Equipment List

[Spartanman22]

Hey everyone,

I'm close to finalizing my upgrade equipment list and would like some opinions on my equipment selections. This will be a custom 48×24×20 acrylic tank. The tank will be SPS dominant and heavy on the fish loading. My goal is to acquire all the bells and whistles from the start. I don't want to have to upgrade or change much of anything on the system once it's up and running. So without further ado here is what I have selected so far:

Sump: Synergy SS-34 (w/modifications)

ATO: Apex controlled, Synergy 5 gallon ATO

Flow: 2× MP40s, 2×MP10s

Return Pump: RD3 Mini 50 watt DC

Skimmer: BK Double Cone 180 + RD3, vertex Vectra Self Cleaning Head

Controller: Apex Gold w/AFS, ALD, WXM

Ca/Alk: Vertex RX-6D, AP electronic CO2 regulator, masterflex feed pump

Carbon/GFO: 2 × 2.0L Vertex RX-U

Lighting: ATI 48" 3×75w LED & 8×54w Powermodule, or ATI 8×54w dimmable Sunpower, or Geisemann 8×54w Matrix Bluetooth dimmable.

I'm still very undecided on lighting and could use some suggestions there. I'm pretty set on T5 or LEDs thought. I love halide but it just runs too hot for a small apartment. And as I'm sure you'll notice all the equipment follows a red/white color scheme. I like the equipment as much as the tank itself and have a touch of OCD. So I'm after quality equipment that all matches well. I intend to have glass doors over the front so that the equipment is visible.

 

[scooter31707]

Looks good to me. Me, I am a T5 person, ATI or Geisemann will be plenty for that tank.

 

[Spartanman22]

I've been really torn ok whether I should go with the dimmable Sunpower or powermodule led hybrid. The extra $1300 seems excessive. I was considering the Sunpower and reefbrites as well

 

[Spartanman22]

Aesthetically, the powermodule would look nicer over the tank than a Sunpower with two reefbrites attached.

 

[Spartanman22]

I think I'm leaning towards an all T5 fixture. I've never run a T5 tank, but several of the nicest tanks I've seen were all T5 powered. I like the look of the giesemann matrix. Does anyone have this? I know it's Bluetooth controllable but does it interface with an apex well?

 

[FSUwxman]

That's a solid setup. I would go with a Tunze 3155 on the ATO and Hydra 52 for the lighting. But that's just personal preference.

 

[Spartanman22]

I've always run my top off through my controller and like it that way. It's worked well so far. I'd like to stay away from leds on this project. This will be a rimless open top tank and in my opinion a single fixture looks better hung over a tank as opposed to multiple fixtures. I've also never run a T5 setup before so I want to give it a go