First set up in a while

Bluetangclan · 11/27/2012, 09:56 AM

First off, not a noob at this, but it has been a looong time since I set up a tank from scratch and things have changed undoubtedly in the years since I last set up a tank.

I have had reef tanks successfully in the past with bare bones T-5s, a sump, heater, and in sump skimmer. I moved around a bit since and had simple FW cichlid tanks which I think are more of a PITA to keep up with than SW but they are much cheaper, easy and fast to set up as well.

Well now I own a house so am not going anywhere, I have a 4ft 125 gallon tank I wish to do an elaborate set up since its in the living room. I am planning on a great stuff/marco rock/framework back wall with a couple columns and bridges in the tank. Looking at LED lighting since the price has finally approached affordable, especially for 48" systems. Planning on a 3" sand bed.

It will be mostly for flashy fish but I will have some branching hard corals near the tops of the columns and back wall, and LPS and some softies spread out below that. I might skip the SPS and pick up some skeleton rock somewhere and put colorful zoos on it.

Here are my questions.
Whats a decent return pump these days price and quality-wise?
Whats a decent skimmer? Hangon the back of the sump or in sump? Again, price and quality plus ease of use?
Are trickle Wet/drys still a nitrate factory and skip them completely or has there been some miracle break through which makes them useful?

I will be using well water from the aquafer here in FL, and run it through a RODI filter. Whats a good easy to install exterior(my garage) RODI system that will last? We drink the water unfiltered as is and it comes through a resin and water softener system(no chlorine or flouride).

Any sort of reactor I should look at?
I am trying to make the system as maintenance free as possible, aside from refilling water, what can make this easier but not cost a butt load?

Its in the living room so it need to be as quiet as possible too.

Thanks, much.

ptreef · 11/27/2012, 11:13 AM

Start with the biggest sump possible, the reef octopus skimmers are great skimmers and priced great. look at the XP 2000. These are in sump. They do make external if you wish to go that route too.

No fuge or wet dry. Not what you want now adays....

Return pump. Bubble blasters are very quite and energy effecient. Look at maybe the HY-3000

Get a good test kit like salifert or Red sea
LED's will be nice, but if you plan SPS i am not sure i'd try that.

For the little sps your looking to do, start with either KALK or a simple doser like bubble magus triple doser.

ptreef · 11/27/2012, 11:15 AM

all the above will work if you plan basic setup with fish & LPS or if you go heavy stock SPS dominate.

Bluetangclan · 11/27/2012, 02:45 PM

I will have a 40 gallon breeder as a sump. I had wanted a 55 but cant fit it in my stand. Good part is, I have a ton of space in my stand with double doors on front and doors on either end for access, all of which is something I have never been able to say before about one of my stands.

LEDs have gone a long way from where they were years ago and its only a few high corals so I am not too worried. Always hated halides and bulb replacement on T5s is a pain and costly.

I likely will have a LR area in the middle section of my sump and black out the top and sides for a crypt-fugium.

PowerNap · 11/27/2012, 03:02 PM

If you want quiet, drill the tank for a bean animal overflow. If it's already drilled you may be able to modify it as a Herbie overflow.

You will probably want to add a 5 micron prefilter to your RODI. What your well lacks in chlorine, makes up for in particulates.

There is no substitute for water changes. Sure save room for dosing equipment but wait untill you have it more heavily stocked.

ptreef · 11/28/2012, 07:55 AM

True LED's have come a long way, but that doesn't mean a plug and play unit will work. Figure out what SPS you intend and then which LPS or softies. Many have hard time coloring or bleachibg certain SPS with LED's. Also you may have the LED's to intense for the softies or LPS to keep the SPS or vice versa.

If your intent is LED, may want to consider DIY or go with some LED's centered where SPS are and a few T-5 added to the mix.

Not saying it can't work just gonna be harder with a smaller tank and the diverse corals ideas (softies to SPS in a small tank)
Hence a DIY. you can put LED's where you want to focus light and or color and intensities!!

If you skip SPS for now, then I think you will be fine with LED's for sfties and zoas to shine!!

11/27/2012, 09:56 AM	#1
Bluetangclan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando(Wedgefield), Fl Posts: 555	First set up in a while First off, not a noob at this, but it has been a looong time since I set up a tank from scratch and things have changed undoubtedly in the years since I last set up a tank. I have had reef tanks successfully in the past with bare bones T-5s, a sump, heater, and in sump skimmer. I moved around a bit since and had simple FW cichlid tanks which I think are more of a PITA to keep up with than SW but they are much cheaper, easy and fast to set up as well. Well now I own a house so am not going anywhere, I have a 4ft 125 gallon tank I wish to do an elaborate set up since its in the living room. I am planning on a great stuff/marco rock/framework back wall with a couple columns and bridges in the tank. Looking at LED lighting since the price has finally approached affordable, especially for 48" systems. Planning on a 3" sand bed. It will be mostly for flashy fish but I will have some branching hard corals near the tops of the columns and back wall, and LPS and some softies spread out below that. I might skip the SPS and pick up some skeleton rock somewhere and put colorful zoos on it. Here are my questions. Whats a decent return pump these days price and quality-wise? Whats a decent skimmer? Hangon the back of the sump or in sump? Again, price and quality plus ease of use? Are trickle Wet/drys still a nitrate factory and skip them completely or has there been some miracle break through which makes them useful? I will be using well water from the aquafer here in FL, and run it through a RODI filter. Whats a good easy to install exterior(my garage) RODI system that will last? We drink the water unfiltered as is and it comes through a resin and water softener system(no chlorine or flouride). Any sort of reactor I should look at? I am trying to make the system as maintenance free as possible, aside from refilling water, what can make this easier but not cost a butt load? Its in the living room so it need to be as quiet as possible too. Thanks, much. Last edited by Bluetangclan; 11/27/2012 at 10:03 AM.

11/27/2012, 03:02 PM	#5
PowerNap Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Turnersville NJ Posts: 132	If you want quiet, drill the tank for a bean animal overflow. If it's already drilled you may be able to modify it as a Herbie overflow. You will probably want to add a 5 micron prefilter to your RODI. What your well lacks in chlorine, makes up for in particulates. There is no substitute for water changes. Sure save room for dosing equipment but wait untill you have it more heavily stocked. __________________ Engineer Extraordinaire My other aquarium is a corvette. Current Tank Info: 56g column, RKL controler, 2x AI Sol white, custom stand and canopy.

11/27/2012, 11:13 AM	#2
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	Start with the biggest sump possible, the reef octopus skimmers are great skimmers and priced great. look at the XP 2000. These are in sump. They do make external if you wish to go that route too. No fuge or wet dry. Not what you want now adays.... Return pump. Bubble blasters are very quite and energy effecient. Look at maybe the HY-3000 Get a good test kit like salifert or Red sea LED's will be nice, but if you plan SPS i am not sure i'd try that. For the little sps your looking to do, start with either KALK or a simple doser like bubble magus triple doser.

11/27/2012, 11:15 AM	#3
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	all the above will work if you plan basic setup with fish & LPS or if you go heavy stock SPS dominate.

11/27/2012, 02:45 PM	#4
Bluetangclan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando(Wedgefield), Fl Posts: 555	I will have a 40 gallon breeder as a sump. I had wanted a 55 but cant fit it in my stand. Good part is, I have a ton of space in my stand with double doors on front and doors on either end for access, all of which is something I have never been able to say before about one of my stands. LEDs have gone a long way from where they were years ago and its only a few high corals so I am not too worried. Always hated halides and bulb replacement on T5s is a pain and costly. I likely will have a LR area in the middle section of my sump and black out the top and sides for a crypt-fugium.

11/28/2012, 07:55 AM	#6
ptreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 746	True LED's have come a long way, but that doesn't mean a plug and play unit will work. Figure out what SPS you intend and then which LPS or softies. Many have hard time coloring or bleachibg certain SPS with LED's. Also you may have the LED's to intense for the softies or LPS to keep the SPS or vice versa. If your intent is LED, may want to consider DIY or go with some LED's centered where SPS are and a few T-5 added to the mix. Not saying it can't work just gonna be harder with a smaller tank and the diverse corals ideas (softies to SPS in a small tank) Hence a DIY. you can put LED's where you want to focus light and or color and intensities!! If you skip SPS for now, then I think you will be fine with LED's for sfties and zoas to shine!!