1st reef, lots of questions, supet curious.

[olonmv]

I don't know what fwiw means but thank you.

For what it’s worth.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Does that light have a timing system? And how does it suspend over the tank without hanging from the ceiling?

Also, what does tanked raised nes mean?

I believe the light has a timer system in its programming function. If not, a simple digital lamp time will do the trick. It uses a bracket that clips to the back of the tank to suspend it above the tank. LED lights generally need to be higher over the tank than standard lighting. The bracket accommodate this requirement.

My bad... "nes" was supposed to be "ones". Tank raised Clownfish may not use an anemone as host as readily as wild caught.

Hey yall, this is what I meant about wanting lighting that sits on top of the tank. Are these no good? Will coral not thrive on leds like this? Not these specifically but this style of light....

Coralife makes a lot of entry level stuff. This light is no different. There is a rule that states that if you buy cheap, you will buy twice. I'd look at a little better system. While it might be enough for your nem and some entry level soft corals, It won't work for the corals you will want later... Trust me, you will want other corals later.

 

[PeterEde]

I don't know what fwiw means but thank you.

For What it's worth = FWIW

 

[dedragon]

Hey yall, this is what I meant about wanting lighting that sits on top of the tank. Are these no good? Will coral not thrive on leds like this? Not these specifically but this style of light....

That light specifically I would not buy, but there are many lights out there that mount onto the back of an aquarium and will keep the top open to let you reach into the tank for maintenance.
Budget and aesthetics are key as there are many fantastic brands out there for this like ATI or Ecotech but there are less expensive ones that work like noopsyche or smatfarms and all in between

 

[Dezbian]

That light specifically I would not buy, but there are many lights out there that mount onto the back of an aquarium and will keep the top open to let you reach into the tank for maintenance.
Budget and aesthetics are key as there are many fantastic brands out there for this like ATI or Ecotech but there are less expensive ones that work like noopsyche or smatfarms and all in between

I have to have a lid, I have a cat

 

[ReefGeezer]

I have to have a lid, I have a cat

Netting is a better option. Allows for better gas exchange and does not reduce light. If you are buying stuff, check out Bulk Reef Supply

They have lots of equipment from inexpensive to outrageous. You can look up lights, pumps, lids or netting, and about anything else you need for your reef. Their customer support is great and pices reasonable. Trying to find stuff through Amazon or the like makes it hard to compare specs and prices. .

 

[Dezbian]

Netting is a better option. Allows for better gas exchange and does not reduce light. If you are buying stuff, check out Bulk Reef Supply

They have lots of equipment from inexpensive to outrageous. You can look up lights, pumps, lids or netting, and about anything else you need for your reef. Their customer support is great and pices reasonable. Trying to find stuff through Amazon or the like makes it hard to compare specs and prices. .

What is netting? My guy likes to walk on the tops of the tanks soooo.....yeah he's chunky too lol

Thanks for the link I'll check them out

 

[ReefGeezer]

What is netting? My guy likes to walk on the tops of the tanks soooo.....yeah he's chunky too lol

Thanks for the link I'll check them out

Netting is a clear plastic screen that fits the top of the tank. Kits are available at Bulk Reef Supply. Your chubby kitty would probably fall through... once... then he'd stay away.

 

[Dezbian]

Netting is a clear plastic screen that fits the top of the tank. Kits are available at Bulk Reef Supply. Your chubby kitty would probably fall through... once... then he'd stay away.

Lol see people said this About the glass lid on my other tank but I've been so scared to let him try I change the cover at night to our old tank lid that I know supports his weight :')

 

[PeterEde]

kitty go swimming if he jumps on netted cover.
A netted cover also requires cutting of frame to fit the tank.

 

[Dezbian]

kitty go swimming if he jumps on netted cover.
A netted cover also requires cutting of frame to fit the tank.

Ah see I won't get into all of that, why can't I just do a glass lid? Like this one on my freshwater, same setup but do it with corals and saltwater?

 

[PeterEde]

Ah see I won't get into all of that, why can't I just do a glass lid?

A tank needs to exchange gas. Pumps cavitate the water surface to aid in gas transfer but if the tank is covered the gas transfer is not as much as it should be. This aids in tank/water chemistry

 

[Dezbian]

A tank needs to exchange gas. Pumps cavitate the water surface to aid in gas transfer but if the tank is covered the gas transfer is not as much as it should be. This aids in tank/water chemistry

But the back of the lid is open would this not be enough for gas exchange?

 

[dedragon]

Ah see I won't get into all of that, why can't I just do a glass lid? Like this one on my freshwater, same setup but do it with corals and saltwater?

reefing is a completely different ball game. most knowledge from freshwater keeping wont translate over well to reefing especially if you plan to keep corals. Could it work with a glass top, yes, but unless you have a sump (or other method of keeping O2 up) O2 exchange will probably be very low and can result in quick death of tank inhabitants.

 

[dedragon]

An air pump and bubbler will work but again that is more for freshwater and you will have to deal with a bunch of salt buildup so it isnt worth it.

 

[Dezbian]

A tank needs to exchange gas. Pumps cavitate the water surface to aid in gas transfer but if the tank is covered the gas transfer is not as much as it should be. This aids in tank/water chemistry

This I understand, what I'm not understanding is why the back of the tank lid being open, like my freshwater tank is, would not suffice in a reef setup. Is this because corals do not oxygenate the water like plants do? Also I know my bubbler helps with oxygen levels but it isn't always running and I haven't always had one and still no issues....sorry I'm just so confused :/ and I'm not saying I want to put a bubbler in my reef, as you lovely people have taught me that a bubbler is a hassle in reef setups

 

[PeterEde]

This I understand, what I'm not understanding is why the back of the tank lid being open, like my freshwater tank is, would not suffice in a reef setup. Is this because corals do not oxygenate the water like plants do? Also I know my bubbler helps with oxygen levels but it isn't always running and I haven't always had one and still no issues....sorry I'm just so confused :/ and I'm not saying I want to put a bubbler in my reef, as you lovely people have taught me that a bubbler is a hassle in reef setups

You need a lid of sorts. Fish jump. I've lost 2 to the carpet dance.
I used to have a perspex lid with a hole but have since upgraded to the redsea netted lid.

 

[Dezbian]

You need a lid of sorts. Fish jump. I've lost 2 to the carpet dance.
I used to have a perspex lid with a hole but have since upgraded to the redsea netted lid.

Do they have netted lids that come with cut outs already? Or have one I can build into what I want?

 

[PeterEde]

Do they have netted lids that come with cut outs already? Or have one I can build into what I want?

They usually coma as kits. You measure and cut.

If you know someone with a laser cutter they could do a Perspex lid with a ton of holes

 

[Dezbian]

They usually coma as kits. You measure and cut.

If you know someone with a laser cutter they could do a Perspex lid with a ton of holes

Does one usually know people with laser cutters :')