what would I need?

The light I have on there now is like 4 feet.

I couldn't use a hang on because it looks like it is open, I would have to have everything enclosed because I have a home daycare.

 

So are you going to use just a hang-on skimmer?
And here's the link: Odyssea T5 High Output Lighting keep in mind that what you pay is what you get. Odyssea isn't best quality, but should certainly work.

 

Also if you dont have room for a sump where it is you can run a HOB fuge as well as a HOB skimmer. Since I have started a Fuge I would never run a tank without one. I have not have any problems with my params and I dont have any algae problems either. A good skimmer will pull out the gunk and the fuge will keep params in check. If you dont want to break the bank look into an eshopps HOB skimmer.

 

I have looked at the lighting and I like the T5 HO light, but that doesn't include LEDs right, or the actenic (sp?) lights. So how do I add those.

I have been looking at power heads, I was thinking of getting 2. I like the Hydor Koralia ones but I don't know if I need a 5 mag, 6mag or what. How do I figure that out?

I don't want to hang anything on the outside of it. I still haven't quite figured out what a sump is, but it sound like if I do that my filter, skimmer and all that would be in the sump, right? And I could hide that in my cabinet under my tank. So I am reading on sumps.

 

I hope that helped a bit.

 

Yes, that does help.

What determines the gallons per hour that I need? Is it the size of my tank, the coral I want to keep or both?

 

The flow in your display tank will be determined by what kind of coral(s) you want...soft coral, LPS - Large Polyp Stony, or SPS - Small Polyp Stony coral(s).

SPS like a high flow rate. I would recommend 60X & up for these. My tank will be a little over 90X turnover, but it does not NEED to be this high of a flow rate. Unless plyps are falling off, you also can't really have too MUCH flow.

For softies I would recommend 20-40X turnover. For LPS, which like "medium" flow, I would go with abot 40-60X turnover.

 

Also keep in mind that like the flow and lighting requirements, softies are supposed to be the easiest to care for. SPS being the most difficult, while LPS, once again, are "medium" difficulty.

 

So I was going on different sites and writing down prices for heaters, powerheads and blah blah blah, I found a really good article on sumps and what they are, and how they work, well I finally told my HUSBAND.

He doesn't think it's a good idea. He says I could just make the FW one better.:-/

I'm still gona think about it, and do research, and figure prices. NO harm can come of that, right?

But thanks for all your help and advise. I'll keep working on him, he really likes my 12 gal. I've talked him into getting mini horses, a cow, a wallaby and a giant rabbit, what's one more salt water tank?

 

jeez, that's a lot to look after. even if you won't be starting it right away, feel free to ask questions to get a good start. And besides, tell him you have about 2.5x more possibilities in a 30 gal than a 12. it might be a tad bit more expensive, but it'll end up being easier to care for than a 12 gallon. good luck.