What do I need to start my 165 gallon reef?

akdylpcikles · 11/26/2010, 09:15 PM

What are the basics to what I need? I know I need power heads but how many? Could someone give me a list? thanks.

Fish4Me2 · 11/26/2010, 11:20 PM

A 165 gallon tank?

Sorry - that just seemed too obvious. I guess the first question is: what do you want to keep in it? That will impact what equipment would be best. And what dimensions will it be? Once again, that can impact equipment.

akdylpcikles · 11/26/2010, 11:38 PM

yes its a 165 gallon. (custom made) It will be a mixed reef. mainly sps though. tank is 72x22x24 inches (lwh)

saltwater4life1 · 11/26/2010, 11:48 PM

List of things you'll need? I can name a few...
Research, like everything else knowledge is your friend.
Patience, Take your time! Only bad things can happen if you rush.
Live rock, 1-2lbs per gallon.
Sand, If you aren't going bare bottom.
Powerheads, What do you plan to keep softies? SPS?
Heaters, Best to get a few smaller watt ones compared to one big watt heater. I think you want like 5watts per gallon? Could be wrong.
Lights, depending on what you want to keep will determine what type of lights you'll need.
Sump, Are you going to have one? Most likely the best thing you can do.
Skimmer, pulls your fish and corals poop out of the water
Reactor, Don't really need one but i love mine, you can put your carbon in it and other media.
RO/DI unit, You'll want pure water and this is the best way of getting it. Don't use tap water!

Hmm... That's all i can think of right now. If i missed anything I'm sure others will post.
Best of luck, Do alot of reading and check out the new to hobby section.

akdylpcikles · 11/27/2010, 12:00 AM

haha its going to be a mixed reef with mostly sps. I am not new to the hobby. Im just drawing a blank to what i need for such a big tank! i have a 46 gallon bf

saltwater4life1 · 11/27/2010, 12:07 AM

Oh, didn't know...
Well if your plan is mostly SPS, Then you'll want tons of flow

I'd ether go with some vortech's or just get like 8 Koralia evo 1400's while they're half price on big al's. Then of course lighting is going to ether have to be t5's,Mh or LED's. I would also go with a huge skimmer and at least two phosban reactors 1 for carbon and 1 for phosban. Umm what else...

akdylpcikles · 11/27/2010, 01:37 AM

how many power heads would i need if i went with the koralia magnum 3250 gph?

Metal Man 1221 · 11/27/2010, 05:22 AM

i would suggest using more lower flow pumps, that way you can get current randomized much easier, not to mention when you have to adjust pumps to meet corals needs you can do so with out effecting many other corals.

Now with a dominated SPS tank, especially that size, i have to second the suggestion for a skimmer, but dont skimp here, and i have to stand by that because i had just the worst skimmer a hobbiest could own, and when i finally upgraded my tank took off. Every thing became much healthier and corals started to color up.

Fish4Me2 · 11/27/2010, 09:38 AM

I don't know if you've found it yet, but the used equipment board can be your friend. I was running a 180 gallon tank (72x24x24), and it took 4 Tunze 6105's to make things really happy looking with the flow. I'm pretty sure I could have used more pumps as well.

Other equipment:
- A sump large enough to handle the flow and the volume that drains on a 165 tank when the power goes out.
- Return pump. I had a Dart that powered the returns and the chiller. It was more pump than I needed, though.
- Plumbing supplies like PVC, bulkheads, teflon tape. If you're planning the cost out, don't forget about this part, it can really add up.
- 2 heaters. I ran 200W
- Fan/chiller if your tank runs too warm
- Skimmer.
- Strong lighting for the SPS
- RO/DI. I was evaporating 15 gallons a week in the summer from my 180
- Rock

Things to consider:
- Auto Top off
- Dosing pumps
- Controller
- Filter Socks
- Moonlights
- Reactor

Good luck - this is the fun part!

11/26/2010, 09:15 PM	#1
akdylpcikles Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 204	What do I need to start my 165 gallon reef? What are the basics to what I need? I know I need power heads but how many? Could someone give me a list? thanks.

11/26/2010, 11:48 PM	#4
saltwater4life1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fort Dix, New Jersey Posts: 933	List of things you'll need? I can name a few... Research, like everything else knowledge is your friend. Patience, Take your time! Only bad things can happen if you rush. Live rock, 1-2lbs per gallon. Sand, If you aren't going bare bottom. Powerheads, What do you plan to keep softies? SPS? Heaters, Best to get a few smaller watt ones compared to one big watt heater. I think you want like 5watts per gallon? Could be wrong. Lights, depending on what you want to keep will determine what type of lights you'll need. Sump, Are you going to have one? Most likely the best thing you can do. Skimmer, pulls your fish and corals poop out of the water Reactor, Don't really need one but i love mine, you can put your carbon in it and other media. RO/DI unit, You'll want pure water and this is the best way of getting it. Don't use tap water! Hmm... That's all i can think of right now. If i missed anything I'm sure others will post. Best of luck, Do alot of reading and check out the new to hobby section. __________________ ~Nick Avatar is my 1969 Roadrunner, 512ci stroker in the works. 55gal Mixed reef but mostly sps :) 5.5gal Mantis shrimp reef tank Current Tank Info: 55gal mixed reef, Lights: 4x54w T5, Filter: Octopus BH2000 skimmer, Flow: Over 3,000gph

11/27/2010, 12:07 AM	#6
saltwater4life1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fort Dix, New Jersey Posts: 933	Oh, didn't know... Well if your plan is mostly SPS, Then you'll want tons of flow I'd ether go with some vortech's or just get like 8 Koralia evo 1400's while they're half price on big al's. Then of course lighting is going to ether have to be t5's,Mh or LED's. I would also go with a huge skimmer and at least two phosban reactors 1 for carbon and 1 for phosban. Umm what else... __________________ ~Nick Avatar is my 1969 Roadrunner, 512ci stroker in the works. 55gal Mixed reef but mostly sps :) 5.5gal Mantis shrimp reef tank Current Tank Info: 55gal mixed reef, Lights: 4x54w T5, Filter: Octopus BH2000 skimmer, Flow: Over 3,000gph

11/27/2010, 05:22 AM	#8
Metal Man 1221 FMMAS Executive Director Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fargo ND Posts: 1,504	i would suggest using more lower flow pumps, that way you can get current randomized much easier, not to mention when you have to adjust pumps to meet corals needs you can do so with out effecting many other corals. Now with a dominated SPS tank, especially that size, i have to second the suggestion for a skimmer, but dont skimp here, and i have to stand by that because i had just the worst skimmer a hobbiest could own, and when i finally upgraded my tank took off. Every thing became much healthier and corals started to color up. __________________ "My advise is, always look at their aquarium before you take their advise. Because alot of people give advise and they havnt got a clue" ~David Saxby~ "Only after the last tree's cut and the last river poisoned only after the last fish is caught will you find that money cannot be eaten" ~Lamb of God~ Current Tank Info: 125g DT, 45g sump ---- 57g Illuminata, custom sump

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11/26/2010, 11:20 PM	#2
Fish4Me2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TwinCities Posts: 650	A 165 gallon tank? Sorry - that just seemed too obvious. I guess the first question is: what do you want to keep in it? That will impact what equipment would be best. And what dimensions will it be? Once again, that can impact equipment.

11/26/2010, 11:38 PM	#3
akdylpcikles Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 204	yes its a 165 gallon. (custom made) It will be a mixed reef. mainly sps though. tank is 72x22x24 inches (lwh)

11/27/2010, 12:00 AM	#5
akdylpcikles Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 204	haha its going to be a mixed reef with mostly sps. I am not new to the hobby. Im just drawing a blank to what i need for such a big tank! i have a 46 gallon bf

11/27/2010, 01:37 AM	#7
akdylpcikles Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 204	how many power heads would i need if i went with the koralia magnum 3250 gph?

11/27/2010, 09:38 AM	#9
Fish4Me2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TwinCities Posts: 650	I don't know if you've found it yet, but the used equipment board can be your friend. I was running a 180 gallon tank (72x24x24), and it took 4 Tunze 6105's to make things really happy looking with the flow. I'm pretty sure I could have used more pumps as well. Other equipment: - A sump large enough to handle the flow and the volume that drains on a 165 tank when the power goes out. - Return pump. I had a Dart that powered the returns and the chiller. It was more pump than I needed, though. - Plumbing supplies like PVC, bulkheads, teflon tape. If you're planning the cost out, don't forget about this part, it can really add up. - 2 heaters. I ran 200W - Fan/chiller if your tank runs too warm - Skimmer. - Strong lighting for the SPS - RO/DI. I was evaporating 15 gallons a week in the summer from my 180 - Rock Things to consider: - Auto Top off - Dosing pumps - Controller - Filter Socks - Moonlights - Reactor Good luck - this is the fun part!