Help with new tank equipment

[Andypsch]

Hello! I used to have a 29g saltwater tank many years ago. Moved into a new house, had to renovate a lot, so had to sell the tank. So a lot of this is new to me now.

I just got a 90g reef ready tank (Single overflow)(1" | 3/4" holes) with stand and canopy a couple weeks ago on craigslist. Still have yet to test it to see if it holds water, but I'm not too worried about that. I'm here to get some help on getting the minimal equipment I need to get the tank running.

I just purchased 100 pounds of marco rocks, they'll be coming in the next week or two. About to purchase 90 pounds of sand as well. I'm looking to get the minimal equipment to get the tank up and running to turn the rock/sand live (I will be feeding it a live rock piece from a friend). I don't plan on getting any fish/coral until later in the year (When I can purchase a skimmer/lights).

So my plan is to get the following equipment to get it up and running:

SpectrePure RO/DI 90g refurbished unit
Reef Octopus VarioS-2 DC Return Pump (will run external to lessen heating of water)
DIY 40G Sump/Refugium combo (1$/g sale starts April 2nd, will get the tank then)
2 appropriate wattage heaters for a 90g tank with 40g sump/fuge

And obviously the bulkheads/plumbing for everything. And probably a drill/bulkhead set for the sump/fuge, since the pump will be running externally.

I know the RO/DI is basically a requirement for corals. Is that return pump okay? The reviews have all been amazing. Are lights required to turn the dry rock live? Am I missing a piece of equipment that I should have from the getgo?

Any tips/suggestions/anything you think may help? Remember, I don't plan on stocking the tank until well into the year (think August/September), unless I get the skimmer/lights before that (Saving for LED lights)

Any DIY sump/fuge plans out there? I've been googling, but haven't quite found one I like.

Thanks!

 

[Elricsfate]

Hello! I used to have a 29g saltwater tank many years ago. Moved into a new house, had to renovate a lot, so had to sell the tank. So a lot of this is new to me now.

I just got a 90g reef ready tank (Single overflow)(1" | 3/4" holes) with stand and canopy a couple weeks ago on craigslist. Still have yet to test it to see if it holds water, but I'm not too worried about that. I'm here to get some help on getting the minimal equipment I need to get the tank running.

I just purchased 100 pounds of marco rocks, they'll be coming in the next week or two. About to purchase 90 pounds of sand as well. I'm looking to get the minimal equipment to get the tank up and running to turn the rock/sand live (I will be feeding it a live rock piece from a friend). I don't plan on getting any fish/coral until later in the year (When I can purchase a skimmer/lights).

So my plan is to get the following equipment to get it up and running:

SpectrePure RO/DI 90g refurbished unit
Reef Octopus VarioS-2 DC Return Pump (will run external to lessen heating of water)
DIY 40G Sump/Refugium combo (1$/g sale starts April 2nd, will get the tank then)
2 appropriate wattage heaters for a 90g tank with 40g sump/fuge

And obviously the bulkheads/plumbing for everything. And probably a drill/bulkhead set for the sump/fuge, since the pump will be running externally.

I know the RO/DI is basically a requirement for corals. Is that return pump okay? The reviews have all been amazing. Are lights required to turn the dry rock live? Am I missing a piece of equipment that I should have from the getgo?

Any tips/suggestions/anything you think may help? Remember, I don't plan on stocking the tank until well into the year (think August/September), unless I get the skimmer/lights before that (Saving for LED lights)

Any DIY sump/fuge plans out there? I've been googling, but haven't quite found one I like.

Thanks!

Having drilled and setup two tanks in the past couple of months, I will add my two cents. With the caveat that I am not a guru, and I haven't been doing this since Jesus was last here.

Why would you both worry about your pump adding heat to the water AND buy two heaters for the water? I'd do the pump internal (in fact I have done both pumps internal). less drilling, less connections, less points of failure. Heat transfer is minimal, and what heat is does transfer is less heat your heaters have to provide. Thus saving a few watts on the power bill,

Other than that, your plan makes sense to me.

 

[TroyHoot]

i second the pump in the sump. less headaches. That pump shouldnt be a problem with heat anyway being a DC.

I would look at a heater controller. I got an inkbird from amazon. Its more reliable then the heaters are. It was $30. cheap insurance. Get a couple cheap silicone pads for under the pump and later skimmer. 5-10 for both of them. cuts down on vibrations.

 

[leheath]

I agree with the other comments. I have had both external and internal pumps on my tanks over the years, and really prefer the internal option. The heat transfer is minimal if you buy a good quality pump and the plumbing is way easier and much less likely to result in a failure flooding your house!

I also second the heater controller (I have one from Ranco) - they are much more reliable than the heaters' thermostats and are inexpensive and easy to use.

At some point you will probably want some powerheads for increased flow in the display tank.

Other than these items, you are good to go!

 

[Andypsch]

Awesome, thanks for the help, everyone! I will submerge the return pump.

 

[charlesgage]

I agree with the other comments. I have had both external and internal pumps on my tanks over the years, and really prefer the internal option. The heat transfer is minimal if you buy a good quality pump and the plumbing is way easier and much less likely to result in a failure flooding your house!

I also second the heater controller (I have one from Ranco) - they are much more reliable than the heaters' thermostats and are inexpensive and easy to use.

At some point you will probably want some powerheads for increased flow in the display tank.

Other than these items, you are good to go!

And of course if you are spending 40 bucks on a heater controller you are pretty close to a used aquarium controller.Since most LED's have their own controller an Apex JR really only needs 4 ports (return pump, heater, and powerheads)