Timcat
September 18th 05, 02:33 AM
OK...I bought and read the books that were suggested to me in my last post
in July. I have a 90 gal Oceanic reef ready. I'm ready to start buying my
hardware, and I'm having some butterflies. I just ordered my RO/DI unit
about 45 minutes ago from Marc (have you shipped it yet, Marc?) I also have
a sump.
1) My cabinet has 29 1/2" clearance top-to-bottom, and I'd like the best
skimmer (AquaC?) I can fit in that space.
2) I originally planned to use an in-sump pump (free heat), but after my
reading, I'm second-guessing that idea. Are there a few recommended quiet,
energy efficient pumps?
3) I don't know if or when I'll ever try photosynthetic critters, and I
REALLY want to avoid metal halides (heat and energy use). However, I'd like
to be prepared for photosynthetic should I ever (probably) try that. When a
fluorescent light is listed as 96 Watts, is that 96 Watts power usage, or
the usual 96 Watts equivalent? I'm having a hard time cutting through the
marketing, and I can't decide on a brand, or whether to go with VHO or
compact. What's the consensus on this? I want electronic ballasts, as well
as the moon lights and actinic.
4) Should I use an ozonizer to improve skimming? If so, what's the
recommended brand and size?
5) Should I plan on a UV unit in the event I ever need it for a medical
emergency (same with ozone)?
6) Should I configure my plumbing so I can install and remove a canister
filter in the event I need to use some type of media for a short-term
situation?
7) Speaking of marketing, are those 20 pound bags of live sand worth the
plastic it's in? I can't see how live sand can stay that way sealed up in a
bag for any length of time!
That's all the pressing questions I have at the moment on the major
equipment purchases...unless someone knows of something I forgot to ask that
I should have.
Many Thanks,
Tim
in July. I have a 90 gal Oceanic reef ready. I'm ready to start buying my
hardware, and I'm having some butterflies. I just ordered my RO/DI unit
about 45 minutes ago from Marc (have you shipped it yet, Marc?) I also have
a sump.
1) My cabinet has 29 1/2" clearance top-to-bottom, and I'd like the best
skimmer (AquaC?) I can fit in that space.
2) I originally planned to use an in-sump pump (free heat), but after my
reading, I'm second-guessing that idea. Are there a few recommended quiet,
energy efficient pumps?
3) I don't know if or when I'll ever try photosynthetic critters, and I
REALLY want to avoid metal halides (heat and energy use). However, I'd like
to be prepared for photosynthetic should I ever (probably) try that. When a
fluorescent light is listed as 96 Watts, is that 96 Watts power usage, or
the usual 96 Watts equivalent? I'm having a hard time cutting through the
marketing, and I can't decide on a brand, or whether to go with VHO or
compact. What's the consensus on this? I want electronic ballasts, as well
as the moon lights and actinic.
4) Should I use an ozonizer to improve skimming? If so, what's the
recommended brand and size?
5) Should I plan on a UV unit in the event I ever need it for a medical
emergency (same with ozone)?
6) Should I configure my plumbing so I can install and remove a canister
filter in the event I need to use some type of media for a short-term
situation?
7) Speaking of marketing, are those 20 pound bags of live sand worth the
plastic it's in? I can't see how live sand can stay that way sealed up in a
bag for any length of time!
That's all the pressing questions I have at the moment on the major
equipment purchases...unless someone knows of something I forgot to ask that
I should have.
Many Thanks,
Tim