Getting started equipment.What is needed, what not?

[wachuko]

Believe me... I am not one to keep track of this... I put it away in a folder and never go back to add them... only reason I posted was because it is sooooo fresh in my mind... had the receipt in front of me, you see... had not made it to the forget-all folder, lol.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11685863#post11685863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bmrescort
Way to go wachuko thanks for saying that. I was like there is no way I have that near that much in my 125 set-up. I started adding things up. I was at like 3500.00 then I remembered all the stuff I have in the basement,lol sump, barracuda pump, heaters, geo 618, octopus skimmer, yeah I have sunk more in my fishtank than I care to admit. But then again I keep telling myself it is cheaper than racing a 125 go-kart for a season so I guess it's a wash. I would say for anything over 125 gallons with a sump and spending money for quality items (so you don't have to buy things twice) you will need at least 6-7k.

It's just crazy when you start breaking things down. Not to mention 400.00 for the vortech powerhead I have on order, WHEN DOES IT STOP!!!!!!

 

[Lemeshianos]

A couple more questions for you guys.
What do you suggest?
Having the refugium in the sump or seperately?
I guess I'll have the protein skimmer in the sump so that wont leave much space for a refugium?

And I ve seen people creating something on top of their tanks, where water drips in the tank?What is that?

 

[Lemeshianos]

Well here is a short list I made. Starting equipment except for the lighting and live rock. Might build and setup everything before actually buying live rock. Haven’t decided yet on the skimmer.

Item Price

Chiller: I went for a smaller model since I abandoned my initial plans for 200 gls.
JBJ Arctica Titanium Chiller DBE-200 1/4HP $740

Wavebox: Good choice?Are powerheads better?
Tunze Wavebox 6212 $565
Tunze Single Controller 7091 $66
Is the controller good and does it work with the wavebox I chose?

Pumps:
Eheim 1260 Pump $100
Eheim 1250 Pump $175
2 pumps, one for the refugium and one for the sump.Are these ok to go with or do I need anything else?

Skimmer: Can’t seem to pick one.About.com has the aqua medic as the top one for insump skimmers.
Current USA Fission Recirculating Skimmer 150 gal. (with pump) 24 inch x 4.75in $150
Current USA Fission Recirculating Skimmer 225 gal. (with pump) 26.75 inch x 6in $160
Aqua Medic Turboflotor T1000 Protein Skimmer with Ocean Runner 2700 pump $210

UV sterilizer: Ok for 100gls?
Current USA 25 watt Gamma Ultraviolet Sterilizer (up to 125 gal.) $120

Subtrate: Just calculater on previous post.If 200lb for 200gls then 100lb for 100gls?
CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand 20 lb $22 * 5=$110

Heater: its good for 200 gls but I can get one for 100gls much cheaper. The reason I m thinking of buying this one is in case I want to upgrade in the future.
Aqua Medic 1000W Titanium Heater Element for Biotherm Controller/Monitor $70


Prices are from Marinedepot.com

I've talked to a friend that has a pet store and he is the one that will bring me in contact with the importer. He told me a guy that build a 300-350 gallons tank had bought a system for removing CO2 from the water and adding O2.What is that and is it needed? He didn’t really know what it does since all he did was bring client and importer in contact. My guess is he was talking about the protein skimmer.

So I think all I need for now is the lighting. Would love any advice on brands and what is needed. I made some calculations on the wattage. 100 gls need about 400 watt. If I keep this on half a day, its another $50 on my electricity bill.
Any advice on the lamps needed for 100 gls?
No SPS corals.
And what is the deal with power compacts?

Next on the wishlist is a topoff and dosing system, test kits, refractometer, etc.


Thanks a lot guys.Now i m off to study a bit more!

 

[bmrescort]

If it were me I would go with a couple of metal halide 175 watt lights on electronic ballasts. THis will save you money and if you did want to try some corals you will not have to re-buy lighting.
I would also buy something like an Octopus nw200 for a skimmer. It will not kill you in price and it works great.
Instead of a 1000w heater buy 2 500w heaters

 

[Lemeshianos]

Hey guys!Well I finally decided on the equipment.Now all is left is the subtrate to choose, some testing kits and mixing salt.
Already picked a refractometer.

So for subtrate:
https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~substrates_calcium_reactor_media__index.html
Test kits:
https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~test_kits__index.html
Salt mix:
https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~salt_marine_sea_synthetic_mix__index.html

Thanks guys!

 

[HumanIMDB]

I've been partial to the Caribsea Substrates. In our nano we have the Sugar Sand and in our 92G we're going to be using the Super Reef. (http://caribsea.com/pages/products/dry_aragonite.html)

Right now I use the Kent Marine Sea Salt Mix but I'll be switching to the Tropic Marin Pro-Reef Sea Salt. Don't really have a preference either way, just that I can get the Tropic Marin Salt locally and for a pretty good price.

For test kits, I believe Salifert is still the best. They are what Randy Holmes-Farley recommends, at least I'm pretty sure they are his favourites.