first time build can you check my list and advise

[supscribe]

I had a couple 25 gallon reef/clown tanks many years ago and got rid of them. I'd like to return to the hobby and noticed everything has improved especially lighting. I would like to build something with great lighting, is quite as possible, good filtration, and looks like a clean setup; as in nothing hanging on the edges or exposed. Here is what I have gathered and put together in my list. Feedback would be appreciated to meet my requirements.

IM Fusion Nano 20
2x IM desktop media reactors(1x carbon, 1x gfo) in left or right chambers
1x filter sock w chemi blue
IM ghost skimmer (mixed feelings on this, some say its bad & noisy others say good, I like that it fits in the back and hidden. Suggestions?)
stock return pump (want to upgrade to something very quite and double output, suggestions?)
cobalt neo-therm 100w led heater
ecoTech MP10QD
AutoAqua Smart ATO Micro

I have been researching to figure out the lighting. I keeping going back to the AI Prime since out of the box it does alot, is full spectrum and good output, and if I need more light I could add a second unit. HOWEVER, some of the other options that also look good to me are the EcoTech XR15w Pro and XR30w, AI 26HD or 52HD and the Maxspect 20.5" Razor 420r

I dont want to go over board with the light just want whats best for this tank and not be limited with what ever I decide to get

 

[ken1977]

It's best to have two filter socks or one and a media basket (it's debatable but I wouldn't chance it, I don't like floaties in the tank). If you do it the way your saying above you may not be able to put the ghost skimmer. I would go two phosban 150's and link them together with some tube and a Sicce micra pump in the left chamber.

 

[Babydaull]

I like this set up.
1.) you will definitely want to upgrade the stock return pump to the sicce silent 1.0
2.) if you plan on doing two IM reactors, you might not have room for a skimmer.
3.) I would personably go with one reactor and run carbon/GFO mix.
4.) Or like ken said go with the phosband.
5.) either do the custom caddy baskets or two filter socks for the overflows.
6.) I have had this set up for almost 3 months now and I can first hand say the stock return pump and the media reactor can be loud at night.

 

[supscribe]

It's best to have two filter socks or one and a media basket (it's debatable but I wouldn't chance it, I don't like floaties in the tank). If you do it the way your saying above you may not be able to put the ghost skimmer. I would go two phosban 150's and link them together with some tube and a Sicce micra pump in the left chamber.

I like the idea of two filter socks or like you said one and media basket like the 3 stage inTank. Im thinking that putting the IM desktop media reactor in the overflow chamber is totally wrong. Your idea of two Phosbans 150's linked seems good and I can mount them hidden behind the tank or inside the cabinet. Which left chamber are you thinking, the larger or smaller?

I like this set up.
1.) you will definitely want to upgrade the stock return pump to the sicce silent 1.0
2.) if you plan on doing two IM reactors, you might not have room for a skimmer.
3.) I would personably go with one reactor and run carbon/GFO mix.
4.) Or like ken said go with the phosband.
5.) either do the custom caddy baskets or two filter socks for the overflows.
6.) I have had this set up for almost 3 months now and I can first hand say the stock return pump and the media reactor can be loud at night.

1.) The sicce silent 1.0 is not much more gph then the stock, 211 vs 251. isnt the idea in the upgrade to get much more gph?
2.) I was going to put a reactor in each chamber individually on either the left or right side. One in the overflow chamber and the other in the skimmer chamber. The the skimmer on the other side where it fits. Is this wrong?
3.) I dont want to mix for cleaning and efficiency reasons
4.) Looking at the phosband but this hang off the rear if im not mistaken
5.) caddy baskets like the InTank 3 stage? 2 filter socks also sounds good but would limit me to one in-tank reactor
6.) Which media reactor is noisy?

 

[j_mazzy]

I upgraded my stock pump to a Rio 8HF. couldn't be happier with that decision. tons of flow.

Rio 8HF HyperFlow Water Pump - 550 GPH

 

[supscribe]

I upgraded my stock pump to a Rio 8HF. couldn't be happier with that decision. tons of flow.

Rio 8HF HyperFlow Water Pump - 550 GPH

Thanks for that. How's the noise level?

 

[Babydaull]

I did not think about the GPH part of the upgrade. I was suggesting the sicce 1.0 because it is so quiet. The stock return pump is not loud but if it's in your room it can get some what loud at night. It is your call on the two the reactors. If you get the 3 stage custom caddy baskets for the overflows you could run a bio bag with either carbon or GFO, whatever is not in your reactor. I personally do not like particulate in my tank so I like two socks, but I am upgrading to the custom caddy baskets soon. I have the Innovative Marine Minimax desktop reactor and it just has a loud hum.

 

[supscribe]

I did not think about the GPH part of the upgrade. I was suggesting the sicce 1.0 because it is so quiet. The stock return pump is not loud but if it's in your room it can get some what loud at night. It is your call on the two the reactors. If you get the 3 stage custom caddy baskets for the overflows you could run a bio bag with either carbon or GFO, whatever is not in your reactor. I personally do not like particulate in my tank so I like two socks, but I am upgrading to the custom caddy baskets soon. I have the Innovative Marine Minimax desktop reactor and it just has a loud hum.

Now this raises another questions which is the pros and cons to a sock vs basket vs reactor. Im even more confused now. Maybe just getting one of each would be best and run with that. A sock with chemi blue, caddy basket with carbon and a reactor with gfo. Seems good..?

 

[j_mazzy]

I cant hear the pump. What I do is attach it to the spout and make sure the tube connecting it is about 1/4 inch off the bottom. that leaves the pump suspended in the water so no way to vibrate anything.

 

[Babydaull]

I cant hear the pump. What I do is attach it to the spout and make sure the tube connecting it is about 1/4 inch off the bottom. that leaves the pump suspended in the water so no way to vibrate anything.

Good idea I will definitely be trying this

 

[vangvace]

The inTank media baskets are really head and shoulders above the custom caddies. It fits more snuggly into the chamber to ensure water doesn't bypass the media. Filter floss, chemipure nano, and other (GFO, Purigen, etc) is the common setup inside of them. I recommend one per overflow for your tank. You will still have plenty of room for skimmer and media reactor as well.

The ghost skimmer can be tuned to hit that quiet sweet spot, but it is a challenge. The skimmer wants the water in the return chamber 1" below the baffle. To my knowledge the only other skimmers that will fit are airstone driven.

Have you considered a Cobalt MJ1200 or Sicce 1.5 for the return? Those are common upgrades for the returns and you could also add spinstreams to randomize the flow a bit more. Though the spinstreams do start noisy before quieting down.

I would go with a nanobox or Ecotech for lighting.

Edit: If you get the Ghost skimmer be sure to give it a good vinegar bath to greatly reduce the break in time.

 

[supscribe]

The inTank media baskets are really head and shoulders above the custom caddies. It fits more snuggly into the chamber to ensure water doesn't bypass the media. Filter floss, chemipure nano, and other (GFO, Purigen, etc) is the common setup inside of them. I recommend one per overflow for your tank. You will still have plenty of room for skimmer and media reactor as well.

The ghost skimmer can be tuned to hit that quiet sweet spot, but it is a challenge. The skimmer wants the water in the return chamber 1" below the baffle. To my knowledge the only other skimmers that will fit are airstone driven.

Have you considered a Cobalt MJ1200 or Sicce 1.5 for the return? Those are common upgrades for the returns and you could also add spinstreams to randomize the flow a bit more. Though the spinstreams do start noisy before quieting down.

I would go with a nanobox or Ecotech for lighting.

Edit: If you get the Ghost skimmer be sure to give it a good vinegar bath to greatly reduce the break in time.

Thanks for all the great info. I like the idea of one media basket and one sock, is there a pro and con to this? I'm leaning towards 2x sicce 1.0 return pumps for each return and the light a Kessil A160WE

 

[vangvace]

I think the only real thing to consider in the pro/con is how much media you want to use in the tank and throwing out filter floss vs cleaning socks.

The 2x returns sounds interesting. The Kessil would work well, but shadows might be bad in the corners depending on aquascaping. Though you will have this issue with any single light source and can be fixed by adding a second unit if need be down the road.

 

[j_mazzy]

Aquaticlife 115, needle wheel skimmer.

 

[supscribe]

For my return pump upgrade I'm on the fence with how much flow is best. Can I have too much flow? I am looking at a sicce silent 1.5(357gph) or 2.0(568gph) but I don't know what the pros and cons. Any one with knowledge can chime in. Thank you

 

[vangvace]

Well, it depends on what you plan on keeping in the tank and how random a flow in the display you are looking for. Oh and double check that the pumps will fit size wise lol

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[supscribe]

Well, it depends on what you plan on keeping in the tank and how random a flow in the display you are looking for. Oh and double check that the pumps will fit size wise lol

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Id like to have a few small fish like a clown and a yellow tang and an assortment of coral types

 

[vangvace]

The tang will quickly outgrow a nano. For the flow, I would recommend going smaller on the returns and look into a power head like a votech, jabeo, or tunze

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[supscribe]

The tang will quickly outgrow a nano. For the flow, I would recommend going smaller on the returns and look into a power head like a votech, jabeo, or tunze

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

I was already getting the mp10 power head but I keep hearing the stock return doesnt provide enough flow and an upgrade is highly recommended

 

[j_mazzy]

I am now loving the maxspect gyre 130. wow it really moves water and in the gentlest way.