[reefkeef]

I think I have all the hardware/drygoods I need ordered but please let me know if I am missing anything. This will be a 55 gallon non sumped tank to start but I will eventually be using a siphon overflow and a 29 gallon tank for a sump. Here is my parts list so far:

55 gallon long tank w/ glass hoods
Aquarim stand
65Wx4 Custom Sea Life PC Light (2 actinic, 2 10k bulbs)
Aqua C Remora Pro Skimmer with Mag 5 pump
4 assorted powerheads
Marineland BioWheel 350 HOB filter (Should i just run carbon????)
200w heater

Is this good for a soft coral reef tank or do I need anything else?

 

[rodd1rj]

maybe some test kits and refractomenter, lots of extra buckets . Might want to consider and R/O unit.

 

[Phong]

What do you intend on keeping in your reef. I'd recommend looking into either T5 or MH lighting instead of the PC. I have MH and VHO on my 150g and 90g tanks and love it. On my 29g I currently have PC but will be switching over to T5 soon to see what all the hype is about. So I have no experience with T5 yet but from all my research they are suppose to be amazing. That way you don't have to upgrade down the road which would also cause you spend more money

 

[reefkeef]

I have test kits and a hydrometer. I will get a refractometer but I figured I could make due with the hydrometer for now. I already bought the PC lighting used so I guess I will have to make due with it. I only have 48w PC in my 12g nano and everything seems to do well with it. I am not really interested in keeping hard corals or any of the difficult stuff at this point... I'm just trying to put together an entry level setup. If I do want to upgrade to T5s, how many 54w bulbs should I use for a 55g?

Any particular RO unit that you guys would recommend?

Thanks for the responses.

 

[AndyB4784]

i would strongly suggest starting out with better lights, i had my tank for like 3 months and decided to upgrade, but that's just because the animals i wanted to keep demanded higher lights, i guess it all depends on what you want to keep but i do know IME that i have been seeing much better growth (Exspecialy my candycanes and open brain) with my MH light than with my old PC fixture. just M2C.