Morning all...
I have a 29 gal (regular rectangular style tank as opposed to an all-in-one type) finally aquascaped and the 45ish lbs of liverock has been curing about, oh, 17 days now. When I tested a week ago, ammonia was reading 1 and nitrites 1. Last night, ammonia and nitrites tested out at 0. I am not celebrating just yet since I know readings can fluctuate...17 days just doesn't seem to be enough time for a cycle.
I am currently running a simple twin tube flourescent since lighting isn't a variable just yet, but, am starting the confusing journey into getting lighting set up for the final set-up.
I have found two options..one is a 150W Current Sunpod HQI MH, the other is an AquaticLife Compact Flourescent (total of 130W). Now, I do have a glass cover as I have fish savvy cats in the house who like to sleep on top of the tank. Going on that, a cover is mandatory. I was told, however, that a glass cover could possibly mess with the pH.
Now, I realize that in a reef system, wattage and light output requirements are mainly dependent on the requirements of the corals. As I am a rank beginner in all this, short of a LOT of reading and dreaming, I do not plan on stocking any type of coral that needs 24/7 monitoring. Fish will be at a minimum..I think a 29 is limited to about 4 small to medium sized fish. I am looking at a yellow clown goby, a blenny of some sort, a green chromis and a Firefish or cardinal. I plan on a few peppermint shrimp, hermit crabs and snails depending on compatability with the corals.
On that note, and understanding the more wattage the better, can I get away with the 130 flourescent or should I stick with the 150W MH?
Will a glass cover make that much of a difference either in pH, which would obviously affect the corals and any fish, possibly, or in the light penetration (I am thinking reflection).
Thanks
T
I have a 29 gal (regular rectangular style tank as opposed to an all-in-one type) finally aquascaped and the 45ish lbs of liverock has been curing about, oh, 17 days now. When I tested a week ago, ammonia was reading 1 and nitrites 1. Last night, ammonia and nitrites tested out at 0. I am not celebrating just yet since I know readings can fluctuate...17 days just doesn't seem to be enough time for a cycle.
I am currently running a simple twin tube flourescent since lighting isn't a variable just yet, but, am starting the confusing journey into getting lighting set up for the final set-up.
I have found two options..one is a 150W Current Sunpod HQI MH, the other is an AquaticLife Compact Flourescent (total of 130W). Now, I do have a glass cover as I have fish savvy cats in the house who like to sleep on top of the tank. Going on that, a cover is mandatory. I was told, however, that a glass cover could possibly mess with the pH.
Now, I realize that in a reef system, wattage and light output requirements are mainly dependent on the requirements of the corals. As I am a rank beginner in all this, short of a LOT of reading and dreaming, I do not plan on stocking any type of coral that needs 24/7 monitoring. Fish will be at a minimum..I think a 29 is limited to about 4 small to medium sized fish. I am looking at a yellow clown goby, a blenny of some sort, a green chromis and a Firefish or cardinal. I plan on a few peppermint shrimp, hermit crabs and snails depending on compatability with the corals.
On that note, and understanding the more wattage the better, can I get away with the 130 flourescent or should I stick with the 150W MH?
Will a glass cover make that much of a difference either in pH, which would obviously affect the corals and any fish, possibly, or in the light penetration (I am thinking reflection).
Thanks
T
