new to reefing...help :)

red_reefer · 03/26/2015, 11:09 AM

hi all,

I am currently in the research phase of reefing and the only thing I have bought is a rio180 tank. I am looking at having a marine tank with live rock and fish to start and then going on to coral.

I am looking at the Arcadia Classica stretch LED for my lighting, TMC v2 skim pro 450 for my protein skimmer, and jebao or jecod for my powerhead.

Will that lighting be suitable for my tank?
Is the protein skimmer overkill as it is suitable for 450L tank and mine is only 180?
Should I go with the older jebao wp-25 or the jecod rw-8 for my tank?
I will be buying 2 powerheads so will it be too strong a flow? Should I buy 1 rw-8 and 1 rw-4?

thanks for any and all information its much appreciated!!

danil · 03/26/2015, 12:17 PM

Hi,
First I'll give you my 'common' advice for first time reefer - you will be better to get used reef system from GL as your first reef tank. It's not easy to put together balanced system and it's really expensive. Buying used system you will save time, money and you'll get crush course in reefing. If time and money aren't issue I'll find local reefer to help you out to put together your future reef system on site.
Back to your questions. Yes 450L skimmer is oversized for your tank. wp-25 or RW - doesn't matter they both works fine. Since you have fish only system you can save some money and go without wave maker at this point. For fish you don't need current control or pattern even simple air stone will work along with your return pump. Arcadia Classica stretch LED - it wouldn't be my choice for reef tank. There are three major players on reef light market AI, Echotech and Kessil. Others just follow their lead and they might be better or worse but they are not popular enough to have any statistical data confirming their performance. For your fish only system you'll be fine with stock lights for sometime and later you can supplement it with strip of cheap leds.

GL!

red_reefer · 03/26/2015, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danil

Hi,
First I'll give you my 'common' advice for first time reefer - you will be better to get used reef system from GL as your first reef tank. It's not easy to put together balanced system and it's really expensive. Buying used system you will save time, money and you'll get crush course in reefing. If time and money aren't issue I'll find local reefer to help you out to put together your future reef system on site.
Back to your questions. Yes 450L skimmer is oversized for your tank. wp-25 or RW - doesn't matter they both works fine. Since you have fish only system you can save some money and go without wave maker at this point. For fish you don't need current control or pattern even simple air stone will work along with your return pump. Arcadia Classica stretch LED - it wouldn't be my choice for reef tank. There are three major players on reef light market AI, Echotech and Kessil. Others just follow their lead and they might be better or worse but they are not popular enough to have any statistical data confirming their performance. For your fish only system you'll be fine with stock lights for sometime and later you can supplement it with strip of cheap leds.

GL!

thanks, any recommended skimmer if that is oversized? any specific make of AI, Ecotech or Kessil? cost being fairly important, as i have no lighting on the unit as I got the tank from eBay.

thanks again

danil · 03/30/2015, 05:47 PM

There are more to skimmers then it's size. They could be run in-sump, hang-on or by side. Do you have a sump? If you do you want to run it in the sump in first chamber where water level is constant. You should check the space in that chamber and skimmer specs to be sure it will fit. Don't forget to check height. You need to have some extra space to remove skimmer cap. What skimmer to buy? Any good one will work, check bulkreefsupply they have good lineup. By all means do not by any coralife skimmers and avoid this brand all together.

Bam12301230 · 03/31/2015, 05:26 PM

If money is not too much of a concern I would definitely check out radio xr30 gen3 pro or AI hydra 52's

red_reefer · 04/01/2015, 03:46 PM

turns out the guy on ebay sold me the bigger model without him knowing, I have the rio240 not the 180 so that is a bit of a bonus, so back to the original questions for powerhead size, is 2 rw-8s still too much and go for 1 rw-4 and 1 rw-8?

with the protein skimmer I am looking for something that will start as a HOB and has the potential to turn into a in sump one as I do want to have a sump in the future. arcadia classica lights still cheapest option but from feedback I've had it is a no go, I only want to be spending £200 as a maximum really and possibly £250 at a complete stretch, I want it mounted on tank rather than hung from ceiling as well. any more feedback greatly welcomed

thanks again

danil · 04/02/2015, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_reefer

turns out the guy on ebay sold me the bigger model without him knowing, I have the rio240 not the 180 so that is a bit of a bonus, so back to the original questions for powerhead size, is 2 rw-8s still too much and go for 1 rw-4 and 1 rw-8?

with the protein skimmer I am looking for something that will start as a HOB and has the potential to turn into a in sump one as I do want to have a sump in the future. arcadia classica lights still cheapest option but from feedback I've had it is a no go, I only want to be spending £200 as a maximum really and possibly £250 at a complete stretch, I want it mounted on tank rather than hung from ceiling as well. any more feedback greatly welcomed

thanks again

It's really hard to stay on your budget. You really have to look into used equipment on GL, ebay etc. I can't give you good advise on HOB skimmers since I don't know good one. Few I used were really bad (coralife being one of them). I'm not saying there is no good HOB skimmers but they all have major flow - they can overflow and your wife/landlord wont like it. Saying that I would highly recommend to get a sump.

tcermd · 04/02/2015, 04:38 PM

what is GL?

red_reefer · 04/04/2015, 07:08 AM

have decided to go with sump, bought a bubble magus curve5 so the skimmer is now sorted. i still need the lighting, in terms of sump design is there any particular order in which to put them in? i was thinking section one protein skimmer section 2 refugium section 3 return pump. where is the best place to put the heater, and is there any way to combine any areas to add in something like filter socks? for example could i go, section one filter socks, section 2 refugium, section 3 skimmer and the have pump externally? thanks for input guys

danil · 04/06/2015, 11:12 AM

It's more to your liking how many baffles you are planning to install. In my sump I have only one baffle hence only two sections. At least one needed to keep water level in skimmer section constant. Filter socks won't hurt but not necessary if you have good skimmer it will take care of small particles. In your system I won't recommend to go with external pump. You would be better getting submersible DC pump with adjustable output (check Jebao). Refugium is also optional. I'm not going into details here. Heater you can put in any section but last one with return pump. If pump runs dry there will be no water left in that section and heater may be exposed to air which may or may not damage you, your system and kill the heater.

red_reefer · 04/06/2015, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danil

It's more to your liking how many baffles you are planning to install. In my sump I have only one baffle hence only two sections. At least one needed to keep water level in skimmer section constant. Filter socks won't hurt but not necessary if you have good skimmer it will take care of small particles. In your system I won't recommend to go with external pump. You would be better getting submersible DC pump with adjustable output (check Jebao). Refugium is also optional. I'm not going into details here. Heater you can put in any section but last one with return pump. If pump runs dry there will be no water left in that section and heater may be exposed to air which may or may not damage you, your system and kill the heater.

greeat thats a massive help thank you

chueu · 04/06/2015, 12:25 PM

Also i think wp25 will not be big enough for your tank

chueu · 04/06/2015, 12:27 PM

I use use a wp25 now on my 30 gal.. albeit at the lowest settings.

I think a wp40 woulf be great for you. Maybe two

red_reefer · 04/06/2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chueu

I use use a wp25 now on my 30 gal.. albeit at the lowest settings.

I think a wp40 woulf be great for you. Maybe two

yea i think ive decided on 2 rw-8s and will adjust rates as needed...i see you have the evergrow lights, i am thinking of going with the it2080s for mine, what do you make of yours and do you think the 2080s suitable for my tank?

chueu · 04/06/2015, 06:53 PM

So far so good.. need a bit of tweakin on the schedule but i havent done it..

I`ve two friends who use 2080s and theyre pretty satisfied.

Also i meant two wp40s..

red_reefer · 04/07/2015, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chueu

So far so good.. need a bit of tweakin on the schedule but i havent done it..

I`ve two friends who use 2080s and theyre pretty satisfied.

Also i meant two wp40s..

you have the standard 2080s or proreef? do you know if there is much in it in terms of performance of each since price is an extra £50ish?

chueu · 04/07/2015, 09:17 AM

Im not sure about the difference. I have the 2040s, my tanks small

03/26/2015, 11:09 AM	#1
red_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 14	new to reefing...help :) hi all, I am currently in the research phase of reefing and the only thing I have bought is a rio180 tank. I am looking at having a marine tank with live rock and fish to start and then going on to coral. I am looking at the Arcadia Classica stretch LED for my lighting, TMC v2 skim pro 450 for my protein skimmer, and jebao or jecod for my powerhead. Will that lighting be suitable for my tank? Is the protein skimmer overkill as it is suitable for 450L tank and mine is only 180? Should I go with the older jebao wp-25 or the jecod rw-8 for my tank? I will be buying 2 powerheads so will it be too strong a flow? Should I buy 1 rw-8 and 1 rw-4? thanks for any and all information its much appreciated!!

04/06/2015, 12:25 PM	#12
chueu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Brunei Posts: 276	Also i think wp25 will not be big enough for your tank __________________ My Slice of the Ocean in my home Current Tank Info: 180G Reef

04/06/2015, 12:27 PM	#13
chueu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Brunei Posts: 276	I use use a wp25 now on my 30 gal.. albeit at the lowest settings. I think a wp40 woulf be great for you. Maybe two __________________ My Slice of the Ocean in my home Current Tank Info: 180G Reef

04/06/2015, 06:53 PM	#15
chueu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Brunei Posts: 276	So far so good.. need a bit of tweakin on the schedule but i havent done it.. I`ve two friends who use 2080s and theyre pretty satisfied. Also i meant two wp40s.. __________________ My Slice of the Ocean in my home Current Tank Info: 180G Reef

04/07/2015, 09:17 AM	#17
chueu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Brunei Posts: 276	Im not sure about the difference. I have the 2040s, my tanks small __________________ My Slice of the Ocean in my home Current Tank Info: 180G Reef

03/26/2015, 12:17 PM	#2
danil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 935	Hi, First I'll give you my 'common' advice for first time reefer - you will be better to get used reef system from GL as your first reef tank. It's not easy to put together balanced system and it's really expensive. Buying used system you will save time, money and you'll get crush course in reefing. If time and money aren't issue I'll find local reefer to help you out to put together your future reef system on site. Back to your questions. Yes 450L skimmer is oversized for your tank. wp-25 or RW - doesn't matter they both works fine. Since you have fish only system you can save some money and go without wave maker at this point. For fish you don't need current control or pattern even simple air stone will work along with your return pump. Arcadia Classica stretch LED - it wouldn't be my choice for reef tank. There are three major players on reef light market AI, Echotech and Kessil. Others just follow their lead and they might be better or worse but they are not popular enough to have any statistical data confirming their performance. For your fish only system you'll be fine with stock lights for sometime and later you can supplement it with strip of cheap leds. GL!

03/30/2015, 05:47 PM	#4
danil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 935	There are more to skimmers then it's size. They could be run in-sump, hang-on or by side. Do you have a sump? If you do you want to run it in the sump in first chamber where water level is constant. You should check the space in that chamber and skimmer specs to be sure it will fit. Don't forget to check height. You need to have some extra space to remove skimmer cap. What skimmer to buy? Any good one will work, check bulkreefsupply they have good lineup. By all means do not by any coralife skimmers and avoid this brand all together.

03/31/2015, 05:26 PM	#5
Bam12301230 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 23	If money is not too much of a concern I would definitely check out radio xr30 gen3 pro or AI hydra 52's

04/01/2015, 03:46 PM	#6
red_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 14	turns out the guy on ebay sold me the bigger model without him knowing, I have the rio240 not the 180 so that is a bit of a bonus, so back to the original questions for powerhead size, is 2 rw-8s still too much and go for 1 rw-4 and 1 rw-8? with the protein skimmer I am looking for something that will start as a HOB and has the potential to turn into a in sump one as I do want to have a sump in the future. arcadia classica lights still cheapest option but from feedback I've had it is a no go, I only want to be spending £200 as a maximum really and possibly £250 at a complete stretch, I want it mounted on tank rather than hung from ceiling as well. any more feedback greatly welcomed thanks again

04/02/2015, 04:38 PM	#8
tcermd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: North Myrtle Beach Posts: 53	what is GL?

04/04/2015, 07:08 AM	#9
red_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 14	have decided to go with sump, bought a bubble magus curve5 so the skimmer is now sorted. i still need the lighting, in terms of sump design is there any particular order in which to put them in? i was thinking section one protein skimmer section 2 refugium section 3 return pump. where is the best place to put the heater, and is there any way to combine any areas to add in something like filter socks? for example could i go, section one filter socks, section 2 refugium, section 3 skimmer and the have pump externally? thanks for input guys

04/06/2015, 11:12 AM	#10
danil Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 935	It's more to your liking how many baffles you are planning to install. In my sump I have only one baffle hence only two sections. At least one needed to keep water level in skimmer section constant. Filter socks won't hurt but not necessary if you have good skimmer it will take care of small particles. In your system I won't recommend to go with external pump. You would be better getting submersible DC pump with adjustable output (check Jebao). Refugium is also optional. I'm not going into details here. Heater you can put in any section but last one with return pump. If pump runs dry there will be no water left in that section and heater may be exposed to air which may or may not damage you, your system and kill the heater.