Help and advice on equipment

FTDelta

FTDelta

New member
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask but here goes. I'd like to hear any advice/opinions on my list I need to get to start up a future saltwater tank.

The tank will be a 46 gallon bowfront with stand.

Sump:

ProFlex Sump - Model 1
Dimensions - 19-7/8"L x 9-7/8"W x 17.25"œH,
Max Flow: 550 gph

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+23752&pcatid=23752 )


Skimmer (for product above):

Eshopps In-Sump Protein Skimmer - PSK-75

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+20033&pcatid=20033 )


Powerhead(s) Do I need to get 2?:

Hydor Koralia Evolution Pumps - Evolution 750 (750 gph)

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4586+23592&pcatid=23592 )


Water Pump (for in-sump skimmer above):

Supreme Classic Mag Drive Pump, Model 700
(Max 700 ghp)

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+4590&pcatid=4590 )


Lighting:

I'm leaning towards one of the two choices. I am planning on having beginner corals.

Marineland Pro Lighting 24-Hour Lighting System
36"

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+20394&pcatid=20394&r=518 )

I do like this one due to multiple uses for different coral lighting and possible anemone requirement

Or this one...

Marineland Reef Capable LED Lighting System w/Timer
24" - 36"

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+24725&pcatid=24725&r=518 )

Or this one with stand mount (sold separately):

ecoxotix Panorama Pro LED Light Fixture
24"x 15" Fixture, Model 6040

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+24334&pcatid=24334&r=951 )

RO/DI Unit:

Reverse Osmosis/De-Ionization Unit
AquaFX Barracuda RO/DI Unit
50 GPD 4-stage unit

( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24110 )

Is there some type of compressor I need to buy for this? Advise.

I know I'm going to need about 2 30lbs bags of AragMax sand for the 46G bowfront. My next question is how much live rock will I need to for the tank? Will approximately 50 pounds of rock sounds about right? :o

Any suggestions / opinions will be appreciated.
 
I plan on buying new and have some cash saved up so I can get the pieces a little at a time. Not to mention, I will be shopping around to get the best prices and sales.
 
I bought a Hydor 750 and the 1050 I like the 1050 better I put it on a wavecontroller and it works great the 750 runs backwards.
 
That amount of rock sounds about right, make sure to pick out pieces that you can play with to make the aquascaping you want. You may find that you need more or less depending on the type (density) of rock you get. You can also do mostly base rock, and just add a few pieces of actual live rock to it (you can go from 10%-100% of live rock, depending on your preferences / wallet - more %LR = shorter cycling time). Ordering the LR online also gets you a better deal most places, esp. if you're buying a bunch of it. Remember to leave room for corals to grow in :)

Powerheads - depending on the strength / position of your return, you could either have 1 koralia or 2, up to you (also depending on what type of corals and how much rock you have to move flow around).

I'll let someone more experienced weigh in on the rest of it.
 
Few things from my experience:
Pumps- Ehiem makes the best out of all the pumps I've had, runs silent and strong ( I have gotten rid of all my others and replaced with various models of these)
Skimmer- grab a Reef octopus or a bubble Magnus ( get one rated for double your water volume)
Powerheads- a Set of 2 MP10WES would do it for your tank.The control setting are great
RODI- you looking at the same one I have and love it (I recommend adding a TDS meter) and no compressor it needs 40 PSI to work and most water systems provide this, I have mine attached with a saddle valve to my water heater input (but any old pipe will do)
Sump- if your Handy you can make your own baffles in a standard tank for a fraction of the cost
As far as Lighting it all depends what you plan to do with the tank, what kind of coral etc

Check out bulk reef supply too, look at the carbon GFO reactors you'll want one of those
 
Petco is having the 1 per gallon tank sale you could build your own sump and save big, take your savings and buy the big unexpected purchase like a controller or 2 MP 10's or just buy one and get the other one later. Just the sump and AI led light you have saved almost 400 bucks. Save where so you can buy quality.
 
That sale might be over (at least it is in VA) I some new tanks on the last day of it for a sump redesign
 
I bought a 40 breeder last Sunday on the last day and I went to Petco a week later and they're having the sale again. So I guess it is by region.
 
Ad said it ended 22nd......grabbed three tanks......great sale. If its still going in some areas, jump all over that!
 
The nearest Petco from me is in Syracuse (1 hour west of me) and I don't head out there often. I wish they would put one in Utica though.

Question on the AI Sol LED lighting - does it come with mounts to set on the tank?
 
Came across this for lighting:

Maxspect Razor 120w LED system
From what I'm gathering it can be set 3 ways - Manual mode. Preset mode, and Automatic mode. I'm liking the preset mode that you can predefined photo-period profiles for daytime and nighttime.

http://www.hellolights.com/maxspect-razor-120w-led-lighting-system.aspx

A question regarding the MP10WES powerhead/pumps...

Would 1 be enough for a 46g tank? The video clip of the powerheads sure pull in some pretty strong currents and am afraid it's a little too much flow particularly in a 46 BF tank. Not to mention they are on the pricey side for 1 unit.
 
I think the Razor led light would be a good choice for you. I believe that the AI are modular so you will have to buy the hanging kit they are not very expensive kinda of cheap in price actually.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

9
Advice on Tank and equipment
Replies
5
Views
2K
92reefer
9
C
Eshopps adv series sump any good? vs their non-advance sump
Replies
9
Views
2K
Arcar
A
J
Setting up a Reef tank.
Replies
4
Views
825
JUNBUG361
J
A
What to put in my refug
2
Replies
23
Views
2K
DreadCapn
D
Frost_Hydra
Sufficient lighting for BTW (and soft corals)
Replies
1
Views
758
Frost_Hydra
Frost_Hydra
Back
Top