Constructive criticism and advice needed - 90 gal

[DaveRaz]

Reef Central has been invaluable thus far but before I proceed I need some guidance. I have read posts, books, watched videos, etc for 2 months and I am at cross roads.

I am going to breakdown my set-up below . Don't hold any punches, I can take it. My goal is a successful reef tank and I'm in this for the long haul. It's been a bucket list dream of mine since a kid. I refuse to put any live stock in this tank until I know they are being put in the best possible position to not only survive but to thrive.

Please let me know what coral I should put in the DT, based on my set-up, what has the best chance to thrive given proper husbandry. I am pretty anal and ocd, this occupies my time and it's fun to think about the destination. I don't really want a mixed tank, just not quite sure which direction to go at this point.

Again, there is nothing in the tank. It has been up and running and cycled for a month. Your input is greatly appreciated.

90 gal DT
100 lbs of Florida Reef Rock
60 lbs Arag Alive Reef Sand
950 gph return (600g gph with head pressure)
(3) Sicce Voyager Power Heads 1200 gph each
(2) Maxspect Razor R420R 120w 16k
ATO


30 gal berlin sump
Vertex Omega 150 Protein Skimmer first chamber
Black sponge between baffle one and two where the water falls from chamber one from overflow and skimmer
20 lbs crushed (large pieces) Florida reef rock in second chamber
2 lbs live rock in second chamber
1 lbs of matrix in a filter sock in second chamber
1000 gph pump aimed at matrix in second chamber
ball of cheato under a light
(return pump is external)

QT
30 gal

So, if you had this set up yourself, what direction would you take it from here? Do you see anything I am lacking or missed. I have a handle on the water parameters and testing, etc. I am not looking for when it's ok to put livestock in the tank, just what corals are best suited for this set up. Fish are secondary and I will probably not have more that 3 or 4 fish.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Personally, I would remove the sponge and the bio media. They turn into nitrate traps and generally serve no good purpose. Your live rock will provide plenty of filtration.

You have what sounds like a decent setup going so far. Make sure you wait your cycle out, and get a good set of tests for CA/KH/MG. When you begin to add corals, these will be your bread and butter.

Your lights are lacking to grow a huge SPS garden. With that being said, you can surely support just about anything. Even SPS and clams will be fine if placed up higher in the aquarium. So start window shopping, and decide what types of corals you really want. It is best to avoid mixing a ton of softies with LPS/SPS. Zoanthids and ricordia do not apply to this in my opinion. Feel free to mix them in where you desire.

Again, make sure your CA/KH is in order before you start adding any types of stony corals.

 

[cyanobacteria]

..im not that experienced (just above 4 yrs) but i have a same sized dt as you... remove some LR in the sump..it might trap some serious detritus unless u blow it off daily.. as for the sachem matrix... its pretty good if kept free of detritus. i keep it free in the sump in a tray and have a small eheim pouring h20 all over the media... its so clean i take a bath in the sump once in a while.. i only started having a nitrate problem recently after going on a holiday and the tank sitter.. well.you know what they say about tank sitters... remove the sponge though...its a cesspit. for the refugium i suggest u consider what you want it to do for you...if for pods its fine but for nutrient export well.. remote is best as it adds more volume(dilution>pollution) and it go gives you an excuse to have another tank..+1 on the razors.. they have purple issues lol..

 

[formsix]

What corals do you like? What do you always stop to check out at the LFS, and what caught your eye before you even started setting up the tank??

Pick a few of your favorites, and work from there. Personally, I've avoided softies and started with LPS. I always thought that hammers were awesome, and also like acans quite a bit, so that's the direction I've been going in. Many LPS corals are a little more forgiving w/ regards to water quality than SPS, but don't preclude adding SPS in the future. But, really, you've put all this time and effort into setting up your tank -- what do you want to see when you look in there?

 

[DaveRaz]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a few small tweaks and then to slowly stock. Glad to hear I I have a set-up that can support most of what i ultimately decide to choose.