No more what to do, now, what should I do....

[BCOrchidGuy]

After getting my price quotes on tanks in different sizes etc I've decided on a short 155, it's a 60x25x24, I'm going to light it with either 2 400 watt MHs or 2 250s... I've got a 400 ballast and bulb already so I think if I just go with a second things should be fine. I've got a ballast that will run a VHO actinic, or I'll pick up a work horse 7 and OD two NO actinics.
I was so impressed with Shao's tank that it's a tank I'd like to emulate in some ways, I'll keep a few SPS, LPS and a couple of softies etc.
I'm going to put about 100 lbs of base rock in, and then about 50 of live rock on top of that.
Thoughts?
Oh, I'll probably go with a 33 gallon sump a mag 9 for a return and then go with a few power heads to move water. I may invest in a Tunze.

Doug

[Delphinus]

In for a penny in for a pound ... why not go two 400's.

Sounds pretty good though

[BCOrchidGuy]

Well that was one of the things I was thinking, it's not a price difference and I can really do some nice SPS and clams etc.. I just don't have room for a larger tank, and the price is reasonable...

Doug

[LostMind]

dual 400w.

I went from dual 250w over my 120 to dual 400w and its a world of difference.

If you have the one 400w ballast now, just grab another.

That size tank also sounds pretty good. I like the dimensions

[StirCrazy]

If you didn't already have the 400 ballast I would say HQI 250's but you have a 400 ballast already so stay with that.

Steve

[BCOrchidGuy]

I was thinking of selling the 400 watt unit and going 250 but for the price of doing it, just getting a second 400 watt unit will be fine.

Doug

[mnoll406]

Hey Doug,
For a tank that size, isn't a mag 9 a little on the small side for a return pump?

Mike

[BCOrchidGuy]

Mike, yes it is but I don't want to have my return pump as the source of my water movment in the tank. I believe if I use the sump for mainly filtration etc it will work out well... with the mag 9.5 I'm figuring I'll turn over the tank 5 times an hour which should be good for filtration purposes. For water movment I've not yet decided, I'd like to go with a couple Tunze's but I'm not sure. I could put a couple mag 7s etc behind some of the rock for alot less money and then have a couple of power heads on a wave maker...