Aqueon 26 Bow Front Lighting

[07FocusST]

Hello again everyone!

It's been a while since I've been on RF! I recently picked up an Aqueon 26G Bow Front Tank, Stand, and hood for dirt cheap brand new in box. Since then I have added about 1/2" of fine sand, 23lbs of Ultra LR (lots of purple coloration). I have a Bio-wheel filter on it right now with carbon in it. No skimmer.... yet. I am running the OEM hood which is either a T6 or T8 flurescent bulb (420nm actinic). I will be picking up a small CUC and pair of perc's today.

Now since I plan on running SPS sometime in the future I want to have enough lighting to support SPS's efficiently. I was browing eBay (what a wonderful thing) and came across a 24" 150w MH w/ 4x t5 bulbs. Roughly 346w total. To me that seems a little too much for such a small tank. Am I wrong? I just don't want to fry all the livestock in the tank with a 250w MH sitting a few inches above it.... I originally planned on a 4x T5HO setup w/ 96w total and 2x Lunar LEDs. Which would be best for supporting atleast LPS/Anemones for the time being?

-Derrick

BTW... the poll should say T5HO not T%HO....

[Herefishyfishy]

a 150w to 175w MH would be fine for a small tank with SPS.

[Krish]

Post some pics Derrick! . I agree with Mikey on the lighting. That should do the trick. Also, you said you are running the bio-wheel filter with carbon in it. Is the bio-wheel in there as well? If so, I'd pull it out now before it becomes an issue later. The fact that you will want SPS later means you don't need a nitrate factory in there.

BTW... the poll should say T5HO not T%HO....

I'll fix it for you.

[07FocusST]

Thanks for the fix Krish... Yea the LFS guy told me that a Bio Wheel would be a good source of filtration. (I didnt believe him in the first place) I know that a nano can be supported w/o mechanical filtration or skimming as long as you perform weekly water changes. So now I am thinking about attaching a Tunze 9002 skimmer and possibly going for that MH light fixture. It was 250w though.... I dont think 250w will be good for such a small tank.... Maybe I will start off with just T5HO's for now.

[NC2WA]

focus,

I just set up a 36g bow tank in my office...i am using a current usa T5 HO sundail 4x39w fixture..for me this is going to be enough light as I plan on running mostly lps and clams, but will have a couple easy sps too...

lighting depends on what exactly is in the tank...Mike is on target with the 150w MH will be enough...

[Skimmy]

get a bigger skimmer than tunze 9002,
i would get a good hob skimmer or break down and get a cheap sump going.

[spllbnd2]

Ditto on everything that has been said already. Get a good skimmer and a single 150DE MH and good reflector then you'll be set.

Cheers,
Alex

[Bryan]

Any thought on going LED ?

[07FocusST]

Every moment of the day Bryan. I was thinking about Aquastyleonline.com but their website is down.

[Bryan]

Thats a bummer. I know an AI Sol would be killer over that tank, but cant compete with the Aquastyle pricing. LOL I bit the bullet and went with the AI Nano and love it, do not have it over any coral yet but I have heard great things about it.