help me out

[LowDime]

I am getting ready to take the plunge to a big system and want to be as safe and trouble free as possible. I have had multiple systems before and have a 65 currently but going to go to a 120. So i am looking for some advise on decent equipment that will work and help me make my reef better. I have never had reactors or any of that jazz stuff.

Thanks

 

[gone fishin]

I can comment on what I use. I have been happy with gyre powerheads, the BRS reactors and the BRS dosing kit. I also prefer the tunze ATO. I have used a Ranco temp controller for many years. I am sure many folks will recommend a controller such as an Apex, but I have not used one and cannot comment on them. Good luck.

 

[Optionman]

i set up a 175 reef 10 months ago after being out of the hobby for 20 years. i waited 5 months before i added a dual chamber CA reactor, but in retrospect i should have added it sooner. i also switched out the protein skimmer that came with the set-up for a better one.

i would recommend an apex fusion controller too, along with ph/temp/orp/salinty probes and leak detector probes.

good luck

 

[anthonys51]

Good advice above. There are many quality brands out there brs normally sells good stuff. I just don't like there dual Gfo carbon reactor I rather buy the separately but that's personal choice And 65 to 120 isn't much different Good luck


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[scooter31707]

i set up a 175 reef 10 months ago after being out of the hobby for 20 years. i waited 5 months before i added a dual chamber CA reactor, but in retrospect i should have added it sooner. i also switched out the protein skimmer that came with the set-up for a better one.

i would recommend an apex fusion controller too, along with ph/temp/orp/salinty probes and leak detector probes.

good luck

Good advice, but I don't necessary think you have to get an Apex. I don't have one and I feel more like I am involved with the tank. I feel if you have one it will allow you to get lazy. I manually dose, I check my own water parameters. The Apex is very nice equipment, but if your budget don't allow it, it will not hurt you.

 

[LowDime]

its going from a 36inch to a 4x2x2 set up

 

[anthonys51]

Good advice, but I don't necessary think you have to get an Apex. I don't have one and I feel more like I am involved with the tank. I feel if you have one it will allow you to get lazy. I manually dose, I check my own water parameters. The Apex is very nice equipment, but if your budget don't allow it, it will not hurt you.

I agree about apex. I am with scooter I enjoy interacting and manually testing my tank. The 30 to 45 mins minimum I spend on my tanks is my alone time. Plus I am not one for gadgets But if you like gadgets and the extra protect the apex is the very best but they also need upkeep and it will be an added cost Those lab grade proves aren't cheap. But what is in the hobby lol


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[crawlerman]

A DC return pump is a nice addition. quiet, consumes less energy and adds less heat. I just added 2 MP40's and love the control and flow they produce. 2 heaters on a controller is good for lessening the chances of a malfunction crashing your system. mesh top to prevent jumpers.

 

[BlackTip]

My MUST have for large tanks:

Controller (Neptune)
Calcium reactor (A multi-head doser will do, but CaRx reduces maintenance)
GFO reactor (All new tanks suffer from high phosphate. You will need one sooner or later)
2 heaters with own controllers (Redundancy is your friend)
Auto-Top-off controller
Extra pumps on hand
A power generator
Battery powered air pump
A Jar of activated carbon on hand at all times
Water station (fresh and salt water should be at hand at all times)
Python siphon hose
Testing kits (don't go cheap)
Quarantine tanks (should be set up at the same time as DT)
Load of terry towels

This stuff will make maintenance easier and have you ready for emergency.

 

[LowDime]

I was thinking about putting the sump and return stuff in the basement below the tank itself to keep it clean and easy.

 

[anthonys51]

I did and I love it

Also added 2 frag tanks lol mine as well


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[LowDime]

i would have to have a pump capable of going probably 15-20 ft up

 

[thegrun]

For what it is worth here is a list of the equipment in my 120:
· 120 gallon SC Glass Aquarium 48 x 24"x 24".
o Starfire Glass three sides with the back painted black. Diamond mitered Corners.
o Internal Coast to Coast overflow.
o External Overflow Box with three 1" drains.
o 145 gallons total system true water volume.
· Custom Stand (56"x34"x40"tall) White Quarter Sawn Oak. Three 4" ventilation/cooling fans.
· Two Ecotech WAV pumps
· 70 Gallon Custom Sump (43"x18"x21"), Refugium/Frag Tank, Return Section.
o Two 7" Filter Sock Holders.
o AqualIlluminations Hydra 26 Refugium Light.
· 19 Gallon Top Off Reservoir with MaxiJet 400 Pump.
· Three BRS Dosing Pumps with 3.5 Gallon Calcium and Alkalinity Reservoirs, 5 quart Magnesium Reservoir
· Eheim 1262 Return Pump (900 GPH) 80 watts.
· 1" Sea Swirl.
· Two Eheim Jaeger TruTemp 300 Watt Heaters.
· Aqua Maxx CO-2 Protein Skimmer.
· Carbon Reactor feed from Return Pump.
· GFO Reactor fed from Return Pump.
· Three Aqua Illuminations Hydra 52, 135 Watt LED Light Fixtures.
o 52-3 Watt LED emitters: 16-cool white, 4-deep red, 4-green, 12-royal blue, 8-very deep blue, 4-violet, 4-400nm UV.
o Custom hanging kit with slides.
o Two 200mm Cooling Fans.
· Neptune Apex AquaController
o Neptune Base Unit
o Neptune Display
o Ecotech Wireless Expansion Module (WXM)
o AI Wireless Expansion Module (AXM)
o Neptune PM 2 Module
§ Conductivity Probe
§ Temperature Probe
§ Neptune I/O Breakout Box
§ Quadruple Float Switch ATO system
o Neptune Leak Detection Module
§ Two Leak Detection Probes
o Energy Bar 8 (x2)
o Energy Bar 4 (x1)
o Lab Grade pH Probe
o Lab Grade ORP Probe
o Temperature Probe
Surge Protector Power Strip

 

[LowDime]

thats beautiful

 

[Kain]

I've seen Mike's tank in person, it's very clean.


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[LowDime]

I cant decide what to do with it. grrrr

 

[anthonys51]

For what it is worth here is a list of the equipment in my 120:
·120 gallon SC Glass Aquarium 48 x 24"x 24".
oStarfire Glass three sides with the back painted black. Diamond mitered Corners.
oInternal Coast to Coast overflow.
oExternal Overflow Box with three 1" drains.
o145 gallons total system true water volume.
·Custom Stand (56"x34"x40"tall) White Quarter Sawn Oak. Three 4" ventilation/cooling fans.
·Two Ecotech WAV pumps
·70 Gallon Custom Sump (43"x18"x21"), Refugium/Frag Tank, Return Section.
oTwo 7" Filter Sock Holders.
oAqualIlluminations Hydra 26 Refugium Light.
·19 Gallon Top Off Reservoir with MaxiJet 400 Pump.
·Three BRS Dosing Pumps with 3.5 Gallon Calcium and Alkalinity Reservoirs, 5 quart Magnesium Reservoir
·Eheim 1262 Return Pump (900 GPH) 80 watts.
·1" Sea Swirl.
·Two Eheim Jaeger TruTemp 300 Watt Heaters.
·Aqua Maxx CO-2 Protein Skimmer.
·Carbon Reactor feed from Return Pump.
·GFO Reactor fed from Return Pump.
·Three Aqua Illuminations Hydra 52, 135 Watt LED Light Fixtures.
o52-3 Watt LED emitters: 16-cool white, 4-deep red, 4-green, 12-royal blue, 8-very deep blue, 4-violet, 4-400nm UV.
oCustom hanging kit with slides.
oTwo 200mm Cooling Fans.
·Neptune Apex AquaController
oNeptune Base Unit
oNeptune Display
oEcotech Wireless Expansion Module (WXM)
oAI Wireless Expansion Module (AXM)
oNeptune PM 2 Module
§Conductivity Probe
§Temperature Probe
§Neptune I/O Breakout Box
§Quadruple Float Switch ATO system
oNeptune Leak Detection Module
§Two Leak Detection Probes
oEnergy Bar 8 (x2)
oEnergy Bar 4 (x1)
oLab Grade pH Probe
oLab Grade ORP Probe
oTemperature Probe
Surge Protector Power Strip

Can I ask do you have this written down somewhere or did you write it just now on memory. If so very impressed with your memory. Nice tank


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[MidnightScribe]

For what it is worth here is a list of the equipment in my 120:
· 120 gallon SC Glass Aquarium 48 x 24"x 24".
o Starfire Glass three sides with the back painted black. Diamond mitered Corners.
o Internal Coast to Coast overflow.
o External Overflow Box with three 1" drains.
o 145 gallons total system true water volume.
· Custom Stand (56"x34"x40"tall) White Quarter Sawn Oak. Three 4" ventilation/cooling fans.
· Two Ecotech WAV pumps
· 70 Gallon Custom Sump (43"x18"x21"), Refugium/Frag Tank, Return Section.
o Two 7" Filter Sock Holders.
o AqualIlluminations Hydra 26 Refugium Light.
· 19 Gallon Top Off Reservoir with MaxiJet 400 Pump.
· Three BRS Dosing Pumps with 3.5 Gallon Calcium and Alkalinity Reservoirs, 5 quart Magnesium Reservoir
· Eheim 1262 Return Pump (900 GPH) 80 watts.
· 1" Sea Swirl.
· Two Eheim Jaeger TruTemp 300 Watt Heaters.
· Aqua Maxx CO-2 Protein Skimmer.
· Carbon Reactor feed from Return Pump.
· GFO Reactor fed from Return Pump.
· Three Aqua Illuminations Hydra 52, 135 Watt LED Light Fixtures.
o 52-3 Watt LED emitters: 16-cool white, 4-deep red, 4-green, 12-royal blue, 8-very deep blue, 4-violet, 4-400nm UV.
o Custom hanging kit with slides.
o Two 200mm Cooling Fans.
· Neptune Apex AquaController
o Neptune Base Unit
o Neptune Display
o Ecotech Wireless Expansion Module (WXM)
o AI Wireless Expansion Module (AXM)
o Neptune PM 2 Module
§ Conductivity Probe
§ Temperature Probe
§ Neptune I/O Breakout Box
§ Quadruple Float Switch ATO system
o Neptune Leak Detection Module
§ Two Leak Detection Probes
o Energy Bar 8 (x2)
o Energy Bar 4 (x1)
o Lab Grade pH Probe
o Lab Grade ORP Probe
o Temperature Probe
Surge Protector Power Strip

Thanks for sharing what goes into making this spectacular tank.