new reef tank setup!

[kyle]

ok so i am buying a 100gallon tank with a stand in about a week. these are my plans.
the tank dementions are: length is 5ft 1 inches
width is 20 inches
height is 21 icnhes

lighting: i am going to use MH lighting. i cant deside which would be better 1 500w MH or 2x 250w i am aimming around 5 wpg.

my sump: i still am doing a lot of research on my sump i am planning to buy CPR CS102 Overflow Box. is the a certain diamitor tubing ur sapose to use and which is better tubing or pvc? i and buyiing a 55 gallon tank for a sump. i the sump i was planning to put a DSB so cheato and live rock if i need to?( i see a lot of live rock in sumps)and i want to have an extra spot in the sump for random things


in the tank: i am putting 120 pounds of rock in( if it fits) i was going to put a fine layer of sand on the bottom i dont like the look of a glass bottom.

i am am planning on housing LPS/SPS. what are good starter coarls?
im not to sure on what kind a fish im going to put in there i all reatty have 4 ( i know i can put more in, in time)i have a maroon clown a fire gobly an algae blenny and my fav a blue eyed anthais.

oh and i almost for got about skimmers and power heads lol i was going to buy a coral life super skimmer 120 and put on my 65 that i have now. and for power heads i think i want like 3 korails 3 or is that to much?

[RyanG]

IMO I would go with either T5s or 3x150w MH

No clue for overflow boxes

You will be able to get at least 120 lbs of rock in more if desired

3 korilias should be great maybe even four no such thing as too much flow!

[kyle]

is there a reason for the 3x150w MH thats like 4.5 wpg is a huge diffeance between 4.5wpg 5 wpg

[RyanG]

MH bulbs cover a 2x2 foot area each. five foot is a goofy size hard to find a fixture for. if you are hoping to keep SPS you will need more light anyways. You could always go the 3x250 route for the most light or go with a T5 set up with individual reflectors probably 6-7 bulbs. They dont come in five foot lengths so you could always stagger them everyother one to the outside edge. would give you same coverage through the middle of the tank and little better on the ends. Just a difficult sized tank IMO

[kyle]

hmmmm very interesting i did not know MH cover 2x2 feet. so im assuming i cant use 1 big one like a 500w bulb lol

[messiah023]

Is it me, or is it just ironic that Ryan "livingreefs worst speller" is the first (and only so far) to answer Kyle!

Kyle, your posts continue to captivate me......keep 'em coming!
I love it!

[RyanG]

Why is that ironic Messiah? Must have zinged over my head.

[NewbReefer]

Just a thought, the whole watts per gallon is just a rule of thumb, really is what should be looked at is what your wanting to keep in the tank and how tall your tank is. A taller tank may require more watts per gallon to penetrate more water where as a shorter tank will not take as much light. I think 3x250 watt MH's would be enough, the 2 end bulbs would be 10,000k supplemented with a 20,000k in the middle and actinic T5's in the front or back.

[messiah023]

Just joking with you guys Ryan.
I think Kyle might give you a good run for your title.

[RyanG]

He definately beats me. Ive made a conscious effort to mend my ways!