Reef Equip/Supplies-What Else?

r1racer · 03/03/2013, 09:17 AM

Converting 125g tank to reef (coral type ytbd). This renewed passion is costing $$$ but who cares. This is what I have purchased in the last week. What else do I need for initial startup? I need this thing to be successful.

-2-160 watt Razors
-120 lbs of reefrock sand
-4 stage BRS RO/DI with shutoff float tubes
(I have iron rich softened well water)
-chemiclean
-5g quarantine tank
-hang on quarantine/dosing tank
-2 brute trash cans
-sump led light
-mag 9.5 (will plumb with 1 1/4 inch pvc)
-red sea salt
-aquarium pharmaceuticals test kit

What I already have:
-150-200lbs of live rock
-2-tunze 6085
-turboflotor skimmer

Almondsaz · 03/03/2013, 09:29 AM

I would say additionally for basic equipment you need a refractometer so that you can ensure that you have the right salt level. Also how are your going to manage temp: you need a thermometer and a heater.

That being said - what do you plan on keeping in your reef (I know you say TBD, but most likely are your going to keep a mixed reef?)

Personally on a 125 I would want some sort of controller like a Neptune APEX - helps manage everything. Not a necessity, but for me a really important nice to have.

125 is a great size, you should enjoy it.

You will need a coral dip product, but until you decide which type of coral you wish to keep that will drive (IMO) which one to use. for soft and LPS I use Revive.

You will want something to clean the glass from algae - lots of different options to choose from.

One more random thought. Is the mag 9.5 your return pump? If it is then you are going to want a powerhead to mix the salt in your brute trash cans. There are a lot of other minor bits of equipment like nets, frag plugs, glue, etc. But those are when you start to populate your system. What is the filter system you plan on using for your 5g quarantine tank - you will also need temp, heat for that as well. Also, I didn't see your mention of the sump but assumed you will have one if the mag is your return. You will want macro algae for that as well. Hope that helps.

kfisc · 03/03/2013, 09:41 AM

At this point, I'd say all you need is the Leap of Faith.

Endless arguments arise about favored gear, but the only thing you need now is patience and the willingness to be flexible and change when inevitable problems happen. Good luck!

r1racer · 03/03/2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almondsaz

I would say additionally for basic equipment you need a refractometer so that you can ensure that you have the right salt level. Also how are your going to manage temp: you need a thermometer and a heater.

That being said - what do you plan on keeping in your reef (I know you say TBD, but most likely are your going to keep a mixed reef?)

Personally on a 125 I would want some sort of controller like a Neptune APEX - helps manage everything. Not a necessity, but for me a really important nice to have.

125 is a great size, you should enjoy it.

You will need a coral dip product, but until you decide which type of coral you wish to keep that will drive (IMO) which one to use. for soft and LPS I use Revive.

You will want something to clean the glass from algae - lots of different options to choose from.

One more random thought. Is the mag 9.5 your return pump? If it is then you are going to want a powerhead to mix the salt in your brute trash cans. There are a lot of other minor bits of equipment like nets, frag plugs, glue, etc. But those are when you start to populate your system. What is the filter system you plan on using for your 5g quarantine tank - you will also need temp, heat for that as well. Also, I didn't see your mention of the sump but assumed you will have one if the mag is your return. You will want macro algae for that as well. Hope that helps.

Is a hydrometer sufficient over the refractometer? I didn't mention the obvious things like heaters and thermometers from my initial setup. I do need some sort of water change tool to vacuum the sandbed. Recommendations?

3-300 watt Ti heaters and a small 25 w for the quarantine tank
2 digital probe thermometers (one for tank and one for salt mixture)
1 standard suction thermometer for qt tank
the qt tank comes with a built in carbon filter and led light
most likely a mixed system but I am a good 2 months or more away from stocking
have a scraper kit and nets
forgot about the pump to mix...but I can use my mag 7 that I replaced with the 9.5 and plumb it to the sump.

Are baffles a must for the algae? I really don't want to add them
This sump sufficient?

Almondsaz · 03/03/2013, 01:21 PM

Hope you didn't mind the detailed response, I am assuming that everyone appreciates a little AR response when we are new and asking for help. Never want to leave anything to chance that way.

"Is a hydrometer sufficient over the refractometer? I didn't mention the obvious things like heaters and thermometers from my initial setup. I do need some sort of water change tool to vacuum the sandbed. Recommendations?"

A hydrometer is fine as long as you have it calibrated by someone with a refractometer so that you know that it is reading correctly. There are a lot of people using hydrometers and the recurring comment seems to be just calibrate it and mark it (for 1.026) with a refractometer. Perhaps you LFS or local reefer can help out. You can find a refractometer pretty cheap on ebay if you decide to go that way. For me I like to have the understanding of exactly where my salt is and the test is easy with the refractometer.

Almondsaz · 03/03/2013, 01:24 PM

As for the sump, it appears that you have two compartments before the skim and return section. Perhaps you could have the incoming water go to the first compartment and then go through the fuge with the macro in it...just a thought. It looks sufficient enough to me is it about 30-40 gallons?

MrTuskfish · 03/03/2013, 01:59 PM

A 5 gal QT isn't big enough. You need a separate QT set up that's big enough for the fish you plan on buying. All you really need is the tank, heater, thermometer, HOB filter and some PVC hiding places. Plan on 6 weeks quarantine for all new fish and you'l be off to a good start. Don't quarantine and plan for a major problem sooner or later.

ebacon · 03/04/2013, 06:49 AM

Wouldn't hurt to get some meds on hand.. Cipro, heart worm for dogs that kills redbugs(forgot name) etc

Basman346 · 03/04/2013, 02:38 PM

Patience is the key

QT everything otherwise sooner or later you will be sorry

I have found that wherever I bought cheap equipment I would eventually spend $$ on the good stuff. Going forward I only buy the good equipment.....It hurts the wallet but if you buy the good stuff first you only cry once.

ebacon · 03/04/2013, 02:49 PM

+1 to that, also dry your rock then do a full cycle. This will eliminate hit hikers which are far more troublesome than neat

r1racer · 03/04/2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebacon

+1 to that, also dry your rock then do a full cycle. This will eliminate hit hikers which are far more troublesome than neat

This is the part that has my head spinning. Some say just clean it to keep it live, and others say cook it or kill it...

ebacon · 03/04/2013, 11:04 PM

Your creating a house of cards, you want it as stable and predictable as possible. Too many hit hikers are bad to be worth the risk. Voice of experience

03/03/2013, 09:17 AM	#1
r1racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD Posts: 418	Reef Equip/Supplies-What Else? Converting 125g tank to reef (coral type ytbd). This renewed passion is costing $$$ but who cares. This is what I have purchased in the last week. What else do I need for initial startup? I need this thing to be successful. -2-160 watt Razors -120 lbs of reefrock sand -4 stage BRS RO/DI with shutoff float tubes (I have iron rich softened well water) -chemiclean -5g quarantine tank -hang on quarantine/dosing tank -2 brute trash cans -sump led light -mag 9.5 (will plumb with 1 1/4 inch pvc) -red sea salt -aquarium pharmaceuticals test kit What I already have: -150-200lbs of live rock -2-tunze 6085 -turboflotor skimmer

03/03/2013, 01:59 PM	#7
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	A 5 gal QT isn't big enough. You need a separate QT set up that's big enough for the fish you plan on buying. All you really need is the tank, heater, thermometer, HOB filter and some PVC hiding places. Plan on 6 weeks quarantine for all new fish and you'l be off to a good start. Don't quarantine and plan for a major problem sooner or later. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

03/04/2013, 06:49 AM	#8
ebacon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: St Charles Mo Posts: 1,084	Wouldn't hurt to get some meds on hand.. Cipro, heart worm for dogs that kills redbugs(forgot name) etc __________________ Everybody Loves Bacon

03/04/2013, 02:49 PM	#10
ebacon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: St Charles Mo Posts: 1,084	+1 to that, also dry your rock then do a full cycle. This will eliminate hit hikers which are far more troublesome than neat __________________ Everybody Loves Bacon

03/04/2013, 11:04 PM	#12
ebacon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: St Charles Mo Posts: 1,084	Your creating a house of cards, you want it as stable and predictable as possible. Too many hit hikers are bad to be worth the risk. Voice of experience __________________ Everybody Loves Bacon

03/03/2013, 09:29 AM	#2
Almondsaz Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: OP, Ks Posts: 617	I would say additionally for basic equipment you need a refractometer so that you can ensure that you have the right salt level. Also how are your going to manage temp: you need a thermometer and a heater. That being said - what do you plan on keeping in your reef (I know you say TBD, but most likely are your going to keep a mixed reef?) Personally on a 125 I would want some sort of controller like a Neptune APEX - helps manage everything. Not a necessity, but for me a really important nice to have. 125 is a great size, you should enjoy it. You will need a coral dip product, but until you decide which type of coral you wish to keep that will drive (IMO) which one to use. for soft and LPS I use Revive. You will want something to clean the glass from algae - lots of different options to choose from. One more random thought. Is the mag 9.5 your return pump? If it is then you are going to want a powerhead to mix the salt in your brute trash cans. There are a lot of other minor bits of equipment like nets, frag plugs, glue, etc. But those are when you start to populate your system. What is the filter system you plan on using for your 5g quarantine tank - you will also need temp, heat for that as well. Also, I didn't see your mention of the sump but assumed you will have one if the mag is your return. You will want macro algae for that as well. Hope that helps.

03/03/2013, 09:41 AM	#3
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	At this point, I'd say all you need is the Leap of Faith. Endless arguments arise about favored gear, but the only thing you need now is patience and the willingness to be flexible and change when inevitable problems happen. Good luck!

03/03/2013, 01:21 PM	#5
Almondsaz Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: OP, Ks Posts: 617	Hope you didn't mind the detailed response, I am assuming that everyone appreciates a little AR response when we are new and asking for help. Never want to leave anything to chance that way. "Is a hydrometer sufficient over the refractometer? I didn't mention the obvious things like heaters and thermometers from my initial setup. I do need some sort of water change tool to vacuum the sandbed. Recommendations?" A hydrometer is fine as long as you have it calibrated by someone with a refractometer so that you know that it is reading correctly. There are a lot of people using hydrometers and the recurring comment seems to be just calibrate it and mark it (for 1.026) with a refractometer. Perhaps you LFS or local reefer can help out. You can find a refractometer pretty cheap on ebay if you decide to go that way. For me I like to have the understanding of exactly where my salt is and the test is easy with the refractometer.

03/03/2013, 01:24 PM	#6
Almondsaz Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: OP, Ks Posts: 617	As for the sump, it appears that you have two compartments before the skim and return section. Perhaps you could have the incoming water go to the first compartment and then go through the fuge with the macro in it...just a thought. It looks sufficient enough to me is it about 30-40 gallons?

03/04/2013, 02:38 PM	#9
Basman346 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Trabuco Canyon Posts: 66	Patience is the key QT everything otherwise sooner or later you will be sorry I have found that wherever I bought cheap equipment I would eventually spend $$ on the good stuff. Going forward I only buy the good equipment.....It hurts the wallet but if you buy the good stuff first you only cry once.