My 55 in progress/ 10K XM review

[nanoreefer22]

I'm thinking about getting a 10K XM 175 watter. Does anyone have any experience with these? I've read that they really help with the growth of corals. I'm assuming it will help with both softies and the few montis that i have. Let me know Hellolights.com has a sale on them for $60. Also will it help both the montis and the softies? Also is the color good on these?

Thanks in advance

[ February 10, 2005, 09:48 PM: Message edited by: nanoreefer22 ]

 

[jackson6745]

I used the 250w 10k XM's for a while. Super bright and nice coloration. They're worth the 60 bucks IMO.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Thanks Rich,

I'll buy those then. My tank is mainly softies but looking to slowly add more montis. Sticking to montis for now along side my softies.

Thanks again,
Kris

Also what do you recommend for flow in a 55 for montis? and softies?

 

[House of Laughter]

Nano,

I bought Jancskon's bulbs when he wswitched over - this bulb is crisp white and intense - definately needs blue supplement unless you like the white feel.

I will be running my tanks with only XM in the future

House

 

[jackson6745]

Kris, for a 55gal mixed reef I would go with 2x rio seio 820's + your return pump.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Thanks House and Jackson, I'll have to save for a while to get those pumps but I'll get them. And I'll get the XM 10K. If i were to use the 20K XM the growth would be alot less or only slightly?

 

[jackson6745]

The 175w 20k bulbs are very dim. I would stay away from them unless you want to upgrade to a higher watage. If you are not going to supplement the 10k with actincs then the 175w 14k would be ok.

 

[nanoreefer22]

I'll supplement the 10k with one actinic. The white look doesnt bother me much. After i get everything else such as new powerheads, more rock and all of those things I'll let the 10K be by itself.

 

[jackson6745]

nano, I did the same thing. I ran just the 10k's by themselves for a while until I had the extra cash to buy an Icecap ballast and some VHO's. Your corals will be fine under just the 10k but IME the colors of the corals were much better when I added VHO actinics.
Nano, just curious, what size is the tank and are you running a skimmer? If so which one?

[ January 29, 2005, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: jackson6745 ]

 

[nanoreefer22]

Sad to say dont have a skimmer yet. The tank is a 55 gallon, just getting started. Only about 3ft of my tank is visible.

 

[jackson6745]

Ok, well if you have more questions don't hesitate to ask i.e plumbing, equipment etc. Keep us posted on your progress

[ January 29, 2005, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: jackson6745 ]

 

[nanoreefer22]

Definatley will. Today and tommorow I'm out to get a few pieces of lava to seed with my live rock.

I have a very light covering of sand on the bottom of my tank. About 15-20lbs of live sand. It barely measures up to a quarter of an inch. I dont want to have a deep sand bed or go bare bottom will having only a light covering of sand have any bad effects on the inhabitants of the tank?

I put my hang on the back fuge on the tank as well just to help out with whatever it can.

 

[jackson6745]

Kris, I recall an article about why you shouldn't use lava rock in a marine tank. I don't remember exactly why but I know its not good to use (maybe someone else can explain why). I believe tufa rock would be a better choice as it does have buffering capabalities. A shallow sandbed will not harm anything

 

[nanoreefer22]

Ok cool. I only bout about 5lbs of the lava. I will go to the city tommorow and get some tufa, dont know any places that are cheaper in Brooklyn. You know of any good places in Brooklyn to get some. I wont buy any more lava rock for the tank. Thank god I didnt buy a lot of it. Happy to hear the sand bed is ok.

I dont have a credit card to order those Rio Seio 820's. Do you know anywhere in the area that carries them? (Mothers getting tired of me using hers).

 

[jackson6745]

I just sold 2 of them

I upgraded to the 1500's. Locally, I dont think you can buy them. There is a place near me that sells tufa for 1.79 per pound. I dont know if he has any. If you're interested I can check for you.

[ January 29, 2005, 08:34 PM: Message edited by: jackson6745 ]

 

[nanoreefer22]

I'm always just a little late..lol....Where's the shop that you are talking about? $1.79 sounds really good. We would make the trip out tommorow. Do you have any other powerheads your looking to get rid of? If its not any trouble at all you can check. That sucks you cant buy them locally.

 

[jackson6745]

the shop is on 24th ave and 86th st in bensonhurst. Its a small crappy store but you can find some deals on dry goods (be sure to bargin with him and make sure he doesn't charge you tax). I don't have any other powerheads f/s sorry. I'll call the shop tomorrow to see if he still has the rock. i'll let you know.

Rich

 

[nanoreefer22]

Thanks Rich, I think i know the place your talking about. Is this the place with the few saltwater tanks by/in the window and the rest is freshwater.
Also is this nearby the Bay parkway stop on the M train?

Kris

 

[jackson6745]

Yep

 

[nanoreefer22]

For a protein skimmer, do you think that i will need a big one or something thats right in the 55 gallon range.

Also what equipment do you think will be neccesary to have a thriving tank? Its going to be a mixed reef, mostly softies and only a few (5 or so) montis.

I also dont have a sump on the tank, do you think that it will be something that I need?