5ft Shallow Marine Tank

[PROX]

I am in the midst of converting my current 5ft planted tank to marine tank (SPS tank)..

Basically I have done a lot of reading and got all the info overloaded in my head now..

I need some feedback on the stuff i am going to do/purchase...

Tank size : 150cm (L) x 60cm (W) x 40cm (H)

Skimmer : Skimz SM202

Fludised Reactor : Skimz FM100 /or FM1500?

Light set : 8 x 80W (6 blue, 2 purple, 1 white?) Giesemann bulb.

Anything else I need to take note?

[dnsfpl]

imo its better to have at least 3 white tubes

2 blue, 1 actinic blue, 2 purple/red

[PROX]

I am going to go for 8 tubes, how about 2 white, 2 actinic, 2 blue, 2 purple?

[vt_snowman87]

I am going to go for 8 tubes, how about 2 white, 2 actinic, 2 blue, 2 purple?

it actually depends on what u hope to achieve.. for growth, put in more whites (higher PAR than blues) and purpleplus (1 is enough, will give a pink wash to tank outlook).. if u are more of a coloration person, use more blueplus..

personally i am a SPS coloration person, so i am using only 2 whites, 5 blueplus, and 1 actinic.

* actinic has very useless PAR rating, thus almost useless for coral growth.. it is only utilized because it can bring out a very nice glow in my SPS, especially viewed with blueplus..

just my 2cents worth, hope that helps..

[wilsontantw]

CR or dosing pump? Without these, u gotta do manual dosing to balance ur ca/kh and Mg

How abt wavemakers? Vortec or tunze maybe?

[PROX]

I am thinking to go for minimalist design. Not going with CR/Dosing pump. Just weekly WC using H2O salt.

As for wave maker, I am thinking to go with 3 Tunze.

[wilsontantw]

Not even manual dose? Issit a full sps tank or just minimal sps?

Quite power... if it's a 5' sps tank without cr or dosing...

Good luck.

[mengyang_neo]

Agree with wilson, for SPS full tank will need to have cr or dosing pump if not then manual dosing. KH drop super fast, so weekly WC using H2O salt will not be enough to keep up with the dropping of KH everyday. Unless your tank only a few small frag of SPS or only LPS and softies then WC using H2O salt will be ok.

[PROX]

I am thinking of few big frag of SPS. Not filling up the entire tank with SPS. I will mix with some LPS/Zoas. Guess I will have to include Dosing pump into my buy list now.

I am now in dilemma whether to change my width dimension from 2ft to 2.5ft or 3ft.

If the width is increased, I will go with Skimz SM252 protein skimmer.

[Eniram]

3ft width is a good choice if you have the space to play with. Looking forward to your new tank.

[wilsontantw]

If u have the luxury of space for the width, go 3'. It'll be a beautiful sight to behold!

Eniram's new tank has 3' width. It's really stunning!

Looking forward to ur build.

[PROX]

Eniram - Got picture to share? I am still very new with Marine. All the while i am into Planted tank only. I definitely have the space to go for 3ft but I need to take all the additional cost into consideration..bigger lighting power, bigger skimmer, more salt, more rocks, more corals..etc

How about salt deposit in the house? will it be "sticky-sticky" with so much salt water in the living room?

I am going to cool down the tank with 24 x 7 a/c since I am maintaining 2.5ft planted tank.

[PROX]

Mod please help to close this thread. I will start my journal in "member showcase". Thanks.