Would like feedback on my new setup

ozman05 · 12/28/2011, 01:20 PM

I'm setting up a new 120 gallon fatboy tank and want to do it right the first time. I'm still working on plumbing the tank, so it's not even on the stand yet, so here's what I was thinking of doing and would welcome everybody's feedback. It's a 120 gallon fatboy with custom sump.

I bought the tank, stand and sump and return pump, so I'll need just about everything else. The tank is going to be a mixed reef of both SPS and LPS corals (eventually). Here's what I was planning on getting in terms of hardware:

Skimmer - SWC Xtreme 160 Cone Skimmer
Lights - 2 - Ecotech Radions
Internal Powerheads - 2 - MP40's
Controller - Neptune Apex
Heater element

Any suggestions on what I should do for reactors? Carbon and GFO? I will have an RO/DI unit and an auto-topoff reservoir. Let me know if this will take care of everything. I'm sure I'm missing some things, but that should be the majority of it. I'd like to spend a little more up front and do it right than to skimp now and have to spend more upgrading later. If something looks way overkill, please let me know. Thanks for your input!

moondoggy4 · 12/28/2011, 01:29 PM

I would go with a Sea Side Aqjuatic CS 2 same type skimmer better pump.

ozman05 · 12/28/2011, 06:34 PM

Thanks! Is the Apex controller overkill or should I do like the Jr. or Lite version?

aleonn · 12/28/2011, 06:57 PM

You can never go wrong with the full Apex IMO. It'll save you from upgrading in the future.

scarface70706 · 12/28/2011, 08:19 PM

a nice set of reactors would be a great benefit to your tank. BRS duel reactor is awesome; cheap, and compact. currently i run carbon and GFO but im going to swap out the GFO and throw some Bio pellets in there since they last longer for the price they offer. some people say the duel reactor is not the best reactor setup since both medias need different flow rates but there is a way to make them run separately. the duel reactor is cheaper as well compared to buying two separate reactors but once i got the duel reactors in my hand i realized its the same as the others; all i had to do was rotate the reactors and they worked perfectly. but if you want to spend the extra cash you can just buy two reactors and plug and play but why? lol theres no need to unless you want the jumbo reactors.

stevedola · 12/28/2011, 09:33 PM

calcium reactor or a dosing setup.

reefereef · 12/28/2011, 10:39 PM

get s couple float switches and a breakout box for the apex, then you can setup your ATO with your Apex, i run a BRS 50ml dosing pump with mine and it works great, runs for a few minutes a couple times per hour and water level stays within 1/16". Pick up a couple TLF media reactors, then you can fine tune the flow to each one. I run a Quite One 1200 pump for my reactor, very efficient and makes zero noise, you can probably run both reactors off that pump. Get a second heater, very unlikely both will fail at the same time. if that skimmer runs an askoll pump then you are good,that is a great pump.

I would think about bio pellets and then run carbon once in a while as needed.

tkeracer619 · 12/29/2011, 12:01 AM

XP or SRO 2000 skimmer.

A dosing setup.

Your controller choice is fine

I have used a lot of TLF 150 reactors. They are hard to beat in terms of convenience but lack a bit on capacity and quality. Check out some of the other brand media reactors like Vertex, Nextreef, or Avast. They all make higher end media reactors that are reasonably affordable.

a.browning · 12/29/2011, 12:44 AM

I would never support the owner of SWC, here's why: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/loc...135339543.html

I am extremely happy with my Super Reef Octopus skimmer. Coralvue has great customer service, and a 3 year warranty on their pump! Everything else on the list looks great!

strange33w · 12/29/2011, 02:26 AM

I would also go with the BRS reactor combo.

ozman05 · 12/29/2011, 10:08 AM

I'd actually like to run multiple reactors instead of the combined one. I'll probably do one with carbon and the other with biopellets. The sump was already pre-plumbed with multiple valves for multiple reactors so I can control the flow easily to each one. How do the Reef Octopus reactors compare to the other brands?

Also, in regards to a skimmer, I researched moondoggy's skimmer recommendation and really like what I hear about that, so at this point I'm really leaning towards the Seaside Aquatics CS2. Anybody out there with a bad experience with that? There are just so many choices that it's really hard to land on one.

Thanks a.browning for the link about SWC. I'll steer clear of them in the future.

moondoggy4 · 12/29/2011, 06:04 PM

Mojo has experience with these skimmers, I saw them at a LFS and I have not heard any complaints with the new Sicce Syncra line of pumps. I would like to get the CS1 for a new build.

moondoggy4 · 12/30/2011, 05:31 PM

Another option is a Avast Peg Leg skimmer, they have a couple of different type skimmers some you build others are already to go. Avast is a sponsor here also.

12/28/2011, 01:20 PM	#1
ozman05 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Burnsville, Minnesota Posts: 127	Would like feedback on my new setup I'm setting up a new 120 gallon fatboy tank and want to do it right the first time. I'm still working on plumbing the tank, so it's not even on the stand yet, so here's what I was thinking of doing and would welcome everybody's feedback. It's a 120 gallon fatboy with custom sump. I bought the tank, stand and sump and return pump, so I'll need just about everything else. The tank is going to be a mixed reef of both SPS and LPS corals (eventually). Here's what I was planning on getting in terms of hardware: Skimmer - SWC Xtreme 160 Cone Skimmer Lights - 2 - Ecotech Radions Internal Powerheads - 2 - MP40's Controller - Neptune Apex Heater element Any suggestions on what I should do for reactors? Carbon and GFO? I will have an RO/DI unit and an auto-topoff reservoir. Let me know if this will take care of everything. I'm sure I'm missing some things, but that should be the majority of it. I'd like to spend a little more up front and do it right than to skimp now and have to spend more upgrading later. If something looks way overkill, please let me know. Thanks for your input!

12/28/2011, 09:33 PM	#6
stevedola Master of my domain Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,466	calcium reactor or a dosing setup. __________________ Cool Club Current Tank Info: coming soon...

12/29/2011, 12:01 AM	#8
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	XP or SRO 2000 skimmer. A dosing setup. Your controller choice is fine I have used a lot of TLF 150 reactors. They are hard to beat in terms of convenience but lack a bit on capacity and quality. Check out some of the other brand media reactors like Vertex, Nextreef, or Avast. They all make higher end media reactors that are reasonably affordable. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/29/2011, 12:44 AM	#9
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	I would never support the owner of SWC, here's why: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/loc...135339543.html I am extremely happy with my Super Reef Octopus skimmer. Coralvue has great customer service, and a 3 year warranty on their pump! Everything else on the list looks great! __________________ 75 SPS, 80 & 45 Frag Tank, 40B Leather Tank

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12/28/2011, 01:29 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	I would go with a Sea Side Aqjuatic CS 2 same type skimmer better pump.

12/28/2011, 06:34 PM	#3
ozman05 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Burnsville, Minnesota Posts: 127	Thanks! Is the Apex controller overkill or should I do like the Jr. or Lite version?

12/28/2011, 06:57 PM	#4
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	You can never go wrong with the full Apex IMO. It'll save you from upgrading in the future.

12/28/2011, 08:19 PM	#5
scarface70706 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,364	a nice set of reactors would be a great benefit to your tank. BRS duel reactor is awesome; cheap, and compact. currently i run carbon and GFO but im going to swap out the GFO and throw some Bio pellets in there since they last longer for the price they offer. some people say the duel reactor is not the best reactor setup since both medias need different flow rates but there is a way to make them run separately. the duel reactor is cheaper as well compared to buying two separate reactors but once i got the duel reactors in my hand i realized its the same as the others; all i had to do was rotate the reactors and they worked perfectly. but if you want to spend the extra cash you can just buy two reactors and plug and play but why? lol theres no need to unless you want the jumbo reactors.

12/28/2011, 10:39 PM	#7
reefereef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 325	get s couple float switches and a breakout box for the apex, then you can setup your ATO with your Apex, i run a BRS 50ml dosing pump with mine and it works great, runs for a few minutes a couple times per hour and water level stays within 1/16". Pick up a couple TLF media reactors, then you can fine tune the flow to each one. I run a Quite One 1200 pump for my reactor, very efficient and makes zero noise, you can probably run both reactors off that pump. Get a second heater, very unlikely both will fail at the same time. if that skimmer runs an askoll pump then you are good,that is a great pump. I would think about bio pellets and then run carbon once in a while as needed.

12/29/2011, 02:26 AM	#10
strange33w Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 66	I would also go with the BRS reactor combo.

12/29/2011, 10:08 AM	#11
ozman05 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Burnsville, Minnesota Posts: 127	I'd actually like to run multiple reactors instead of the combined one. I'll probably do one with carbon and the other with biopellets. The sump was already pre-plumbed with multiple valves for multiple reactors so I can control the flow easily to each one. How do the Reef Octopus reactors compare to the other brands? Also, in regards to a skimmer, I researched moondoggy's skimmer recommendation and really like what I hear about that, so at this point I'm really leaning towards the Seaside Aquatics CS2. Anybody out there with a bad experience with that? There are just so many choices that it's really hard to land on one. Thanks a.browning for the link about SWC. I'll steer clear of them in the future.

12/29/2011, 06:04 PM	#12
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Mojo has experience with these skimmers, I saw them at a LFS and I have not heard any complaints with the new Sicce Syncra line of pumps. I would like to get the CS1 for a new build.

12/30/2011, 05:31 PM	#13
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Another option is a Avast Peg Leg skimmer, they have a couple of different type skimmers some you build others are already to go. Avast is a sponsor here also.