90 Gallon reef aquarium set up help

[Gomes]

Yes I am having corals - Is quarantine tank needed I don't know where I would place it?
1 Reef Octopus 150
2 MP40's or Jebao wp-25's [Are jebao apex compatible?]
2 XR30's or Reefbreeder 48"
1 EHEIM 1262 Pump
1 Apex [Do I want the Apex - Apex lite - Apex Jr]?
2 Ground Probes
2 150 watt EHEIM heaters
GFO Carbon reactor - Which one to buy?
Auto Top Off - Which one to buy?
RO / DI Filter? Which one to buy?
Overflow box that is good but requires minimal holes?
UV Stablizer - If I am going to add one which one to buy?
I know I require kits and sand rock etc but I need to figure out my final build first.

 

[Gomes]

I plan on using a 20 gallon long tank for my sump will this be sufficient room I read it would be and I am limited for space under my main tank as I do plan on setting up a stand / canopy type build in the living room.

 

[CuzzA]

90 Gallon reef aquarium set up help

Yes I am having corals - Is quarantine tank needed I don't know where I would place it?
1 Reef Octopus 150
2 MP40's or Jebao wp-25's [Are jebao apex compatible?]
2 XR30's or Reefbreeder 48"
1 EHEIM 1262 Pump
1 Apex [Do I want the Apex - Apex lite - Apex Jr]?
2 Ground Probes
2 150 watt EHEIM heaters
GFO Carbon reactor - Which one to buy?
Auto Top Off - Which one to buy?
RO / DI Filter? Which one to buy?
Overflow box that is good but requires minimal holes?
UV Stablizer - If I am going to add one which one to buy?
I know I require kits and sand rock etc but I need to figure out my final build first.

Jebaos are Apex compatible.

Full Apex

I own the BRS Dual Reactor. One pump = less heat

I have a simple gravity fed ATO. I use a float valve in sump to control the level, a float switch and solenoid as a fail safe. I use Apex programming to close the solenoid in the event the float switch is activated in the sump or my ph or salinity drops below a certain level indicating too much fresh water.

A 4 stage RO/DI that comes with an auto shut off, TDS meter and pressure gauge. Check out BRS. My LFS makes them. High quality. I don't know if they will ship. PM me if you're interested and I'll put you in contact with them.

Google "Ghost Overflow". There are plenty of manufacturers that can fabricate this for you or simply purchase one already made. Again, search BeanAnimal.

UV Sterilizer. Emperor Aquatics. Hands down. Lab tested and proven. There's no debate as to if they work or not. It all boils down to the quality of the unit and the correct flow rate.

 

[CuzzA]

I plan on using a 20 gallon long tank for my sump will this be sufficient room I read it would be and I am limited for space under my main tank as I do plan on setting up a stand / canopy type build in the living room.

30 or 40 breeder if you can fit it. But the 20 should be fine. Remember every system is different and will change as your system grows. Calcium and Alkalinity supplementing is easy with small hard corals. Limewater in your ATO can solve this, but as your corals grow, so does the demand. Usually the next step is dosing then maybe even a Calcium Reactor. Also you "may" need a chiller. You may start carbon dosing through a pellet reactor. All of this stuff has to go somewhere.

 

[Gomes]

Thank you very informative. If anyone else has things to add or maybe I am missing something please inform me. Also I already own the stand and canopy and can get either an aqueon tank or marineland tank for my 90 gallon at the same price or pay a little extra and get a hagen tank. I read that aqueon and marineland is just about personal preference build quality is the same however is there a specific brand I should look to choose for the reef?
Also with this list of parts is there specific websites / sales I should look to shop on it would be amazing to save a good % on a piece of equipment.

 

[Gomes]

I didn't think I would need a chiller as I live in Vancouver B.C and the weather is pretty mild and stable here along with the fact that my house has central air and stays between 70-76 year round. Am I mistaken or should I feel pretty safe with skipping the chiller unless I find out I need it for some reason later.

 

[explorer07]

Wow dude. I don't think you should be preaching (buy maxed out equipment it's better). There are plenty of reafers who dont spend crazy amounts of cash and still have very nice tanks. Even the best stuff can't help you with diatoms, cyano, disease or other things. The best upgrade by far is yourself read up learn and be prepared. This hobby is far from expensive.

 

[Gomes]

explorer07? Do you feel the list of parts I have put together is inaccurate what would you personally change on my list? I felt some pieces were rather high tech and expensive like the MP40's but I can understand how paying for the LED lighting is really worth it. I mean if I decide to go with the jebao's and the 48" phantom LED I don't feel anything else on my list is out of line for price for what you are getting in quality? Please leave feedback I love multiple views / input joining this forum has been so helpful.

 

[CuzzA]

Wow dude. I don't think you should be preaching (buy maxed out equipment it's better). There are plenty of reafers who dont spend crazy amounts of cash and still have very nice tanks.

Not sure who this is directed at. But if it's to me I completely disagree with your assessment. I never stated to "buy maxed out equipment". Simply listing a few options from my experience. And listing some equipment he "may" need to think about in the future so he can research.

I wish people would have helped me out more on my first build thread. I would have saved a lot of money not buying junk equipment that quickly got replaced.

Not sure how that post is all that constructive.

I think the OP is on his way to having a successful tank.

 

[explorer07]

You could do 2 jeabo wp15's in a 90 or 1 wp40. You could also try there newer rw line, but im not familiar. Make sure you get a skimmer that's rated for more than your tanks water volume. You can go cheap but I would stay at or above 200 with the skimmer. I went cheap cheap and it was junk. I bought a bubble magus and I love it. Brs dual reactors are a great option but not needed to start if money is tight. Same goes with a controller. You can get rodi from your lfs, if its close thats a plus. Led lights are a big debate chinese, high end, there is a huge blurred line. Alot of people on a budget go with something like reefbreeder or similar. Dosing pumps are not needed for a while. I just dose kalk in my ato, which is also mechanical and cost me 15 bucks with no problems yet. You can get yourself started cheaper and build from there, atleast it gives you options. Because face it our hobby is like buying a brandnew car. Once it leaves the lot your already in the hole.

 

[explorer07]

Not sure who this is directed at. But if it's to me I completely disagree with your assessment. I never stated to "buy maxed out equipment". Simply listing a few options from my experience. And listing some equipment he "may" need to think about in the future so he can research.

I wish people would have helped me out more on my first build thread. I would have saved a lot of money not buying junk equipment that quickly got replaced.

Not sure how that post is all that constructive.

I think the OP is on his way to having a successful tank.

Not you. Sorry for not specifying

 

[Gomes]

Thanks for the input I am honestly leaning towards the reefbreeder 48" for $500 the LED light system seems like good value. I believe the MP40s may have to wait as it is close to $1000 for 2 of them which is a large commitment early. As far as the skimmer goes I have seen nothing but high quality reviews and praise for the reef octopus 150 INT and it is rated for 190-200 gallons per hour which seems more then sufficient for a 90 + 20 tank & sump. I am really liking the APEX controller for $500 especially since I built my computer myself and am somewhat tech savvy. Not to mention I do vacation and I feel like something that informative for $500 is a smart investment considering a tank is $3k by what I am adding up now. I really want to cut down on the daily / weekly maintenance and fully programmable lights and auto tops off etc all seem like nice ways to simplify my jump into reef tanks.

 

[CuzzA]

Not you. Sorry for not specifying

No problem. I wasn't sure.

 

[explorer07]

You actually gave out really good advice.

 

[CuzzA]

You actually gave out really good advice.

Thank you.

 

[CuzzA]

Gomes,

This is what my cheap Chinese Photon 48 and 2 cheap Chinese Jebao WP25's did in less than 5 months. (July 21-Dec 8) Of course I keep up on my husbandry. Undetectable Phosphates and Low Nitrate. These corals grow faster than others, but you get my point.

 

[Gomes]

Question - I have a canopy for my tank and if I get the 48" photon LED I see that is has a black bar in the middle of the light splitting the LED's into 2 sections. Can anyone tell me how wide that bar is? Also how high would I hang my lights from my tank would I hang them above my canopy or do I have to some how rig it so they sit inside the canopy? My canopy is oak wood with a 22" long opening then a 2.5" wood bar brace then another 22" long opening. The openings are 17.5 inches deep so imagine an open top with 2 big squares similar to the top of an aquarium tank if that makes sense. The canopy is 8" high. Would I maybe need to look at 2 24" bars or am I over thinking this?

 

[Gomes]

Those are amazing results CuzzA I really do think for $500 the photon 48" is a good deal honestly every part to me seems very in line for price I am just torn on the powerheads :/

 

[explorer07]

That looks awesome. My jeabo is a beast and my aquamana lights are on the way. Can't wait.

 

[CuzzA]

Thank you.

Gomes you are overthinking it. The whole bottom of your canopy is open right? I'm sure you can get it in there. Even if you had to modify something. They come with a hanging kit but you could easily DIY something and hard mount them to the canopy.