Transitioning from FOWLR to mixed reef, equipment advice needed

brayden.king · 09/01/2015, 03:55 PM

Hello, I’m looking for some advice. I had been running a SCAquariums 112 gallon PNP system as a FOWLR tank. I’m looking to transition that tank into a mixed reef with softies, LPS, and some of the easier SPS. The list of equipment that I currently have includes:

1) 112 gallon 60"W x 18"L x 24"H tank
2) 50 gallon 52"W x 12-1/2"L x 17-3/4"H 5 chamber sump
3) PH2500 utility return pump (Bulk head connectors (1/2" return, 1" drain))
4) BRS GFO & Carbon reactor
5) Jabeo WP 40 & WP 60 powerheads
6) Two Chinese LED fixtures
7) Two EHEIM 300W heaters
8) 100 lbs of live rock and 2” sand bed

I’m looking for advice on what I need to add and/or upgrade. Some parts I’m considering:

1) Kessil 360w (2 or 3?) or AI Hydra 52s (2 or 3?) or something else for a 60” tank?
2) Dosing pump definitely needed?
3) ATO would be nice
4) Is the return pump ok?
5) Would love a controller, but which one?
6) Is that enough flow from the two Jabeo’s?
7) Anything else I’m missing?

I’m budget minded, but it is not the final determining factor. If there is a piece of equipment that is a must have but expensive, please include it. But if I can get the same level of performance from something more reasonably priced, I would almost always go for that option.

Looking for any and all thoughts and opinions. Thanks!

nuxx · 09/01/2015, 04:15 PM

1) 3 A360WEs
2) I'd get one or a calcium reactor. Pick up a Jebao 4 port.
3) ATO is something I could not run a tank without.
4) Running two Jebao returns on each tank. Controllable and redundant. DC also less power and quiet.
5) Apex. Apex. Apex.
6) Should be enough.
7) Not really.

brayden.king · 09/01/2015, 04:18 PM

Thanks Peter, appreciate the reply.

nuxx · 09/01/2015, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brayden.king

Thanks Peter, appreciate the reply.

No problem

ca1ore · 09/01/2015, 08:05 PM

Need ..... Versus want .....

Based on what you have, I'd suggest that a skimmer is needed, along with some way to dose alkalinity and calcium. For softies and LPS, the Chinese LED are probably sufficient; and a controller is not a necessity. Agree with Peter that an ATO ought to be on the shopping list.

moondoggy4 · 09/01/2015, 09:39 PM

Are you keeping any of the fish? and if so which ones?

brayden.king · 09/02/2015, 03:37 AM

The fish that will be in this tank include reef safe fish such as wrasses and anthias (I have an auto feeder as well), with possibly the largest fish being a yellow tang or pyramid butterfly.

I could definitely look at upgrading the skimmer Simon. Any recommendations?

nuxx · 09/02/2015, 09:13 AM

Oh yeah skimmer!

brayden.king · 09/02/2015, 09:19 AM

Sorry, I thought my initial post had the skimmer listed and I left it out. I currently have a SCA-302 180 Gallon skimmer.

Does that need upgraded for a mixed reef with light/medium stocking?

nuxx · 09/02/2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brayden.king

Sorry, I thought my initial post had the skimmer listed and I left it out. I currently have a SCA-302 180 Gallon skimmer.

Does that need upgraded for a mixed reef with light/medium stocking?

Should be fine.

After a while you'll get a gauge of if the skimmer is working well and big enough for your bioload.

09/01/2015, 03:55 PM	#1
brayden.king Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 5	Transitioning from FOWLR to mixed reef, equipment advice needed Hello, I’m looking for some advice. I had been running a SCAquariums 112 gallon PNP system as a FOWLR tank. I’m looking to transition that tank into a mixed reef with softies, LPS, and some of the easier SPS. The list of equipment that I currently have includes: 1) 112 gallon 60"W x 18"L x 24"H tank 2) 50 gallon 52"W x 12-1/2"L x 17-3/4"H 5 chamber sump 3) PH2500 utility return pump (Bulk head connectors (1/2" return, 1" drain)) 4) BRS GFO & Carbon reactor 5) Jabeo WP 40 & WP 60 powerheads 6) Two Chinese LED fixtures 7) Two EHEIM 300W heaters 8) 100 lbs of live rock and 2” sand bed I’m looking for advice on what I need to add and/or upgrade. Some parts I’m considering: 1) Kessil 360w (2 or 3?) or AI Hydra 52s (2 or 3?) or something else for a 60” tank? 2) Dosing pump definitely needed? 3) ATO would be nice 4) Is the return pump ok? 5) Would love a controller, but which one? 6) Is that enough flow from the two Jabeo’s? 7) Anything else I’m missing? I’m budget minded, but it is not the final determining factor. If there is a piece of equipment that is a must have but expensive, please include it. But if I can get the same level of performance from something more reasonably priced, I would almost always go for that option. Looking for any and all thoughts and opinions. Thanks!

09/01/2015, 04:15 PM	#2
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	1) 3 A360WEs 2) I'd get one or a calcium reactor. Pick up a Jebao 4 port. 3) ATO is something I could not run a tank without. 4) Running two Jebao returns on each tank. Controllable and redundant. DC also less power and quiet. 5) Apex. Apex. Apex. 6) Should be enough. 7) Not really. __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

09/01/2015, 08:05 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Need ..... Versus want ..... Based on what you have, I'd suggest that a skimmer is needed, along with some way to dose alkalinity and calcium. For softies and LPS, the Chinese LED are probably sufficient; and a controller is not a necessity. Agree with Peter that an ATO ought to be on the shopping list. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/02/2015, 09:13 AM	#8
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	Oh yeah skimmer! __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

09/01/2015, 04:18 PM	#3
brayden.king Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 5	Thanks Peter, appreciate the reply.

09/01/2015, 09:39 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Are you keeping any of the fish? and if so which ones?

09/02/2015, 03:37 AM	#7
brayden.king Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 5	The fish that will be in this tank include reef safe fish such as wrasses and anthias (I have an auto feeder as well), with possibly the largest fish being a yellow tang or pyramid butterfly. I could definitely look at upgrading the skimmer Simon. Any recommendations?

09/02/2015, 09:19 AM	#9
brayden.king Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 5	Sorry, I thought my initial post had the skimmer listed and I left it out. I currently have a SCA-302 180 Gallon skimmer. Does that need upgraded for a mixed reef with light/medium stocking?