Help with new tank 150gal

:-/
What’s up every one? I need help, I just got a 150 gal tank single corner mega overflow with stand and canopy 48x24 its on order, dont remember how deep. Very nice tank tall and square not long and skinny rectangle like most other 150 gal tanks. I wanted to know what is the right amount of light that I need to grow coral and I love clams. I was thinking a dual 175-watt pfo setup I found this deal on ebay. I could go bigger i just dont want over kill. They are made to grow indoor plants but I think its the same thing for aquariums I am not sure. And does any one have an idea for filtration i was thinking refgium but have no idea what size i need.

every ones input would be appreciated

thankyou 8)


eBay: 175 watt METAL HALIDE GROW LIGHT 175w MH w HOOD BALLAST (item 180068082195 end time Jan-14-07 16:45:00 PST)

 

Thats a very tall tank (30") and if you want to keep corals that need a lot of light... I would go with a white light around 10K and 400 watt bulbs.

J

 

IMO, deeper tanks are not ideal for saltwater, especially reef tanks for a few reasons:
1st) taller tanks are very hard to get to and do work in as our arms are not long enough and it gets rather cumbersome to take care of.
2nd) you are decreasing the beneficial bacteria/surface area required for the success of any tank due to limited size in terms of depth and length of tank for available surface area of bacteria to grow and handle increased bioload.
3rd)the deeper tanks will require, in many instance, stronger lighting to penetrate to the bottom of your tank as you know water refracts light therefore light doesn't penetrate through water to well.
If I were you, i'd first decide on the type of corals and Tridacna's I plan on keeping(wish list so to speak)! Based on this list it will enable you to determine the proper lighting for your tank. That being said, I would not go with under 250 watt halides and you will probably need atleast 2 of these pendants/lighting fixtures as metal halides shoud be added at one bulb per 2 feet as metal halides are a point source light.
As for clams, Derasa and Squamosa are the hardiest of the Tridacna species, with a lower lighting system. They also need to be placed at the bottom of your tank in the sand bed(benthic area of your tank) for better chances of success. Also, go with a clam at least 3' in size or bigger this way target/filter feeding isn't going to be as crucial with the clams Zooxanthellae and iridophores having been developed by that size.
Maxima's and Crocea clams are going to be harder to take care of and being a novice with regards to clams, I would stick with the first two clams mentioned!
Now for the corals, your SPS' will be less hardy than the LPS' with a few exceptions to the rule, and require more intense light(lumens/lux). A different topic all together and kind of detailed but due to the length of this post, all you need to know is that some corals require more light than others to bring out their vibrant colors and aid in their survival.
I would research the many kinds of corals and husbandry/compatability requirements before deciding on the types of corals and the lighting style for your tank. Also check out the Octocorals(soft corals-coralimorphs,polyps, leathers, sponges and Gorgonians).
Take you time with this and make the right choices so that you can have a thriving and beautiful tank!
Good luck and hope this helps somewhat!
TOM

 

thanks for your advice

I always thought deeper tanks were better and look nice when stacked with live rock. I think ill try to go with the dual 400w bulb so I wont have a problem with under lighting. Will I need a chiller?
the thing that concerns me is the beneficial bacteria/surface area.
can this be fixed with a refugium?

 

Thats another part of the problem...you don't want the rock stacked up thing as it isn't really natural and it decreases the water flow between the rock work causing detritus build-up! It also cuts down on the water flow in the palegic area of your tank thus reducing the amount of time that detritus etc. remains suspended for your skimmer to remove it!
A refugium will help, as anyway that you are able to increase surface area for bacteria to grow, the better!

 

i am between two lighting systems can any one give me there opinion on which is better

eBay: NEW 400 watt METAL HALIDE GROW LIGHT w MH not 400w HPS (item 180068083966 end time Jan-14-07 16:45:00 PST)

eBay: PFO Dual 400w Metal Halide Lighting system - Live Coral (item 220067471507 end time Jan-06-07 19:30:00 PST)

 

Find out what the ANSI number is for the ballast that they are selling (M59 or M135) this will tell you what type of Bulbs you can use with the system.
The PFO 400 watt setup with the dual xm bulbs sounds like something that you can just hang up, plug in and run.
On the other set-up you will have to get bulbs and make a canopy or retrofit something...
What do you think?

Jim

 

Includes the ballast, lamp (bulb) and reflector!

- Just take it out of the box, screw in the bulb, plug it in & GROW

 

PFO Lighting: Aquarium Lighting Products Home Page
Find out from the person if it is the pro series or get the model # so you can see what it looks like. It sounds like he(she) wants to sell it so make an offer.
Will you need a chiller? That will depend on how cool your room is where you keep your tank and how much airflow you have across the surface. In the winter time you probably won't need to have too many heaters running
Don't get discouraged. That's a nice tank. Enjoy!!

Jim

 

Yes but it is a grow light for plants, not a bulb for an aquarium full of corals and fish


J