Check out my equipment list.

Village Idiot · 03/08/2007, 11:17 AM

Hello,

I'm new to the SW world, after having several successful FW tanks. I'm planning my first SW tank, which I want to be a FOWLR tank with some nice softies or other less-than-intense-light corals.

Attached is an Excel spreadsheet I made with what I believe I need to buy. What do you guys think of my chosen equipment? Any additions/subtractions you can recommend?

The price's are "worst case scenarios", that is buy everything brand new from the LFS or online. I hope to bring the cost down significantly by buying used, w/o lowering the quality of the equipment.

Thanks.

Edit: Here's a cut and paste if you don't want to download the spreadsheet:

AGA 90 gallon RR tank $230.00
Stand $300.00
Hood or Canopy $220.00 (Glass top a lot cheaper)
Sump (20 or 30 gallon) - homemade $30.00
Eheim 1262 return pump $143.00
Maxi-Jet MP1200 powerheads x2 $40.00
Euro Reef RS 100 Skimmer $290.00
Tek T-5 4x54 light fixture, with mounting bracket $424.00 (2 pure actinic, 2 11K bulbs)

Visa-Therm 250W heater x2 $40.00
CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand-40 pound bagx4 $100.00
Live Rock-90 pounds $450.00 (Mix in base rock?)
Salifert pH test kit $12.00 (Have all the other kits from FW tank)
Hydrometer $8.00
Instant Ocean Salt mix - 160 gallons $35.00
Floating thermometer $3.00

TOTAL $2,325.00

boxfishpooalot · 03/08/2007, 11:27 AM

Salifert pH test kit $12.00
Get a ph meter. Ph kits are useless. You should get the alkalinity test kit instead. Much more important.

Maxi-Jet MP1200 powerheads x2 $40.00
An air bubbler would work just as well. I would get the cheap hydror korillas instead.

Hydrometer $8.00
Get a refractometer or the pinpoint salinity monitor. Dont waste money on this device, they are very sensitive to temperature.

SptfireXIV · 03/08/2007, 11:28 AM

That looks like a good list

I would mix some base rock in with the live rock to help cut the cost. Even a 50/50 mix would be fine. You'll just have to be patient and stock it slowly.

besl · 03/08/2007, 11:40 AM

I think your list is just fine. My only question would be on the lights and this is a function of what you plan to keep in the tank. I'm not familiar with T5 (only pc and mh) but there are alot of threads on RC for this subject, but in general around 2w/gal is not much power.

Village Idiot · 03/08/2007, 12:04 PM

I think if I shopped round a bit, I could get a 6 bulb Tek fixture for about $500. Probably be a good upgrade.

I didn't know what size powerheads to get...I know powerful circulation is important, so I got the biggest ones I could. Are they TOO big?

boxfishpooalot · 03/08/2007, 12:38 PM

No they are do not have a wide enough flow pattern. Maxi jets are too narrow to create good flow. Hydor korillas have the wide flow distribution. Its an inexpsenisve route to Tunze Streams.

bbehring · 03/08/2007, 01:13 PM

Personally, I'd skip the glass lid, use the canopy and keep the tank top open (or use egg crate for the cover to stop the jumpers). If you are going the PH route for flow, I agree on the Hydor Korillas, go for them! The Visi-Therm Stealths are good. You can find the 250w versions cheeper that $40ea on Ebay. Check under the used dry goods for sale category here on RC. There seems to always seems to be somebody breaking down their reef and parting it out. Great source of good quality stuff at a better price tag than new!

Village Idiot · 03/08/2007, 01:21 PM

The heater price is for 2 Visa-Therms...$20 bucks each. Seems like a good idea to go with 2 heaters.

Let me check out these Koralias...would 2 Hydor Koralia 4's (1200 GPH each) be too much, or just right?

Thanks everyone...this is really helpful.

bbehring · 03/08/2007, 02:09 PM

Ah Ha. Where are you getting the heaters at? I think just right. Place them at each end of the tank pointing at each other.

wrongshui · 03/08/2007, 02:14 PM

No offense, but I think you overpaid for the thermometer. =P

Otherwise, I'm jealous.

Village Idiot · 03/08/2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bbehring
Ah Ha. Where are you getting the heaters at? I think just right. Place them at each end of the tank pointing at each other.

Dr. F&S has the 300 watt heaters on sale for $18. Here's a link: Visa-Therm 300W

boxfishpooalot · 03/08/2007, 03:06 PM

2 korrila 4s would ge enough for your tank. Dont get a hydrometer get a refractomer. Seriosly man.

Dont waste your 8 bucks, your salinity may actually be really low or really high witha hydrometer.

03/08/2007, 11:27 AM	#2
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	Salifert pH test kit $12.00 Get a ph meter. Ph kits are useless. You should get the alkalinity test kit instead. Much more important. Maxi-Jet MP1200 powerheads x2 $40.00 An air bubbler would work just as well. I would get the cheap hydror korillas instead. Hydrometer $8.00 Get a refractometer or the pinpoint salinity monitor. Dont waste money on this device, they are very sensitive to temperature. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

03/08/2007, 11:28 AM	#3
SptfireXIV Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 1,247	That looks like a good list I would mix some base rock in with the live rock to help cut the cost. Even a 50/50 mix would be fine. You'll just have to be patient and stock it slowly. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Rimless SPS Reef

03/08/2007, 11:40 AM	#4
besl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston-burb, MA Posts: 800	I think your list is just fine. My only question would be on the lights and this is a function of what you plan to keep in the tank. I'm not familiar with T5 (only pc and mh) but there are alot of threads on RC for this subject, but in general around 2w/gal is not much power. __________________ Why did kamakazi pilots wear helmets? Current Tank Info: 55 Gal, 260W CF, 60 lbs LR, CC base, 7 fish, 10 corals, Aquafuge - chaetomorpha & grape

03/08/2007, 12:38 PM	#6
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	No they are do not have a wide enough flow pattern. Maxi jets are too narrow to create good flow. Hydor korillas have the wide flow distribution. Its an inexpsenisve route to Tunze Streams. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

03/08/2007, 03:06 PM	#12
boxfishpooalot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canada, Grande Praire, Ab Posts: 5,824	2 korrila 4s would ge enough for your tank. Dont get a hydrometer get a refractomer. Seriosly man. Dont waste your 8 bucks, your salinity may actually be really low or really high witha hydrometer. __________________ Its a good idea to have a refrence sample for alk test kits. 1.1350 grams of baking soda in 1gallon of distilled water=10dkh. Check your alkalinity test kit! Algae is Mother Natures phosphate remover Current Tank Info: 220 galon mixed reef.

03/08/2007, 12:04 PM	#5
Village Idiot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 214	I think if I shopped round a bit, I could get a 6 bulb Tek fixture for about $500. Probably be a good upgrade. I didn't know what size powerheads to get...I know powerful circulation is important, so I got the biggest ones I could. Are they TOO big?

03/08/2007, 01:13 PM	#7
bbehring Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hemet, California Posts: 917	Personally, I'd skip the glass lid, use the canopy and keep the tank top open (or use egg crate for the cover to stop the jumpers). If you are going the PH route for flow, I agree on the Hydor Korillas, go for them! The Visi-Therm Stealths are good. You can find the 250w versions cheeper that $40ea on Ebay. Check under the used dry goods for sale category here on RC. There seems to always seems to be somebody breaking down their reef and parting it out. Great source of good quality stuff at a better price tag than new!

03/08/2007, 01:21 PM	#8
Village Idiot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 214	The heater price is for 2 Visa-Therms...$20 bucks each. Seems like a good idea to go with 2 heaters. Let me check out these Koralias...would 2 Hydor Koralia 4's (1200 GPH each) be too much, or just right? Thanks everyone...this is really helpful.

03/08/2007, 02:09 PM	#9
bbehring Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hemet, California Posts: 917	Ah Ha. Where are you getting the heaters at? I think just right. Place them at each end of the tank pointing at each other.

03/08/2007, 02:14 PM	#10
wrongshui Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 14	No offense, but I think you overpaid for the thermometer. =P Otherwise, I'm jealous.