130 gallon aquarium

[nacho245]

Hi, Im from Mexico and Im new in this forum. So if i write something bad please excuse me. Well lets talk about my aquarium. Its a 130 gallon and is made of acrylic. the sizes are: 140 cm X 70cm X 50 cm. They have just given it to me, after a 2 months delay, haha. I have a 120 X 50 X 30 wich I will be using it as the sump. The base and canopy will be given to me during this week. I hope next weekend I can settle it up completely.
Im showing also my new skimmers, a Aquamedic Turboflotor 1000.
I have a question for u.
How many metal halides bulbs do you think I will need? is 2 ok?
Any other thing please just let me know.

[ricosuave]

Bienvenidos a RAG!!!! Welcome to RAG!!!

What are you planning to keep in the tank? This will determine your lighting needs.

[nacho245]

Hi, thanks for the welcome.
Im plannning to have medium size fish, and also im going to put corals.

[Thomas]

We need to know what type of corals you are planning on. This will determine your lighting needs. Softies and fish only tanks can do fine with PC or T5 lighting but the SPS and LPS would do better with MH lighting. You already mentioned MH lighting and as a general rule of thumb I believe it's one per two feet. The type of corals you keep will determine the wattage you will need. I would be curious to know if anyone prefers magnetic or electronic ballasts. Oh yeah! Welcome to RAG!

[atlantic reefer]

To RAG

As thomas said, i too believe the general rule of thumb is one bulb for every two feet. Electronic ballasts are preferred, they are more expensive at first but will save you electricity in the long run.

[nacho245]

Thanks for all the replies.
Well, I was plannning to keep soft corals, I already asked in my local fishstore and they told me that with MH lighting would be fine, the fishtank would have more lightning and haver a better look. Besides, i would be insatlling also some "fluorescent tubes", sorry for that, i dont know if that is the good way to say it.
I was also planning to buy 2 (Koralia 4), do you think the water movement will be ok?
Thanks

[nacho245]

Hi again, I leave you some pics.
This is my new Dolphin Air Pump, with 4 outlets. Ive already tested and it works very good.
And this other pic is my 120 X 50 X 30 aquarium, wich I'll be using it as a sump.
any comment are welcome, thanks

[olsaltybastard]

Is the Dolphin air pump for the skimmer?

A tank that size (55 x 27.5 x 19) would not need more than two MH lights (if you were to go with MH lighting.)

[nacho245]

HI, no, the dolphin pump has 2 purposes, so the water can have more movement and, like decoration. Ive always done it in my previous fishtanks. and it is very usefull.
Thanks for the response about the MH lightning.
Ill keep you up to date.

[Thomas]

I have two of the Hydor's in my 65 ( #2's ) and all corals no matter where they are have some movement. I think they are pretty nice for the price.