new to corals need a little help

[Dj1259]

I have kept fish for awhilebut only recently started my first SW tank(3-4 months ago) and i fell in love with my friends coral tank and decided to try a small tank and learn with some easy ones like zoas or mushrooms or something basically just softies. but i need to know would a 2x24 watt t5 HO lighting system (one is a 14000k bulb and the other is an actinic) be enough to sustain some softie

[starfishprime]

depends on the depth of the tank, T5's are good for about 18" usually.

[Kenn]

What size tank do you have ?

[Dj1259]

i have two that are empty that it will fit on one is like a 20-25 gal and the other is a 40gal both have depths around the 20 has a 16" depth i think and the 40 has a 18" depth

[Dj1259]

ok measured the 20-25 it actually has a depth of 15" but would rather use the 40 if it would work(in my experience bigger always is easier to mantain water quality)

[Kenn]

I would set up the 40g and use the other for a sump 

[Dj1259]

hm didnt think about that kinda scares me to drill the 40 though never done it.. my other tank came pre drilled lol guess there is a first for everything

[Kenn]

hm didnt think about that kinda scares me to drill the 40 though never done it.. my other tank came pre drilled lol guess there is a first for everything

LOL .. Well that was info I didnt have 

you could always drill the 40g and pick up a 20g (pretty cheap) for the sump. Or you could use a overflow for the 40g. Drilling would be better.

Just think it through and decide what would be best for you. Since it's not set up yet, now is the time to design it correctly. It will save a lot of headache and make the experience a lot more enjoyable.

I myself have a lot of "I wish I would have done it differently" moments

[Dj1259]

lol ya i am taking my time setting this up just trying to weigh all my options and all but drillng the 40 sounds like a great idea.. if i did that do you think i could run  my spare HOB BakPak 2r skimmer on the sump or am i just better off getting an in sump one... SW tanks are expensive and trying to use any equipment i have laying around first and then buying what i need after i see what i can and cant use hahaha

[Kenn]

There is no reason at all why you couldn't hang your skimmer off the Sump. Thats how I have my Super Skimmer 220 running on my setup. It was just easier that way.

[Dj1259]

ok sounds good.. so i think once i get everything together and set the tank up and give it time to mature and eveything im going to go zoas first.. is there any special care i need with them like feedig wise or any thing else.. also what is a good macroalgea for a refugium to export nitrates??

[Boonjob]

also what is a good macroalgea for a refugium to export nitrates??

I like Cheato... Also check out an algae scrubber, I know some disagree with their purpose, but they are relatively cheap to fabricate, if you dont like it you can yank it back out easily, and it worked wonders for me... in unison with phosphate media it dropped my trates and phosphates in half in about 2 week's time.

[Dj1259]

might sound stupid but what is phosphate media???

[Kenn]

I like Cheato...

+1

[Boonjob]

+1

What your not gonna +1 the ats rofl

[Kenn]

LOL... I just have never had a use for one.

And I'm waiting for Darin to chime in... I dont want to steal his thunder