New Reef System Help

johnnynuke

Happy New Year everyone! I'd like some thoughts on a new reef system I'm looking to buy.

A 120 gallon Oceanic Tech Series Tank/Stand combo. I'll be using it with live sand and Live Rock (I guess about 100 lbs, not sure if I can afford more). It will have an in-stand Sump filter, with additional LR. I will have an in sump Protein Skimmer, although haven't decided on which one yet. The lighting system I'm leaning towards is a Nova Extreme T-5 (8 x 54w bulbs). I was worried about the heat input of an HQI.

I've had a 29 Gallon Bio Cube for about 6 months and I love it. I know I'm jumping into the deep end of the pool with this new system, so I'd like to get any feedback or things to watch out for upfront.

Any help would be appreciated.

John

caferacermike

Sounds like the basis of a good reef.

I'd still go with 2x 250W and a couple of T5's for color. The Nova is garbage. If you decide to run T5 (and it'll work I just like the simplicity and known results of MH) get Sunlight Supply TEK brand reflectors or fixtures. They have the best (can't argue with it, it's tested fact) reflector design and it is a known that each T5 needs it's own Tek reflector to outshine halide or PC.