What to Buy?

Originally Posted by slcw

http://www.myfish.info/modules.php?n...a340c0d773f1b8

u may wish to wish the above - my plan for my marine tank.
it is just a guide. though

wow.. another forum.. closer to home

Originally Posted by Ekia

Definitely agree with ReDDevils... go for T5.. the fixture is only slightly more expensive than PL but the replacement is almost the same.. if not cheaper... if you are going to have chiller.. then can go for MH

Or learn to be like me , I diy my own T5 s , save hundred dollars odd

Originally Posted by bonjour2

Or learn to be like me , I diy my own T5 s , save hundred dollars odd

yup.. confirm save a lot... tubes are cheap nowadays.. anyway... any reviews on Aquaz brand T5?? Realised this forum lack reviews.. it would be good for us to compare

Originally Posted by slcw

What to buy? None of the above - get a book first use it as a reference
before setup. U also can use it during and after ur setup.

Thereafter, go to forums like these to clear issues u r not clear of.
Visit LFS and ask how it works.
A website must visit : www.wetwebmedia.com
a authority on a lots of things.
Sorry, the above part is not many newbies wish to hear - but it will save u a fair bit in future. I have spent RM10,000 and counting. Lots of it could have been prevented.

If u have already a book - good.

The brands and size of powerheads, lightings, sand all very much depends on what u need / wish to keep. Having a wish to keep a marine aquarium like some forum bro have or lfs isn't good enough.

If u wish to have gobies or some burrow digging fish than the grade of sand needs to be finer.

Powerheads - I can recommend but depends on your reef needs, lagoon reefs do not required high current it prefers moderate water current. Lagoon has a higher tolerant of nutrient levels. Outer reefs in the ocean prefers high current therefore do not wish to have high nutrient levels.

This will help u save $$ in future. If the reef does not require lots of water circulation then u can u go lower strength powerhead. If ur reef require higher
circulation then purchasing a lower pump will result a wastage.

Lighting similarly, FL or PL cost $$, but r they adequate for ur corals.
What corals if u intent to keep? do they require high lighting or low?
where do they come from? Lagoon area, patch reefs, atoll?
knowing where the corals u wish to keep comes from will suggest whether
the corals require better lighting or not. LPS found in Lagoons prefer high intensity lighting bbuying a FL may not be sufficient unless ur tank has a shallow height.

These are examples. I do not mean bad, just wish to highlight a area which most ppl skip when setting up their dream tanks.

I wish u a good journey in creating ur dream tank.
peace bro

Nah I know you meant well. It is good for people who can help to remind me time to time not to rush things. I will heed the advise and check up more details. Anyway I still have months to save up the money.

Well, I have read through some websites and I think I am especially impressed by corals such as mushrooms coral, elephant ear mushroom corals and bubble corals. According to LiveAquaria, all these require only low to medium lighting. So I hope PL is essential?

Originally Posted by monsterz1975

Bro where u stay , maybe we can tell u where to get better price and u forgot something what about chiller?

I stay at Aljunied, but chiller is something that is really expensive. I don't know whether I can afford that. I will need at least 6 months to save up for just 1 chiller I think.

but in this hobby,when going shopping u will see nicer and more impressive corals.. that u will want and they might require high level of lighting.than u will be sian.. have to upgrade.. or cant buy the coral.. feeling will be suxs!
2ndly e.g PL light: for bubble talking about medium light level.. means you cant put it at the bottom of the tank.
the common mistake for placing coral is, we always think that the lighting/current is enough or just right.. but at times it is over killing or way lesser than it require.

Originally Posted by Mariana

I stay at Aljunied, but chiller is something that is really expensive. I don't know whether I can afford that. I will need at least 6 months to save up for just 1 chiller I think.

Bro u can get resun cl650 for $380 from hougang.

Originally Posted by ReDDeviLs

but in this hobby,when going shopping u will see nicer and more impressive corals.. that u will want and they might require high level of lighting.than u will be sian.. have to upgrade.. or cant buy the coral.. feeling will be suxs!
2ndly e.g PL light: for bubble talking about medium light level.. means you cant put it at the bottom of the tank.
the common mistake for placing coral is, we always think that the lighting/current is enough or just right.. but at times it is over killing or way lesser than it require.

For lightings... time to forget about PL.. look at the cheap reflectors and T5 tubes by Aquaz... no point using PL anymore.. I really regretted getting a PL.. going to modify mine....

[KaLiB]

If you can DIY or get someone to help DIY for you, T5s is definitely better as compared to PLs.

that's right mate,

T5 are in n hot. when new products emerging every week
sometimes I wonder if best to hold purchase until it settles down ( i doubt though)

sometimes u buy then wow a spider reflector is available, get another?
or undo DIY to DIY again or DIY existing?

FOr me I bite the bullet on got me-self a Arcadia MH 2 x150 watts + 2 x 30watts FL. I agree T5 are cooler to run and less exp in consumption.
BUT, remember if u eventually get into SPS, u need to UPGRADE.
Consider that pt and decide accordingly.

Food 4 though, bros