Just A Few Questions.....ANNNDD

[Myteemouse]

I keep salinity at 35 (SG 1.026)
ph 8.0-8.2
cacium 420
alk 9
mag 1250
temp 78-80
trAtes <5
ifu need t test ammonia or nitrites after a tank is cycled you've got Big problems
and my refractometer reads both SG and Salinity
if u gonna keep a reef tank, a refractometer sould be top of the lit.
why have thousands in equipment and livestock and trust them with a 10 dollar plastic swing arm hydrometer

 

[Gprime]

does a refractometer just measure SG?

what are the advantages of a sump over a mechanical(canister) filter? i want to get a sump but not sure id have the space for it, and i already have a canister filter and if i got a sump id probably sell the canister, i saw this sump on ebay and was wondering if it was worth the buy

http://cgi.ebay.com/150-Gallon-Aquarium-Sump-Refugium-wet-dry-filter-bioNEW_W0QQitemZ350211484859QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518a3b2cbb&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1240|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50#ebayphotohosting

so, a sump is just for better biological filtration which is healthier for the fish/corals?

looks like im selling my eheim 2028 and getting a sump

aslo my light fixture right now is just flourescent bulbs in a long black fixture, can i just change the bulbs for T-5 bulbs? or do i need to buy all new lighting? (im going for reef with fish, fish first)

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

so, a sump is just for better biological filtration which is healthier for the fish/corals?

looks like im selling my eheim 2028 and getting a sump

aslo my light fixture right now is just flourescent bulbs in a long black fixture, can i just change the bulbs for T-5 bulbs? or do i need to buy all new lighting? (im going for reef with fish, fish first)

All new fixture if you have a 120 you're gonna need around 8 bulbs. there about $25 each. it's a real pain

 

[Gprime]

dang....theres more money going towards something i didnt think id need....lol

is this the proper way to cure live rock?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSPS1PV67nM

 

[BIGgourami]

dang....theres more money going towards something i didnt think id need....lol

is this the proper way to cure live rock?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSPS1PV67nM

an 8 bulb T5 light from sunlight supply co. is only about $450.. it''s pretty badazz


time is the proper way to cure rock

 

[Gprime]

shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitaki mushrooms.....

so there's another like 5-600 bucks on lighting, well if i get the ones you suggested BIG, cus exchange rate then s&h etc...

btw big is this a good deal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/150-Gallon-Aquarium-Sump-Refugium-wet-dry-filter-bioNEW_W0QQitemZ350211484859QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518a3b2cbb&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1240|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50#ebayphotohosting

comes with



-Overflow Box
-815 gph pump
-635 gph water pump
-JEBO Protein Skimmer, not sure what model
-Refugium Light with 2x 13 watt compact 6500k bulbs, and legs
-Bio-balls
-bulk heads

 

[Gprime]

do you really need 8 bulbs for sustaining a healthy reef tank? or is it manageable with 6?

 

[BIGgourami]

things like SPS and clams etc, would probably need the 8.. but 6 could work for a lot of different stuff

 

[Gprime]

so i found out that they dont make lighting for 5' long aquariums, just 48" and 72" so unless i find or someone knows a website that custom makes 60" fixtures that fit 48" bulbs, my lighting options are pretty much:

x2 24" 4 bulbs each fixtures for around $500 that will be hung by a suspension above the tank so i avoid dark spots

x1 48" 8 bulb fixture with dark spots on the sides for around......$500-600

so DOES ANYONE KNOW A SITE THAT MAKES OR CUSTOM MAKES LIGHT FIXTURES FOR 60" TANKS FOR AROUND $500-600???

would 100 lbs of live rock be sufficient for my tank? and just put all the rubble into the sump?

 

[Gprime]

scouring the internet for like 2 hours i finally found something that looks promising

http://www.thefind.com/search?query=60%22+aquarium+light

they have a couple different choices so now im just wondering what would be best for a 120g reef with fish

i havnt really looked around that much as its 11 but so far im liking this one

http://buildyouraquarium.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=75