Enjoihavok

Well my girlfriend is asking me to create a list of purchases I would like to make for the fish tank so that we have a rough idea of how much more money im dumping into this besides the usual fish, salt, and testing kits and so on.

My setup currently is a 55g tank, 40lbs of live sand, 27lbs of live rock in the tank, 5lbs in the sump, a coralife lamp, a #3 and #4 koralia, and a prizm skimmer. Thats the main tank stuff.

My list of items I would like is:

1. $300 for a new protein skimmer, Not sure yet which one exactly, just gave it a good chunk of money for it.

2. refractometer

3. 35lbs more live rock in the tank, 10-15lbs more of rubble for the sump

4. metal halide light (any suggestions 30" length)

Any other items I should put in there now before I realize I need it later on.

Judge

Well, that's a good start and a big chunk of $$$ with the rock, skimmer upgrade, and metal halide lighting. You'll always find something later on...that's what us fish addicts do!

__________________
55g SW
Marineland Magnum 350, #3 Koralia, #4 Koralia, Aqua C remora, Odyssea 260W/12K/8 lunar.
40 lbs. CC/65 lbs.LR/40 lbs. LS
5 Blue Green Chromis, Lawnmower Blenny, Serpent Star, Hairy shroom, Red Shrooms, Purple Shrooms, Orange Ricordea, Neon Green Ricordea, Frogspawn, Dragon Eyes, 2 peppermint shrimp, 6 Pin Cushion Urchins, 1 Pulsing Xenia, Green Star Polyps, Mexican Turbos.
75g FW

http://www.aquarank.com/in.php?id=FTF1
http://webfish.top-site-list.com/vote68.html

Enjoihavok

Well I know ill always want bigger and better, but At the same time i pretty much have to get what I need and live with it till it breaks so want to make sure I get good stuff now, and everything I need pretty much minus little things here and there. And Yah I figured Id cure some rock in my totes, so you suggest, doing some base rock over a couple months?

Dr.Fragenstein

The Koralias I would agree w/ as w/ the rock be it base or live rock. The Prizm Skimmer is your call(well, everything is) as I have no direct knowledge of it, I do love my Berlin I have. The refractometer is a definate! The metal halide.... You would need two in a 55. Honestly as much as I love and support ESU I would recommend a different fixture. Are you looking for pendants or a fixture? Pendants I would recommend a Sunlight Supply product, be it a ReefOptixs, Lumenmax or so forth. A fixture I would recommend a Maristar or the T5 Mogul base MH fixture Aquactinics makes, both are fantastic units and made in America w/ good components. Honestly on a 55 I would personally go w/ T5, you could do a Solar Flare and burn a hole in your tank, a TX5, or a Tek 4 bulb unit. Tek will be by far the cheapest but it doesnt have fans.

Good luck

Enjoihavok

Alright so need the quickest advice I can get on this one lol, So I thought my 10k daylight bulb had burned out, so I bought a replacement today, I was wrong, Seems like a ballast may of gone out, not very handy, so this may be a good excuse to buy just a new setup, and cut my loss at a bulb, ballasts replace and do a new tb, halide.

Question is, Which is better to do, as Ive stated im pretty much doing a fish and live rock tank, maybe a few anemones here and there or other thing that might like light, I dont have a canopy and mainly just looking for a hood type setup, and something safe, Also with whatever system I go with will a chiller be needed then with 1 vs the other? I heard with the halide Its prob. recommended, where the t5 may not be needed, but will require a lot more bulbs and maybe a canopy? any help super appreciated as I need to get something bought or ordered as I only have my anatic light running.

Would this be a good one?
http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Ex...p/rcu01080.htm

Seems like a nice setup, hopefully wont heat up water to much so I wont need a chiller I would think, Then Id make a small removable canopy mainly just for the front, How does all that sound?

Also my other issue is my tank length is 30 1/2 This is 36, so There will be over hang I guess Ill have to figure out how to mount it to look alright and work, but my only other option is a 20inch which is to small, Good thing is my tank is about 18inch width, or so, and the light is 12 inches so there isnt a lot of light escaping so I can do a half canopy look or something. How does all that sound and the light look?

Dr.Fragenstein

What size tank do you have again? In regards to the chiller, we are a sponsor of the Wisconsin Reef Society and there are LOTS of guys that run ridiculous amount of MH wattage and only one runs a chiller. Its all about fans and evaporative cooling. If you do not plan on corals why is there so much emphasis on lighting. You could get a couple bulb Tek light and call it a day. If you want good lighting I would again recommend Aquactinics or Tek over the Current, but Current is trying to get into the game w/ better quality lighting and components. T5 does not need a hood unless you do a retro kit, most MH WILL need a hood unless you do a fixture or clamp ons, most people use pendents.

Enjoihavok

Well looks like Im going to go with a 24 inch Giesemann Basic HQI 1 x 150W Got a good deal at my lfs. Thanks for everyones help, going to go pick it up here shortly so thanks again.