Mobile Bay Reef Keepers

As you can tell, I'm new to the group and need some advice from you guys!

I have a 29 gal glass aquarium with 28 pounds of live rock (adding a little more soon), a percula clown, four hermit crabs and two snails, all on a sand bed.

My lighting leaves a lot to be desired! I didn't know where to start, but knew that I needed something more than the dinky bulb with the aquarium. Purchased a LifeGlo2 bulb to limp through until I can do better.

I would eventually like to add a couple of soft corals. Nothing too complicated.

What I need advice on is what sort of lighting I should get? Budget is $175 and under. Have looked at the Coralife Deluxe Series Aqualight Fixture 30" with 2X65W. Also, the Dual Satellite 30 inch with 2X65. If I get one of the other of these, how in the world do I find a hood that will fit the aquarium? Also, what about retrofit? How does that all work? Where do I find something to separate the lights from the water? I know that sounds silly, forgive. Just trying to grasp this stuff.

Also, would like to get a protein skimmer. Any suggestions? Looks like the AquaC Remora is a favorite. What about the CPR Bak-Pak? The Prizm?

Thanks again for your patience with me. It's fantastic to find a site with folks close to home!

Also, where do you guys get your supplies? We've been going to B&B out on Cottage Hill in Mobile. We also go to Pensacola about every other weekend.

J

I am not sure about lighting. It is really a personal choice. PC, T5, VHO, metal halides are all possible with that budget. If you are going with softies PC's might be the best bet. AHsupply.com has retrofit (bulbs, wires, fixture and ballast) but you will need a canopy. I think you have enough live rock so spend that extra money on some lighting or a skimmer.

Don't waste your money on a prism. I only have first hand experience with Bakpaks. I know someone who had an old style Remora HOB and it was crap, they may have changed for the better.

Progressive Marine is the only place in Mobile I would go. If you go to Pensacola there are several stores there but I haven't been in a while so maybe someone else should comment on that.

Welcome to the site BTW.

something like this would do nicely.... only 24 inches long , but would be perfect for what you need.... this setup would give you 300 watts of light, you could do a mix of 50/50 vho's and actinic 03 bulbs.

http://hellolights.com/4lamvhoretki.html

You would need a canopy as scott stated, but you are going to want one anyway if oyu do not have one now.

There are lots of options out there... I am sure you will get alot of different responses.

We have a 29g in the bedroom and are buying the Coralife Lunar Aqualight 30" You mount them above the tank with the leg kit. It actually looks very good like that

So let me get this straight, I can get the Aqualite and the mounting legs and just stand it up there without any sort of hood or barrier between?

sorry here is a link...

http://www.hellolights.com/coraqmounleg.html

and here is a pic...

Wish I could find a pic online of one set up like that. Thanks for the one you sent. I have a better idea now of what we're talking about. Just wish I could see one sitting on top of a tank.

Yeah it looks pretty good too

do you think this one has something glass underneath or is that the reflection of the light on the water?

I use the regular aqualights on several of my tanks. I use a single 65 watt for my seahorse/macroalgae tank and a dual 96 watt on my freshwater tank. both have the 6700k bulbs.

Daniel, if that one looks that good on freshwater, imagine what it would look like on a marine tank.

Do any of you have pics of your tanks? We just switched from a 12 to a 29. Overstocked it and lost a little damsel and a lawnmower blenny. Feel better about the little clownfish in the 29 gallon.

the only thing i worry about with that setup is something trying to jump out.

i think that is the refection off of the water

oh by the way...welcome to the board...look forward to seeing you at the next meeting.