285g build help

[herrerrera]

Hello everyone I currently have two tanks.30g. and 120g. I purchased a marineland 285g a little over a year ago. It is still untouched as I have finally saved up some money to go ahead and get the wheels moving on it.

I've been out of the game for quite some time as far as the new innovations and what's the best products etc.

what are some absolute necessities that I need to make sure to get top of the line equipment? Such as make and model of LED lights, skimmer, sump,power head, RO unit etc.
And where can I save money? whether it's equipment labeled above or time consuming things like seeding mostly dry rock with live rock or other DIY fabrication etc.

Here is the list of items that I'm leaning towards. Please tell me your opinions on my selections. Thanks you all!!
Salt- Instant Ocean
Sump- Sapphire 39" trigger system $500
Skimmer- Reef Octopus SRO-3000 $530
Led lights-??help
RO/DI filtration?? help

Keep in mind this will be fish only tank most wrasse and a bamboo shark (until he outgrows it)


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[moondoggy4]

Welcome to Reef Central.
I would get a real good stand for that tank.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

With a FO tank really almost any light is sufficient.
Salt is fine, sump can be built from a regular tank if you are a little handy.
Skimmer you should not skimp on IMHO.
LED - a black box like Viparspectra should be Ok.
RO - almost all units are compatible except the new twist ones.
The big difference lies in the cartridges, you can't go wrong with Spectrapure brand or a BRS model. Check if your water contains Chloramines or if you are on a well you have to degas the water or you burn through DI resin.

 

[herrerrera]

Thanks for the reply! Is the skimmer I mentioned good enough? I definitely agree that's where I will spend whatever I need to for the best.

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[Vinny Kreyling]

No experience with them but they seem to get good reviews.