equipment list for first reef tank build
- Thread starter nh murph
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rainydave
Chimp in Space......
If you have the head room in the stand you might want to consider using a 29g for the sump. It has the same footprint as a 20L but adds 6" to the height. I found it aids in preventing splashing in the stand.
Need the breakout box for the leak detectors?
If you aren't going to run ozone, I might forgo the ORP probe at least for now..
I've never liked tall tanks, too hard to reach things on the bottom. if you are tall enough or don't think it would be an issue, no worried there.
Mixed reviews on glass cages.. don't know if I agree or disagree, just wanted to note of it in case you aren't aware of the mixed reviews,
If you aren't going to run ozone, I might forgo the ORP probe at least for now..
I've never liked tall tanks, too hard to reach things on the bottom. if you are tall enough or don't think it would be an issue, no worried there.
Mixed reviews on glass cages.. don't know if I agree or disagree, just wanted to note of it in case you aren't aware of the mixed reviews,
nh murph
Member
I was tossing that idea around myself. I was also thinking of having everything in the sump connected with unions and mounting the sump on HD drawer slides so I can slide the sump/contents out the side for maintenance. I'm planning on doors on both sides of the stand. One side will have the manifold and all the valves, and the other will be the side that the sump slides out of.
nh murph
Member
I appreciate the heads up about Glass Cages. I'll delve a bit further into that one for sure! I am not set on them by any means, and that's exactly why I'm on here asking questions.
You're probably right about the ORP probe. I was thinking that I would get all this stuff so when I do the build, it will all be mounted neatly. I was planning on a piece of SS sheet metal to mount all the controler stuff to with knock outs for each of the modules. I guess I could just make a blank cover for the hole for that module and see if I wind up really needing it.
I really wouldn't consider the 16" tall 50t from those guys real tall. My 35 gallon hex is 24" deep and I can reach the bottom, so I think I'm gtg there (6'1 with long arms)
Edit: I did some reading up on GC, and didn't like much of what I read. I just sent an RFQ over to Reef Savvy to get a quote for one of their rimless tanks.
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nh murph
Member
I'm really getting psyched! It'll cost me an arm and a leg, so I'll just start now ordering stuff piece by piece till I've got it all on hand and ready to start. I'll keep the orders big enough for the free shipping at places like BRS, so I won't get killed on freight from making a bunch of smaller orders.
1guydude
Well-known member
Im all down for getting real nice stuff. Specially top notch aquarium equipment.
Oceans by designs which is a sponser here and may give a discount. Does great work! Also reactors...skimmers...u name it. Really happy with the bio pellet reactor they made me awhile ago.
Glass tanks too!
Tell em devin said to call and get quote.
I'm down for savin a buck or two though. Lots of $ talk here. Wait till u get into it.
D
Oceans by designs which is a sponser here and may give a discount. Does great work! Also reactors...skimmers...u name it. Really happy with the bio pellet reactor they made me awhile ago.
Glass tanks too!
Tell em devin said to call and get quote.
I'm down for savin a buck or two though. Lots of $ talk here. Wait till u get into it.
D
nh murph
Member
Im all down for getting real nice stuff. Specially top notch aquarium equipment.
Oceans by designs which is a sponser here and may give a discount. Does great work! Also reactors...skimmers...u name it. Really happy with the bio pellet reactor they made me awhile ago.
Glass tanks too!
Tell em devin said to call and get quote.
I'm down for savin a buck or two though. Lots of $ talk here. Wait till u get into it.
D
I'll look those guys up for sure! I have gone into this fully knowing that it was going to be expensive. I can usually always figure on anything I get myself into to get expensive. All my hobbies seem to cost a fortune, and I have a tendency to go overboard when I get into something. I can't stand getting something done, then having to change it all around because I didn't do my research. Drives me nuts! Thanks for all the info!
newlyreefd
Well-known member
If you go back to the 40B, here is my LED light fixture over my 40B. From Reef Radiance, the Lumentek Pro 180 fixture. Great, controllable, bright fixture. Check them out. Excellent customer service also.nh murph
Member
That looks like it puts out plenty of light! I'll look into that fixture for sure! The tank I will have made up is the same dimensions as a 40B, just rimless with starphire glass, so if it works for a 40B, it should work just fine for the tank I'll be using. I really want to go bigger, but I know we'll be buying a new house within a year or two, so I figured I'd go with this size knowing it will be moved at some point. I'll go through my learning curve with this one, then I'll be ready to build something bigger when I know I'm in a place that I plan on staying at. I'd really like to do a 60x60x24" tank with a center overflow that gets plumbed through the floor into the basement in my next house! I think it'd be awesome to be able to have a 360 view around a reef and have it the center piece of the living room!
nh murph
Member
Did you have them change the optics, or is that the standard 90 degree reflectors? I just looked on their website, and that looks like a smoking deal! I didn't see if it was compatible with the Apex controler on their website. I guess It wouldn't have to run through the Apex, but I was curious if it was an option.
newlyreefd
Well-known member
They are the 90 degree optics and it is not apex controllable.
Herefishyfishy
Smart Bass
Have not read the thread, but here is my input for a first setup
40g breeder tank *** Go larger, perhaps a 75 gal. Bigger is more stable and buy as much live rock as can afford
20g long tank for the sump. Could go up to a 30g
DIY steel framed stand
DIY LED lighting
BRS 5 stage plus RO/DI 75gpd
Reef Octopus NWB 150 6" skimmer
Reef Octopus CR1000 calcium reactor or Maybe a doser instead ***** Avoid dosing and CaRx until need it and experienced.
2 Jeboa 6000 pumps... 1 to run the sump return, then 1 to run manifold for accessories
Reefkeeper Lite Plus controler
Cobalt Aquatics Neo Therm 200W heater ***** I like unbreakable heaters
Phosban 150 for GFO *** This is fine, but should not need if you do water changes and do not overfeed
Power heads... Still undecided. **** Jaebo are excellent bang for the buck Ozone maker (open to suggestions) ***** Same as dosing, this is very advanced and only needed for solving problems
ATO system (open to suggestions) ***** I like JBJ
40g breeder tank *** Go larger, perhaps a 75 gal. Bigger is more stable and buy as much live rock as can afford
20g long tank for the sump. Could go up to a 30g
DIY steel framed stand
DIY LED lighting
BRS 5 stage plus RO/DI 75gpd
Reef Octopus NWB 150 6" skimmer
Reef Octopus CR1000 calcium reactor or Maybe a doser instead ***** Avoid dosing and CaRx until need it and experienced.
2 Jeboa 6000 pumps... 1 to run the sump return, then 1 to run manifold for accessories
Reefkeeper Lite Plus controler
Cobalt Aquatics Neo Therm 200W heater ***** I like unbreakable heaters
Phosban 150 for GFO *** This is fine, but should not need if you do water changes and do not overfeed
Power heads... Still undecided. **** Jaebo are excellent bang for the buck Ozone maker (open to suggestions) ***** Same as dosing, this is very advanced and only needed for solving problems
ATO system (open to suggestions) ***** I like JBJ
1guydude
Well-known member
Reeferman069 has a 360g walkaround tank!
I luv the look of show tanks myself. (Talls)
Yes touch tanks or shallow reefs r kool. I just prefer the rock and reef and some water body above it.
My 120g 4x2x2' is turning into a nice reef, I think. Yes a PITA to reach the bottom. I am on tippy toes lol.
Keep us posted! Exciting thing, a new tank and its owner
D
I luv the look of show tanks myself. (Talls)
Yes touch tanks or shallow reefs r kool. I just prefer the rock and reef and some water body above it.
My 120g 4x2x2' is turning into a nice reef, I think. Yes a PITA to reach the bottom. I am on tippy toes lol.
Keep us posted! Exciting thing, a new tank and its owner
D
I run the Kessil A360WE which are controllable with the Apex, I love them!
I also have the Evergrow fixture on another tank as well and they run side by side. The color difference is remarkable, but the Evergrows are still decent lights.
I originally got the controllable Kessil A360 so I can have the sunset/sunrise feature. It is a cool feature, but the sunrise/sunset is set to such a slow rate that I don't stick around my tank long enough to notice it. So you can save $100 if you get the Kessil A350's instead.
Since you aren't planning to set up your tank until the Winter, I plan on setting up a Radion on another smaller tank. I can send you side by side by side pictures if you want to see.
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The Jebao mp25 are awesome! I have them on the lowest setting in my 75g (4' long) and it still reaches the corals on the other side of the tank. (Mike suggested this to me as well, great advice. Thanks Mike!)
For the GFO/Carbon Reactors, I would recommend the BRS ones. The media cartridges are removable and this makes rinsing the carbon/GFO easier. I just toss the media-filled cartridge into a bucket of RO/DI and run water through them. With that said, I also use the Phosban reactor as well, and it is also pretty easy to use, but I just don't think I get as good of a rinse (could be "user-error).
You probably don't need the media reactors or supplement dosing yet if you are doing plenty of water changes and using good salt. I use the Red Sea Coral Pro. I have no idea where this salt "ranks" compare to the other ones available. It was just the first one I tried, it seems to be working, so I haven't changed.
For the GFO/Carbon Reactors, I would recommend the BRS ones. The media cartridges are removable and this makes rinsing the carbon/GFO easier. I just toss the media-filled cartridge into a bucket of RO/DI and run water through them. With that said, I also use the Phosban reactor as well, and it is also pretty easy to use, but I just don't think I get as good of a rinse (could be "user-error).
You probably don't need the media reactors or supplement dosing yet if you are doing plenty of water changes and using good salt. I use the Red Sea Coral Pro. I have no idea where this salt "ranks" compare to the other ones available. It was just the first one I tried, it seems to be working, so I haven't changed.
pardon the hijack. Are you running two of them? I just ordered two with the link controller for my 75 to replace a wp40 to get a little more random....
Hi Stacey,
I am just running 1 Jebao for now. I have a 2nd one, but I haven't set it up yet. The powerheads on the other side of the 75g tank are Koralia 1400s and are set to alternate via the Wavemaker. It is a mess of equipment in there.. will fix when I get a chance.
Also, just noticed my error too. It should be a wp25*.
Thanks. I was hoping to hear 1 wasn't too much, even though the one 40 is working well for me. Pretty random as it is, but I'm hoping to mix it up even more with the 2 25's and the link controller.
Again, sorry for the hijack...
Again, sorry for the hijack...
