Suggestions please!

[jdnumis]

Do I need a uv sterlizer for a reef tank and any suggestions on lighting? I was looking into the led lighting which is beautiful.

Thank You, James

 

[duke62]

what size is your tank.LED can get awfully expensive.i was just looking at a 3ft light for 1800

 

[batt600]

What size tank. And what do you plan on keeping.

 

[Master Shake]

yes to a uv sterilizer, and lighting depends on what you arre going to be keeping and how much you want to spend on a fixture

 

[jdnumis]

I plan on getting a 125 reef tank, with assorted fish. LED is expensive, any other suggestions on lighting? Thank you all for the advice. I will get a UV sterilizer. I plan on running a sump as well. Will the UV affect it? I getting a protein skimmer as well.

Thank you all

 

[duke62]

yeah its like 600 a foot for led..on lighting it depends on what corals you are into.depth of tank.many options for lighting

 

[batt600]

Get 2 250w mh system with 14k bulbs cheaper them led great if your going to keep sps or you can go with T5 like a tek light .
But it all depends on what your going to keep sps lps or both. the uv will do fine with a sump . As for a skimmer go big like a msx300.

 

[jdnumis]

Thank you guys. I did not understand the abbreviation of the name of the lighting. I understand the watts.

 

[jdnumis]

Can I get the basic lighting?

I want to have assorted colorful coral, and a few anemones. Can I use the basic lighting for it?

Thanks

 

[Wes]

In my opinion a UV sterilizer is not necessary. It is debatable whether or not they even make a difference.

 

[JonnyJ]

theres alot that goes into a large tank. Large tanks cost a lot of money especially reefs. in my opinion...

a fish only tank can have basic equipment.
a reef tank no

i would suggest looking on the forsale forumns and try to pick up a full setup for a nice price. just my opinion! Gluck with the build

 

[jdnumis]

Thank You

 

[KathyC]

It is not suggested that a new tank have a UV light on it. The idea of a cycle is to grow bacteria/s. The job of a UV light is to kill bacteria.

The issue with them is they cannot differentiate between good & bad bacteria, they kill whatever bacteria is in the water that passes before the light, for as long as you run the UV.

Excellent husbandry practices including QT'ing all fish & corals before adding them into the tank can be equally effective (IMO) against introducing something to your tank.

If you do end up convinced that you want to use a UV - after reading all of the pros & cons - I would suggest you not add it until the tank is at least a few months old

 

[aznt1217]

Dude, slow down.

Gochiguy. CLARIFY a few things for us will you.

1. What does assorted colorful coral entail? We are talking do you want SPS, LPS, Softies, or mixed.

2. Lighting... do you want to build your own LED's or buy from a manufacturer? What's your budget?-- UNTIL WE KNOW THIS we can't really assess your options.

Your selections are MH (Metal Halide), T5 Lighting, or PC (Power Compact-- I assume this is what you mean by basic).

3. UV Sterilizer go with what KathyC said above--- because she's right.

 

[dubs]

u dont need a uv at all that my op i got one and never used it and system is running fine with out it

 

[beerfish]

I have a UV. I use it when I think things are awry. I advise using it full time on a QT tank, and only when necessary on a display tank.

If I have a disease outbreak, a cyano outbreak, or just generally think something is wrong, I turn it on. I don't honestly know if it does anything, but the placebo effect seems to help me sleep at night.

 

[jdnumis]

Thank you for the info. Any other suggestions out there?

 

[jdnumis]

SPS, LPS, Softies, or mixed. I am very new to this and not sure what these abbreviate to. I was looking into getting assorted: Denro
Zoanthids
Leathers
Xenia
Mushrooms
Acans
Chalice
Torch
palys

I was looking into buying LED's from a manufacturer. Is that a good idea?

Thanks for being patient with me and all the advice

 

[jdnumis]

Thank you KathyC. But what does QT, husbandry practices, and IMO mean. Sorry for all the questions.

Thank You again.

James