A New Beginning

[reeffreak]

Hello to all,
Not exactly a newbie to reefkeeping,but I feel theirs still alot to learn.Let me start off by saying.Several years ago my company moved,at the time I couldn't bring my 72 bowfront with me.I sold everything I could and what I couldn"t went to the LFS.(damn I regret that...ah well)

So here I am ready to get my feet wet again...went to the LFS and purchase
a 75Gal.I wanted to go bigger but I remember all to well how expensive this hobby can be.I'm planning on keeping softies and some LPS coral so here is my question to anybody who can help me.

1.Lighting...which is better 4x65w Pc's or 4x54w T-5's

2.Anybody uses the Marineland Tidepool wet/dry filter...how is it...any input would help

3.Anybody purchase live rock from liveaquaria.com..wanted to know if anyone purchase their Lalo live rock(kinda tired of the Fiji stuff).Are they as beautiful as the picture make them out to be.

THANxs everyone

[AndyB4784]

1. Go t5 PC's just don't have the penetration that a quality t5 fixture will provide.

2. instead of the wet dry why not go for a refugium style sump.

3. never gotten rock from live aquaria but have been happy with the corals that i have purchased from them. nothing like picking your own pieces at the LFS though IMO. the lalo rock looks nice though. I personaly like the hatian live rock but caribean rock is notorious for hitch hikers.

4. good luck with the new tank.

[reeffreak]

who makes quality T-5 fixtures?

I was thinking of the Tidepool because it seems like easier mantenience than a typical wet/dry..no bio-balls just pullout trays.A refugium huh..maybe a hang on
later down the road.........still deciding though

[Bifferwine]

I have the Current NOVA Extreme T5s. I bought them in August and have been very happy -- no problems whatsoever. You only have to change the bulbs once a year or so, and the bulbs are not that expensive. I got them here (they're on sale right now):

Champion Lighting & Supply :: Lighting :: T5 Fluorescent :: Current Nova Extreme High Output T5 Fixture

I know there are some other brands that people recommend too, but I can only speak for this kind.

[reeffreak]

I seen those NovaEtreme at Thatpetplace even cheaper so maybe I will go with those.Those are the only ones I've seen..who else sells T-5 fixtures besides
Current?

Bifferwine are they as bright as Pc's and thanks for the response.Even after all these years I still get confused

[Bifferwine]

I've never had PCs, but from what I've seen in stores, I'd say the T5s are brighter. I have my tank in my dining room, and the wall, windows and front door are opposite it, about 15 feet away. If you leave the blinds open and drive up to my house at night, my whole front yard is lit up blue... So yeah, they're pretty bright. The next gift for my tank is a set of reflectors for the bulbs...

[AndyB4784]

get a sunlight supply tek fixture. IMO the best t5 fixture on the market. DIYReef.com -Ranco Controllers, Refractometers, and DIY Supplies sells them and deb has great customer service.

[AndyB4784]

make sure that you get a quality reflector. T5's bulbs need them to effectively penetrate the water. w/out them you get less than 50% of the useable light into the tank.

[jhnrb]

Welcome to the site. T-5's will do it for you as long as your water collum is not over apprx. 18" deep. The t5's allow you to put more bulbs over the tank. just a thought. welcome and good luck. keep us posted and some pics when you get some progress.

[reeffreak]

Andy those Tek lights look stylish...but they didn't seem any option for mounting except hanging

I went ahead and ordered the Current and Ice cap reflectors
sure can't wait to set it up this weekend because I'm too broke to do anything else...I just enough money for saltwater and sand to set up the tank this weekend...probabably ordering live rock on Monday(recommendations be appreciated)

...and thanks again everyone who responded

oh and by the way the LFS store has terrible live rock here