I need some equipment suggestions

[sohankpatel]

So, I am not really planning a reef tank yet, but I do eventually want to do one. What are good lighting/skimmer brands? I read alot of the newbie stickies, but they didn't mention equipment. wet/dry or submerged filter media? If I plan to put together a reef, I will be doing mostly softies at first, then lps, then sps. I want a light that can light a 30" deep tank and be controlled so I can dim it down if it is too much.

 

[thegrun]

You are going to need to give us at least a close guess as to what size tank you are planning on before any suggestions on equipment are anything but a waste of our time and yours.

 

[Martini5788]

I have an aquamaxx skimmer and I really like it. A 30 inch deep reef is going to need some serious lights though, so you are going to have to make the choice between halides, t5,
Led or combo. It's really hard to help you out without more details. Also, lights are very subjective as to what looks good to your eye. I would get in touch with your local reef club and take a look at people's
Tanks that have different lighting systems and then see what appeals to you.


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[PatW]

I have a super reef octopus skimmer. It is well built and works well.

 

[firefly73]

Its a ever changing world of products mate. with out the size of the tank etc there is no point in saying models and brands etc .

but i will say IF you are going to go sps later spend as much as you can afford !!!!! Cheap items may cut it for softies and lps but sps wont really be fun unless you have a stable well planned tank that (as much as possible) looks after itself.

Ofcourse you can buy cheaper or second hand items to get you started and slowly upgrade as you progress and learn more but a Really simple way is to......

Buy a basic marine tank but of a size that you will have for atleast several years without upgrading. have only a few quality Fish (hardy algae eaters that eat it as soon as its growing ie rabbitfish etc) and easy softies. lighting t5 flow vectra l1 set up with a euductor multi outlet system and utilise the pumps options to vary the flow etc. (further down the track the pump will pay dividends!!!)

good sump with a filter pad of around 40 microns. fuge area with macro algae

with water changes this tank will thrive. get it all in balance then upgrade buy purchasing a high performance skimmer. this opens up the world of LOW LIGHT LPS. at this point next is a ATO and dosing system. And dont forget wavemakers!!!!! flow is starting to get very important. Next other nitrate and p04 export/ control systems of your choice after serious research. (remember as reefers many say only this way is best or only this way works BUT bear in mind most of us have succesful tanks even though we do different things!!!!!!!)

then light upgrade to higher power once again your choice after research but once again as example. i have a aqua reef 400 which is a very deep tank (will get custom one day) i have 5 ai primes and 2 rear ati t5s not alot of light but my sps are fine they dont grow super fast but most colours are awesome and im using 180ml of randys per day so all in all im happy.(mind you the lowest is 8" above the sand) If my water was a little dirtier i think lps would be happy on the sand. lights that punch over 30" AND have high par for sps types require $$$$ . regardless of brand.

 

[sohankpatel]

You are going to need to give us at least a close guess as to what size tank you are planning on before any suggestions on equipment are anything but a waste of our time and yours.

Between 150 to 210 gallon.. I prefer to over-filter my tanks, I know that I want halides or LED's. I could build my own fixture if you think it will be more cost-effective. Sorry for the noob questions, I am familiar with planted freshwater, and I know nothing about reefs.

I have an aquamaxx skimmer and I really like it. A 30 inch deep reef is going to need some serious lights though, so you are going to have to make the choice between halides, t5,
Led or combo. It's really hard to help you out without more details. Also, lights are very subjective as to what looks good to your eye. I would get in touch with your local reef club and take a look at people's
Tanks that have different lighting systems and then see what appeals to you.


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I have looked at different color temperatures, I want a programmable LED so I can change it when I want, but I like very high color temperatures, like 14,000K, temps that make colors pop.

 

[Sk8r]

I know that Radion G3 Pro can reach the bottom of a 30. They have a fair spread, so you might get by with two. I use a single in a 36 deep 36" wedge.

A reef has no filter, does use a sump and skimmer, and coral types do not mix well and do not take the same equipment. I'd say if you ultimately want sps, start with them, but start, say, with montiporas, which are varied, and quite forgiving. You need a top-end skimmer with sps, and rock built fairly high: these corals are quite light-hungry. It IS possible to do a mixed reef, with species layered, but you have to equip for the most demanding and put your effort and funds there. That would be sps. Any room left over, some lps lower down, but I'd skip the softies: they often conduct chemical warfare, which stony coral doesn't like. A mixed reef is generally not best for a novice.

 

[zsuman101]

Been reefing since the 90s, all I'll say is whats important to you..For me the equipment must be as quiet as possible, and must last with excellent reliability ,it is far cheaper at the end of the day to go big first .

 

[Bpb]

Something to keep in mind regarding LEDs. If you can afford units that provide adequate coverage and punch, also consider this...you want to change color settings when you want...but frequent adjusting of the color temps (VERY hard to avoid doing) is hard on corals and will severely limit their potential and even may kill some. Best to pick a KNOWN color setting from whatever you use and stick with it rather than adjusting it.

The issue you'll run into is if you have one setting for some weeks and decide you want to emphasize this or that color, you'll adjust it, love it, but then everything in the tank will start morphing its own colors as a response to the change in light. Then after a few weeks it won't look as good, so you'll adjust again, and the process repeats which is super stressful for corals. If you insist on going with LEDs, please keep that in mind. It's less of an issue with LEDs themselves that kill corals, but more user error. Too many people find it way too hard to set and forget. I was one of them


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[Bpb]

And I also agree with the above sentiment...buy nice or buy twice. Buy once cry once. Don't get budget minded gear with the intention to upgrade down the road. Just get the right stuff first


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