New Tank - What Lights & Filter?

[MoondustBob]

I'm about to upgrade my tank from a 48(l)x12(w)x16(h), 40 US gal to a 48x24x24, 120 US gal made by N&D Aquatics. My current setup runs an internal Fluval 4 with 65w of lighting via 2 tubes.

What would be the best lighting to get for the new tank? I'm guessing I'm going to need 200 or so watts, right?

And what about an external filter? Or would a sump tank filter be better than an external filter?


TIA for any help

 

[MoondustBob]

No suggestions?

 

[andywg]

First off, what is the tank for? Different systems need very different set ups. A reef has completely different light and diltration demands to a nocturnal predatory catfish tank.

 

[MoondustBob]

Hi, thanks Andy. The tank will be a basic community freshwater tank with guppies, neons, a common plec or two, some shrimp, etc. The exact fish for this tank is undecided atm as my current stock will be going with the old tank to a friend.

The new tank will also be planeted with onion plants, amazon sword, moss balls, possibly riccia and a few others.

 

[andywg]

I'm not great on planted tanks having grown out of them a year or two ago.

I always aimed for about 2 WPG, but found that the limiting factor in most tanks was CO2 rather than light. Concentrate on getting a good amount of CO2 dissolved in the water and you should have good results, even with as little as 100W.

I would avoid a sump with planted as it tends to gas off all the CO2. External cannisters are great as you can keep minimum surface agitation and by placing the outlet of your CO2 into the inlet of the filter you get a great amount of diffusion throughout the cannister filter and the impellor chops any remaining bubbles up small to increase the diffusion.

 

[MoondustBob]

Thanks again Andy, your info is much appreciated... I'm so out of touch with all this


Do you have any recommendations for Co2 systems? I've never really looked in to it as I always thought they were crazy expensive on setup and refills...

Also, would I be better sticking with basic 35w tubes and starters, or buying some of these new fancy pants 150w+ tube setups?

Finally, would a Fluval 405 external filter be up to the task?


Thanks

 

[zedonepilot]

Thanks again Andy, your info is much appreciated... I'm so out of touch with all this


Do you have any recommendations for Co2 systems? I've never really looked in to it as I always thought they were crazy expensive on setup and refills...

Also, would I be better sticking with basic 35w tubes and starters, or buying some of these new fancy pants 150w+ tube setups?

Finally, would a Fluval 405 external filter be up to the task?


Thanks

i have the same sized tank
i have 2 t5 tubes with reflectors
i dont use 02
external filter prime 30 but i am planning to upgrade
i use biomax red, off of ebay awsome stuff for plants
dont use laterite
405 should be fine was looking at them myself
heres an old pic of my tank about 3 months on from the start

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will get some more taken
hope this helps

 

[MoondustBob]

Thanks again Andy, your info is much appreciated... I'm so out of touch with all this


Do you have any recommendations for Co2 systems? I've never really looked in to it as I always thought they were crazy expensive on setup and refills...

Also, would I be better sticking with basic 35w tubes and starters, or buying some of these new fancy pants 150w+ tube setups?

Finally, would a Fluval 405 external filter be up to the task?


Thanks

i have the same sized tank
i have 2 t5 tubes with reflectors
i dont use 02
external filter prime 30 but i am planning to upgrade
i use biomax red, off of ebay awsome stuff for plants
dont use laterite
405 should be fine was looking at them myself
heres an old pic of my tank about 3 months on from the start

will get some more taken
hope this helps

Thanks mate - would love to see more pics of your setup

 

[andywg]

For up to a fair size tank you can just do DIY CO2 with some yeast, some sugar and water. Check out the planting threads, plenty of ideas there.

If I were you I would not buy the fluval 405. I would not buy ANY fluval cannister, be it x03, x04 or x05. I know too many people (myself included) who have been hit by the shoddy reliability of the things and ended up with wet floors. Look for a second hand eheim, much better.

 

[zedonepilot]

http/i105.photobucket.com/albums/m209/ze...ot/S2500003.jpg
here you go best i could do

 

[MoondustBob]

Nice tank zedonepilot I'll be going for a slightly different setup though...

Even though Aquatics-online.co.uk are located in my home town and quite popular here on the TFF, I'm not a fan of the owners or their service, so my regular supplier located some miles away has agreed to beat their prices. By some margin too

I've decided on a Eheim 2028 Pro2 filter, and Interpet Compact T5 Twin 55w lighting. Including the media, reflectors and 2 bulbs I'm due to pay a little over £170. I say 'due to pay' because I wont have money until just after Christmas I'll add to the lighting with another twin 55w soon after, along with 120mm cooling fans and 12v lighting both powered by an old pc psu.

CO2 I'm looking in to...

Thanks for your help