Not entirely a newby but...

[JohnM99]

Sounds good - mitred joints look WAY better, and are of course more structurally sound - I have a flat back hex with the front angle joints mitred, Starphire glass - I love it - I didn't realize how much the angled fronts affect the overall look of the tank. Very glad I did it.

Have fun!

What are you going to use for a Calc. Reactor?

[BMW Rider]

Originally Posted by JohnM99

Sounds good - mitred joints look WAY better, and are of course more structurally sound - I have a flat back hex with the front angle joints mitred, Starphire glass - I love it - I didn't realize how much the angled fronts affect the overall look of the tank. Very glad I did it.

Have fun!

What are you going to use for a Calc. Reactor?

I was not too concerned apperance wise with the joints since they are on the back of the tank, but strength was a big concern. I figure it is worth the extra cost to make the joint stronger.

As for a Calc. reactor, I have not even considered one at this point. Is this a vital peice of equipment, or just a convienience? I don't plan to add any corals for a while. I want to get the tank operating and to a stable water condition before I do that. Probably in a year or so, so I have a good history on the operating conditions. If you think I do need one, what do you reccomend? What about DIY options, any good plans available?

I hope that with the tank in my basement, I will be able to control the temperature better. My current 75 gallon gets way too hot in the summer. It is on the main floor in my south facing living room. I'm planning on putting fans into both the upper and lower cabinets to vent out the heat and humidity. I'm also thinking that I might duct the air flow from the light canopy out of the top cabinet. Has anyone else tried this? How much heat do the MH bulbs create, or is most of the heat from the ballasts? I would like to mount the ballasts outside the cabinet if I can find a spot for them.

[JohnM99]

Well, there are lots of good CaReactors around - I just got one from MyReefCreations.com - relatively less expensive than some.

I had only had coral in my tank for about a month before I put it in, and my calcium had already dropped way down - 140 - mostly LPS, 2 SPS - so they do consume the calcium avidly.

There are lots of DIY designs around too - not sure about this board, but there are lots on ReefCentral. If you are handy with acrylic, it doesn't look too hard to make. Get a pH controller with it, though.

John

[JohnM99]

Also, about MH and heat - it is not the ballasts at all - it is the bulbs. They run an internal temperature of something like 1100 degrees compared to 170 for fluorescents (numbers may be a bit off, but you get the idea).

MH lights need good venting and fans or open tops. A fan is also a good idea over a closed canpopy anyway for O2 exchange. T5 lights are a bit hot but nothing like MH - and they consume a LOT less electricity. Most MH hoods have a built in fan.