1. Welcome to Aquarium Space! We are a friendly online community for aquarium owners all over the world who love their tanks including their fish, reefs, corals, invertebrates and their aquatic livestock. If you haven't joined yet, we invite you to register and join our community!

Help Needed on 30 gallon Reef Tank Equipment

Discussion in 'Freshwater Aquariums & Fish Photos' started by Lanvin87, Sep 30, 2009.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Guys if I will get an aquaclear 50 filter for my 30 gallon and live rock. Do i still need a protein skimmer?
    Or I am thinking to take a rena xp1(I think is better then aqueon or aquaclear).
    protein skimmer is not doing the same as the mechanical filter?
     
    Lanvin87, Sep 30, 2009
    #1
  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    do the xp4 (about same price as xp1 if you score it off ebay...I seen one on there for $150 with free ship).
    Yes, you will still need a protein skimmer regardless of which filter you choose.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Sep 30, 2009
    #2
  3. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    That was always in my mind to buy xp3 or xp4 but if the circulation will be very intensive(my tank is just 29 but xp4 is for 100gallon or more) It will not hurt my tank?
    And what about lighting? for 30 gallon I need at least 150watt? What light would you reccomend for 29 gallon?
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 1, 2009
    #3
  4. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    you can adjust the circulation-->inside the kit there'll be a valve with a ?knob that you can attach to the connection (I've used it in the past with the spraybar).

    Lighting...all depends on what you plan on putting in there.
    When I had a salt setup I ran a 260w on a 55g and had live rock and an assort of fish and HAD planned on adding coral and such.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 1, 2009
    #4
  5. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    Yes I am planning to add live rock and coral, so do I need 150 or more right?
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 1, 2009
    #5
  6. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    yep, 150w would be on the minimum end and I'd suggest t5's in a 10,000k & 03 Actinic Mix.

    Something Along the lines of this-->
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_SunDial_T5_Current_USA_p/rcu01152.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_SunDi ... u01152.htm</a>

    and this-->
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Extreme_Pro_T5_36_inch_Current_USA_p/rcu01080.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Extre ... u01080.htm</a>
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 1, 2009
    #6
  7. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    what about this one?
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?ItemId=96353402&EID=NX96353402&SID=NXTG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.petsolutions.com/default.asp ... 2&SID=NXTG</a>
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 1, 2009
    #7
  8. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    How do I explain this..t5 is a stronger light so you require less wattage.
    The fixture I linked you will be more than adequate for whatever you decide to stick in there.

    It's totally up to you though with what you go with.
    This is a link regardless of what you choose with the best bulbs (Giesemann )
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Bulbs/39_Watt/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Flu ... s/39_Watt/</a>

    as for the one you linked....I had same compact fixture on my 90g and one on my salty 55g when I had one (only had fish)...I have to say that I will never go back to cf now that I have experienced t-5's...MUCH brighter light that definately penetrates to the bottom WAY better.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 1, 2009
    #8
  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    Here's a sheet of compact fl. that are much cheaper with free shipping-->
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.marineandreef.com/36_inch_Compact_Fluorescent_Fixtures_Power_Compact_s/283.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.marineandreef.com/36_inch_Co ... _s/283.htm</a>
    they have metal halide, t5&t12 too!

    Free shipping on orders totaling $150 or more (using UPS GROUND) ;)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 1, 2009
    #9
  10. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    Thank you for advises! Do you have messanger? I would like to ask a couple more questions about lighting. Its just faster...my internet is really slow.
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 1, 2009
    #10
  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Re: Advice on 30 gallon Reef Tank

    Borrowed this to further help ya!
    To determine the number of watts an aquarium receives per gallon, simply divide the total wattage of the light fixture by the number of gallons of the aquarium. For example, a 55-watt fixture used over a 29-gallon aquarium will provide its inhabitants with slightly less than 2 watts of light per gallon (55 รท 29 = approximately 1.89). The same fixture will provide more than 3 watts per gallon, if used over a 15-gallon aquarium.

    Sorry, I don't have msgr.
    The best I can offer is use the pm or shoot an e-mail to exoticfishphotocontest@gmail.com

    Also, here is a link to foster and Smith recommendations for a 30g using their aquarium builder.
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1689&c=3578&" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/artic ... 89&c=3578&</a>
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 1, 2009
    #11
  12. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I guess this should be a perfect light for me! And it has fan what I like also.
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16770" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... atid=16770</a>
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 1, 2009
    #12
  13. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Extreme_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_Current_USA_p/rcu01121.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_Extre ... u01121.htm</a>
    (Same price as foster&Smith, but FREE shipping)

    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_SunDial_T5_Current_USA_p/rcu01152.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.marineandreef.com/Nova_SunDi ... u01152.htm</a>
    (This is the fixture I run on my tank ...of course I had to swap out the bulbs being mine is a freshwater and mine is the 48" version)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 2, 2009
    #13
  14. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Guys If i take a rena xp3 or xp4 for my 29gallon, will I steel need a powerhead or the canister filter with that power will do the job?
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 5, 2009
    #14
  15. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    If you get the xp4 I don't believe you will need a powerhead.
    Utilize the spray bar on the SIDE of the tank and it should defin blow all the way across (that's how I set mine up on a 90g...& I have 2 just because I scored a great deal on the 2nd one).
    Might wanna keep an eye on
    <a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Rena-Filstar-XP4-External-Aquarium-Canister-Filter-New_W0QQitemZ300354282372QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ee82a384&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://cgi.ebay.com/Rena-Filstar-XP4-Ex ... 286.c0.m14</a>

    he changes his prices up and down often and at times lists several of them.
    Prime example...he just ended one for $149.99 and shipping...and now he's listing them at $155.00
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 5, 2009
    #15
  16. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Thanks!
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 5, 2009
    #16
  17. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    you have 2 xp4s on your 90 gallon? wow 1 was not cleanong enough?
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 5, 2009
    #17
  18. Lanvin87

    Lanvin87 Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Is there a big difference between external power filters (lets say aquaclear 70) and canister filters? cuz canister filters are so expensive and i dont have much space under or behind the tank for the canister one.
     
    Lanvin87, Oct 5, 2009
    #18
  19. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    No...1 was great it's just I got a heck of a deal on the other one that I couldn't pass up. I have the spray bars on the right and left side walls and between the two they reach all the way to the center of the tank!
    Never can have too much filtration imo ;)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 5, 2009
    #19
  20. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

    Messages:
    5,172
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    38
    IME the canisters are usually easier to clean and can handle a wider variety of media.
    The external hob's are limited media wise and more difficult to clean.

    But ey, if you can do a canister then the hob is the 2nd best bet imo.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Oct 5, 2009
    #20
Page 1 of 2