Opinion on lighting etc...

[trido]

Hi guys and gals.
Back for round three..I beleive it was LA Lawman who wanted me to let you know exactly what kind of lighting i was think of buying.

90 gallon =48"x18"x24"

Hamilton- Metal halide pendant 10000 k 400 watt. Only problen I can see with them is that after 250 watts. They dont come with a UV filter. Any home remedies? I am think of using these because they look a little nicer than all that Ive seen on the market and Im also hoping to recycle my existing hood with a couple 48" actinics and save a few hundred dollars. For a while anyway. I would eventually change to PC. Will this work? My understanding of reading through the forums and such is that actinics are purely for aesthetics. Am i understanding this correctly?
Also i have decided go with an ASM G-2 skimmer. I can pick one up for relatively cheap and think it should be plenty sufficient
I did make my first actuall purchase today. My wifes' christmas presant to me. An ESHOPPS RS 200 SUMP.. It is rated for a 200 gallon tank with a 25G capacity
I figure also that since I am going to DIY overflows and drilling that I might as well pick up a 20G tank and make my own refuguim.
I see a few picks of home made over flows in the forums. Can you tell me how to make the inside black.
I guess that my last major immediate purchase...(ROFL).... would be a pump or two. Any recommended brands to stay away from...I Guess RIOs' dont have the best name on the market. Any others?

 

[trido]

OH!!! and thanks again

 

[ChrisRD]

I'm not sure I'm following everything in your post but I'll try to give some opinions on what I think you're asking...

2 X 400 watt 10Ks over that tank seems like overkill to me. 250s would be plenty to keep anything IMO. If you can handle the heat from the 400s that's your call but you may need to run a chiller depending on ambient room temps, evaporation, etc. As for UV protection, IMO it's not a big concern with Mogul type lamps as the outer envelope of glass already provides enough. With DEs normally the shield is used in the fixture.

When you say 48" actinics I'm assuming VHO? If so, stick with them - most people prefer the VHO actinic lamp made by URI over any actinics offered in PC lamps. Actinics do offer useable light for photosynthetic critters so they do have additional benefit beyond just aesthetics, however, they are definitely optional as the halides will provide all the PAR you'll need.

The ASM skimmer sounds like a good choice.

Pumps - if you specify what types of pumps you're looking for we can give you some recommendations (ie. external, submersible, to use for circulation, a return pump, etc.).

HTH

 

[LA-Lawman]

chris hit the nail on the nose.

i think 250w halides will work great.. I would consider the double ends and if you chose DE's then a piece of glass will act as your filter... the mogul based bulbs are good too.

you should consider electronic ballasts to help save a little electricity... the actinic lighting is a good choice with the 10k's... VHO even better. I love my VHO's. I used to be strong PC advocate but after using VHO's again with icecap ballasts.... all i can say is "Good to Go!"

the asm skimmer is a good choice... i would spend the xtra $35 bucks or so and get the G3... you can never really overskim www.asmskimmer.com

later on you could convert the skimmer to a re-circlating and get better efficiency...

do you have a link for your sump manufacturer....

lookslike you have some good choices there. good luck...

oh yeah... we can help you with pump selection.... the one thing about this board is that we are mostly all humble and have made bad purchases.... we can help minimize that on a setup for someone breaking into the hobby. we are here to help..

TAKE LOTS OF PICS AND POST THEM....... or ELSE!!

 

[trido]

I'll definately look into the G-3 then LA. Also 250's will probably save me a few bucks to help pay for a bigger skimmer...So i break even. Good for me..
Here is the address for the sump. For some reason it wont create a link.
http://eshopps.com/reefsump.php

As for pumps.I am not sure what i need really. I still have to do some designing as well as framing, electrical,plumbing and sheetrock. As I said earlier I am turning half of my laundry room into the built in. I want to copy Louey.This requires alot of plumbing alterations. Fortunately for me. I plan to put in a little sink for testing and My RO/Di filter. Also i am think I can simply pipe in a ball valve and pump my water changes straight into the sink..NO SIPHONING!!!!...from the return line or the overflow?