Should I change anything?

P

PrestonTX

So this is my list for purchase. I want an aquarium that wont limit anything including reef (except for size). So here is my list will you please let me know if I should change anything or if somethings missing. Also, if there is a better piece out there let me know.

Tank - 75 gal 48x18x20
Stand - comes with tank
lights - Wavepoint 48" T5 HO Fixture
skimmer - reef octopus extreme 180 ext
heater - via aqua titanium 350w
return pump - Marineland Utility 4500
Sump - Aqueon Proflex Refugium model 2
Flow - Vortech MP40W-ES (do i need 2?)
Refugium light - CPR small 13" light

That is the big stuff I belive. I of course have a list for the little stuff but did not want to bore anyone. So please look it over and let me know. Thanks.
 
I would recommend 2 Vortechs. It's a lot easier to crank 2 down instead of depending on one running full blast. Not to mention that if you're going to be keeping SPS in the future you'll need the extra random flow
 
I think that most would say to get 2 100 watt or 2 150 watt heaters instead of 1 350 watt. If one malfunctions, you still have one working. If one gets stuck on, God forbid, it takes longer to "boil" your tank, and if one stops working, at least you still have one working for you, theoretically.

David
 
@unttrmptplyr wrote:
2-MP40 or 1-MP60 [smilie=devil.gif] Probably way too much for your tank haha said:
If you start off with one, you can always buy another later if you determine that you need it. In my 65 gallon I have had more pumps in the past than I do right now, and I have found that proper placement of fewer pumps is working great! I have a Mag 3 return from the sump, a Seio 620 I believe it is called, and a Maxijet 1200. That doesn't sound like very much flow, but every coral that will move in my tank is being moved, and the surface of the water is well agitated as well. It took me some time to find the right direction to turn each pump to achieve that.

David
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Ok, so two heaters it is. As for flow I will do 2 Vortech MP40W-ES. Thanks for the advice. So new list....

Tank - 75 gal 48x18x20
Stand - comes with tank
lights - Wavepoint 48" T5 HO Fixture
skimmer - reef octopus extreme 180 ext
heater - 2 via aqua titanium 150w
return pump - Marineland Utility 4500
Sump - Aqueon Proflex Refugium model 2
Flow - 2 Vortech MP40W-ES
Refugium light - CPR small 13" light
 
Looks like a great start to me! I wish I had all that to begin my tank back when I did. :)

Just a couple things you should confirm before writing the check:

- will the skimmer fit in the sump? The Octo Extreme is pretty compact, so it probably will, but it is tall, which brings me to....
- check to make sure, given the height of the stand and the sump, that you have enough room to get the skimmer in/out of the sump.
 
K so in this set up the skimmer will be external pros/cons?

Also no one mentioned the light is that one going to be good enough for future coral?
 
@PrestonTX wrote:
K so in this set up the skimmer will be external pros/cons? Also no one mentioned the light is that one going to be good enough for future coral? said:
I would think the skimmer would be in-sump. I've never done an external skimmer, but there's some safety and peace-of-mind in using having an in-sump skimmer, so that's what I would recommend. I've had plenty of instances of overflowing collection cups. In an in-sump, it would just overflow back into the sump. If it was external, it would be on the floor!

I was going to ask about the lights in my previous post, but forgot. :) Is it a 4x54w? I'm not familiar with that fixture, but looks like they have individual reflectors, which is a must for T5s. Depending on what kind of corals you'll be stocking, it should be good enough. The more light-hungry SPS might be challenging though, or at the very least, you'll have to mount them up high.
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Looks like a really good start. Only thing I would add is to take a look at getting a quality controller. I've found that since getting my Apex controller I am able to get a better idea of temperature and pH swings, and from that been able to make it more stable. Feeding and adding top off water is a lot easier too. When I get to the point of looking at dosing, it'll be a breeze to drop in some dosing pumps too.
 
I would invest in a good ro/di filter. Also if you are going to have corals have you decided on ca/alk source. Kalk or two part is good inexspensive source both
 
defntly an RO/DI unit, a good one can be had on EBAY "water general" $130 or so. Tunze ATO. I'd build a light, alot more fun and you can build to suit ur liking. Thats what i did. This is the light i built, 8-T5s, 2-400w MH, 2-36"VHO SA, and 3-moonlight pods
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I am thinking of changing the light to a 6x54 or possibly an 8x54 (if they make it).
1. Would that help in not limiting coral options in the future or make it harder for the not so light hungry ones?

2. Also, RO/DI is on the list going to order one from Melsreef the sponsor.

3. Auto top off is a great idea and recomindations for a 75 gallon? JBJ the way to go?

4. And I am not to familiar with a controller. So is Apex the way to go there?

Thanks once again about to make the purchase just want to make it right and I don't feel like rebuying when the coral bug strikes.
 
wow offroadodge, can you say photoinhabition?! i hope your tank is like 4 feet deep!

6x54 would probably do for most anything, if you wanted an 8 and couldnt find it two 4's would handle it and definately make sure nothing is ruled out. but like i said above, you can have too much light if everything else isnt balanced as well, you need good parameters and flow for the light to even do its job. the melev ro is awesome, i have one and love it. bought a coralife before that and am glad its gone. ive used two jbjs and a home made one, love the jbj, wouldnt do it any other way. the apex controllers are nice, but even the lite will cost you 300 bucks. you get a lot for that though so you just need to know what you need it for. a reefkeeper lite is a great starter controller for small tanks, the controller with a 4 outlet timer and temp probe is only $120.
 
Someone on the forums recently linked Mr. Saltwatertank's videos on YouTube and I just started watching a few of them today. I found this one about controllers and it covers it pretty nicely about why controllers are fantastic.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovFDR3lSYeg[/youtube]
 
@PrestonTX wrote:
Thanks for all the input guys. I am thinking of changing the light to a 6x54 or possibly an 8x54 (if they make it). 1. Would that help in not limiting coral options in the future or make it harder for the not so light hungry ones? 2. Also said:
More bulbs will definitely help. I've personally been successful raising light-hungry SPS with 4x54w on my 90g, but I upgraded to 6x54w as soon as I could. I don't think you need 8x54w. However, you may not be able to fit 8 bulbs over your tank anyway, so 6 will probably be the most you can do. Either way, make sure your like fixture will fit over your tank.

For top-off, many folks have used and have been happy with JBJ. I use one from autotopoff.com and it's worked great for almost three years now.

For a controller, I'm not sure you really need one from the get go. I have an Aquacontroller 3, and love it, but I didn't get it until my tank was about a year old. I suggest holding off until you've had your tank for awhile, that way you can learn exactly what you'd like a controller to do for you. Common choices these days are the Apex, Apex Lite, Reefkeeper Elite, and Reefkeeper Lite.
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Wes wrote:
wow offroadodge, can you say photoinhabition?! i hope your tank is like 4 feet deep!

Its just a standard 120G 2' deep. Just have to acclimate new arrivals SLOWLY...
 
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