It's been a while...help appreciated!

[Blindloser1080]

Sweet, you guys freakin rock at this site! Thanks for the help!

Ok, so how much of a difference is 4 bulbs going to make compared to 2 bulbs? When comparing these:

2 bulbs:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pcatid=16 770

4 bulbs:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12772

Also, I just wanted to make sure. To find the size I need, I just measure the width of my tank correct?

I'm looking at this for my substrate, will it work ok? I dont know if 40 lbs is going to be enough though for my tank. How much should I look at getting?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...26&pcatid=7326

Thanks again!

Josh

[RyanG]

First light if you only want fish second for corals. That sand will work

[Piggy]

I would go with the second set of T5's because they have reflectors. Also I would go with sand. The one you linked to is kind of like crushed coral.
Also Welcome to the reef.

[reeffreak]

Plan on only keeping some soft corals with the 2 bulb fixture.Most corals and clams with the second.Yes,measure the length of the tank,most 38g are 36'' long,some taller 38g. can be 30''.

Generally one pound of sand per gallon will give you about a 2'' bed on rectangular tanks.That is about the deepest you want for a shallow bed.The Seafloor grade is fine but I prefer a finer sand like the Aragamax.Grain size is generally a personal preference,I just prefer a sandbed similar to a beach.

If you want a denitrying sand bed than you will need 4'' or more.DSB or deep sand beds uses finer grade sand than the one you linked.

[Blindloser1080]

sweet, thanks! I'm definately going to look into that 4-light one. One last quick question.

I put out a thing on craigslist about live rock. I had a guy e-mail me that has live rock that is no longer live, but is still great looking according to him. Can you re-live dead live rock? (I dont know if that sounds right) possibly use as a base rock? or just not go for it at all. He's going to send me pics if I want em.

[yote]

You can seed his dead rock with a few pounds of live.So depending on the price,I'd say go for it.But I wouldnt give over a couple of bucks per pound.
Just add another 15 to 20 pounds of good live rock,and with a few months,it'll all be live.

[Piggy]

Before you get it ask if copper has ever been used in the tank. also I would only pay a couple bucks per pound and do the vineger test on it.

[Doc]

Piggy makes a great point. If medications with copper in it have ever been used in the tank, the rock is useless in a reef. It never gets removed from the rock. $1.50 a pound is a fair price. Good luck

-Doc

[lightcs4]

Everyone seems to have you well covered. Welcome to Living Reefs!

[dustin_P74]

i see that no one has pointed out yet that the prizm skimmer is kinda junk