a fool question

[ryduo]

Hello all
I ask a fool question,my tank is 21"depth.Should I use 10000k or 20000K? If I have clams,should I use 250w metal halide?I use 150w 10000k metal halide before,I use 20000k now,but I found my alga grow slower than before.I wonder 10000k is available for coral?Which saltmix is more close to nature seawater?

 

[Anonymous]

ryduo, with a tank that deep, I'd recommend 250W if you're planning on keeping clams on the sand bed.

On the light color issue, there are more opinions on this than there are options (if that makes sense :? ). Essentially though, the closer you get to the natural light temperature, which is around 5000-6000K, the better the growth, whereas the higher you get (around the 20 000K mark for example), the bluer the tank (which a lot of hobbiests prefer).

Algae does grow more quickly in yellower light (like 10 000Ks), but the slower growth could also be down to a number of other factors (tank being more mature etc).

There are plenty of different 10KK bulbs out there on the market. Try a big vendor like Marine Depot for some options.

There are btw, very few foolish questions and this isn't one of them. :wink:

 

[ryduo]

Thanks for your help! I'm new,could you tell me which salt you use?There're so many brands that I had no ideal to choice,but my friend tell me some Germany brands as'JBL','sera','Dupla'are good,what about you?

 

[Anonymous]

I use Instant Ocean, but I'm not very well read on what brands are best. IO works for me, but there may be others that are better. My advice is to go for a recognised brand, that you can buy locally (and preferably cheaply!). Most of the brands available will do the job fairly well for the average aquariast.

I'd advise you to stick with what you've chosen once you do so though, as changing salt brands on an already established tank can sometimes cause problems.

Are you based in Germany? I've no idea about their salt brands, I'm afraid, though if you speak German, I know there are some very good German reef sites which may be able to offer advice on local brands.

Good luck!

Oh, and btw, in case no one else has said this

:welcome:

 

[ryduo]

Thanks burntom! You are so kind and pacient.What's meaning of the RO/DI water system.I still use traditional system(deep sand bed and rocks,but the rocks are not true live rocks,you know,I put the rocks in tank and make some bacteriums on them in a few months) I have two tanks. One is 40g to raise coral, the other is 180g to raise fish.THe coral tank, I use the 150wMH,some pumps and a Protein Skimmer,not use Calcium Reactor.In your opinion, which system I should use? Could you tell me what system you use? I found some guys use frag tank,what does it use? Is the instant salt for fish only?

 

[Anonymous]

A RO/DI system is used for filtering your fresh water used for topping off and mixup you slatwater. Most local water system have to many chemical and junk in the water that would be bad for a reef tank. RO/DI stands for revers osmosis/deionised. These filter system can be order on line or purchased locally. Generally the consist of 4 to 5 stages. The typical set up is a Sediment filter the a carbon filter then the RO the finally the DI. Some system will have additional carbon stages or other special stages if you have really nasty water. Here is the one I use http://airwaterice.com/product/1TYPHOONIII

Did you seed you rock? I used about 50% base rock in my tank and the other 50% live rock. It is not a big deal to use base rock as long as you seed it.

In a 21" tall tank I would use a 250 watt MH. You could do fine with the 150, but you would need to be careful what you put on the bottom.

Not have a calcium reactor you will need to dose the tank. I like the seachem reef advantage calcium and reef builder. You will need to does calculim and a buffer. Their are many other good products out there.

My system is a 24" cube 60 gallon. I use a single 250 watt MH with a 10KK bulb and two 24" actinic VHO bulbs. I dose for cal and alk. I have a euroreef ES5-2 skimmer and pumps. It is a simple system. Click on the link in my sig if you want more details.

 

[ryduo]

Thanks Wazzel! Do you only live rock system only?In your opinion,which skimmer and MH is better?Could you recommend me some books about coral and marine?My main problem is phosphorus(too high),what should I do? How do you deal with this problem?Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

My system is simple. Live rock, bare bottom, skimmer and lots of flow. Skimmers and loghts are amatter of preference. I like the needle wheel (euroreef, deltec, ASM) I have a euroreef now. I have also used a becket skimmer, myreefcreations MR-2, on a larger tank I had. I had sucess with both. For lighting I like 10KK mh with VHO actinic. Agin this is just a preference. As far as books it has been a while since I have bought any so I do not know what is current. I have never had a phosphosus problem so I have no idea how to deal with it. My first suggestion would be to do a large water change and see if that helps. Also test you make up water to see how it looks.

 

[ryduo]

Thanks Wazzel.I will buy some products as you said.In your opinion,should I use two skimmers?I have a needle wheel now,but I find it not efficient.Maybe I change euroreef everything will be fine. Do you know AquaC Spray Injection™ Skimmers(called powerful skimmer)?

 

[Anonymous]

IF it were me I would use just one skimmer. I am not familure with the aqua C.