Out of those two options i suggested above, (with the links), which one would you reccomend.. In your opinion, what would be the ultimate lighting for a 30gal long tank (36") for under $200???
Good noob setup shopping list?!?!
- Thread starter ooja3k
- Start date
The ultimate lighting for a 30g for me would be light that would allow me to add high light needing species down the road. To do that in your budget I again suggest looking into your local reef club and seeing what people have for sale. That is how I got my Mhs for $200.
well i am goign to be moving in around a month and then ill be setting my tank up, so that being said, im looking at options currently online...
originally i was looking at the 36" Coralife Lunar Aquatics (192 watts) $202, then i switched to the 36" Dual Satellite CF (196 watts) $160, and now im looking at the 36" Nova Extreme T-5 (156 watts) $190...
i just don't know what to do.... like you said though, the light from the t-5s must be better than the light from the coralife/satellite and therefore more $$$ but less watts... they run cooler too correct?? this would help because my current FW tank stays around 80-82 w/o heater....
originally i was looking at the 36" Coralife Lunar Aquatics (192 watts) $202, then i switched to the 36" Dual Satellite CF (196 watts) $160, and now im looking at the 36" Nova Extreme T-5 (156 watts) $190...
i just don't know what to do.... like you said though, the light from the t-5s must be better than the light from the coralife/satellite and therefore more $$$ but less watts... they run cooler too correct?? this would help because my current FW tank stays around 80-82 w/o heater....
Yes, they run cooler. Personally if you're moving I'd save up and wait until you get settled in and look for bargins from local reefers once you get there. It will be a good lesson in the patience this hobby needs. I have had to force myself to go slow on things too, patience is not a virtue I come naturally with. For instance, I'm tempted to put my fish back into their display tank but I will not do it. When I get weak I'll post here for an intervention like I did the other day.
i totally agree... i am horrible with patience...
that being said, im just trying to get my research done so i can have fun setting it up when i get up there...
i guess i just want to know what type of lighting i should be looking for...
Compact flourescent or t-5? you get more watts/dollar for CF, but better light/watt from t-5? i don't want to get something ridiculously nice, but i want it to be nice at the same time... does that make sense?
that being said, im just trying to get my research done so i can have fun setting it up when i get up there...
i guess i just want to know what type of lighting i should be looking for...
Compact flourescent or t-5? you get more watts/dollar for CF, but better light/watt from t-5? i don't want to get something ridiculously nice, but i want it to be nice at the same time... does that make sense?
Lots of good additional info on lighting in this forum: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=212
thanks for the help grins with the lighting... im still deciding which route to go, but i think im going to go with the 36" t-5 w/o individual reflectors... probably the one from the link above (if the local reefers don't have anything)...
now, i have heard another important part of a SW tank are the powerheads... in a 30 long, would you reccomend 2 #1 koralias? that covers the 25x turnover, but ive heard sometimes its better to have a narrow stream rather than a wider one that the hydors make... is this true?
i have heard that the hydors are quiet so that would be good...
now, i have heard another important part of a SW tank are the powerheads... in a 30 long, would you reccomend 2 #1 koralias? that covers the 25x turnover, but ive heard sometimes its better to have a narrow stream rather than a wider one that the hydors make... is this true?
i have heard that the hydors are quiet so that would be good...
I've never heard anyone say that a narrow stream is better. For what you want to stock I'd think 2 #1s would be good.
thats what im thinking too...
cool...
as far as live rock and stuff goes... i know there is a petco and petsmart up where i am moving, but i don't know how good their live rock/sand products are...
where would you recommend getting LR/substrate at??!? there aren't any fish stores where im moving...
cool...
as far as live rock and stuff goes... i know there is a petco and petsmart up where i am moving, but i don't know how good their live rock/sand products are...
where would you recommend getting LR/substrate at??!? there aren't any fish stores where im moving...
Here is what I'd do:
Check into what local reef club might exist where you are moving to. Try ones of these links:
http://www.masna.org/members/clubs.php
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=80
Ask the members there about their club, what you're trying to accomplish with your tanks and where they suggest buying locally. You can buy liverock from PetCo and well as other LFSs but you may find bargins from local members for as low as $2 a pound and such. We can point you to national/internatinal sources but your local club can't be replaced for local information and deals on used equipment and even livestock.
Check into what local reef club might exist where you are moving to. Try ones of these links:
http://www.masna.org/members/clubs.php
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=80
Ask the members there about their club, what you're trying to accomplish with your tanks and where they suggest buying locally. You can buy liverock from PetCo and well as other LFSs but you may find bargins from local members for as low as $2 a pound and such. We can point you to national/internatinal sources but your local club can't be replaced for local information and deals on used equipment and even livestock.
