How Is This For Stocking?

[Hawkins]

It was you Ben who suggested that skimmer. there are none for less than £50 on eBay at the moment, im hoping after christmas there will be. If one pops up, it will be the first thing i buy.

if i can get live rock for £7 per kilo then i will try and get 20KG of it. then i dont need base rock

 

[Hawkins]

Nearly a year on and there is no progress

Just wondering if what has been said is still good information, or if anyone has any suggestions from the year 2009. (lol)

I now have a job so can afford to do this properly

I can't wait (i promise it will happen this time!)

 

[-Nemo-]

I would say everything everyone said still stands true.

 

[Hawkins]

I would say everything everyone said still stands true.

Excellent

 

[Hawkins]

Would T5 lighting be good enough? or T8?

 

[Hawkins]

Would there be anything I could have instead of the Damsel, then?

And is there something to replace the Royal Gramma, as it is similar colours to the blenny and I would like a better mix.

Thanks


I want this to be right from the start, so there are no problems for me or the fish. Cheers

 

[-Nemo-]

Would T5 lighting be good enough? or T8?

I would definitely go with T5s, either T5 CFs (Compact Florescent) or linear T5s. Linear T5s will technically enable you to keep corals which need higher lighting.

Would there be anything I could have instead of the Damsel, then?

And is there something to replace the Royal Gramma, as it is similar colours to the blenny and I would like a better mix.

Thanks


I want this to be right from the start, so there are no problems for me or the fish. Cheers

There's plenty of fish to replace those two. Assuming you still want the other fish you listed:
2x clownfish
1x bi-colour blenny
1x cardinal


Some good choices would be a firefish (or a pair of firefish), Hawkfish [most are NOT safe with inverts, so be careful], A reef-safe smaller wrasse [Like a six line wrasse], A reef-safe hogfish [like a candy hogfish], Gobies [Many good choices here].

 

[Hawkins]

Thanks for your reply i am very grateful for the information you have given. obviously i have no idea about marine fish. i suppose this is how i started with tropical.

just wondered if the flame angel can still fit into the equation.
And with the Linear T5's, will a normal T5 unit work (is the only difference the bulb?)


thanks

edit: i was hoping to keep the Juwel light unit and just change the bulbs

sorry i am such an idiot and really bad at wording things lol

 

[-Nemo-]

Yes, you could do a flame angel instead, but as stated earlier beware of coral nipping.

CF lights and T5s (note that CF is a T5 as well, but is not usually referred to as such in the hobby. If only stated at "T5" lighting, it generally refers to the linear T5s) are different looking bulbs and require different ballasts.

I'm not familiar with what lighting juwels come with, but if the lighting system didn't come with CF or T5 lighting, the ballasts will not be able (won't be able to either physically or safely) fit the bulbs. So check out what your lighting from the Juwel is.

 

[Hawkins]

Ok that sort of makes sense

Would this light unit work?
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/JUWEL-T5-HIGH-LITE-LIGHT-UNIT-RIO-125-80cm-2X28w_W0QQitemZ220379086911QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item334f9e003f

 

[-Nemo-]

It looks like it would be OK...

Remember to read the fine print!
"PLEASE NOTE THIS UNIT IS A T5 AND DOES NOT COME WITH TUBES OR REFLECTORS HOWEVER WE CAN SELL YOU THE TUBES AT A SPECIAL PRICE OF ONLY 42.00 FOR THE 2"

 

[Hawkins]

Yeah I noticed that. I would get the T8 one for £59.99 because that includes the tubes, but if i am converting then i might aswell get this.

Thanks