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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/28/2008 2:38:15 PM
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| I am looking to set up another tank. It's at least going to be a 50 gallon. I want a reef tank with a clown and anemone and a few pieces of coral (leather, etc). There are many choices out there (compact, vho, metal halide). Any suggestion ? Money is an issue too
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 9/7/2008 9:07:30 AM
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Before you decide what kind of lighting you need you need to determine what kind of Corals you are going to keep as well. Most Corals will do fine under T5 lighting but that can get a bit pricey in the setup. Metal Halides can be slightly cheaper to buy than T5s but if you go with MH lights then be prepared to put a chiller on your tank and that will jack the price way up. The operating cost of Metal Halides is also higher. If you just want Soft Corals and maybe one or 2 lower light LPS Corals then you would be ok with VHO, or even Power Compacts.
As for the anemone, please rethink this. Anemone's really do have a dismal survival record. While there are many who get them to survive, there are many many more that die needlessly every year. If you consider this to be a need for you tank than you need to wait till the tank has been stable for at least a year. This does not just mean cycled, stable is when all parameters (ie. Alk, Ca, PH4, NO3, etc.) are in check and being maintained naturally in your tank.
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Fishkeeping GURU
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Last Login: 10/8/2008 4:09:27 PM
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If money is an issue, you may want to try what I did. I bought a 4x65w power compact fixture for my 72g and added one additional standard fluorescent strip light (the one that came with the tank) for just a little added light (and so I could mix in a little broad spectrum light, which I find brings the colors out a lot better than the standard 10,000k and actinics). If you go with a 55g, this should work very well for you (even better than for me because a 55g tank is shallower, and more light will penetrate to the bottom of the tank) and should be cheap if you find a used PC light on Ebay or Craigslist (I got mine for about $100 with new bulbs). With this set up I have had success (granted for only 6 months) with an assortment of soft corals, a hatian reef anemone, and for the last month or so a BTA (which seems to be flourishing, but it's too early to say for sure). This set up would be too little light for many lps and most sps corals though, as well as most anemones so you have to choose livestock carefully.
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New Member
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Last Login: 12/24/2007 9:25:08 PM
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or you can go T5's just as bright as halides(not much depth though) does not cost as much AND does not heat the tank up. a reto set will run you about 250.00
YOU SPEND MORE TIME WITH THAT TANK THAN YOU DO ME
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New Member
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Last Login: 5/12/2008 10:21:28 AM
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| i just orderd a new 4 bulb 48 inch ho t5 setup off ebay for 133.00 with shipping . for on a 55 gal. the cheepest ho t5 lights i have found so far. 
55 gal. reef tank
29 gal with 29 gal sump farming tank look at them grow
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/22/2008 3:00:25 AM
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| I agree with the comment about rethinking anemones. There are many corals that fare well with moderate lighting but not anemones...well, Aiptasia might but who wants 'em?!?!?! Even the cheap condy anemones will eventually die if they don't have strong lighting. You should look at a minimum of 4 watts per gallon of water. That would be the lowest I would go with corals. I know that "Finding Nemo" has done much to generate interest in reefkeeping. However, the proper set-up for high intensity lighting is not cheap. Many LFSs don't tell customers about the lighting requirements for the organisms a customer wants to buy...Also, there is misconception about clownfish NEEDING an anemone. They do not. In fact, many tank-raised clowns have never seen an anemone.  My advice to anyone purchasing livestock is to read, read, read about the requirements for the organism in question- lighting, water flow, food, etc. Good Luck!
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/23/2008 12:52:43 PM
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| Go with metal halide is best i use it my tank i have a 750w that pretty much covers everything. Only thing is it will heat up the tank but if its open then you should be ok. I have a 125 and it stays at a cool 80 wit the halides on. Go to aquatraders.com they have good prices and good lights. I got a 48" combo from them for $400 so one for your 50 should be pretty cheap.
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