Longest list of questions EVER!

[DirtySubstrate]

First to make a long story short I just purchased a Fixer-Upper home and where I will be temporarily staying there is no room for my 75 Gallon tank.

So I am tearing it down. I have found homes for most of my fish and have baby sitters for the few corals I had.

1.) What is the best way to keep the rock living? I was thinking of a pair of rubbermaid tubs a power head and the protien skimmer? Will I need to run lighting over it? Should I keep a damsel in there?

I'm giving my sand to a buddy who is setting up a 150 so thats no issue.

2.) I have tons of thick coraline all over the glass will I need to scrub my tank before refilling it?

3.) I would like to upgrade the lighting when it gets resetup. I am intersted in keeping some Brians and Softies.

Right now I have 2 of the 48" 4x65W Coralife running. I just cant seem to match the coloration that the corals have at the LFS I purchase from. For example, greens just dont show up very virbrant in my tank. While the same piece in his practically glows. I asked him what kind of lighting he's running and he stated VHO. I'm not opposed to spending money on MH lighting if the setup below will produce results.

Do you think this setup would get me what I'm looking for? If so do I just mount that piece to the bottom of my canopy? Do I need to do anything else for heat?

(I stole this from another thread)
2 of these http://www.hellolights.com/superactinicr2.html
2 of these http://www.hellolights.com/aquasun2.html
1 of these http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=18829&cat=0&page=1

Thanks for your time!

 

[Fluff]

1) Sounds like a good idea. You could keep the damsel in there too, be sure to feed the rock a couple times a week if your not feeding fish, and you'll still need to do regular water changes. Just like a tank, that you can't see through. Lighting it is optional.

2)I would scrape the coralline off. If not, it's gonna die and turn white and look bad anyway.

3)I believe it's the actinic/blue coloring that brings out the fluorescence in the corals. I can't offer advice on those lights since I have no experience with them. I have no idea if it would give you the same effect or not. Sorry, but I'm sure someone will be by soon that can answer.

 

[schoeplein]

To answer the question about lighting: the coloration of my tank is incredible.

Just make sure when you purchase the equipment, that you get the appropriate bulbs.

 

[DirtySubstrate]

I also noticed in one of the tanks he has this really cool shimmering effect.. Can this be reproduced with VHO? Will I need to go MH?

 

[MYTY1705]

mh will produce the shimmering and also the vibrant metalic sheen on the coral that you are wishing to see.