Feedback on Equipment List

[AdamT]

I'm in the planning stages for my first marine tank. Reef with corals and fish. 80 gallons, overflow with dual drains.

Here's my preliminary equipment list:

Tank: 48 x 18 x 21
Lighting: MH Outer Orbit Model 1042--48” Hood with two 150w 10k dual end MH and two 130w PC Actinic (560 watts total, 4.7 amps)
Chiller (JBJ)
2 Heaters
Thermometer
30 gal. acrylic sump w/Refugium, 36 x 12 x 17
Cheap flourescent growlight for fuge
LR, LS, and macro algae for fuge
Skimmer (next to sump, on outside)
Two Power Heads
RO/DI unit for water

Salt Mix
Supplements: kalkwasser, calcium (two part type), magnesium?
Test Equip: TDS, salinity (temperature correcting refractometer), pH, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
Algae glass cleaner
Water storage barrel
Extra power head and heater for mixing barrel

I'm considering a bowfront tank, but it drives up the cost of the tank and stand combination. Are they worth it?

I'm also considering a cal reactor. Is this more trouble than it's worth for a beginner? I was going to use a two-part instead.

Thanks!

 

[drummereef]

What brand powerheads and skimmer where you thinking of getting? What are you going to keep primarily, softies/lps/sps/mixed?

 

[bertoni]

You might not need the magnesium supplement, but some Tech-M or ESV might be handy, depending on the salt mix chosen. I'd skip the nitrite test kit, and perhaps the nitrate. The nitrate might be useful for keeping stony corals. A phosphate test kit can be handy for diagnosing problems, as well. Calcium and magnesium test kits will be useful.

I personally don't like bowfronts, but that issue is personal taste.

I wouldn't bother heating the water in storage, unless the container is going to be in a cold garage.

I'd recommend starting with a 2-part. A calcium reactor takes some work to get going, and you'll have plenty of worrying to do. Once the tank is running smoothly, then a calcium reactor might be worth investigating.

 

[AdamT]

Haven't decided on brands yet. I've heard good things about Deltec. My preference is to go high end on the skimmer, and to get one with a higher capacity rating than I actually expect to need.

I haven't given much thought to power head brands. To be honest, I didn't consider it to be very critical, as long as they move the water!

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Personally I would also wait on a chiller. You can do miricles with a couple well placed fans, and with 150w mh you wont be creating a huge amount of heat. Now if you allow your house to get pretty warm, then it might be a good idea.
For your 2 part, look in the chemistry forum for the easy to make 2 part and mag suppliment, or just goto http://www.twopartsolution.com/ Its an RC sponsor, and a good source for cheap 2 part premade.
Lastely, dont forget a good refractometer, or glass hydrometer.

 

[AdamT]

I'll probably be keeping softies at first, but I want a setup that will support everything, including SPS, without having to upgrade. Adding a new component, like a cal reactor, is fine. I just don't want to have to get rid of something (like lights, skimmer) and buy it all over again.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Then gowith at least 2x250w mh, and a 120g tank. 48x24x24

 

[AdamT]

No can do. Don't have the room. Why can't an 80 gal with 2x150 MH support SPS?

 

[bertoni]

An 80g would be fine, although you'd need to pick efficient 150 W MH to light the whole tank (top to bottom). I'd go with 250 W for more bulb flexibility, but 150 W or 175 W might do the trick, or you could keep the more light-demanding animals towards the top.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

yes it can, but a 2x250w will provide much better results. 2x150 wont allow you to keep everything, and it will limit sps location to only higher places closer to the lights. If room is an issue, thats one thing, but just know, you will always want a bigger tank

 

[AdamT]

Thanks very much. This is precisely the advice I need. I'll go with 250, but I think this will probably mean that I'll want a chiller up front, particularly because the lights will be enclosed in a wooden hood, which I plan to ventilate out the back with computer fans. This is not optional, the setup MUST fit into the decor. Non negotiable.

This leads me to another question: Will it be a problem to house my chiller inside my stand in close proximity to the sump? How much ventilation will the chiller need? Obviously, I don't want the chiller fighting itself and running all the time.

One solution may be to divide the inside of the stand to create a separate enclosure for the chiller that is ventilated by a computer fan. is that what people do when everything MUST be hidden from view within the stand and hood?

 

[Scuba_Steve]

I still am not conviced that you need a chiller. Ive seen plenty of ranks that must match decor with an open top. You would be suprised at how little the light escapes through the top. And a few strategically places fans will keep the temps down. As for a chiller in stand, it willfight itself quite a bit, and need ALOT of ventilation. Imnot saying it cant and hasnt been done many times, but definately do your research and find a chiller that works well in this situation.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Also take a look at a 6 or 8x54 t-5 fixture instead. Or a solaris led fixture if you have the $$$$

 

[AdamT]

I looked at the Solaris. Holy crap :eek1: :eek1: :eek1: :eek1: $$$$$$$

 

[Scuba_Steve]

ya but they are awesome no heat, you can even link them to current weather conditions/cloud payyrtns over figi. plus you can change color temp at the push of a button

 

[bertoni]

The chiller will need a fair amount of circulation. Some people put them in the garage or the like, but some fans to vent the heat into the room might be okay.

I'm not sure that you'll need a chiller, though.

 

[AdamT]

Well, since a chiller is going to be both a logistical hassle and a lot of money, I think my plan will be to not get one initially, and to make sure that I have really good ventilation out of my hood. Since most of the stuff I have read indicates that I can keep the tank at 80 degrees, I'll assume that I won't need a chiller until proven wrong. Thanks again for all the help. :rollface: