Best hardware currently available in this hobby?

arsousa · 03/09/2013, 09:55 PM

As the title says, I'm looking to get opinions and thoughts on the best hardware out there. Especially for the hobbyists that have been keeping up with the latest and greatest.

Discussion on:

-All in one's 50+ (Im pretty sure Red Sea has the competition beat)
-Lighting (HQI vs LED vs T5 vs COMBOs vs Full Spectrum vs Programmable, Wattage, etc)
- Tank manufactuerers
-Protein Skimmers
- RO/DI home units for 50-100 gallon tanks (20-80 Gallon per Day )
- anything additional

This is not a discussion for what is recommended INSIDE the tank, just best for overall coral growth, happiness, color, visual effect, etc. The best in the hobby.

The background to these questions:

I currently own a JBJ 29 Nano Pro, as well as a 14 nano biocube HQI. I am looking to design a state of the art, top of the line REEF system.

I know and have seen hobbyists build their own lighting, full spectrum LED's, and the effects on the color of the corals is amazing. However, Ive heard T5 and Metal Halides produce better growth results. I've also heard they bleach.

I'd like to "build" my own tank, both visually stunning, with the best of the best in hardware. I'm an engineer, so naturally I like to customize and design. However, I know I don't want to self customization EVERYTHING from scratch (aka build the aquarium myself) as that can get even more pricey, frustrating, and time consuming - as well as possibly never getting it finished

So this discussion is for: Company's who have the state of the art products for tanks, lighting, aesthetics, and all the internal components such as: skimmers, steralizers, filtration, lighting, etc.

I like the look of a "seamless" tank. Bowfront - Shallow or deep - doesn't matter, but again, Im doing this for a Reef system.

Links to previous threads would be great if it truly is current and educational.

So with that, let's hear what you guys have to say

Benar · 03/09/2013, 10:16 PM

Ecotech. I rate them right up there!

Brando457 · 03/09/2013, 10:55 PM

If money wasn't an issue I would probably do the following build:

Tank: Elos Pool 160XL 63x31.5x23.6

Lighting: ATI T5/Led Hybrid 60" Fixture

Return: Red Dragon RD 8.2 Deluxe Water Pump.

Sump: Custom built out of acrylic featuring large refuge, skimmer, return and room for reactors to be housed in sump.

Reactors: 2 x Coralvue MF 1000 Media Advanced Reactor for carbon + gfo with 2 x Tunze Silence Pump/Powerhead 1073.008 powering them.

Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 200 Protein Skimmer with neck cleaner and skimmate locker

Controller: Neptune Apex with 2 EB8s, additional Pm1 for second PH probe and run salinity probe.

Powerhead: Ecotech Vortech MP40

Water change system: Genesis Reef Systems Renew

ATO: Tunze Osmolator

RO/DI: AIR WATER AND ICE NEPTUNE 200GPD RODI

Dosing: Bubble Magus BM-T01

Equipment would be about: $13,000 for all of it. Then add in rock + sand and salt

.

arsousa · 03/10/2013, 12:28 AM

Keep in mind Im on the 3rd floor, so I can have a 75 gallon aquarium max :P

arsousa · 03/10/2013, 12:33 AM

okay...just looked up the elos pool. Seriously? What is the beneficiary factors that make this aquarium so expensive? Lets keep the budget under $5k. Didnt even realize there was a custom build for 13k that small.

Lol!!!

gbru316 · 03/10/2013, 12:34 AM

Here's a question back at ya: What's the best car?

Answer: There is none. It's purely subjective. It's far easier for us to say what to avoid. You'll find little consensus when it comes to what is "the best."

arsousa · 03/10/2013, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbru316

Here's a question back at ya: What's the best car?

Answer: There is none. It's purely subjective. It's far easier for us to say what to avoid. You'll find little consensus when it comes to what is "the best."

See, I'm a gearhead also, and if someone came at me and said "What are some of the best cars designed in the past couple years for speed and handling -- or offroad use, then added tires, fuel injectors, rims, etc. I could give a personal dream list of the best in that hobby - both realistic and unrealistic in price. But your comment seems more antagonistic. Again, I realize its subjective. Hence, why I asked for everyone to give their opinion. You don't have dream hardware you would put together the ultimate aquarium? Back on topic.

The only post in here constructive, led me to realize they have weather simulation lighting. Visually stunning, and possibly more natural, that has me considering purchasing such a thing (or having it designed). However, again, looking for other company's that have some of the most well known state of the art equipment.

Anyone else want to try?

nemosworld · 03/10/2013, 01:51 PM

These are some of the best in the business:
Profilux
Ecotech lighting and pumps
Aquaillumination
Maxpect
Eheim pumps
I can keep going, but the honest truth is you have to choose what's best for you and your budget.
Visit members in your are with similar tank sizes to yours and see what they use.

03/09/2013, 09:55 PM	#1
arsousa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 14	Best hardware currently available in this hobby? As the title says, I'm looking to get opinions and thoughts on the best hardware out there. Especially for the hobbyists that have been keeping up with the latest and greatest. Discussion on: -All in one's 50+ (Im pretty sure Red Sea has the competition beat) -Lighting (HQI vs LED vs T5 vs COMBOs vs Full Spectrum vs Programmable, Wattage, etc) - Tank manufactuerers -Protein Skimmers - RO/DI home units for 50-100 gallon tanks (20-80 Gallon per Day ) - anything additional This is not a discussion for what is recommended INSIDE the tank, just best for overall coral growth, happiness, color, visual effect, etc. The best in the hobby. The background to these questions: I currently own a JBJ 29 Nano Pro, as well as a 14 nano biocube HQI. I am looking to design a state of the art, top of the line REEF system. I know and have seen hobbyists build their own lighting, full spectrum LED's, and the effects on the color of the corals is amazing. However, Ive heard T5 and Metal Halides produce better growth results. I've also heard they bleach. I'd like to "build" my own tank, both visually stunning, with the best of the best in hardware. I'm an engineer, so naturally I like to customize and design. However, I know I don't want to self customization EVERYTHING from scratch (aka build the aquarium myself) as that can get even more pricey, frustrating, and time consuming - as well as possibly never getting it finished So this discussion is for: Company's who have the state of the art products for tanks, lighting, aesthetics, and all the internal components such as: skimmers, steralizers, filtration, lighting, etc. I like the look of a "seamless" tank. Bowfront - Shallow or deep - doesn't matter, but again, Im doing this for a Reef system. Links to previous threads would be great if it truly is current and educational. So with that, let's hear what you guys have to say

03/10/2013, 01:51 PM	#8
nemosworld Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,411	These are some of the best in the business: Profilux Ecotech lighting and pumps Aquaillumination Maxpect Eheim pumps I can keep going, but the honest truth is you have to choose what's best for you and your budget. Visit members in your are with similar tank sizes to yours and see what they use. __________________ Felix Nice to meet you! Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon Cube

03/09/2013, 10:16 PM	#2
Benar Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 335	Ecotech. I rate them right up there!

03/09/2013, 10:55 PM	#3
Brando457 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Caldwell, NJ Posts: 1,281	If money wasn't an issue I would probably do the following build: Tank: Elos Pool 160XL 63x31.5x23.6 Lighting: ATI T5/Led Hybrid 60" Fixture Return: Red Dragon RD 8.2 Deluxe Water Pump. Sump: Custom built out of acrylic featuring large refuge, skimmer, return and room for reactors to be housed in sump. Reactors: 2 x Coralvue MF 1000 Media Advanced Reactor for carbon + gfo with 2 x Tunze Silence Pump/Powerhead 1073.008 powering them. Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 200 Protein Skimmer with neck cleaner and skimmate locker Controller: Neptune Apex with 2 EB8s, additional Pm1 for second PH probe and run salinity probe. Powerhead: Ecotech Vortech MP40 Water change system: Genesis Reef Systems Renew ATO: Tunze Osmolator RO/DI: AIR WATER AND ICE NEPTUNE 200GPD RODI Dosing: Bubble Magus BM-T01 Equipment would be about: $13,000 for all of it. Then add in rock + sand and salt .

03/10/2013, 12:28 AM	#4
arsousa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 14	Keep in mind Im on the 3rd floor, so I can have a 75 gallon aquarium max :P

03/10/2013, 12:33 AM	#5
arsousa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 14	okay...just looked up the elos pool. Seriously? What is the beneficiary factors that make this aquarium so expensive? Lets keep the budget under $5k. Didnt even realize there was a custom build for 13k that small. Lol!!!

03/10/2013, 12:34 AM	#6
gbru316 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 1,720	Here's a question back at ya: What's the best car? Answer: There is none. It's purely subjective. It's far easier for us to say what to avoid. You'll find little consensus when it comes to what is "the best."