after 10 years, getting back into hobby. refresh me!

[chief]

I used to have a 75g reef tank but that was 10 years ago. I've decided to buy a 72g bow tank and start again. I have some basic questions to refresh me if you don't mind:

1. tank comes with 4 power compact lighting. Should I honestly sell these and buy T5 lights? I plan on having softies and LPS eventually. (frogspawn, torch corals, toadstools, etc). What would you recommend getting for cheapest?

2. has 1 power head... should I have 2?

3. has a fluval 305.. is this sufficient enough?

4. what's the live rock ratio I should have for 72g?

that's it for now, i'll ask more as I get the tank set up

 

[chief]

the setup isn't drilled that's why he has a canister filter. will I regret buying this setup? Need answer ASAP please

 

[Shawnburg]

I would get a T5 fixture, with the price of Power compacts I think there $50 a bulb, 1 more power head. As for the filter I'm not sure if it's good enough or not. You could get a overflow box and build a DIY Refugium out of a 20 gallon long. I'm sure more people will also give their advice. As for fish I believe the rule of thumb is 1 inch of fish per gallon and that's based on full grown size.
Good luck and welcome back

 

[chief]

thanks shawnburg! I forget, but what does he mean when he says it's not drilled? should i only buy a tank that is drilled, and what would the benefit be? (been awhile lol). You didn't mention a protein skimmer, would I need to get one of those for sure?

 

[CoralJunkie]

Go with a 6 bulb t5 bigalspets dot com has aquaticlife fixtures on a huge sale like 100 bucks off, and go with a reef octopus hang on back skimmer and 2 power heads

 

[Shawnburg]

Just sent you a Pm

 

[chief]

ok thanks guys... I think I'm going to hold off on buying this setup since it seems I'd have to drop $4-500 more on it plus it's not drilled which I'm gathering I'd want so I don't see plumbing in living room. back to the drawing board. still need a good price to push me into getting back into the hobby

 

[delta]

I would do some home work a few things have changed and while T-5 is a nice option to MH LED is another option as well

I would steer away from the canister filter setup and use an actually sump. Go with a drilled tank and over flow it will save you in the long run and give you more options.

Summer is coming fast an a host of tank will surely follow as people get out of the hobby as it isn't fitting with their schedule.

 

[chief]

ya, glad I backed out of getting that tank today. I agree a sump is the way to go, I remember creating a DYI sump back in the days. Are T5's still the best option? Metal Hallides get very hot and cost more from what I remember.

how much Live Rock should you have per gallon? I know fish is 1" per gallon.

 

[delta]

LEDs outperform T-5s but are more expensive upfront. Hopefully you can get more people to weigh in with experience.

There is a meeting in Taunton next month and hopefully reefkeeper2 will allow member to do a tank tour. He switched from MHs a while back
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/1/aquarium

 

[Flame Angel]

LEDs outperform T-5s but are more expensive upfront. Hopefully you can get more people to weigh in with experience.

There is a meeting in Taunton next month and hopefully reefkeeper2 will allow member to do a tank tour. He switched from MHs a while back
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/1/aquarium

Paul(reefkeeper2) is actually in the process of upgrading his LED's at this time.

 

[chief]

so are LED's the better option over T5's nowadays? ya their more expensive but what about the maintenance costs, quality, and bulb replacements?

LEDs outperform T-5s but are more expensive upfront. Hopefully you can get more people to weigh in with experience.

There is a meeting in Taunton next month and hopefully reefkeeper2 will allow member to do a tank tour. He switched from MHs a while back
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/1/aquarium

 

[CoralJunkie]

if your gonna go with a sump i would stay away from a bow front tank, you have a lot more options with a regular style tank, ive never tried leds ive always had t5's i thought about going led but ive seen threads where it changed coral that were red to orange and such... not sure if it was just the brand of leds or they all do this like i said ive never used them

 

[FreedR]

Following along, as I am soon to get back into the hobby and get my 75g back up and running. I need to overhaul my hood, which had MH + VHO actinics. My impression after reading up on RC was that LEDs aren't quite there yet, and that MH is still the most common option, but curious to hear more opinions. (And with lighting, there always seem to be plenty of opinions...)