Hello, me and my mom are setting up a 180 gallon reef tank! But I need some help! I think I've got an idea on skimmers. I'm thinking a aqua maxx or a reef octopus. Any advice would be great! So if anyone can tell me which model will be more then enough. This tank will be set up for a long time so good stuff is ideal. Also as of now we have a 5ft 4 bulb t5ho lighting. We can still return the light. So a ideas there. Also I'm looking at LEDs but I've had mixed reviews from local shops. The tank is 6ft by 2ft by 2ft. We have a Apx 60 gallon sump. Any thing you can tell. Me I'll be happy to listen. I'm a very fact based kid so bring em on. Thank you momo3419
I need some help:/
- Thread starter Momo3419
- Start date
Reefer54
New member
Do lots of research before spending money...especially on the biggies, like lights, skimmer, pumps, etc.
i would reccomend searching the build threads here on central. find a number of successful tanks and then see what makes them successful.. i think you will find often that it is not the equipment (though you do get what you pay for) but rather, how well that equipment was taken care of. Even the best equipment for our hobby turns to poop in a matter of months if not taken care of.
personally, i would suggest getting a few good books, so you may be able to set your tank goals and follow through instead of buying "this" and "that" because someone told you to or it looked cool. I cant stand doing lots of maintenance. Auto top offs. controllers, large sump and overfiltration allow me to do minimum maintenance on a day to day basis. i add top off water once a week (in the winter, less in the summer) and do water changes once every two to three weeks....so as long as snails dont knock too much over, i dont have to do much but empty skimmer cup and clean the glass once a week. But every three months, i clean the pumps. do a sumpover (just a thorough cleaning of the sump) and a basic check\clean on ATO sensors. So....you can make it what you want. patience and good planning are the best ways to proceed. If you want to continually mess with stuff and clean stuff and remove algae, you can. if you want to sit and enjoy a somewhat self-sustaining envirionment, you can.
good luck have fun. research research research.
i would reccomend searching the build threads here on central. find a number of successful tanks and then see what makes them successful.. i think you will find often that it is not the equipment (though you do get what you pay for) but rather, how well that equipment was taken care of. Even the best equipment for our hobby turns to poop in a matter of months if not taken care of.
personally, i would suggest getting a few good books, so you may be able to set your tank goals and follow through instead of buying "this" and "that" because someone told you to or it looked cool. I cant stand doing lots of maintenance. Auto top offs. controllers, large sump and overfiltration allow me to do minimum maintenance on a day to day basis. i add top off water once a week (in the winter, less in the summer) and do water changes once every two to three weeks....so as long as snails dont knock too much over, i dont have to do much but empty skimmer cup and clean the glass once a week. But every three months, i clean the pumps. do a sumpover (just a thorough cleaning of the sump) and a basic check\clean on ATO sensors. So....you can make it what you want. patience and good planning are the best ways to proceed. If you want to continually mess with stuff and clean stuff and remove algae, you can. if you want to sit and enjoy a somewhat self-sustaining envirionment, you can.
good luck have fun. research research research.
My best advice in addition to Reefer54, is to consider what type of bioload to you plan to have, meaning what types of critters do you plan to keep and how much? This question will dictate all other decisions that you make towards this build. After you get a general idea about what type of livestock you want, MAKE SURE THEY PLAY WELL TOGETHER! I can't stress this enough. So many people want to setup a tank like they saw in "Finding Nemo" when in all reality, Bloat the puffer would have eaten half of the other fish in the tank, Nemo and Flo would have been at each other's throats, and Gil would have kicked the bucket at the first sign of a filter failure. But I digress.
Once you have your bioload in mind, you'll be able to get a good bead on what equipment will best serve you and your aquatic friends.
Once you have your bioload in mind, you'll be able to get a good bead on what equipment will best serve you and your aquatic friends.
Would you get an aqua maxx if they weren't back ordered?
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