New tank setup

dahatee · 09/21/2013, 05:28 AM

Hello Peeps!,

Finally started planning for getting a reef tank setup in my house and went to one of only two LFS over here.

The better of the two shops gave me the following lists and costs.

The pictures below are for the various bits and pieces that he has promised to install.

http://imageshack.us/a/img4/3407/1gm7.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/7718/w3vn.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img191/4999/3zik.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/671/3p85.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img849/8612/ohvg.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img841/1467/ck6u.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/4444/pxem.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img9/4176/gcqb.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img59/971/qc1b.jpg

The above was given after a long session with the owner of the shop, who is a fanatic and runs the shop on the side of his real work as an engineer.

Keep in mind that i wish to have a reef tank which is quite big (3 x .7 x .7 meters) and i am not too concerned about the cost, though obviously with there being only two LFS in town i don't want to be screwed over either.

If more information is needed please tell me and many thanks in advance to any and all people that have any comments or advice to give!

shifty51008 · 09/21/2013, 06:05 AM

sounds to me like they will be using a wet dry filer for this tank? if this was mine I would make the sump with a skimmer sectin, fuge, and then return and skip the wet dry process. I also wouldn't buy the ceramic rings, UV light (however lots of people use them also), also the multi filter (your LR and fuge will take care of that, and switch the hydometer with a refractometer.

this is just me though and a couple ideas for ya.

dahatee · 09/21/2013, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

sounds to me like they will be using a wet dry filer for this tank? if this was mine I would make the sump with a skimmer sectin, fuge, and then return and skip the wet dry process. I also wouldn't buy the ceramic rings, UV light (however lots of people use them also), also the multi filter (your LR and fuge will take care of that, and switch the hydometer with a refractometer.

this is just me though and a couple ideas for ya.

Nice one Shifty appreciate your input and i will be taking this up with him tonight when i visit him!

Hobchoice1 · 09/21/2013, 07:09 AM

I agree that you probably won't need the multi-filter and would get the refractometer. I would keep the ceramic rings or some other kind of ceramic media (personally I like Cermedia's Marine Pure), and change out the hydrometer for a refractometer. I am not sure if the RO contains a DI filter - in my opinion an absolute necessity. You may need to go bigger on this. I would definitely keep the UV - but not use it until after your tank cycles so your not killing off beneficial bacteria.

alf1096 · 09/21/2013, 10:57 AM

Agree with the above. Are you going to do it in stages or all at one time. If all at one time I think it could get overwhelming I would prefer to start with a basic solid system then add things as I go. That way you would have a good understanding of what's going on.

dahatee · 09/21/2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alf1096

Are you going to do it in stages or all at one time?

I am working on it slowly to be honest, just getting an idea on what i need in terms of equipment first and then i will slowly start to build things up. In all probability, I will start to order stuff off the internet and as and when it gets here, I will get going.

The problem i am faced with here in Qatar is a lack of good LFS, we have two that i know of, one of whom is helpful and has helped me so far by putting together the list of things i will need to get going.

Anyway, to recap on what people are suggesting so far:

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

I also wouldn't buy the the multi filter (your LR and fuge will take care of that, and switch the hydometer with a refractometer.

What about the ceramics, worth keeping or not so far 1 – 1 score draw on that front, anyone else have an opinion on the benefits of keeping them or ditching?

Also:

1. Make a sump with separate skimmer and refugium

Does anyone thoughts on anything else that i would need down under so to speak? any ideas

A quick question:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobchoice1

I am not sure if the RO contains a DI filter - in my opinion an absolute necessity. You may need to go bigger on this.

is a DI filter = deionization filter and when you say go bigger on this what are you referring to the RO or something else?

Will be starting on fabricating the stand in the coming month (October), I will post a basic design on this thread for people to comment and /or make suggestions to improve it if needed.

Once again thank you for all input it is welcome

shifty51008 · 09/21/2013, 03:09 PM

the ceramic rings will do the same thing as the rock will do which is why I said you shouldn't need them.

as for the rodi filter, I am not sure what your water is like over in that part. but over here most of us use an rodi filter that has at least 2 pre filter's, a membrane and the DI. this will take everything completly out of your water which makes it as pure as you can get.

these are the main ones we use. either way you will want a pressure gague and a TDS meter for your unit, these tell you when to change out your filters
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-r...stems.htmlhtml

Reefer54 · 09/21/2013, 03:17 PM

I drink my rodi water. I cant drink tap or even the crappy fridge filtered water at all anymore. It will change your life,,,,,and your tank.

dahatee · 09/22/2013, 05:13 AM

Once again thanks for your input Shifty it is appreciated

Every time i read a new article or see another thread on here, i start to rethink how i am going to approach this.

My initial idea was to just buy everything in from the LFS and let him take the strain in the beginning and slowly learn my way but as i read more and more about this i am coming around to the idea of doing as much of this myself.

I think i will go back to the drawing board again and rethink how i am approaching this and try and make a much more detailed plan first. Afterwards i will come back here and share and see where i end up.

09/21/2013, 05:28 AM	#1
dahatee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Doha Qatar Posts: 9	New tank setup Hello Peeps!, Finally started planning for getting a reef tank setup in my house and went to one of only two LFS over here. The better of the two shops gave me the following lists and costs. The pictures below are for the various bits and pieces that he has promised to install. http://imageshack.us/a/img4/3407/1gm7.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img546/7718/w3vn.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img191/4999/3zik.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img401/671/3p85.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img849/8612/ohvg.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img841/1467/ck6u.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img826/4444/pxem.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img9/4176/gcqb.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img59/971/qc1b.jpg The above was given after a long session with the owner of the shop, who is a fanatic and runs the shop on the side of his real work as an engineer. Keep in mind that i wish to have a reef tank which is quite big (3 x .7 x .7 meters) and i am not too concerned about the cost, though obviously with there being only two LFS in town i don't want to be screwed over either. If more information is needed please tell me and many thanks in advance to any and all people that have any comments or advice to give! __________________ “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, then they can sure make something out of you.” (Muhammad Ali)

09/21/2013, 06:05 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	sounds to me like they will be using a wet dry filer for this tank? if this was mine I would make the sump with a skimmer sectin, fuge, and then return and skip the wet dry process. I also wouldn't buy the ceramic rings, UV light (however lots of people use them also), also the multi filter (your LR and fuge will take care of that, and switch the hydometer with a refractometer. this is just me though and a couple ideas for ya. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

09/21/2013, 10:57 AM	#5
alf1096 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 399	Agree with the above. Are you going to do it in stages or all at one time. If all at one time I think it could get overwhelming I would prefer to start with a basic solid system then add things as I go. That way you would have a good understanding of what's going on. __________________ 125 gal DT with 30 Sump, ReefBreeders LEDs, Mixed Reef

09/21/2013, 03:09 PM	#7
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	the ceramic rings will do the same thing as the rock will do which is why I said you shouldn't need them. as for the rodi filter, I am not sure what your water is like over in that part. but over here most of us use an rodi filter that has at least 2 pre filter's, a membrane and the DI. this will take everything completly out of your water which makes it as pure as you can get. these are the main ones we use. either way you will want a pressure gague and a TDS meter for your unit, these tell you when to change out your filters http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-r...stems.htmlhtml __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

09/21/2013, 03:17 PM	#8
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	I drink my rodi water. I cant drink tap or even the crappy fridge filtered water at all anymore. It will change your life,,,,,and your tank. __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

09/21/2013, 07:09 AM	#4
Hobchoice1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 30	I agree that you probably won't need the multi-filter and would get the refractometer. I would keep the ceramic rings or some other kind of ceramic media (personally I like Cermedia's Marine Pure), and change out the hydrometer for a refractometer. I am not sure if the RO contains a DI filter - in my opinion an absolute necessity. You may need to go bigger on this. I would definitely keep the UV - but not use it until after your tank cycles so your not killing off beneficial bacteria.

09/22/2013, 05:13 AM	#9
dahatee Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Doha Qatar Posts: 9	Once again thanks for your input Shifty it is appreciated Every time i read a new article or see another thread on here, i start to rethink how i am going to approach this. My initial idea was to just buy everything in from the LFS and let him take the strain in the beginning and slowly learn my way but as i read more and more about this i am coming around to the idea of doing as much of this myself. I think i will go back to the drawing board again and rethink how i am approaching this and try and make a much more detailed plan first. Afterwards i will come back here and share and see where i end up. __________________ “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, then they can sure make something out of you.” (Muhammad Ali)