Opinions needed

[kennya]

First timer setting up a salty. Below is the list of equipment I have put together and I just need to know if I am purchasing the right stuff. Any and all opinions are welcome, just please give me a reason if you disagree with a choice I have made. The first two items are on their way to my house, the rest I haven't ordered yet.

My tank is a 70g Bow front, 40"L x 19"W x 25"H. I am only planning for a FOWLR right now but figure in a couple of years I may go corals. SO I am trying to purchase equipment that I can use with corals.

Oh, am I missing anything?


Sump Tank -Aqueon Proflex Model 3 (Already Purchased)
Protein skimmer -Reef Octopus 4" Pinwheel 100g (Already Purchased)
Live Rock, Sand & CUC -"The Package"
Lighting -Sunlight Supply Tek Light HO Light 36 inch 6x39W
Wave Maker -Wavemaster Pro
RO/DI Unit -Ocean Wave Five Stage 75 GPD RO/DI
Return Pump -Mag Drive 7
UV Sterilizer -Advantage 2000 Aqua Ultraviolet Sterilizer
Salt -D-D H2Ocean Magnesium Pro PLUS Salt Mix
2 power heads -Koralia Evolution 750 gph
Refractometer -C-Scope Refractometer
Test Kit -Ocean Master Test Kit
Heater -Visi-Therm Stealth Pro-300
Thermometer (digital) -Little Time or Temperature Thermometer
Hydrometer -Instant Ocean Hydrometer

[sland]

Everything looks good. The only two things I am not a fan of is the Test kit(this is Red Sea brand correct?) If it is the results are a pain, and the heater, there are a number of reports of these new stealth pro heaters failing and killing tanks.

[BeanMachine]

Originally Posted by kennya

First timer setting up a salty. Below is the list of equipment I have put together and I just need to know if I am purchasing the right stuff. Any and all opinions are welcome, just please give me a reason if you disagree with a choice I have made. The first two items are on their way to my house, the rest I haven't ordered yet.

My tank is a 70g Bow front, 40"L x 19"W x 25"H. I am only planning for a FOWLR right now but figure in a couple of years I may go corals. SO I am trying to purchase equipment that I can use with corals.

Oh, am I missing anything?


Sump Tank -Aqueon Proflex Model 3 (Already Purchased)
Protein skimmer -Reef Octopus 4" Pinwheel 100g (Already Purchased)
Live Rock, Sand & CUC -"The Package"
Lighting -Sunlight Supply Tek Light HO Light 36 inch 6x39W
Wave Maker -Wavemaster Pro
RO/DI Unit -Ocean Wave Five Stage 75 GPD RO/DI
Return Pump -Mag Drive 7
UV Sterilizer -Advantage 2000 Aqua Ultraviolet Sterilizer
Salt -D-D H2Ocean Magnesium Pro PLUS Salt Mix
2 power heads -Koralia Evolution 750 gph
Refractometer -C-Scope Refractometer
Test Kit -Ocean Master Test Kit
Heater -Visi-Therm Stealth Pro-300
Thermometer (digital) -Little Time or Temperature Thermometer
Hydrometer -Instant Ocean Hydrometer

Mag pumps get hot and use quite a bit of electricity. I would go with something more energy efficient, like an eheim maybe? More expensive tho.

No need for the hydrometer, those are not accurate and a big waste of 15 bucks. Just stick with your refractometer... just make sure you calibrate it with solution.

Ya, go with an API master test kit, or individual Salifert Test kits for Cal, Alk, and Mag instead of teh Ocean Master. But since you are going FOWLR right now, just get a simple kit that tests ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

Also for a FOWLR, I would go with the most inexpensive salt you can find since the big 3 parameters aren't as critical with your setup. Coralife or Instant Ocean (not Reef Crystalsare cheaper I believe.

I would wait on the clean up crew until your tank cycles, just add sand, rock and water for now.

[saltymight]

Your lighting is pretty weak, unless you do plan on waiting a few years. I have been in the business for 6 years and let me say you will not wait years to get corals. You will want something around 500W which goes about 7wpg. since You cant really bump up to 48" bulbs I would suggest a combo of a metal halild and pc bulbs. some people go with two weaker heaters at a time across the sump so two 150w but I do use just one 300W my self

[tinkerman]

I think the brand of skimmer is fine but may have been better with the next step up. I am guessing it is the nw 110, would have gone with nw 150. May be a little small but should work. If the visi therm is anything like the marineland steath I would stay away. Mine spilt and ended up wondering around the house for a day playing find the nasty smell. Nothing died but won't buy another one. Why is there a refractmeter and a hydrometer? They are the same but the refractometer is better. You may want to add a controller to the list even if its just a reef keeper lite, This is what I have, and probably saved my tank due to heater problems. The timer is nice to for lights and such. So for a heater controller and couple timers well worth the money, there are better one out there.

[BeanMachine]

Originally Posted by saltymight

Your lighting is pretty weak, unless you do plan on waiting a few years. I have been in the business for 6 years and let me say you will not wait years to get corals. You will want something around 500W which goes about 7wpg. since You cant really bump up to 48" bulbs I would suggest a combo of a metal halild and pc bulbs. some people go with two weaker heaters at a time across the sump so two 150w but I do use just one 300W my self

6 39w T5 lamps is plenty of light for any coral IMO.

And yes two smaller heaters are better than one, for instance, if one were to fail you would still have another to heat the tank somewhat.

[Kay Tickle]

Are you drilling the tank? HIGHLY recommend. What are you doing for overflow?

+1 on staying away from stealth heaters.
+1 on controllers and timers.

Also, it may be obvious, but you'll need a pump to mix your saltwater.

[saltymight]

[QUOTE=BeanMachine;18208967]6 39w T5 lamps is plenty of light for any coral IMO.


You did see he has a 70 gallon right 6 bulbsx39w = 234w/70g =3.3wpg correct me if I'm wrong I know like mushrooms and polyps should be ok but other types of corals.

[saltymight]

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...4&pcatid=20394 this is the lighting I was talking about

But ya If you are only sticking with FOWLR than your lighting is perfectly fine.

[kennya]

Wow, thank you all so much for the quick responses!!!

Ok, I dont want to go MH because I dont want to have to get a chiller. I am working with VERY limited space and the wife wont stand for stuff all around the aquarium. I think I will probably stick with the lights I have and if I need to I will grab a couple MH if need me later down the road. I hope the ones I get are all right, but I understand that corals do need an abundance of light.

The hydrometer was just going to be a spare in case something happens to the refac.

I did read about getting the two smaller heaters instead of one. I like that idea, and will stay away from the stealth pro.

Again, thanks for the info on the salt and controller. I will look into that.

Thanks again everyone! Will update my list after some research!

[sslak]

Avoid Stealth heaters (ok for mixing water for water changes, that's about it)

Get a controller of some kind - Ranco temp controller is cheap and nice

ReefKeeper Lite will control your heater and replace the timers you would have to buy for lights -well worth the money IMO

If you run central A/C in the house during the warm months you should not have to worry about a chiller, even with MH. I have a lot of light over my 58g and have never needed a chiller. Just make sure you have some vents in the hood to let the heat out.

[kennya]

I like the idea of the controller.

Anyone recommend a return pump? I will look at the Eheim, just looking for other advice.

Oh, last question for this post, the light fixture doesnt come with bulbs, what bulbs should I get?

[thegrun]

Originally Posted by BeanMachine

6 39w T5 lamps is plenty of light for any coral IMO.

And yes two smaller heaters are better than one, for instance, if one were to fail you would still have another to heat the tank somewhat.

+1 on both comments, 6 T-5 bulbs on that tank will be fine. You may not be able to keep some SPS corals or clams at the bottom of the tank, but you could keep anything from the mid-level on up. Definitely go the 2 heater route, worse than one failing to turn on is one stuck in the on position.

[kennya]

Question on the Reef Keeper Lite. It has a 4 outlet PC4 and it has wave maker capabilities. So, I will have two power heads, 2 heaters and 2 light plug-ins. I THINK that would be the only devices I need to hook to it to get the most out of it. So can I put the 2 power heads on an adapter so they only take one plug?

I know this is an expensive hobby, but if I can cut some corners to save a bit, I would like to try. Trying to avoid having to upgrade to the next level of the reef keeper. This would also make it where I dont need the other wave maker, correct?

[Sk8r]

shouldn't need a chiller in Oklahoma if you have AC kept at about 72. Or at 75, shorten your photoperiod 2 hours. But LEDs are the up-and-coming light, so if you're just setting up with a high budget, take a look at those---and factor in the cost of MH ballasts and electricity, which in OK (I know) is not cheap. LEDs will save you a bundle in that department.
A cheap small fan blowing over the sump will chill down your tank too. Fast.

One huge savings would be using only dry rock with 10 lbs live rock crawling with critters. Takes an 8 week cycle as opposed to 4, but is greener and far, far cheaper.

[BeanMachine]

[QUOTE=saltymight;18209047]

Originally Posted by BeanMachine

6 39w T5 lamps is plenty of light for any coral IMO.


You did see he has a 70 gallon right 6 bulbsx39w = 234w/70g =3.3wpg correct me if I'm wrong I know like mushrooms and polyps should be ok but other types of corals.

well i don't thing using a wpg figure is a very accurate way of determining the amount of light, etc. PAR values are what matters when it comes to lighting and our reef tanks.

I grow mushrooms in my fuge with a 6700 k floodlamp... not that I would recommend that type of light for say a softy tank...

[kennya]

Sk8r, I did look at the Marineland Reef capable lights, do you think they would work for my tank? I just cant find a lot of reviews on them, and I wonder if my tank is to deep for them.

[BeanMachine]

Originally Posted by Sk8r

One huge savings would be using only dry rock with 10 lbs live rock crawling with critters. Takes an 8 week cycle as opposed to 4, but is greener and far, far cheaper.

Thats what I did, used like 80 lbs of dry marco rock and seeded it all with about 10 lbs of really nice base rock. 8 months later the rock work is covered in coraline and looks awesome.

This way you can avoid the unwanted pests that can come in on live rock, ie. aiptaisia, flatworms, crabs, etc. and save some money at the same time. It all will be eventually colonized by the bacteria and other critters and become "live".

[BeanMachine]

Originally Posted by kennya

Sk8r, I did look at the Marineland Reef capable lights, do you think they would work for my tank? I just cant find a lot of reviews on them, and I wonder if my tank is to deep for them.

If you stick to just a FOWLR that would work for your application and would look nice. Save you some money on electricity that is for sure. That light definitely wont grow SPS corals as its not nearly enough.

[tinkerman]

No you would have to plug the powerheads into their own sockets. I don't use the wavemaker on mine I want to say it is in 1 min intervils. I have a pulse duo wavemaker that I got on sale, I think they are around $50. Not fancy but does 10 sec intervils. I have my heaters on one plug. The only pump for a return I would say stay away from is the rio pumps. Its a good pump quiet cool but they have a odd impeller design and lost half the blades in less than 1.5 yrs. I use ati bulbs have a 6 bulb setup, runn 3 blue+, 2 abs, 1 actinic. Bulbs are very personal choice, I like the radium blue look others like it whiter. Right now my tank is whiter than I would like, I would say about 15k now.

[tinkerman]

I started with live rock and after a yr nuked it. Acid wash and bleach. I got tired of pests yes you get some good stuff like pods worms stuff like that but flatworn and aptasia not good. Aptasia are very hard to rid your tank of after then enter.

[kennya]

Tinkerman, can you explain the 10 sec intervals? I looked up the wavemaker you stated and I guess I just dont understand the intervals.

Kay, the tank is reef ready.

So, 3 10k and 3 460 Actinic bulbs? Is that proper for a FOWLR?

Thanks again everyone. I apologize if I ask some common sense questions, but just want to be sure on everything. I dont want to buy something I shouldnt have, and have to send it back to get the right item.

Oh, what do you all think of this light? Nova Extreme Pro T5HO This one actually comes with 3 10k bulbs and 3 Actinic bulbs.

[AeonPhoenix]

No mention of a reactor here yet. If you're not going to go with a reef setup, then phosphates shouldn't be a huge issue. Besides, you're already on top of that by using ro water.
But I agree with saltymight that this hobby is addictive and progressive and you will want corals very soon. Even if you don't need to run gfo (granular ferric oxide) in a reactor, you can use the reactor to house carbon.

A simple unit will suffice. I like this one:
http://www.marinedepot.com/filters_t...eactor-ap.html

Not "essential" by any means, but a cheap and effective unit that will nicely bolster the integrity of your system.

^and as for Nova, I have read too many poor reviews on them. You can find plenty of ways to cut corners in this hobby, but lighting is one area where you always want to spend the extra $ and get top brand

I hear GREAT things about this unit
http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLi...FIT56U-vi.html

(although, it is $100 more than Nova..)

[shifty51008]

the 6x39 watt tek fixture will be fine for anything in that tank, wpg are not usefull with lighting these days. the indivdual reflectors on tek's is what makes them better than other T5's that only use 1 reflector for all the bulbs.

I would also suggest a temp controller like a ranco they can safe a big headach.

and last I am not sure but people have complained about their korilla's making noise when running them on a wave maker unless it is the wavemaker made just for them.

[kennya]

Shifty, explain to me the difference between having a reef lite controller and the ranco. Don't they do the same thing?