180g tank preparations

[bboyin4lyf]

just a run through of my equipment list so far: please comment and advise, thx

circulation- 1 tunze stream 6100 + return from sump. enough?
lighting: 3 175w mh
skimmer: what would you recommed, middle to top of range and price..
substrate: dsb made of crushed white marble
liverock: about 45kilos
sump: berlin style ie no wet/dry filled with rock rubble and incorporating a macro algae fuge
return pump: 1 hyper flow.. cant remember specific details- will update

stock:
1 yellow tang
1 bi coloured dwarf angel
either 1 regal angelfish or 1 blue girdled angelfish
1 mandarin fish

corals: LPS and a few softies and mushrooms

thoughts/ opinions?

 

[dubbin1]

I would upgrade the lighting to 3 250w for future additions. It will be cheaper now then later.

 

[bboyin4lyf]

i've allready got 2 175w from a previous system, should i get one 250 w for the middle or would it look odd?

 

[Len]

If it's the same kelvin rating, it should be okay. The eye/brain compensates.

 

[bboyin4lyf]

ahh sweet, in regards to water flow. will the one tunze stream be enough? im just sick of having to do maintenance on powerheads who eventually lose gph any wayz.

 

[Len]

This is what I posted in the NRF forum for you:
Circulation is okay, but I'd add another Stream and use a timer. A single stream will mean a very laminar flow in one direction. Two will help you move water around the tank in a far more natural and healthy fashion.

 

[Chooch]

As far as fish I would wait on adding the regal angel or blue girdled angel until your tank is well established. I would wait before adding the bicolor angel and the mandarin as well. All of these angels are delicate so you will need pristine tank conditions and a mature tank to give you the best chance for success. All angels are a risk but very few reef aquarist are keeping biclor angels with corals. Some other dwarf angels seem to be a better gamble. The regal and blue girled are risky as well but the odds of them leaving corals alone are a little better. I am currently keeping a Red Sea regal angel in my mostly SPS 180 gallon reef that I have had since April 2001. It is a gorgeous fish that eats everything offered including flake food. The only thing it bothered were some Zoanthids which were too numerous anyway.

 

[bboyin4lyf]

thx len, allways good to double check , two tunze thats nearly $1000 , 1 tunze and one powerhead facing the tunze would create some extra water turbulence . ill propz have to do this as finances are a slight concern :wink:. im not adding fish for about 4-5 months, its just going to be corals. want to see if this helps with the growth of them or not.
len, could you direct me to a good explanation of kalkwasser and how to use it? thx