Planning Stages

[RockyProndoa]

Hello:

After years of resisting, I finally cannot fight the urge any longer and so I am planning to return to the reefkeeping world. I have been gone for about 10 years (RL, wife, kids, etc.) and have been keeping freshwater planted tanks during the meantime, but alas, after seeing a few friends tanks and browsing through the local LFS I think it's time to put my plans to action. ALOT has changed in the time that I have been gone, so I am basically a beginner starting from scratch - any help, tips, comments along the way is always welcome! Anyways, on to my plans:

Tank: 75g
Sump: 40g Breeder?
Lighting: 4-6 x 54w T5 or LED??(specific brands, hints, etc )
Filtration: Live Rock via Wet/Dry
Circulation: Jebao WP25
Skimmer: I have absolutely no idea...someone point me in a direction with model and #s - from my understanding spend the $$ here and skimp elsewhere?

What else am I missing?

Intended Inhabitants:

Fish: Clownfish, Blennies/Gobies - open to suggestions

Corals: Mushrooms, softies, SPS, LPS

Thanks for the help!

[Reefmedic79]

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Tank sounds good, if you've got the space a 40B would make an excellent sump.

I run LED's that I built myself. I prefer them for the low heat transfer to the tank, low energy consumption, and overall life of the lights. As you probably already found initial costs are quite high, but can be cheaper if you have the know how or ingenuity to build your own. Name brands that I suggest would be Ecotech or AI, never used them, but most on this forum have a high opinion of them.

Forget about the wet/dry filter, with sufficient LR they aren't needed for a reef tank.

Haven't used the Jebao, but many people like them and the verdict is still out as to their quality and features since they only became available in the states fairly recently.

There a a lot of high quality moderately priced skimmers out there now. I personally use a Reef Octopus NW 110 for a soon to be heavily stocked 40G system. This skimmer is rated for a 100g tank, I think, so I'm probably over doing it, and it or the size up from it would be more than fine for your tank.

Can't really suggest livestock to you as we all have different tastes. My goal is an SPS dominated tank, with a handful of brightly colored active fish, flasher wrasses to be specific.

[RockyProndoa]

Thanks for the reply. As far as DIY LED's...I probably "could" do it, but by the time I figure it all out, I might be better off to purchase a pre-made unit.

Secondly, if I opt to go with the T5's, do you guys recommend 4 x 54w or 6 x 54w? (I intend to keep a varied mix of SPS and LPS, with a few softies and mushrooms mixed in.)

Thank you for the skimmer suggestion, I will be sure to check that out. Anyone else have any suggestions to compare for a 75g?

Flasher wrasses...love them!

Also...anyone have any suggestions as to a circulating pump? Also, without pre-drilled return units, what are people using as returns nowadays?

Thanks again for the help!

[dppitone]

I'd add, fill your sump with live rock -

I don't use skimmers so can't speak to that -

I prefer metal halide lighting. It's just a matter of personal preference. If you chose to go the MH route, I'd suggest a dual 175watt retro fit kit. You can find one on RC used for about $100+

If you add a fuge section in your sump, which I'd highly recommend (again, matter of opinion), I'd go with a 18watt PC lamp.

And for returns, I like "Quiet One" pumps. I find them to be quieter and durable and more efficient. Find one that specs to around 500 to 600 gph at zero head.

[RockyProndoa]

Thanks. I am leaning more towards LED/T5's at the moment simply because of the heat generated by the MH's, but I will look around and see what I can find.

The QuietOne pumps seem relatively inexpensive...are they durable/reliable enough for long-term use in a saltwater setting?

Also...I am thinking the Reef Octopus 6 Needlewheel...anyone have one? experience/thoughts on sizing for a 75g?

Thanks!

[Reefmedic79]

Originally Posted by RockyProndoa

Thanks for the reply. As far as DIY LED's...I probably "could" do it, but by the time I figure it all out, I might be better off to purchase a pre-made unit.

Secondly, if I opt to go with the T5's, do you guys recommend 4 x 54w or 6 x 54w? (I intend to keep a varied mix of SPS and LPS, with a few softies and mushrooms mixed in.)

Thank you for the skimmer suggestion, I will be sure to check that out. Anyone else have any suggestions to compare for a 75g?

Flasher wrasses...love them!

Also...anyone have any suggestions as to a circulating pump? Also, without pre-drilled return units, what are people using as returns nowadays?

Thanks again for the help!

If you decide on T-5's pack as many as you can in the canopy or hood, if you can fit 6 go with 6,

Circulation pump= I use an Eheim 1260, they are pricey, but There are a lot of good reviews in regarding durability when properly maintained and they are very quiet.

I'm not a big fan of HOB overflows, so I drilled the back of my tank and used a glass holes.com(one word) overflow kit. A lot of people use a Bean Animal overflow or a Herbie overflow. Do a google image search for these type of overflows to get more info on these.

[Sn8kbyt]

Originally Posted by RockyProndoa

Hello:

After years of resisting, I finally cannot fight the urge any longer and so I am planning to return to the reefkeeping world. I have been gone for about 10 years (RL, wife, kids, etc.) and have been keeping freshwater planted tanks during the meantime, but alas, after seeing a few friends tanks and browsing through the local LFS I think it's time to put my plans to action. ALOT has changed in the time that I have been gone, so I am basically a beginner starting from scratch - any help, tips, comments along the way is always welcome! Anyways, on to my plans:

Tank: 75g
Sump: 40g Breeder?
Lighting: 4-6 x 54w T5 or LED??(specific brands, hints, etc )
Filtration: Live Rock via Wet/Dry
Circulation: Jebao WP25
Skimmer: I have absolutely no idea...someone point me in a direction with model and #s - from my understanding spend the $$ here and skimp elsewhere?

What else am I missing?

Intended Inhabitants:

Fish: Clownfish, Blennies/Gobies - open to suggestions

Corals: Mushrooms, softies, SPS, LPS

Thanks for the help!

Sump: The larger you can fit the better. I wish I could have fit a 40b breeder or better yet a 55g under my tank but just wasn't possible. Point is the larger the sump the larger your water volume the more stable your water parameters. It also gives you more room to hide your equipment and when divided gives you a nice sized refugium.

Lights: I have a 4 bulb T5 with LED moonlights, and it has a 3-way timer built in. I wish I went with the 6 bulb but it would have been really tight under my canopy. The unit I purchased is made by Aqualife, well built and decently priced and so far I am really happy with it.

Filtration: Skip the wet dry....divide up your sump into 3 section: Skimmer, refugium, return, and put some live rock and cheato in the refugium part.

Circulation: There is a lot of choices out there and it depends what you want to spend. I am running 2 Hydor Koralia 1150's off of there wave maker controller I got all three for a decent price.

Skimmer: Same as powerheads sky is the limit on choices and price. My advice is to take the total water volume of your system and get one at least one size bigger. I am running a Reef Octopus NWB and I can say that the cup is always filling with something nasty so they work.

Return pumps: I have read that Mag pumps are noisy and run warm but bullet proof and reliable. I am running a Mag 12 and have to say that I can not hear mine running even if I shut everything else off and the house is dead quiet.

Overflow: Drilling the tank is the best option. I could not find anyone where I live to do it and did not want the risk of doing it myself so I bought an Eshopps dual overflow. Tad bit noisy but I had plumbed in gate valves on the drops and once I got them dialed back it is actually pretty quiet now.

Hope that is somewhat helpful.
Good Luck!!

[RockyProndoa]

Ok:

Found this thread and decided to update a bit in case anyone was interested. I will start a dedicated build thread once we get moved into our new house in March/April, but until then more research and opinions from the experts here!

I was able to get my hands on a beautiful cherry 125g tank, stand and hood combo for $100 off of CL which was great!

I plan on making this tank a reef, with a mixture of soft, LPS, and SPS corals as well as a few fish (Lyretail Angel, few blennies, etc.)

Below are my list of planned items:

Lighting - (2) ReefBreeders Photon 32
Skimmer - AquaMaxx EM200 or Reef Octopus NWB150 - can't decide??
Return Pump - Mag12/Eheim 1262
ATO - Tunze Osmolator
RO/DI - BRS 4-Stage Value Plus
Controller - Apex Lite w/pH Probe

I am going to be using a leftover 55/75 tank as my sump; though leaning more towards the 75.

I still need to work out a sump design as well as how to plumb the tank. I'd really like to incorporate an external bean animal drain; just extremely hesitant to drill my tank! Plus I am still trying to determine what to do with the existing corner flow that has the bottom tank glass aready drilled.

Anyways - as I stated earlier, still in the planning/gathering stages here so if anyone has any suggestions for equipment or other things that I am missing, I would appreciate the input. I can't wait to set this tank up, but I do want to go slow and make sure that it is done properly and not skimp where I shouldn't.

Thanks All!

[RockyProndoa]

Anyone?

[Reefmedic79]

The 2 Photon 32 would be plenty of light, though I think they may cast a shadow under the 2 braces that 125G have. If it were me, I'd get 3 Photon 16s instead.

I'm a die hard Reef Octopus fan, that being said I also prefer to skim the tar out of my tanks. The NWB150 is only one step larger than the skimmer I use on my 40B. I also feed and stock heavily. While that skimmer is factory rated for 150G, I'd suggest getting a skimmer one step larger.

Return pump, the Mag12 will put out more water and are durable. They can also be pretty loud once broken in though, and they absolutely will contribute to the overall heating of the tank. Eheims are quieter and and very durable with regular maintenance. They're more expensive for the amount of water they put out though.

ATO- I use a JBJ with a Tom's aqualifter pump without any issues.

Any 4 stage RO/DI will do

DOn't use a controller yet, I'm still up in the air between the Apex and Digital Aquatics.