Hey all,
I'm setting up a 40B Frag Tank to grow out (mostly) SPS. My plan as of right now is the following:
Tank: AGA 40B
Lighting: Either 2x or 3x RapidLED Par38s or Kessil A150W + 1x Par38.
Flow: Vortech MP10 or if I cheap out... 2x Koralia.
I'm going thin sand bed, ~ 1/2" in order to reflect light. No bioload other than one small tang to eat algae. No live rock, no bio filter other than some sand. I'm planning on running a skimmer and possibly a small amount of carbon and/or GFO.
The biggest struggle I'm having is deciding what skimmer to go with. I'm willing to spend up to $200, but would prefer less. I'm not going to run a sump, so it either needs to be a HOB or small in-tank.
Quite a few people have recommended the CPR Bak Pak ($140) because it's easy, simple, cheap, and ubiquitous. I'm not opposed to that, or the Aero Force 2, and the fact that they're semi-local and American is important to me. Aero Force 2 is easier to clean and perhaps a little more advanced, also has a place for me to toss a carbon/GFO bag.
But, I've also heard that the Aquamaxx HOB-1 ($199) is amazing: easy to clean super effective, reliable, etc.
And... I've also heard that the original Reef Octopus BH100 is great for the price ($140), they also make versions with built in ATO ($185) and a newer, more advanced version with surface skim, the BH90 ($199) that looks awesome too.
And I'm also sure that you all will have other suggestions too (Remora S, Eshopps, etc. etc.). So... what would you hang on your frag tank for under $200, and why?
Thanks for all the help in advance.
I'm setting up a 40B Frag Tank to grow out (mostly) SPS. My plan as of right now is the following:
Tank: AGA 40B
Lighting: Either 2x or 3x RapidLED Par38s or Kessil A150W + 1x Par38.
Flow: Vortech MP10 or if I cheap out... 2x Koralia.
I'm going thin sand bed, ~ 1/2" in order to reflect light. No bioload other than one small tang to eat algae. No live rock, no bio filter other than some sand. I'm planning on running a skimmer and possibly a small amount of carbon and/or GFO.
The biggest struggle I'm having is deciding what skimmer to go with. I'm willing to spend up to $200, but would prefer less. I'm not going to run a sump, so it either needs to be a HOB or small in-tank.
Quite a few people have recommended the CPR Bak Pak ($140) because it's easy, simple, cheap, and ubiquitous. I'm not opposed to that, or the Aero Force 2, and the fact that they're semi-local and American is important to me. Aero Force 2 is easier to clean and perhaps a little more advanced, also has a place for me to toss a carbon/GFO bag.
But, I've also heard that the Aquamaxx HOB-1 ($199) is amazing: easy to clean super effective, reliable, etc.
And... I've also heard that the original Reef Octopus BH100 is great for the price ($140), they also make versions with built in ATO ($185) and a newer, more advanced version with surface skim, the BH90 ($199) that looks awesome too.
And I'm also sure that you all will have other suggestions too (Remora S, Eshopps, etc. etc.). So... what would you hang on your frag tank for under $200, and why?
Thanks for all the help in advance.