Hello all,
I would like to start by saying ya'll have some very impressive tanks. I almost feel too intimated to post. However, I figure that I should be able to get some sound advice on here.
A little bit about me, while I am not new to the hobby it has been years since I've had a tank. Being in the military I've moved around quite a bit, I started with a 55g tank and after moving it 4 times I decided to downsize to a 12g JBJ. I had my 12g for about 2 years before I sold it. I am currently deployed and plan on starting up a new tank when I get home. Here is what I'm looking at getting. Any comments or advice is greatly appreciated. Like I said I'm still very new to the hobby.
25 gallon reef capable Marineland Cube w/ overflow
Red Oak Monterey Stand
C3 Sump Filtration System
250w Visi-Therm Heater
Maxi-Jet 3000
Two Hydor Koralia Evolution Pumps
Two 18" Marineland reef capable LED lighting systems
Portable Refractometer
65g Coralife Needle wheel skimmer
Reef Master Liquid Test kit
Salt/LR/sand
I already have a Coralife Pure-Flo II unit; I just need to buy some new filters. What are some of the opinions on the LED lighting systems? I still have a 150w MH pendant and (2) 14k and (2) 10k bulbs. Would I be better off using my pendant or buying the LED's, or am I better off with some T-5's. I understand the importance of the lighting. However, my initial budget is going to allow me to spend somewhere around $300 on the lighting.
Is there anything else that I should get to start out with? I already have a bunch of niceties on my wish list. I just want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything.
Also what are some good websites for equipment? I've been doing a lot of online searching; unfortunately, when I get home the closest fish store is about an hour and a half away. So most likely I'll be doing a lot of online purchases.
I would like to start by saying ya'll have some very impressive tanks. I almost feel too intimated to post. However, I figure that I should be able to get some sound advice on here.
A little bit about me, while I am not new to the hobby it has been years since I've had a tank. Being in the military I've moved around quite a bit, I started with a 55g tank and after moving it 4 times I decided to downsize to a 12g JBJ. I had my 12g for about 2 years before I sold it. I am currently deployed and plan on starting up a new tank when I get home. Here is what I'm looking at getting. Any comments or advice is greatly appreciated. Like I said I'm still very new to the hobby.
25 gallon reef capable Marineland Cube w/ overflow
Red Oak Monterey Stand
C3 Sump Filtration System
250w Visi-Therm Heater
Maxi-Jet 3000
Two Hydor Koralia Evolution Pumps
Two 18" Marineland reef capable LED lighting systems
Portable Refractometer
65g Coralife Needle wheel skimmer
Reef Master Liquid Test kit
Salt/LR/sand
I already have a Coralife Pure-Flo II unit; I just need to buy some new filters. What are some of the opinions on the LED lighting systems? I still have a 150w MH pendant and (2) 14k and (2) 10k bulbs. Would I be better off using my pendant or buying the LED's, or am I better off with some T-5's. I understand the importance of the lighting. However, my initial budget is going to allow me to spend somewhere around $300 on the lighting.
Is there anything else that I should get to start out with? I already have a bunch of niceties on my wish list. I just want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything.
Also what are some good websites for equipment? I've been doing a lot of online searching; unfortunately, when I get home the closest fish store is about an hour and a half away. So most likely I'll be doing a lot of online purchases.
