Equipment Check Please

[eolthof]

Hi RC,

I had a 90 gal reef tank previously (had for about 6 years until a mjor crash about 4 years ago, decided to take a break). I think it's time to get back into the hobby, and am looking at setting up a new 120 gal w/ sump or refugium. I'm intending to keep a mixture of SPS and soft corals, a few fish (i'm thinking a few schooling bannerfish H. diphreutes, an anemone and a few clowns for my wife), a few inverts (maybe an arrow crab, etc).

I got a quote for a complete system from a shop, but after doing some looking on the internet I think I can get better equipment and a better price elsewhere.

Can you guys have a look at the equipment list below and see if there are any concerns with it, if there are any missing items, etc. I'm also looking for some advice interms of a refugium. My last tank didn't have a sump. I'm also excited about the advances in lighting since I left the hobby!

Here's the list:
Aquarium
120 gal with 2 overflows, rated 600 gph each

Sump / Refugium
The shop quoted a 33 gal "Bio Sump", can't find it online but took a look in the shop, no fuge, basically a inflow / filter section, 3 baffles and a skimmer / return pump section.

I like the looks of this as well - CPR Aquafuge http://www.aquacave.com/aqua-fuge-mp-refugiumbrlarge-by-cpr-aquatics-1413.html

Lighting
Option 1 - Coralvue 6.54w T5 + 10 1w LED http://http://www.aquacave.com/coralvue-6-bulb-t5led-brfixture-48--10-high-brpower-1-watt-leds-brhanging-kit--legs-3030.html

Option 2 - TEK 8x54w T5 http://www.aquacave.com/tek-light-elite-48br-8-x-54w-t5-high-output-brair-cooled-light-fixture-brby-sunlight-supply-2761.html

Protein Skimmer
Reef Octopus SR1000 - http://www.aquacave.com/super-reef-octopusbr-xp-1000sss-cone--brprotein-skimmer-3059.html

Return Pump
Hydro Blaster HY5000 - http://www.aquacave.com/water-blaster-hy-5000-brcirculating-water-pump-3063.html (1300 gph, 11 feet max head)

Heater
Fluval 300x electronic - http://www.aquacave.com/hagen-fluval-e-300-watt-br-electronic-aquarium-heater-2719.html
Would 2 x 200w heaters be a better option?

Wavemaker
Hydor Koralia 2-way basic - http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp57003/si3349573/cl0/hydorkoraliawavemaker2waybasic

Powerheads
Hydor Koralia 2 Controllable Pump 260 - 680 gph - http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp57003/si3349570/cl0/hydorkoralia2controllablepump260680gph

It's a bit of a long list, but thanks in advance for your input. Also, any advice on the refugium is appreciated.

 

[theatrus]

Sumps: The CPR will work. A 120gal has a lot of room underneath, and with some simple DIY work you could retrofit another bigger tank (one < 48" long so it fits under the stand) or even build a bigger sump from acrylic for a bit less than that.

Light: The Coralvue doesn't have any active cooling for the bulbs, which in all honesty is a must for T5HO.

Protein Skimmer: The Reef Octopus series is great, but don't be afraid to put a much larger skimmer on your system. Unless your stand is very short or the sump is tiny, you shouldn't need a space saver model.

Return Pump: No experience with that pump. I've run a Pan World 100PX-X for over 3 years now with absolutely no issues (I don't even take it apart...). Not the quietest (they do have an air cooling fan which is somewhat noisy).

Heater: I would suggest two smaller heaters. Gives you more redundancy.

Powerheads: No experience with Koralia. I'm still running the big controllable Tunze Streams, though I hear the new streams (based off of the second iteration of the nano streams) is great.

 

[eolthof]

Good point on the lack of cooling in the light fixture, I hadnt though to look into that.

Are there any other good T5 / LED combo fixtures out there?

 

[julie180]

I have the tek light and it does not have any cooling. It works great for me hanging from the ceiling over an open tank. The only thing that I don't care for on it is how they wired the bulbs. I re-wired mine to run every other bulb instead of in pairs.

 

[aleonn]

I got a Tek Light, a couple of fans, and an Icecap LED retrofit to add to my canopy.

 

[theatrus]

Good point on the lack of cooling in the light fixture, I hadnt though to look into that.

Are there any other good T5 / LED combo fixtures out there?

I assume you're not running a canopy? If so, go retrofit, saves $$$ and is endlessly adaptable.

ATI is regarded as amongst the best for standalone fixtures, though is one of the most expensive. However, their bulbs are normally priced and fantastic (especially the Blue Plus). The SunPower modules are good - the price/performance difference for the PowerModules isn't really there.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

T5 info:

http://home.comcast.net/~stevelarsen00/site/?/home/

 

[eolthof]

Thats a really good article, thanks.

 

[eolthof]

If you look at IceCaps T5 / LED light fixture, the specifically state that cooling isn't required, yet from the article the author stated that Icecap T5's are overdriven and absolutely require cooling. I'm having a tough time deciphering what is required.

http://www.aquacave.com/icecap-reef-illuminationsbr6-x-t5--led-combo-braquarium-lght-fixture-3088.html

 

[theatrus]

Pretty much all T5HO, over driven or not, benefit enormously from being actively cooled.