New member i just bought a 200 gallon tank.. Please somebody help me

jsedita74 · 01/14/2010, 08:09 PM

Ok i want to do this right this time around so i would like to know what a good affordable protein skimmer is and what else you guys recommend.. I mean money is kinda an option but i just want the best bang for the buck.. I.e. I dont want to pay 1200 for a bubble king... I guess i also need some lighting advice and whtever else i need to know to get started.. I have a 55 setup right now but thats coming down... Thanks

NirvanaFan · 01/14/2010, 08:24 PM

I'm a fan of octopus skimmers. Do you have a sump? What about a canopy?

What would you like to keep? just fish, corals (sps, lps, or softies), anemones, clams? These answers will help us better recommend equipment for you.

jtrov · 01/14/2010, 09:14 PM

Your choices for lighting and other equipment are really gonna depend on what you want to keep in the tank.

drparker · 01/14/2010, 09:19 PM

Go slow, Don't go cheaper and settle on the skimmer or lights, you'll replace them again if you do. I have!

terri_ann · 01/14/2010, 09:29 PM

Since you have such a large tank, you might want to go to the large reef tank forum here on RC. That forum is for people who have 180g or larger tanks...we can help too but you will have people who have equipment rated similar to what you need.

Welcome to Reef Central by the way! Happy Reefing!!!

Piscez · 01/14/2010, 09:37 PM

I too am a fan of reef Octopus, and I've tried several others, I found any with Sdera pumps are quite loud ie: ASM. Just bought a MSX200 and it is nice and quiet, both the Reef and MSX come up used and are a good bang for the buck.

sedor · 01/14/2010, 09:38 PM

http://www.reefgeek.com/filtration/P..._Pump_by_AquaC - AquaC EV 240. I use a 120 on my 72 and its been a great skimmer for me.

http://www.reefgeek.com/filtration/P...00_Pump_by_ASM - A little bit of a cheaper alternative. With a mid end skimmer like this its better to have a higher gallons rating which is why i'm showing you the G4 instead of the G3.

You do have a sump right? If not, your really going to need one so make that your first priority. Welcome to RC.

01/14/2010, 08:09 PM	#1
jsedita74 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: BROOKLYN.NY Posts: 85	New member i just bought a 200 gallon tank.. Please somebody help me Ok i want to do this right this time around so i would like to know what a good affordable protein skimmer is and what else you guys recommend.. I mean money is kinda an option but i just want the best bang for the buck.. I.e. I dont want to pay 1200 for a bubble king... I guess i also need some lighting advice and whtever else i need to know to get started.. I have a 55 setup right now but thats coming down... Thanks

01/14/2010, 09:29 PM	#5
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	Since you have such a large tank, you might want to go to the large reef tank forum here on RC. That forum is for people who have 180g or larger tanks...we can help too but you will have people who have equipment rated similar to what you need. Welcome to Reef Central by the way! Happy Reefing!!! __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

01/14/2010, 09:38 PM	#7
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	http://www.reefgeek.com/filtration/P..._Pump_by_AquaC - AquaC EV 240. I use a 120 on my 72 and its been a great skimmer for me. http://www.reefgeek.com/filtration/P...00_Pump_by_ASM - A little bit of a cheaper alternative. With a mid end skimmer like this its better to have a higher gallons rating which is why i'm showing you the G4 instead of the G3. You do have a sump right? If not, your really going to need one so make that your first priority. Welcome to RC. __________________ Ryan

01/14/2010, 08:24 PM	#2
NirvanaFan Reef Ninja Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 4,280	I'm a fan of octopus skimmers. Do you have a sump? What about a canopy? What would you like to keep? just fish, corals (sps, lps, or softies), anemones, clams? These answers will help us better recommend equipment for you.

01/14/2010, 09:14 PM	#3
jtrov Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hazleton, PA Posts: 50	Your choices for lighting and other equipment are really gonna depend on what you want to keep in the tank.

01/14/2010, 09:19 PM	#4
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	Go slow, Don't go cheaper and settle on the skimmer or lights, you'll replace them again if you do. I have!

01/14/2010, 09:37 PM	#6
Piscez Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: PoCo, B.C. Canada Posts: 56	I too am a fan of reef Octopus, and I've tried several others, I found any with Sdera pumps are quite loud ie: ASM. Just bought a MSX200 and it is nice and quiet, both the Reef and MSX come up used and are a good bang for the buck.