Equipment advice... Whats next?

[scarface70706]

ok so far i have my 90 gallon tank (rr), fug, sump, skimmer, return, ATO, (1) mp40wes, and my old compact florescent lights from coralife (i will be going LEDs along with a canopy in the future but thats the last thing i will be doing... maybe lol). ok back on topic; the end of the month i will be buying a RO/DI unit from BFS. then in Dec. im going to buy a apex tank controller (not sure which one yet but i do need advice on which one to get).

now im wondering what should i do after these two purchases? should i look into another mp40wes? or dosing pumps? or start saving on a LED setup either AI or ecotech (depending on what company out performs each other with their newest LED setups). Also is there any other equipment i should be looking into before the LEDs? my ears are open for all suggestions. thank you for your time.

 

[scarface70706]

bump

 

[Sk8r]

Since your goal is SPS, I'd say a really good skimmer and lights: study the light question hard. It's very complex.
I run a 54 g lps reef and get by handily with just an ATO and kalk powder in my topoff reservoir. That supplements alk and cal, and leaves me just to keep the magnesium up---it doesn't deplete fast, so that's an occasional test and confidence that alk and cal won't fall while the mg is up. A kalk system (which is free of charge, if you have an ATO: kalk powder for a month costs about 2.50 to 5.00 depending on your evaporation rate) is a good intermediate stage on your way to a topnotch dosing system. It does fine for me, and I have so much growth from the lps I have to frag it because it's taken over the tank. It could easily supplement a startout sps colony; then as you get more and more corals, consider a calcium reactor.

I would suggest you start with lps rather than softies once your light is adequate, and you might want to make light a priority, because many softies are invasive in an advanced tank, and you might find some of them on rockwork you want to keep. Just a suggestion: softies are beautiful and fun, too.

 

[aandfsoccr04]

I would think about getting a reactor to run some type of media like carbon or GFO. I like to run that in my tank. You have to decide what you want your controller to control before you decide which one to buy.

 

[MelloW33]

Start saving up for the LEDs. My experience has been that tanks don't really start to take off until the 6 month mark. That gives you plenty of time to use your PC light, get acquainted with the Apex & get on a consistent schedule.

Sounds like you're off to a great start. Nothing good in this hobby comes quickly. Take your time and work on minimizing nitrates & phosphates.

 

[scarface70706]

sweet thanks for the advice guys ill keep doing more research on the equipment you suggested. thank you.

 

[moondoggy4]

Nuisance algae can really put a damper on your quest for a enjoyable experience with your tank so getting a reactor for GFO would be a good bet. Get one that has a big enough opening so getting the media in there is easy to do.

 

[krshlln300]

I personally like the brs clear canisters as a reactor. You can see how much the media is tumbling you can see when it needs changed etc. Also they are easy to change out cuz of the screw on top.

 

[scarface70706]

What about bio pellets in a reactor? would this be a good substitute for a gfo & carbon reactor? which one would be better and how would these benefit me with growing corals compared to not having these reactors? is it a necessity? ive done some research on these topics but im a little confused on how they play a big role in a reef aquarium. thank you in advance.