Few questions about new setup...

[baker_jeff]

This is my first time running a SW tank in quite a few months, and back then I only had one running for maybe 6 months before I had to shut it down.

The tank I'm running now is a 40gallon cube, no sump.

First question is about flow... I have a Rena XP3 filter with a loc-line end on it, a HOB protein skimmer, and a MJ 1200 there right now. Is this too much flow? There is alot of water movement on the surface.

Next question is about lighting... I have a 175w MH, and 24w T5HO. How much light should the tank get per day? Here is an odd request... I eat breakfast by 4:45am. I am sitting beside my tank until I leave at 6am. Is it possible to have the lights running in the morning for a few hours, turn off for the day, and then run again in the evening when I get home again? Or will this be too stressful for the fish or something else?

Next question about heat... 40gallon cube = ?w Heater? Right now I have two 50w in there, they seem to be on all the time so I am looking to pick up something powerful enough to take care of the tank on its own.

That's all for now!

Jeff

[Aquattro]

Jeff, what kind of tank? Reef, FOWLR, Fish only? If reef, ditch the canister filter. Lighting is fine with a couple of three hour intervals.
Heater will need to be upgraded to probably a 150w.

[baker_jeff]

Thanks for your reply. Right now it's empty, but I would like for it to be reef. Why should I ditch the canister? I don't have alot of room for HOB filters, the tank is right up against the wall.

[Aquattro]

Thanks for your reply. Right now it's empty, but I would like for it to be reef. Why should I ditch the canister? I don't have alot of room for HOB filters, the tank is right up against the wall.

The canister will generate too much NO3, unless you clean it every 3 days, which you won't :)
The filtration for a reef is done solely with live rock and a skimmer (most of the time). With 30ish pounds of good porous rock, you won't need a filter. A "good" skimmer will take care of the rest, with regular small water changes.

[Carmen]

Speaking from experience......you will have nitrate accumulation and they are a pain in the a$$ to clean out. I had a canister on my 27G filled with LR rubble and carbon and still had problems.
Now run a 72G with sump and skimmer and LOVE it! Much easier by comparison. If you have anyway of running a sump, do it.