If i were to start a 60g reef what would i need?

[SeaSerpant]

I'm just doing a rough draft of everything. the actual thing will be done by a different person. Okay i just handed in a application form for tim hortons. if they take me i'll start a build thread.

[SeaSerpant]

Ok Here are some better pics of the tanks and sump and stand[ATTACH]Aquariumzandstandbestshot.jpg[/ATTACH]Aquariumzandstand2bestshot.jpg

[Edmonton Eskimo]

I do believe that stand will be covered with plywood or something similar as the pics are just the skeleton. No cross bracing will be needed. The 2*4 construction skinned with plywood will be plenty strong.

[SeaSerpant]

Ok. so it would work. thanks. um. how much would it approximatly cost to make it like this with 2*4s plywood and paint?

[SeaSerpant]

Can someone tell me how much sand would i need? What kind of aroganite sand would i need. Sugar, .05 - .1,? Can someone tell me what i should feed all of the fish and coral and when to?

[SeaSerpant]

mflamb from reefcentral i had asked about the lights came up up with this
On your tank with those animals, I would make two 12 inch reflectors, and use 12K, 175 watt metal halide bulbs/reflectors, and put a T-5 actinic bulb in front and behind the metal halides. The color would be great and you would get good growth from the corals.

Anyone give me a template on how to make the reflectors. and where to get the materials?

[michika]

Originally Posted by SeaSerpant

mflamb from reefcentral i had asked about the lights came up up with this
On your tank with those animals, I would make two 12 inch reflectors, and use 12K, 175 watt metal halide bulbs/reflectors, and put a T-5 actinic bulb in front and behind the metal halides. The color would be great and you would get good growth from the corals.

Anyone give me a template on how to make the reflectors. and where to get the materials?

You could also just order a batwing reflector from somewhere like J&L and put both bulbs in that. 175w bulbs are great, however just so you know not everyone carries them all the time. Cheapest place to get them is either J&L or Hidden Reef.

Bulbs that are more yellow-white, in the 10k range will give you better growth but most everything will be brown/green-brown, bulbs that are more blue, in the 20k range will give you brighter colors, but they will be mostly purples and blues. Most people aim for a 12-15k bulb to maximize both growth and color. Really though its all about personal prefernce.

Are you going to suppliment your MH lighting?

[VFX]

Cost of stand?

Just calculate how much 2x2, 2x4 & how many ply panels you'll need (add some extra in case you need it) and head down to your local DIY store. to price it up.

Then add cost of finishing & joining & anything else you might need (varnish, nails, screws, handles, hinges, adhesives, tools etc.)

As for what to feed your fish & when?

Hope I don't sound condescending but, judging by the nature of this question, I'd be sure to do more research on every single bit of livestock you plan on getting.

And then research some more.

oh & I wouldn't reccommend a Mandarin Goby for a newly set up tank. Especially a 60g one!

.