Forced to change, went bigger.

[reneeL]

I wanted to ask a question. I had to take down my RS 425 due to front panel failure.
We are getting a 180 gallon Planet and it is not rimless. The stand will be an Alufab.
We now have 3 tanks which I placed the fish, coral and as much rock as I could get into them. The rest of the rock is in a rubber trashcan with circulation. I was able to keep the sand split between the 40, 38,20 gallon aquariums. We have jawfish so the sand was needed.
If I understand correctly the sand can be cleaned. The rocks have the important bacteria. When I get the new setup we should clean the sand and add the live rock. The water can be fresh made DOI? Do we need to use some of the used water?
I had waited so long to get back to this hobby. We had water and rocks waiting for almost 3 months before adding live animals. I did add a lot of pods. Was lucky and the ugly phase did not last long. I am hoping to get a head start by adding the live rock.
Will the 3 radion xR15 G5 Echo Tech be enough lights?
Photo below shortly before taken down. Lights changed to take photo.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

sounds good

 

[tsharpe291]

unless your trying to save a few bucks I would just get new sand

 

[reneeL]

unless your trying to save a few bucks I would just get new sand

What about the lights, will they be enough for LPS?

 

[Dom]

The lighting demands of a Reef Tank are far greater than that of a Fish Only With Live Rock setup. So when choosing a light for your reef tank, consider the following:

• Light Spread. When we speak of light spread, we are speaking of the area which a light covers.

An easy way to demonstrate light spread would be to take a flashlight, turn it on and stand it on end with the light facing down on a table. Now, slowly pick it straight up, moving away from the table. Notice that as you move the flashlight further from the table, the area of the table covered by light increases. The growing and shrinking of the area covered by light on the table based on the distance from the table is the spread.
So when selecting a light, the spread must cover the footprint of the tank. And much in the same way you adjusted the spread of light on the table top by changing the distance of the light from the table, you can adjust the spread of your light by changing the height at which the light hangs over the aquarium. But there is more…

• Light Intensity. It isn’t enough that your light spread covers the entire footprint of your tank. It must do so with the proper light intensity as well.

When speaking of light and it’s intensity in aquariums, people will reference light measurements in “lumen” or “PAR”. What is the difference between PAR and Lumen? Generally, lumen are used to measure the brightness of light as perceived by the human eye.
PAR is the amount of light that is actually available to be used during the photosynthesis process. So when speaking in terms of PAR, we are speaking about the portions of the light spectrum usable by the inhabitants in the tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

180g planet aquarium
72.5x24x25
3 radion xr15

The radion xr15 has poor depth penetration unless you get the focused lens kit (inexpensive) but then the spread is reduced and you’ll need a fourth xr15.

With 4 you will have a fixture every 18” which is a a good distance for those light and about the area they can cover for lps on larger tanks

 

[reneeL]

180g planet aquarium
72.5x24x25
3 radion xr15

The radion xr15 has poor depth penetration unless you get the focused lens kit (inexpensive) but then the spread is reduced and you’ll need a fourth xr15.

With 4 you will have a fixture every 18” which is a a good distance for those light and about the area they can cover for lps on larger tanks

Okay, makes sense. I did not have the intensity but about 50-60 maybe less. All that is in the app now. I do have 2 nice kissel lights that I had on a former reef tank and in the garage 2 MH that were before the kissel. They were packed back into their original boxes. I believe I had replaced the bulbs as well.
It is possible the focus lens kit already is on the lights. I helps to keep persons from being blinded when viewing from the couch.
Thank you for your help.

 

[reneeL]

The lighting demands of a Reef Tank are far greater than that of a Fish Only With Live Rock setup. So when choosing a light for your reef tank, consider the following:

• Light Spread. When we speak of light spread, we are speaking of the area which a light covers.

An easy way to demonstrate light spread would be to take a flashlight, turn it on and stand it on end with the light facing down on a table. Now, slowly pick it straight up, moving away from the table. Notice that as you move the flashlight further from the table, the area of the table covered by light increases. The growing and shrinking of the area covered by light on the table based on the distance from the table is the spread.
So when selecting a light, the spread must cover the footprint of the tank. And much in the same way you adjusted the spread of light on the table top by changing the distance of the light from the table, you can adjust the spread of your light by changing the height at which the light hangs over the aquarium. But there is more…

• Light Intensity. It isn’t enough that your light spread covers the entire footprint of your tank. It must do so with the proper light intensity as well.

When speaking of light and it’s intensity in aquariums, people will reference light measurements in “lumen” or “PAR”. What is the difference between PAR and Lumen? Generally, lumen are used to measure the brightness of light as perceived by the human eye.
PAR is the amount of light that is actually available to be used during the photosynthesis process. So when speaking in terms of PAR, we are speaking about the portions of the light spectrum usable by the inhabitants in the tank.

Thank you for your help. It seems we are in for fun. I waited to get back into this hobby. My first reef tank was set up with an oceanic in 1994. Bare bottom, MH lights, real LIVE rock. We had the wet/dry sump. I gave up when my husband passed (2017) and then hurricane Harvey hit my area. The tank itself was good, everything inside was dead.

 

[VintageReefer]

Okay, makes sense. I did not have the intensity but about 50-60 maybe less. All that is in the app now. I do have 2 nice kissel lights that I had on a former reef tank and in the garage 2 MH that were before the kissel. They were packed back into their original boxes. I believe I had replaced the bulbs as well.
It is possible the focus lens kit already is on the lights. I helps to keep persons from being blinded when viewing from the couch.
Thank you for your help.

You’re welcome! Since your tank is large, and new to you, I would suggest getting a par meter. I have this one, it’s on sale for $122 with the coupon. It’s been side by side compared to the apogee 500/510 and proven to be equal. This comes with everything you need, including the wand and batteries, and is easy to use

https://a.co/d/f7eOm1Z

 

[reneeL]

You’re welcome! Since your tank is large, and new to you, I would suggest getting a par meter. I have this one, it’s on sale for $122 with the coupon. It’s been side by side compared to the apogee 500/510 and proven to be equal. This comes with everything you need, including the wand and batteries, and is easy to use

https://a.co/d/f7eOm1Z[/UR] It this... spending spree perhaps I will check it out.

 

[reneeL]

OOPs something went wrong.