50g FOWLR Setup

[CMG]

Originally Posted by prow

which T5 pro light is that, bulb wise. what watts and how many bulbs?

i am sure that one will work for ya, but if its around the same price as one of these http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...ight_Fixtures/ i would opt for the sunlight fixture.

Its got 3 10k white lights and 3 460nm blue lights for a total of 6 bulbs. It says 6x39w so I assume that means a total of 234w?? I dont know too much about all this lighting stuff. I know the two recomendations were the one I got and the one prow mentioned, tek. But tek is sold without bulbs included.

Prow: Can you elaborate on why the tek is a better choice? I know nothing about this stuff. Or anyone else can chime in!!

Edit: after some minor research it is about $100 more for the tek after lights. It does not seem to have legs but only a hanging option which I cant do. Also the watts are the same so I dont know how the light could be better in the case of output. The tek light does look more asthetically pleasing though, like a sports car vs. a bus. hehe. Oh I see it does have legs, but they are about $70 extra. It seems that the tek may have a better light control option with its switches and which ballasts each switch is attached to....I cant really tell.

[CMG]

Here are some quick shots of Shrek and one of a snails snout stickin up through the sand bed.

Just hanging out...at least he matches the algae! haha


Grrrrr...look at those massive teeth of his!!

[JoJo]

nice pics buddy, the goby looks at home already

[CMG]

Yeah he isnt as active as I thought he might be, I think the shrimp ones are more active. He just likes to perch. He eats like a champ though!

So I cant sell or rather no one is wanting to buy my 55g with stand. So I was thinking about just upgrading to it. But I already bought a 36" light. Can I use a 36" light on a 48" tank? I dont see why not since if you raise the light up and hook it into the hood the light goes in all directions including out to the sides right? Maybe not, thats why I am asking. I am just thinking about, nothing for sure, probably wont even end up doing it, I love my 40g too much.

[JoJo]

hmmm...whats the dimensions on the 40g, that is the reason you dont want to upgrade right?

[framerguy]

I think you could, especially in a FO tank.

Love the teeth on that monster! What a great looking fish.

[CMG]

Well I am not planning on it being a FO tank. Actually its not a FO tank now! haha. The reason I like the 40g is because of its size I guess. Its just so easy to see all of the stuff I have and to get the turkey baster down to the ground for feedings. The dimesions are 36Lx15Wx17H. If I did upgrade I think I would want it to be a "real" upgrade not just 15 gallons but go from liek 40g to 100 or more. That wouldnt be for a long time though. I don't even have a house and I am not even done with college yet! By then I will probably use this 40g for a sump!

Sorry I havent gotten pics of the new zoas yet they arent opening all the way yet. Need a few more days probably.

[prow]

Originally Posted by CMG

Its got 3 10k white lights and 3 460nm blue lights for a total of 6 bulbs. It says 6x39w so I assume that means a total of 234w?? I dont know too much about all this lighting stuff. I know the two recomendations were the one I got and the one prow mentioned, tek. But tek is sold without bulbs included.

Prow: Can you elaborate on why the tek is a better choice? I know nothing about this stuff. Or anyone else can chime in!!

Edit: after some minor research it is about $100 more for the tek after lights. It does not seem to have legs but only a hanging option which I cant do. Also the watts are the same so I dont know how the light could be better in the case of output. The tek light does look more asthetically pleasing though, like a sports car vs. a bus. hehe. Oh I see it does have legs, but they are about $70 extra. It seems that the tek may have a better light control option with its switches and which ballasts each switch is attached to....I cant really tell.

first, i think the nova will work for your needs. but the sunlight supply light does use much better ballasts, thats where most the cost difference is. the novas also use smaller gage on the wiring, rated a couple notches down compared to sunlights, not sure if they upgraded that on the pro series, dont think so though. the reflectors used, the nova pro uses individual contoured reflectors where as sunlight uses individual parabolic reflectors, that equates to about a 50% increase in PAR levels. its wierd though their nova pro retrofit kits use parabolic reflectors but they dont use them in the fixture. not sure if they upgraded the end caps on the nova pro, but they did use to be pretty cheap and burnned easy. the sunlight fixture, all around, jsut uses higher quality parts. O yeah also on the bulbs, the nova pro comes with slimpaq bulbs where as the sunlight fixture you can get either ATI or GE bubls, both are leaps and bounds above the slimpaq in outputs, running temps and life of the bulb. IMO its very much worth the extra $100.00.

[CMG]

Well crap! I better think about calling them and ordering it! Of course I will need the $60 legs! Hmmmmmm....

[prow]

lol, yeah but you will save $$$ power used and get better outputs. also just an FYI, because you live in Ca. greg at reefgeek gives a rebate on every order that covers the tax, so no tax, that brings the start up cost closer.

[CMG]

Ok there are a million ATI and GE bulbs and I have no idea which 6 to choose?

[CMG]

Oh duh, I totaly forgot....I tested for Alk and PH today. My PH was 8.3-ish and my Alk was 5 or 6. I cant tell for sure because the seachem tests have these little color strips that arent pervfectly easy to read. I believe both fo those numbers are ok though, right?

[JoJo]

ok buddy, that is alot of work for 15g more. when the time comes for you to upgrade, you will probably use the 40 as a fuge & have a bigger sump. my sump is 55g and it still isnt big enough. and i wish i had a bigger fuge

[CMG]

Originally Posted by JoJo

ok buddy, that is alot of work for 15g more. when the time comes for you to upgrade, you will probably use the 40 as a fuge & have a bigger sump. my sump is 55g and it still isnt big enough. and i wish i had a bigger fuge

Yeah, I will just keep trying to sell it. I figured the same thing you said about using the 40 as a sump/fuge later on when and if I upgrade.

So with the help of PROW I decided on some bulbs and the Tek light after all. I ended up having to get the 4 bulb lights since the 6 bulb one is too wide for my tank! Good thing I checked twice, I jsut assumed since the current usa light I had on backorder was 6 bulbs I would be ok. It should be here in a few days so pics are coming!!!!!

[CMG]

Ok, I got my pump today, a rio 1700 and I have some plumbing questions:

1) drain line from overflow is supposed to be 1" pvc right?
2) return line pvc is supposed to be 3/4" right?
3) Should I use the ball valve that came with the pump or one on the pvp?
4) How do I hook the pvc to the pump? Do I use tubing to do that or is there a special pvc connector? Below is some shots with different options:

Here are som fitting: ball valve, threaded thingy, and tubing thingy that screws onto the threaded thingy.


I can connect the tubing thingy direct to the pump.....


Or I can connect the valve and the tube thingy.....



Or someone can tell me this is all wrong and let me know what I am supposed to do. No hurry I still havent recieved my shipment with the overflow....Thanks!!!!