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[moldrik]

Hey everyone,

I just started up in this new hobby and got my first tank started up last weekend. I started up a 20gal tank, I already put some live rock in there w/ some live sand. I got a little powerhead setup, skimmer and all that.

Now, i've been reading on this for a while, so I know that right now my light setup sucks. I have a Light-Glo tank so all I can really get in there is a 15wat, 10k+ or actinic lamp, which will only really allow me to keep reef and fish.

So, I decided that the 20gal isn't going to cut it. I need more light and I need a bigger tank. Reason for this is mostly because the 24" canopies don't seem to really support MH setups. I've also seen some used MH canopies for 36" tanks for a good price here. I managed to find two different setups, one has 2 MH lamps, and the other has 1 MH lamp. Both are 150wats, and both have extra fluorescent lights.

One of them have additional LEDs on them. There is about $150 dollar difference between them. I'm hoping to grow various type of coral ( probably include SPS ) and have some clams as well in the tank. Should I go with the 2 MH setup that includes other fluorescent lights w/ additional LEDs? Or will the cheaper setup work fine for me?

I'm guessing that in the future if I ever want to uprade, I should probably dish the $150 out now and save myself further upgrades later on right? It seems like with this hobby, if you can afford it, it's probably a better idea.

Other than that, I have another question, I used to have a FW tank for a long time, and I used to put my hand in there to clean the tank, as well as feed my shrimp and crayfish. In a marine tank, would this be an issue? I keep hearing over and over about water quality and how important it is. I'm guessing I should probably get some gloves right?

Thanks for the help.
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[Trigger Man]

For cleaning I put my whole hand in, and in some cases all the way to the shoulder with no gloves. If you are going to shoulder length in the water then you may want to get the deoderant off. As for lighting I use T5's and I know may others using them and growing everything you can imagine, and they are available in 24 inch sizes.

[moldrik]

The way I see it. J&L has a T5 24" canopy for $145 + taxes, lights not included. On top of that, 4x24w lights @ $26 each. The base price, before taxes is $250 bucks. I might as well get the 36" tank that I'm buying for 50 bucks and stick the cheaper MH light in there with the fluorescent lights. The difference in price is going to be around $50 bucks for the cheaper light setup.

J&L 24" T5s
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl-t5nw2404/Sunlight+Supply+24%22+New+Wave+T5+Fixture+-+4-Bulb%2C+4+x+24W.html

What do you guys think?
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[Aquattro]

Is this canopy enclosed? Can you vent it anywhere, because the MH wil generate heat, you may have to deal with that.
T5 might be the way to go for you on a smaller tank (can't believe I'm pushing T5!!) due to heat and subsequent evaporation.

And welcome to Canreef, hope you enjoy it here!

[moldrik]

I'm not sure, I haven't taken a look at the canopies yet. I'll be looking at them on thursday. I'll keep a lookout for ventilation and fans that might be embedded in them.
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[Oxymoron]

Welcome to Canreef:biggrin:

[Keri]

You should just save yourself the trouble and buy a 100+ gallon right now, you're going to want it sooner than later *giggle*

I laugh, but it's true ;)

And welcome to Canreef

[moldrik]

Heheh, I'd love to, but my apartment is way too small.

I'm setting up my tank at my office, everyone here loves fish.
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[midgetwaiter]

Do they shut off the air conditioning or heating over the weekends? Many offices do and if so that is something you should plan for.

[michika]

T5s also do put out heat, just so you are aware.

If you're handy there are lots of other options for you out there. You can DIY your own fixture, or go with a retrofit option.

[ponokareefer]

If you go with MH's on that small of a tank, you will need some good fans, or a chiller. All lights produce heat, but MH's will produce more heat. Price out chillers, and you'll find out that they are not cheap. Fans can also add a fair amount of noise, so that is something to consider as well in the office. While I personally really like MH's over T5's, on that small of a system, you may want to choose the T5's, unless you go with a chiller.

[Madreefer]

I suggest you get some aqua gloves. There has been alot of posts about people who have had problems after brushing up against something. Do a search on it. You can get blood poisoning or if you have a fish like a foxface you can be stung by the fins which have venom in them.

[moldrik]

We work a ridiculous amount, so nothing ever gets shut down on weekends. The office is fairly cold, but my tank is sitting at around 23-25 degrees Celcius.

The lights are on a retrofit kit I think with fans on them. It sounds like a good quality setup.

Tomorrow I'm picking up the new tank, some more live rock and the light setup. I can't wait to have the tank up and running.

I read up on two posts actually on that, one guy had a huge worm in his tank with spikes on it, and the other guy was hand feeding his foxface and got accidentally stung. I'm gonna have to head over to J&L again soon, so I'll probably pick up some gloves.
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[digital-audiophile]

I usually do not bother with wearing gloves.. only if I plan on moving rock around more so I don't get cut on any sharp edges.

Don't waste your money on aqua gloves.. way too much $$$

Go to Lee Valley and pick up a pair of mucking gloves, $7.95

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/gardening/bl650s1.jpg



http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=1&p=10264&cat=2,42407,33240

[Whatigot]

gloves are for mimes and pansies...lol

I just use the spray gun in my kitchen sink to wash my arms and hands very well
and I own 2 pairs of aquagloves (neither of which I bought).

I would def go with a single 150w MH for your setup, you see pendants come up all the time for great prices on canreef and with that much light on a small tank, you can go to a 20k bulb, nice and blue so you don't even need supplements.

[Diana]

Like mentioned before, gloves are good for moving around live rock, and even then usually only necessary with lots of little sharp growths like forams. They usually dont allow the "fine touch" that is necessary when placing corals or doing maintenance. I am going to look into those Lee Valley gloves! I am allergic to bristle worms. ;)

[digital-audiophile]

You will like the lee valley gloves, they actually give a better "touch" than the aquagloves,.. not as bulky. They also don't seem to get as sweaty and smell like a$$ on the inside like aquagloves :lol::mrgreen:

[Whatigot]

admitably, I have cut my fingers pretty good on sharp things on rocks before, so if you are delicate, the gloves may be a good idea.
:razz: