new tank q's, need advise

[Executivelevel]

so i got my new glass for my new coral tank. the tank will be 36"x18"x12". i plan on doing sorties and some lps, rics, zoas, zenias, bta's, frogspawn, etc, etc. i found a light on ebay, its a 156watt t5 ho light, or should i go with PC's, i was thinkin maybe 2- 36" 96watt PC's. dont want halides. and the tank will be about 35-38 gallons, what size fuge should i run? i was maybe gonna make a 20 long into a fuge, or should i do like a 29g fuge? is a bigger fuge better? i have the room. also, sand bed in fuge and tank? and bioballs? good in the fuge or no? i know, alot of Q's but i wanna do it right....any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! this will be my first larger reef tank. oh, i found a 2g tank that i want to make a fuge out of for my 5g nanoreef, whatcha think?? my 5 is doin great!! time to upgrade!!

[Frizza]

I personally would go for some t5's, there is a good range of tubes out there so it will also give you more scope for the type of corals you have as well as the asthetics.

When you talk about your fuge I assume you mean it will be a sump as well. A 38 gallon tank with a 29 gallon fuge seems a bit excessive to me. The main advantage of having a bigger sump is obviously more water, hence in theory more stable water conditions, as well as somewhere to put all of your equipment rather than it being in your display.

I would put a DSB in your fuge as well as some macro algae (chaeto is a good choice) and leave out the bioballs.

Sounds like fun, keep us all posted with your progress.

[Jason McKenzie]

I believe you will have to gear your lights toward your BTA. It will require the most light from what you listed. PC's will just not cut it. I would think minimum would be 4X T5HO.

J

[Godbert]

although jason is very knowledgable about this kind of stuff and i would not refute him unless i had actually seen it but i have seen four clams and an acropora not only grow but thrive on pcs, im not suggesting it but if you have cost restraints or something else that is forcing you too get pcs i wouldnt worry too much about it, if you are going to go with pcs though i would probably amp up the wattage a bit

[coral reefer]

Depending on the species of Tridacna, yes they could potentially be kept under less than optimal lighting(IE.PC's) and Acropora species can also be kept high up in the tank, though other factors are connected to coral and clam health than just lighting! Acropora and Montipora species can grow and be maintained, though often times their vibrant colors are not evident!
If you have the room to place a larger tank as a refugium or sump into the equation, I would go for it as this increases surface area and water volume. Also dillutes potential water parameter issues and human error intervention.

[Jason McKenzie]

Godbert, Please always feel free to give advise. Now a day I would not think the price difference is that big.

I to have seen SPS in thrive with Even NO lighting. Frags from that tank to mine did how ever show huge colour improvements

J