Feeling Overwhelmed

[Ilsimen]

Ok, so here's the deal. 8 years ago I tore down my 55gal reef to move 1/2 way across the country. After a 2nd cross country move, and then a 3rd move, 5 more years in storage, the tank was still sitting unused in the crate the original movers had packed it in 8 years ago. So this summer, I gave it away since it wasn't doing me any good and I figured it would be a good long while before I'd be getting back into the hobby. That is until I was poking around on Craigslist last week and came across a deal I couldn't pass up on an unused 125gal with dual corner overflows, stand and 55gal that has been converted into a sump.

Now, 8 years ago if I had stumbled on a deal like this, I would have known everything I needed to know about how to plumb, what equipment I need, etc. because I was basically a Reef Central junkie back then! Unfortunately, I seem to have pretty much forgotten everything. Plus, after lurking around RC for the last week, I see so much has changed, not just with the methods and equipment used, but with the help available on this forum. It used to be the first page of threads would change several times a day from new posts. Now, I've been looking at basically the same threads on the first page for pretty much all week it seems. Where has everyone gone? But anyway, that's not the reason for my post here today.

I've decided that if I make 1-2 major purchases a month, I should be able to have this thing up and running by spring, maybe sooner. I figure my 3 biggest purchases will be my lights, skimmer, and ro/di. Like I said, 8 years ago I would have been able to immediately know what type/brand of each I needed, but I really have no idea now!

My biggest questions are about the lighting since I know it's probably the most important item after the tank itself. When I first got into the hobby, T5's were the next great thing, and by the time I left, a very few people were just starting to use LED's. I don't plan on having any SPS, I personally have never cared for how they look, but I'm all over the softies and LPS. Color is as important to me as growth. I really love to see the corals floresce. Also, something that can be hung above the tank since I don't have a canopy (no carpentry skills to DIY one either) and I have a drop ceiling above where the DT is going, so hanging fixture will be a cinch. I'm looking for complete fixtures because as I mentioned, my DIY skills are limited. I'm leaning towards LED's simply for the power savings, but I'm open to suggestions. I'd also like to keep my light budget around $500-600 or less.

If anyone can steer me in the right direction I would much appreciate it. Once I have my lighting figured out, I can move on to figuring out what skimmer will be best for me. Thank you for reading my rather long post.

Mike

[Ilsimen]

That's weird, it's showing someone replied, but it won't show me the new post, only my original post.

[Captainsreef]

I posted a response but I included a link to a article I wrote on my website. Not sure if that is allowed or not. In any event its on captainsaquarium dot com I the blog about corals and reef lighting. Cheers!

[Ilsimen]

Originally Posted by Captainsreef

I posted a response but I included a link to a article I wrote on my website. Not sure if that is allowed or not. In any event its on captainsaquarium dot com I the blog about corals and reef lighting. Cheers!

Good read, thank you for the response!

[Ilsimen]

Ok Captainsreef, I'm intrigued by these Kessil lights. They look awfully puny! How many of them would it take to light a 6' tank?

[Captainsreef]

They cost a little more but as I illustrated you can position them in ways that are beneficial for the corals etc. By no means does every inch of the display need o be illuminated with high output lighting. It actually creates better coral growth in my experience to have subdued areas. For a 6 foot tank I might use 6 lights positioned in key areas 2 on the left end then spacing then one near the middle followed by another near the center of the tank and 2 ore on the ends.

[spikey114]

Originally Posted by Ilsimen

Plus, after lurking around RC for the last week, I see so much has changed, not just with the methods and equipment used, but with the help available on this forum. It used to be the first page of threads would change several times a day from new posts. Now, I've been looking at basically the same threads on the first page for pretty much all week it seems. Where has everyone gone? But anyway, that's not the reason for my post here today.


Mike

Heh everyone is still here. Check the active users online at the bottom of the homepage. I think people are just using the search function nowadays and not just posting a new thread for every little thing that happens.

[Ilsimen]

Originally Posted by spikey114

Heh everyone is still here. Check the active users online at the bottom of the homepage. I think people are just using the search function nowadays and not just posting a new thread for every little thing that happens.

That's probably what it is!

[Captainsreef]

That'smeant as an example of course depending on what you are keeping and the dynamics of the tank and it's inhabitants. The thing about aquariums as there is no one size fits all solution as things can be very dependant on the animals being kept, water quality, lighting, clean up crew and a host of other factors. Cheers!

[Ilsimen]

I really like the way the tanks look with the Kessil's! I suppose I could start out with maybe 2 and add on as the tank matures.

[Captainsreef]

It's just like with anything. If you want a rolex you will pay more but it sure beats a timex watch. Besides aquariums are luxury items and there's some things we can skimp on and some that we really shouldn't. Lighting would be one of them it seems like some people don't get that this is a hobby and an expensive hobby and you get what you pay for.

[Ilsimen]

I'm curious if anyone else has any suggestions

[Sk8r]

T5's are still good. A middle of the road skimmer for lps corals. A topoff system. A pump that can handle that dual overflow and still have head left (use a valve in the line to throttle it) A heater. A few test kits. Aragonite sand (wash well!!!!!!!!!!) and enough live rock (2 lbs a gallon, roughly: if you can get really holey rock, you don't have to go the whole 2 lbs, because of the greatly increased surface)--and that's about it. There's a monster sticky up in the stickies on SETTING UP, and the plumbing makes sense. You'll need two durso kits or the like for the two downflows, you'll need hose, and you'll need a ro/di filter and refractometer. With all that, you're good to go.

[jeffdenney]

Originally Posted by Ilsimen

That's probably what it is!

This^

I searched reefcentral through google and then finally joined.. still didnt post for a while tho.. I find most everything I need in the archives.. tons of info on this forum...

[jeffdenney]

Originally Posted by jeffdenney

This^

I searched reefcentral through google and then finally joined.. still didnt post for a while tho.. I find most everything I need in the archives.. tons of info on this forum...

I quoted the wrong personn... in a hurry at work. . I meant to quote the person who was saying people search a lot now .

[reefgeezer]

LPS & Softies... No need for ultra low nutrient levels, intense lighting or high flow. LPS & Softies grow fast and take up a lot of room.

Return pump capable of minimum of 1000 gph @ 4' or 5'

Good not great skimmer rated at least 200 gallons

Mid-quality T5 or LED system

ATO system and fresh water holding vessel

RO/DI unit

Maybe a heater

Porous rock (dry and or live) enough to sparsly aquascape the tank and occupy about half your sump

Enough sand to cover the bottom of the display tank to 2-3".

A couple of controllable power heads

Really GOOD clean up crew

Good test kits, TDS meter, refractometer

[postie1686]

rapid led onyx is a pretty good light. there are many stores that sell then for $250 ive seen people have really good success with them!

[Ilsimen]

Ok, well this is frustrating! I finally got the tank inside this evening and got a good look at how much room the 55gal sump takes up inside the stand. There is practically no room at the top to reach in, run plumbing, maintain a skimmer, etc. It's just too darn big! So now it looks like I'm going to have to either find something that will fit in the stand, or plumb through the wall into our storage room and I don't think the wife will go for that! Any suggestions on a sump that will still have plenty of volume, but will fit in my stand? I've deduced that the tank is a Marineland/Perfecto 125 with dual corner overflows. The stand appears to be a standard stand that would have been sold with it.

[postie1686]

a 40 breeder should work well

[Ilsimen]

Originally Posted by postie1686

a 40 breeder should work well

Is it difficult to install the baffles? The person I bought this from said he had someone install the baffles for him. To me it just looks like panes of glass stuck on with silicon. If that's all there is to it, I can probably handle that. I'd just need to research what position each pane goes in.

[Ilsimen]

Originally Posted by postie1686

rapid led onyx is a pretty good light. there are many stores that sell then for $250 ive seen people have really good success with them!

Those look good, but their site suggests that I'd need 3 of them for my tank. You think I could get away with just 2 of them?

[skiwez]

Regarding the lights, at least from my perspective, it's all about placement and what your expectations are.

If for example once the tank is set up you plan on filling it with corals overnight from end to end with high light demanding SPS than you will probably need 3-6 lights, to ensure that every single corner is properly illuminated with enough intensity.

If on the other hand your rock scape has two islands and you slowly add first a couple of soft corals mushrooms and a few LPS that don't need blazing light to thrive than 2 lights will suffice.


Often times people give advice based on their own tanks and expectations.
If you post a bit more about what you would like to see grow and thrive in your tank it will help us give you better info.

Hope that helps.

[hart24601]

I have been very happy with my reefbreeders light. Grow everything with no problem. I run 2 value fixtures over a 65. Getting a 120 and will run 3 of them over it. I replaced 4 whites with violets recently.

[Ilsimen]

Anyone have any experience with these?

http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=19

They're programable and according to the chart, 2 of them should cover a 72" tank.

[Matthias7]

I have the reef breeders value fixtures over my 75 gallon they would certainly fit your budget and you could grow what you want. Over my 180 I run kessil's they are awesome but would at least double your lighting budget. You would most likely end up needing 3 to cover the 72 in length