Tank Stands
 

I'm new to the hobbie, and have just purchased a used tank, lights, protein skimmer, filter ect. ... ect.. I believe that I have everything I need (except livestock) to get the tank going. However I would like to build a stand for it that would hide everything underneath. I have all the plumbing to do this and the tank is drilled but, I'm not sure if I have a sump with a protein skimmer do I still need to use the fluval and trickle filter ? and how high do the metal halide lights need to be off of the tank ?

Thanks

Sam..

Stands are fairly easy to build depending on how elaborate you want to go, Just remember to STACK the wood dont have any shearing weight on screws do a google search or check out the DIY section. STAND Here is an example of a tutorial for a stand that is really well built. I wouldnt use the fuval, some people fill then with live rock and use them for added flow but using them as is with filter media isnt a great idea, it will become a nitrate factory. Just get a good skimmer, a ton of cured liverock and good flow and that will be all the fitration you need. Remember to let your tank cycle before adding livestock. Metal Halide lights are really up to you for how high you want them a few inches should be a minimum, if you need a better spread over the tank lift them up higher, heat will also be a factor in how high they should be. Also they get hot and if splashed with water POP.

if you're looking to build a hood for the MH, maybe build a hanging hood instead, so you can still raise/lower the MH lights whenever needed?

For filtering seems flavor of the day, is the use of LR in display (and sometimes LR in sump) and protein skimmer only. Use of DSB seems to have fallen off with people starting with or converting to BB. Having macro algae in the display, sump or refugium is also becoming more popular as a bio filter.

Personally I'm running a mixed reef with LR (display and sump), skimmer, macro and filter socks over drains and is working for me.

As for MH, I was looking to use 250W DE pendants in a canopy and sent e-mails out to Hamilton and PFO. From Hamilton for their Reefstars they suggested 8" above water, PFO for their mini-pendants was 5" above.

And welcome btw.