Here is my story"¦ I have wanted to set up my saltwater tank for some time now. I originally had a 72 gal bow front tank in an apartment that I lived in about 6 years ago. I started out brand new and was very immature in my knowledge. I say immature in the sense that I had read a number of articles, books, blogs, forums and other reading material about saltwater aquarium adventures but I had never put any of it in to practice. Reading is half the battle but execution, especially in this hobby, weighs just as much if not more. The equipment I had at the time was very newby like in my opinion"¦ trickle filter sump with a prizm protein skimmer and a wavemaker hooked to (4) 600GPH maxijets for flow. I had a coralife compact florescent light with a total wattage of around 200. I believe I also had a mag 5 for my return and was running carbon in a bag in my return as well. I had a HOB fuge also. I set it all up and had rock, sand, water and even fish in the tank within a couple of months, all because I was soo excited to get it going. It would be safe to say that I didn't follow the guidelines I had read so much about. The tank was somewhat of a success until I decided that the significant other I was with was truly not my significant other and I broke the tank down and sold off the pieces with the intention of one day starting anew and being able to build and enjoy the tank of my dreams.
One day has arrived. I purchased a 90 gal bow front a couple of years ago and it has been sitting just waiting to become a reality. I don't know what it is about the bow front tanks other than I like the look. The storage underneath is horrible and the tank width is not that great but I am willing to put up with those issues because I like the look. I purchased a light set to go over the top. It is a combination metal halide/compact florescent fixture that puts out 696 watts. I put in place two fans on either side of the canopy to help dissipate the heat from the fixture. I also purchased a used 1/3 JBJ Artica Titanium chiller to help with the heat as well. I have a MAG 24 as my return pump and a MAG 9.5 that I was going to use for a closed loop but have decided to dedicate it specifically to the chiller. I am supplying a list of items I am going to purchase this New Year. Granted, I could look on the forums and purchase items that are cheaper but I would rather purchase new and not have to worry about used items. I have the money to be able to do this.
Please review and critique:
1. Neptune Systems APEX
Aqua Controller "“ have read that this is one of the best controllers for mixed reef setups.
2. Neptune Systems I/O Break Out
3. Dimmable Lunar Simulator LED by Neptune Systems
4. Neptune WXM Systems Wireless Expansion Module/Vortech"“needed for my Vortech pumps
5. GHL ProfiLux Stand Alone Dosing System, 3 Pumps w/ Controller "“ using to add 2 part and have an additional for any other additives needed.
6. JBJ ATO Automatic Top Off System Water Level Controller
7. Phos Ban Media Reactor 150 x2 "“ to run carbon, phosphate and GFO.
8. Milwaukee Salinity Refractometer
9. JBJ 12 Gallon Deluxe Nano Cube 2 x 24W w/2 Nite-Vu LED Moonlights* - use this as my quarantine tank.
10. Modular Pre-Skimmer for 12 gal. Nano Cube by JBJ "“ part of the above aquarium.
11. 5 ml. Transfer Pipette
12. SeaSquirt Feeding Tube
13. Sea Veggies Clip
14. Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 SPACE SAVER In-Sump Cone Protein Skimmer "“ I feel this will meet the needs of a mixed reef aquarium
15. Vortech MP40W ES x2 "“ for circulation
16. Trigger Systems Crystal 30 Sump "“ the only thing I could find that would meet my needs and fit underneath the cabinet.
I am looking for an RO/DI unit and will be able to hook it directly to a water line in the garage.
This is a onetime shot for me and I want to make sure that I hit the bull's-eye dead on. I am going to be placing an order of 150lbs of Marco base rock as I have set aside a minimum of 9 months to a year to let my system mature. I have read good reviews of the rock but I have also read a couple of bad reviews about the PO4 and it wreaking havoc on a tank. Any suggestions here would be great. I am also going to put in 100 lbs or so of live sand in the tank for my foundation. I am going to use miracle mud in my refugium as I really want to tackle the philosophy of the eco-system method.
I understand that you may be asking why a newbie is going out and getting all of this equipment when the basics are only needed to get it going. As I said, this is a onetime shot for me and I want to make sure that I provide myself with the best opportunity to succeed.
I have been a on and off member for a couple of years now. I have posted just a couple of times in the various forums and hate to admit that at one time was thinking about selling out. I unfortunately have not been able to make it to the monthly meetings, which I know I am missing a ton, but plan to start making them in the New Year. I am hoping to get some responses on the equipment and possibly meet some people to help me with this venture. I live in the plano area and frankly could use a ton of help. My ultimate goal is to have a beautiful reef tank and a ton of friends that enjoy this hobby and fascination as much as I do.
I look forward to the responses.
One day has arrived. I purchased a 90 gal bow front a couple of years ago and it has been sitting just waiting to become a reality. I don't know what it is about the bow front tanks other than I like the look. The storage underneath is horrible and the tank width is not that great but I am willing to put up with those issues because I like the look. I purchased a light set to go over the top. It is a combination metal halide/compact florescent fixture that puts out 696 watts. I put in place two fans on either side of the canopy to help dissipate the heat from the fixture. I also purchased a used 1/3 JBJ Artica Titanium chiller to help with the heat as well. I have a MAG 24 as my return pump and a MAG 9.5 that I was going to use for a closed loop but have decided to dedicate it specifically to the chiller. I am supplying a list of items I am going to purchase this New Year. Granted, I could look on the forums and purchase items that are cheaper but I would rather purchase new and not have to worry about used items. I have the money to be able to do this.
Please review and critique:
1. Neptune Systems APEX
Aqua Controller "“ have read that this is one of the best controllers for mixed reef setups.
2. Neptune Systems I/O Break Out
3. Dimmable Lunar Simulator LED by Neptune Systems
4. Neptune WXM Systems Wireless Expansion Module/Vortech"“needed for my Vortech pumps
5. GHL ProfiLux Stand Alone Dosing System, 3 Pumps w/ Controller "“ using to add 2 part and have an additional for any other additives needed.
6. JBJ ATO Automatic Top Off System Water Level Controller
7. Phos Ban Media Reactor 150 x2 "“ to run carbon, phosphate and GFO.
8. Milwaukee Salinity Refractometer
9. JBJ 12 Gallon Deluxe Nano Cube 2 x 24W w/2 Nite-Vu LED Moonlights* - use this as my quarantine tank.
10. Modular Pre-Skimmer for 12 gal. Nano Cube by JBJ "“ part of the above aquarium.
11. 5 ml. Transfer Pipette
12. SeaSquirt Feeding Tube
13. Sea Veggies Clip
14. Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 SPACE SAVER In-Sump Cone Protein Skimmer "“ I feel this will meet the needs of a mixed reef aquarium
15. Vortech MP40W ES x2 "“ for circulation
16. Trigger Systems Crystal 30 Sump "“ the only thing I could find that would meet my needs and fit underneath the cabinet.
I am looking for an RO/DI unit and will be able to hook it directly to a water line in the garage.
This is a onetime shot for me and I want to make sure that I hit the bull's-eye dead on. I am going to be placing an order of 150lbs of Marco base rock as I have set aside a minimum of 9 months to a year to let my system mature. I have read good reviews of the rock but I have also read a couple of bad reviews about the PO4 and it wreaking havoc on a tank. Any suggestions here would be great. I am also going to put in 100 lbs or so of live sand in the tank for my foundation. I am going to use miracle mud in my refugium as I really want to tackle the philosophy of the eco-system method.
I understand that you may be asking why a newbie is going out and getting all of this equipment when the basics are only needed to get it going. As I said, this is a onetime shot for me and I want to make sure that I provide myself with the best opportunity to succeed.
I have been a on and off member for a couple of years now. I have posted just a couple of times in the various forums and hate to admit that at one time was thinking about selling out. I unfortunately have not been able to make it to the monthly meetings, which I know I am missing a ton, but plan to start making them in the New Year. I am hoping to get some responses on the equipment and possibly meet some people to help me with this venture. I live in the plano area and frankly could use a ton of help. My ultimate goal is to have a beautiful reef tank and a ton of friends that enjoy this hobby and fascination as much as I do.
I look forward to the responses.
