
-Nick

[Subliminal]

Personally, I wouldn't buy a non-reef ready tank. Get one with overflows already built in, so you don't have to futz with an overflow box anymore.

Shouldn't cost too much more.

Also, I'd look for used lights, if'n i were you. Lights can get pretty expensive, and with the amount of people in/out of this hobby so quickly, you might even be able to get a metal halide setup for cheaper than that t5 you're talking about.

:)

[SuperScro]

Buying a tank with overflows makes it easier, and more beneficial. You can sell or trade the overflow and mag7 if you want, to get more money for the light.

[nlutfi]

hey thanks for the advise. i would by a tank with a overflow built in but i'm getting this tank for dirt cheap. same with the lights my lfs is getting me a really good deal on um, so i dont mind buying it new. i just picked up the tank today and will be getting the light and rock by the end of the week. i will make a reef log post once i start setting up.
thanks again
-Nick

[Grins]

Unless I'm thinking of the wrong light...that Nova extreme has only one reflector instead of individuals. If so I'd reconsider that if you're stocking more than fish and some softies. You also don't need to get live sand if you're getting live rock. Save some money and just get a good quality aragonite. The rock will seed it.

[nlutfi]

thanks grins. yea im just getting some aragonite and a cup or 2 of sand from my lfs. so i wont be buying live sand but it will be live, soon. if you know what i mean. and about the light is the any way i can add individual reflectors to it? im getting it really cheap so i didnt want to pass up the opportunity. and i dont have the money to buy a nice mh fixture right now =(. from what my lfs tells me i should be able to keep just about everything with that fixture. thanks for all the help
-Nick

[Grins]

Some LFS employees are great...some not so great and will give information that is past their knowledge level or something to make a sale. Can't say which you've run into.

T5 units are fabulous, I agree with them on that, but in order to be fabulous they need individual reflectors when it comes to supply enough light to "keep anything". There isn't a way to modify the Nova Extreme that I know of.

However, if you're getting a fabulous deal on it there is nothing wrong with getting it and starting with lower light needing species and saving up for a better light down the road to keep other things.

[gomrjoe]

I agree with GRINS!

That is exactly what I did, I started with PC lighting to get the tank rolling, keeping softies only, and now that this tank is mature I am upgrading to MH. Besides, the more complicated, higher lighting demand corals should not be kept in a newer setup anyways, it is always recommended to not jump into LPS and such until at least 6 months, and I am probably understating that, I am sure many on AC will say wait a year. You need a more mature tank anyways, so save the $$ and upgrade your lighting later. Invest in filtration and tank itself, those things can't be changed as easily, one thing you can't go cheap on in this hobby is water quality aka filtration.

As an FYI also, if you are getting aragonite, try to shoot for at least 4" of sand to form a DSB, highly recommended to help control nitrates!

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Grins]

By the way..you might want to share the cost of they are giving you for the lights. We can help confirm if it is a great deal.

[SuperScro]

I thought you could attach these to your nova extreme bulbs.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12771&ref=3969&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Lighting&subref=AA&N=2004+113175

I have the nova extreme 36" and i'm happy with it. Working on getting these reflectors on my 10ks

[Grins]

I wasn't aware that the IceCaps worked on the Nova. Let us know if it does!

[SuperScro]

I am going to purchase on and make sure it will fit. I also need to monitor it for a while, in case something goes wrong or it doesn't work right with the fixture.

You have this retro fit kit also. It has reflectors but don't know their efficiency. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15491&cm_mmc=LiveAquaria_DFS_Links-_-Fish_Supplies-_-LiveAquaria_Gen_Page-_-Lighting&ref=3969&subref=AA&N=2004+113175

[nlutfi]

thanks for all the info i will look into getting thos reflectors too. im gunna need 8 of them so i will have to save up =P. the light im getting is about $200. so like half off if not more. and i love me lfs lady she is the nices lady ever and gives me lots of free stuff =P. thanks again.
-Nick

[Grins]

Just as an FYI so you can weight it against your deal. I spent $200 for MHs. I bought them used from a local reefer. Good deals are found often in this hobby if you research.

[ricsreef]

If you have a local reef club check with them too,A lot of times you can get a great deal from other reefers that are upgrading or getting out.The local bargain mart might give you a few options on MH fixtures too.Dont get me wrong though.T-5's are a great light source,just thinking if you are going to buy that system and then buy all of the reflectors you might be able to find a MH system for the same $.