Looking for advice on this aquarium quote/setup
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Skimmer Insight
Skimmer Insight
I did extensive research when determining a skimmer for a 240 mixed reef I am settng up. Obviously, the following is just my opinion. However, I believe it is an educated opinion. For a low end skimmer, the Vertex is about the best you can buy. Manufacturers rate their skimmers at a level. Mnay will only perform at that level under optimum conditions. The two that I am confident will flat-out perform at the level stated are Royal Exclusive (Bubble-King) and Deltec. These are both High-end, high dollar brands.
Of the lower priced units, and that is not to say cheap units. (although some are). I believe vertex is superior to others such as ASM, corallfe, EuroReef, Octopus, etc. Even though some are almost indistinguishable in physical appearance as the vertex, maybe even cast at the same factory. Vertex stands out in the following areas. 1. Silent operation - reviews seem to back up Vertex claiim of it's SAO technology. 2. It has a bubble plate chamber, normally found only in High end skimmers. 3. It appears to be very easy to set up. I would definitely go with a bigger Vertex unit, though. The IN250 ((150 to 250 gallons) or the IN280, up to 280. You can upgrade to the 250 for about $40 and the 280 for about $100 more. Just so you know, I did not buy a vertex skimmer, so I am not prejudiced to them in any way.
Skimmer Insight
I did extensive research when determining a skimmer for a 240 mixed reef I am settng up. Obviously, the following is just my opinion. However, I believe it is an educated opinion. For a low end skimmer, the Vertex is about the best you can buy. Manufacturers rate their skimmers at a level. Mnay will only perform at that level under optimum conditions. The two that I am confident will flat-out perform at the level stated are Royal Exclusive (Bubble-King) and Deltec. These are both High-end, high dollar brands.
Of the lower priced units, and that is not to say cheap units. (although some are). I believe vertex is superior to others such as ASM, corallfe, EuroReef, Octopus, etc. Even though some are almost indistinguishable in physical appearance as the vertex, maybe even cast at the same factory. Vertex stands out in the following areas. 1. Silent operation - reviews seem to back up Vertex claiim of it's SAO technology. 2. It has a bubble plate chamber, normally found only in High end skimmers. 3. It appears to be very easy to set up. I would definitely go with a bigger Vertex unit, though. The IN250 ((150 to 250 gallons) or the IN280, up to 280. You can upgrade to the 250 for about $40 and the 280 for about $100 more. Just so you know, I did not buy a vertex skimmer, so I am not prejudiced to them in any way.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
Oh my god $3500 for that wall of Playdoh -- have they ever actually sold one?
Nice tank / stand dimensions and price on that recent quote.
Nice tank / stand dimensions and price on that recent quote.
Alright, I spoke with the guy on the phone about all these concerns. I think I'll be going with either the high end Warner Marine skimmer or low end bubble king (the BK is a few hundred more). Remember, this is not a full blown reef, but only so much as an emperor angel will allow.
The lights are 48' T5's and he isn't concerned with them not being 72'. He says that the light on the bottom of the tank will be great, but there will be little dark spots on the top edges that won't matter much. He says that the 72' don't fit inside the canopy well.
In terms of the closed loop, he suggests against it because he says the pump would be much louder than the spec'd powerheads, and they can be a pain to deal with if something goes wrong. As a side note, the ONE condition my wife gave me was that she didn't want it loud (since it's going in our living room). We can hide the powerheads themselves and the black cords should blend in well with the black background.
In terms of the pump size for the filter, he still suggests going with the big Eheim 1262 as he says it will pump enough water and I don't need more than the skimmer can handle per hour. He also said that anything too much bigger would get a bit noisier (see wife comment above).
After speaking with him, I don't think I'll be going with the refugium (which I am sure will draw skepticism by some of you). I forget all the reasons to be honest with you, something to the affect of needing a big one and it isn't worth the hassel.
Getting more live rock and sand is not a problem.
I will be getting a "junior" version of the controller, which sounds like it will be great!
I am moving from a 30' high tank to a 24' for ease of maintenance, so the tank will be 72X24X24, which I believe is 180 gallons. The tank itself comes from a "good" company and is the same vendor that he uses for his own, personal tanks.
I also think I'll be having him install it with me so I can learn and hopefully not screw anything up...
He'll be restructuring the quote to match the above...
Thanks again to everyone who's chimed in... I'm really excited!
The lights are 48' T5's and he isn't concerned with them not being 72'. He says that the light on the bottom of the tank will be great, but there will be little dark spots on the top edges that won't matter much. He says that the 72' don't fit inside the canopy well.
In terms of the closed loop, he suggests against it because he says the pump would be much louder than the spec'd powerheads, and they can be a pain to deal with if something goes wrong. As a side note, the ONE condition my wife gave me was that she didn't want it loud (since it's going in our living room). We can hide the powerheads themselves and the black cords should blend in well with the black background.
In terms of the pump size for the filter, he still suggests going with the big Eheim 1262 as he says it will pump enough water and I don't need more than the skimmer can handle per hour. He also said that anything too much bigger would get a bit noisier (see wife comment above).
After speaking with him, I don't think I'll be going with the refugium (which I am sure will draw skepticism by some of you). I forget all the reasons to be honest with you, something to the affect of needing a big one and it isn't worth the hassel.
Getting more live rock and sand is not a problem.
I will be getting a "junior" version of the controller, which sounds like it will be great!
I am moving from a 30' high tank to a 24' for ease of maintenance, so the tank will be 72X24X24, which I believe is 180 gallons. The tank itself comes from a "good" company and is the same vendor that he uses for his own, personal tanks.
I also think I'll be having him install it with me so I can learn and hopefully not screw anything up...
He'll be restructuring the quote to match the above...
Thanks again to everyone who's chimed in... I'm really excited!
here are his revised quote details:
Protein skimmer options
Warner Marine AS200 Skimmer $650-good
Warner Marine K2 Cone Skimmer $775 - better
Bubble King Mini 180 $975- better
Bubble King Supermarin 200 $1450-best
Controller
AquaController Jr w/ temp probe and DC8 $225
Ph probe $50
If you go with the controller you can take $75 off of the timers and power strips quote from before, you will still need at least 1 other power strip with surge protection
Closed Loop (I may not go with this because of potential noise)
Reeflo Super Dart Gold $390
Plumbing (ball valves w/ unions, bulkheads, pvc fittings, spa flex hose) $150
Oceans Motion 4-way $375
Lighting
T5 retro kit 8x 39w $520 (if we go with the retro kit it will mount to your canopy and have better coverage over the tank)
Protein skimmer options
Warner Marine AS200 Skimmer $650-good
Warner Marine K2 Cone Skimmer $775 - better
Bubble King Mini 180 $975- better
Bubble King Supermarin 200 $1450-best
Controller
AquaController Jr w/ temp probe and DC8 $225
Ph probe $50
If you go with the controller you can take $75 off of the timers and power strips quote from before, you will still need at least 1 other power strip with surge protection
Closed Loop (I may not go with this because of potential noise)
Reeflo Super Dart Gold $390
Plumbing (ball valves w/ unions, bulkheads, pvc fittings, spa flex hose) $150
Oceans Motion 4-way $375
Lighting
T5 retro kit 8x 39w $520 (if we go with the retro kit it will mount to your canopy and have better coverage over the tank)
Also just got this suggestion from him:
the only thing that could still be improved is the sump. I quoted you a generic, simple sump to save money, you could get a custom sump built with baffles to reduce micro bubbles in your tank, it would be nicer and we could make it larger but it would add another few hundred dollars to the cost.
the only thing that could still be improved is the sump. I quoted you a generic, simple sump to save money, you could get a custom sump built with baffles to reduce micro bubbles in your tank, it would be nicer and we could make it larger but it would add another few hundred dollars to the cost.
davewbush
...
Sumps are not cheep, but help out a tank more than you could believe. If your not going to get the refugium, it will help. You could put some extra live rock in the sump to help filter the tank and not cluder your tank. The fish you will get in the future will be a lot happier in natural enviornment, than with that fake insert.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
Good dimensions -- the 72X24X24 180 is an awesome tank -- just right for the larger tangs and a treat to aquascape.
Eheim 1262 is an excellent return pump for a 180. I use one in my 125 and it's as quiet and durable as a pump can be. 7 years of continuous operation, never cleaned, never have heard it. I also like that my skimmer (old style Euroreef CS-180) is powered by...a pinwheel Eheim 1262. I think that's a good match.
Ditch the closed loop in my opinion. A pair of controllable Tunzes or Vortechs will be so much quieter, efficient, and effective without any extra cost.
Eheim 1262 is an excellent return pump for a 180. I use one in my 125 and it's as quiet and durable as a pump can be. 7 years of continuous operation, never cleaned, never have heard it. I also like that my skimmer (old style Euroreef CS-180) is powered by...a pinwheel Eheim 1262. I think that's a good match.
Ditch the closed loop in my opinion. A pair of controllable Tunzes or Vortechs will be so much quieter, efficient, and effective without any extra cost.
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