help with parts list for new tank

estevenson · 02/08/2008, 06:37 PM

Im trying to piece together what ill need for the tank I have planned for my new house when I move in next year and want to be sure I know exactly what I want before I start buying equipment. I am completely new to aquariums and salt water fish so I might ask some dumb question, please bear with me. (Iâ€™ve done a lot of research so I hope I wont ask too many stupid question, just figured Id give you guys a heads up

)

I will be housing a variety of fish and corals, Iâ€™m not sure what corals I want right now but ill probably keep with the easy ones to begin with.

All the questions will be in bold to make it easier to read.

Soâ€¦â€¦

Tank : 120g (48x24x35)

Stand : me and my dad will be making this, it will be 64x34 to allow a sump and holding tank for auto top off under tank.

Sump: 44x20(depth)x16(height) see attached image for layout.
red is from tank, blue is to tank

Skimmer: EuroReef RS-135 Are there any comparable skimmers that are cheaper? I want a quality piece of equipment but wouldnâ€™t mind saving some money if possible.

Heaters : I have no idea but im thinking 2 150 watt heaters in tank and one 300 watt in the sump. Does this sound ok? What brands/models should I look into?

Lighting : IM LOST??? What do I need? HELP?

Refractometer : no idea where to start. Brands models that will work good for my set up?

Return pump : submerged around 700 gph. Sound like the right amount of flow? Brands/ models I should look at)

Powerheads : not sure. I donâ€™t want to do a closed loop right away. What should I look into?

What am I missing?
Where in my sump should I put all my equipment (heater, refractometer, auto top off, etc.)?
How do I plumb this? Where should I put valves etc? (a diagram would be great if anyone could do that for me)

Thanks in advanced for the help.

estevenson · 02/08/2008, 06:40 PM

also forgot to mention, ill be trying to get the tank drilled with the overflow to be drilled in the center with 2 drains but I might settle for 2 corner overflows.

bertoni · 02/08/2008, 07:48 PM

There's no objective data on skimmers. The Euro-Reef sounds good to me.

The heater count seems reasonable to me, although I'd add a temperature controller for safety.

Most of the refractometers on the market seem very similar. I'd just get some of the PinPoint 53 mS conductivity solution to calibrate it. Personally, I prefer a conductivity meter, but they are more expensive.

I would target about 350 gph through the sump. That should be plenty.

Some corals require a lot of light, and other don't. That said, a T5 or metal halide setup could support the more light-demanding animals.

For more flow, the Tunze Streams are a high-end solution. Cheaper approaches include the Koralia pumps and the Maxi-Jet mods.

02/08/2008, 06:37 PM	#1
estevenson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5	help with parts list for new tank Im trying to piece together what ill need for the tank I have planned for my new house when I move in next year and want to be sure I know exactly what I want before I start buying equipment. I am completely new to aquariums and salt water fish so I might ask some dumb question, please bear with me. (Iâ€™ve done a lot of research so I hope I wont ask too many stupid question, just figured Id give you guys a heads up ) I will be housing a variety of fish and corals, Iâ€™m not sure what corals I want right now but ill probably keep with the easy ones to begin with. All the questions will be in bold to make it easier to read. Soâ€¦â€¦ Tank : 120g (48x24x35) Stand : me and my dad will be making this, it will be 64x34 to allow a sump and holding tank for auto top off under tank. Sump: 44x20(depth)x16(height) see attached image for layout. red is from tank, blue is to tank Skimmer: EuroReef RS-135 Are there any comparable skimmers that are cheaper? I want a quality piece of equipment but wouldnâ€™t mind saving some money if possible. Heaters : I have no idea but im thinking 2 150 watt heaters in tank and one 300 watt in the sump. Does this sound ok? What brands/models should I look into? Lighting : IM LOST??? What do I need? HELP? Refractometer : no idea where to start. Brands models that will work good for my set up? Return pump : submerged around 700 gph. Sound like the right amount of flow? Brands/ models I should look at) Powerheads : not sure. I donâ€™t want to do a closed loop right away. What should I look into? What am I missing? Where in my sump should I put all my equipment (heater, refractometer, auto top off, etc.)? How do I plumb this? Where should I put valves etc? (a diagram would be great if anyone could do that for me) Thanks in advanced for the help.

02/08/2008, 07:48 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There's no objective data on skimmers. The Euro-Reef sounds good to me. The heater count seems reasonable to me, although I'd add a temperature controller for safety. Most of the refractometers on the market seem very similar. I'd just get some of the PinPoint 53 mS conductivity solution to calibrate it. Personally, I prefer a conductivity meter, but they are more expensive. I would target about 350 gph through the sump. That should be plenty. Some corals require a lot of light, and other don't. That said, a T5 or metal halide setup could support the more light-demanding animals. For more flow, the Tunze Streams are a high-end solution. Cheaper approaches include the Koralia pumps and the Maxi-Jet mods. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/08/2008, 06:40 PM	#2
estevenson Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 5	also forgot to mention, ill be trying to get the tank drilled with the overflow to be drilled in the center with 2 drains but I might settle for 2 corner overflows.