Equipment to buy

aalhait · 02/07/2008, 02:00 PM

Hello all, I'm new to this site specifically. But have been a hobbyist for over 15 years now.

I'm building my dream tank currently... But have some questions on user experiences:

Specs So far:

150G Reef in the wall viewable from both sides.
Lighting System: PFO Solaris I-4 48" 15K
Sump: 45G - 3 Chamber
Skimmer: Bubble Master 160
UV: 36W
Chiller: Current 1/3hp Dual Stage

1st, what do I need a CO2 system for? Would it be beneficial if I do not want plants in the tank? All I care about are Corals and Fish
2nd, I'm thinking of buying a Controller (Neptune Pro III) Would that be beneficial if my lights are automatically controlled? I guess I would need a sensor for ORB/pH etc... But would a CO2 Automated System be enough?
3rd, I'm installing a 2nd pump which will go up to the attic, and back down into a water heater closet which will house a 20G Water Changing Tank and also will go through the chiller and temp controller. I'm also planning on adding a Drain to outside the house, an auto top-off system and a Reef Dosing System:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...%20dosing&Np=1
Any recommendations / Good, Bad experiences? Is it overkill?

Your experience is much appreciated.

Lucky-rc · 02/07/2008, 03:01 PM

IMO.... None of that listed is "needed" Just depends if you want to overstalk your tank. I do nothing more than water changes. I do have a po4 reactor and a good skimmer, plus u/v. My tank is lightly stocked, so the water change (45gal. per week) replaces anything that may be in short.
There a lot of people that have less than I do as far as equip.
So you need to decide if you want to "show boat" your tank gear.
Posts like this allways start fights, because one guy will tell you "you don't need that" and the next will tell you "it is a must have."
But to your ?'s IMO none of it is needed. Not even the controller, if your lights have them.

Good luck either way you go.... And welcome to R.C.

Lucky

Lucky-rc · 02/07/2008, 03:06 PM

One ? left out...
The pump for water and chiller, This would be good. Kinda keeps things out of the way and hidden per-say. I have my water change tank and top-off water in the utility room. I just hook a line (allready ran to sump) to the salt water when I do a water change. That way I don't have to carry it through the house. And I can pre-mix the salt a week in advance without it being in the way.

Lucky

Lucky

pimpinitup6969 · 02/07/2008, 03:18 PM

yeah def go for it my step dad has the same type of deal with his but his r/o is in the basement and he has a switch in the aquarium stand on the 1st floor that is connected to the pump so he just hits the switch and thats it. its pretty slick actually. def nice not hustling buckets up a flight of steps
Matt

aalhait · 02/07/2008, 04:08 PM

The Pump I got running now is a Little Giant (which SUX) way too loud! I just got a new pump to replace that with a Gen-X PCX-55 (external) with PVC Piping to go back into the tank. But the other return to attic/closet will be the Quite One 6000 internal pump.

The idea here is I'm big on automation. I would love to get everything automated. (My job is Software Test Automation) and I was really big on X-10 stuff when it 1st came out. But I would like to go the least amount of water changes and make it seamless.

I also have a couple of Powerheads for circulation. A MaxiJet 1200 and an Hagen AquaClear 802 for pushing water back in the overflow

BTW, I do not mean to start wars or anything. I'm just trying to see if I can graduate to the next level. My tanks in the past have always been simple, but I've never had excellent luck. Anytime I forget to change water or just get too busy to do the maintenance, The tanks get pretty bad. And Trust me, I had some REALLY nice tanks before. I will attach my 60G tank from just a couple of years back.

02/07/2008, 02:00 PM	#1
aalhait Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 231	Equipment to buy Hello all, I'm new to this site specifically. But have been a hobbyist for over 15 years now. I'm building my dream tank currently... But have some questions on user experiences: Specs So far: 150G Reef in the wall viewable from both sides. Lighting System: PFO Solaris I-4 48" 15K Sump: 45G - 3 Chamber Skimmer: Bubble Master 160 UV: 36W Chiller: Current 1/3hp Dual Stage 1st, what do I need a CO2 system for? Would it be beneficial if I do not want plants in the tank? All I care about are Corals and Fish 2nd, I'm thinking of buying a Controller (Neptune Pro III) Would that be beneficial if my lights are automatically controlled? I guess I would need a sensor for ORB/pH etc... But would a CO2 Automated System be enough? 3rd, I'm installing a 2nd pump which will go up to the attic, and back down into a water heater closet which will house a 20G Water Changing Tank and also will go through the chiller and temp controller. I'm also planning on adding a Drain to outside the house, an auto top-off system and a Reef Dosing System: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...%20dosing&Np=1 Any recommendations / Good, Bad experiences? Is it overkill? Your experience is much appreciated.

02/07/2008, 03:01 PM	#2
Lucky-rc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: central Ohio Posts: 450	IMO.... None of that listed is "needed" Just depends if you want to overstalk your tank. I do nothing more than water changes. I do have a po4 reactor and a good skimmer, plus u/v. My tank is lightly stocked, so the water change (45gal. per week) replaces anything that may be in short. There a lot of people that have less than I do as far as equip. So you need to decide if you want to "show boat" your tank gear. Posts like this allways start fights, because one guy will tell you "you don't need that" and the next will tell you "it is a must have." But to your ?'s IMO none of it is needed. Not even the controller, if your lights have them. Good luck either way you go.... And welcome to R.C. Lucky __________________ Fast women... Expensive hobbies... Whats left? Current Tank Info: 310 gal. mix-reef

02/07/2008, 03:06 PM	#3
Lucky-rc Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: central Ohio Posts: 450	One ? left out... The pump for water and chiller, This would be good. Kinda keeps things out of the way and hidden per-say. I have my water change tank and top-off water in the utility room. I just hook a line (allready ran to sump) to the salt water when I do a water change. That way I don't have to carry it through the house. And I can pre-mix the salt a week in advance without it being in the way. Lucky Lucky __________________ Fast women... Expensive hobbies... Whats left? Current Tank Info: 310 gal. mix-reef

02/07/2008, 03:18 PM	#4
pimpinitup6969 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Elmira, Ny Posts: 2,503	yeah def go for it my step dad has the same type of deal with his but his r/o is in the basement and he has a switch in the aquarium stand on the 1st floor that is connected to the pump so he just hits the switch and thats it. its pretty slick actually. def nice not hustling buckets up a flight of steps Matt __________________ I'd rather burp and taste it than fart and waste it! Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon, 150 Gallon

02/07/2008, 04:08 PM	#5
aalhait Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 231	The Pump I got running now is a Little Giant (which SUX) way too loud! I just got a new pump to replace that with a Gen-X PCX-55 (external) with PVC Piping to go back into the tank. But the other return to attic/closet will be the Quite One 6000 internal pump. The idea here is I'm big on automation. I would love to get everything automated. (My job is Software Test Automation) and I was really big on X-10 stuff when it 1st came out. But I would like to go the least amount of water changes and make it seamless. I also have a couple of Powerheads for circulation. A MaxiJet 1200 and an Hagen AquaClear 802 for pushing water back in the overflow BTW, I do not mean to start wars or anything. I'm just trying to see if I can graduate to the next level. My tanks in the past have always been simple, but I've never had excellent luck. Anytime I forget to change water or just get too busy to do the maintenance, The tanks get pretty bad. And Trust me, I had some REALLY nice tanks before. I will attach my 60G tank from just a couple of years back.