questions about 35g hex

[Aly625]

hi guys!
i am seting up a 35 gallon hex (reef) and i need some imput. a lot of people tell me to stay away from this tank becuase of lighting and all of that but i am determined to make it work. i found some 96 watt p.c.s and i was going to lay two across the top. i will probibly be keeping mostly soft corals; maybe a clam or something... i am not sure about everything quite yet. i have very little experience with refugiums but have an extra 10 gallon and want to use that. any imput on how to best set up the tank and refugium and how to make the equipment work would be great!!! thanks!!!

 

[gobie]

this is a hard one i would suggest 175 mh for lighting it would be perfect for this size .if you plan on keeping a clam there isnt going to be much room for anything else but maybe a rock wall.this is really a nano reef. good luck

 

[ScottT1980]

I have been considering a tank of this size and had similar concerns. Because of potential space constraints for a sump/refugium for stands built for tanks this size, I was told to build around the sump/fuge. In other words, start with what you want underneath and go from there.

As for lighting, you could get away with a 175W or even a 250W metal halide. If you like the look of some of the 20K, then you might not want any sort of actinic suppliment. My concern was to drill or to use a hang-on over flow. They each come with their limitations, but you might just be able to use a bulkhead with a drain (similar to what you find in pet stores). Surface skimming won't be great, but it will save you some room...

Just some thoughts

Take er easy
Scott T.

 

[DonW]

There are plenty of nice hex reefs out there. Is it glass or acrylic? Are you going to use a hex stand?

Don

 

[Aly625]

i am seting it on a large wood desk. the sump/fuge is going to be out of the way in a near-by closet. the tank is glass. i know there is going to be limited swiming room for fish so maybe just one mandarin and something else small. what i really need help with is seting up the refugium. i have never done it before. what are good things to put in it and whatnot. thanks for the help!

 

[gobie]

Here Is Alittle Food For Thought The No. 1 Reason For Mandarin Death In Captivity Is Starvation. Dragonets/mandrins Eat Amphipods An Copeopods Thus They Require A Lot Of Rock Work To Browse Thru. Try Fire Fish Even A Sea Horse. Talk To Jonnas Or Si. At Your Work They Will Give You A Good Dirrection To Go.

 

[DonW]

i am seting it on a large wood desk. the sump/fuge is going to be out of the way in a near-by closet. the tank is glass. i know there is going to be limited swiming room for fish so maybe just one mandarin and something else small. what i really need help with is seting up the refugium. i have never done it before. what are good things to put in it and whatnot. thanks for the help!

How big of sump. would be cool if you could hide a 40g. Would really bring the volume up without taking living room space.

Don