I need help with a new tank

[Myka]

Originally Posted by asmodeus

its all going to depend on what you want to keep in the tank.
if you are going with this tank
SUmp or no sump, if you are getting a sump then the drilled part is great for you, just get a mag 5 for a return and you can keep your heaters and running all the goodies in the bottom for your tank with the display open for your corals
your sand try to get some sea chem select its great I love it its not to fine but fine enough.
Skimmer type i would go with a Deltec MCE 300 or a remora pro with a mag 3/5
Lighting- its going to depend on what you want some like the T-5's, some like the VHO's and then the best MH if you are planning to get a bigger tank then go wit ha 150 or a 250 single with actinic lights for supplment.

Live rock will have to be in there too. like around 50-60 lbs for your filteration. that is just the basic's for you to start up other people will have better ways of doign it that is what i would do for now.

BUT AT THE End OF THE DAY. It;s going to depend on how much you are wanting to spend? and What you LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

I agree with most of this...except that MH isn't the best option on a 36" tank. You're better off using T5s if you want to keep corals, or just regular NO fluoros if you just want fish.

Also, I have a 33g and I have about 40lbs of live rock, and I wouldn't want any more than that.

You really need to let us know what your budget is, and what type of corals (if any) you want to keep.

[bignose]

Hey I just have a ten gallon tank right now. The tank I can get is a 30 Gallon that has 2- 3/4" holes drilled with a stand. I'm new at SW and I was thinking I could use this as a great starter tank. I have a 96W 50/50 CF. and 13pounds LR.

Could I use the 10G tank as a refuge or do I run a sump?

I love the hobby but It's so hard to get started and educated.

I'm pretty much starting from scratch and need help.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

My main suggestion: RESEARCH!!!

For starters, check this out. And don't jump into it before you're sure what you'll need to do it right! I know it's tempting to start now and figure it all out later...but you'll be doing yourself (and the animals) a disservice if you do!

In the meantime, keep asking questions, if you have any specific ones.

[Skimmerking]

there is nothing wrong with MH over a 36" tank

[Myka]

Originally Posted by asmodeus

there is nothing wrong with MH over a 36" tank

A single MH bulb only covers a 24x24" patch at the best of times, if you use something like a Lumenarc reflector then you can get it to stretch about 30". UNLESS you raise the reflector really high, then you can get it to spread across the 36", but you would have lost so much PAR by raising it so high that it is pointless, and a waste of electricity. You need two MH bulbs to effectively cover a 36" tank, but you'd roast a tank this small by doing that, not to mention the cost.

For all these reasons, I suggest that a T5 setup would be a better choice.

[fkshiu]

I cover a 6' tank with two Lumenmax pendants no problem, but my lights are a little higher up (~10") off the water to provide a greater spread. I don't see any significant loss in growth and, if anything, this has cut down on salt spray/splashing on the reflectors as well as heat.

This setup allows me to put my clams/sps directly under while I put the LPS off to the edges more given the difference in intensity. Whatever the case there's still plenty of light to go around.

[Myka]

It really depends what kinds of corals he wants to keep. If he doesn't want to keep SPS, then there's another reason why T5's would be a better choice. I have the exact same tank, and I struggle with heating issues just with 2x39W T5s, I can't imagine how bad it would be with a MH. There is no way I would put a MH over my 33g.