Need guidance (new to the hobby)

[Rognin]

Lets start with a little history on myself and then move on to my questions (I'm a little confused after a lot of reading and shopping).

Background/History:

I love computers and have it as a hobby since last year (2011-05-20)(Build Log linky to my computer). I pick up on things pretty quickly and in less than a year have won a couple awards for my computer build. Now however, I wanted something my gf and I could share as a hobby (she hates computers). So I started a 12g freshwater tank in a fluval 12g edge.

I work on a construction camp over the 52nd parallel. I'm gone three weeks out of the month and back for one full week off. Just in time for maintenences. I skype almost every night with the gf and we check water parameters toghether (best way I've found to get her to learn and understand).

The addiction (after 6 months) got worse, both for her and I. I picked up a brand new 55gal tank (made for fresh water mind you, model: Fluval 55g Random internet linky to tank ) 2 months ago for cheap (195 CAD). It's been running for the better part of two months on the stock light (40w), a Tunze turbelle 6065 and the Fluval C4 mechanical filter that came with the tank. All that was in the tank for almost two months was live rock (about 43lbs) and live sand (1.5 inches at the bottom of the tank).

About two weeks ago I added a small cleaning crew; eight small and three medium turbo snails, eight small hermit crabs and two urchins (one tuxedo and the other I can't remember) for the building algea. Coralin has spread a lot and is getting really bright (see I have been reading up). Lights are on five hours a day on a timer and algea seems to be under control. Went back to the LFS the next day after a thorough water tests and added three green/blue chromis. I have seen them every night on skype since my departure (they school only when fed for about 20 minutes and return to thier caves in the live rock there after), and they are now nourrisshed twice a day instead of once (after reading up a little more on the species I changed the feeding from what the LFS had told me). So that's where I'm at right now.

Goals:
I want corals (still have to read up on SPS and LPS), some fish (Clowns, Chromis, Gobies, blennies and maybe dragonets) with some inverts and a nem. I really would like a nem, and understand that instant gratification in this hobby will lead me down a somber path. So I'll wait as long as I have to, to reach that goal. Setting goals always helps in my successes, and I chose something that would be hard to accomplish for a new hobbiest.


Current questions:
-On Lights
-On Skimmers
-On Powerheads (already own one I know)

I want something that's mostly automated. I've really been interested in the LED side of things for light (ecotech, Sunbrite, Geisemann, buildmyled, AI etc). But spectrums and power (either watts or K's) are a little hard for me to grasp (as I have no knowledge on the matter). With my goals in mind; what I thought would be good would be the Ecotech lights with the powerheads. I'd couple that with a reefpack 505 from Tunze.

My current choices:
-1 x Tunze Reefpack 505 +
-2 x Ecotech Radion XR30w G2
-2 x VorTech MP10w ES
-Sell my Tunze Turbelle

I can't fit a sump or refugium in the current space I have. The 55gal in the small apartement we currently live in is already taking up a lot of space. It's not to say I won't eventually use one when I buy a house (use the 55gal as the sump, frag tank or refugium) and a bigger tank. Which should be soonish (tm).


A little guidance would go a long way for me. I just need the nudge in the right direction and a support of my choices. Or suggestions with back up reading material and/or reviews.


Thanks!

-Rog

 

[Danroth]

Good luck on your decisions, whatever they might be.

While I'm waiting for my tank to Cycle, I chose the Radions for LEDs as well as the Vortechs (MP40s in my case).

These were for a few reasons:

The Radions were, while a little more expensive, a more reliable/proven light than a few others I'd been looking at. The fact that you can dial them in from your laptop and program them without a controller or timer was a huge plus, not to mention the huge control you have over light spectrum to really be able to dial into your own needs for your tank if so desired. And while I don't doubt some cost you're paying for 'the name' of Echotech, ... there's also truth in the old addage you do get what you pay for.

With the Vortech pumps, also by Echotech, you also get really good control for the type of settings you want. You can have turbulent/random flow, steady flow, storms, a steady flow followed by a huge cresting wave to clean detrius out .... any number of combinations that increase dramatically if you do choose to get a controller. They also synch up with your Radions, so you can literally make a 'storm' in your tank if you want, and other things like that.

Additionally, Echotech makes backup batteries which can be used for either the Vortech Pumps or the Radion lights, increasing your time with your tank's safety/health during a power outage, vastly reducing the need/thought for getting an additional power source if you are concerned about it. Sure, they're not inexpensive, but they're not too pricey & they're more safe than running a gasoline-powered provider in or near your door that might leak in CO and cause CO poisoning or something like that -- and a full house generator is very, very pricey.

So, bottom line, the expandabilitiy & customization, not to mention high quality tech, and ability to upgrade, as well as wireless connections (like synching your Vortechs to use each other and play off one another & only have to plug into one Radion to change them all) made this in the end the right choice for me.

A little pricey, as I said, and not within everyone's means. And a lot of people are very happy with something a little more affordable. I just found value in these products when I did a lot of research.

Unfortunately my thoughts are only opinions right now - I can only tell you why I chose what I did. As my tank is still cycling, I can't speak from experience on how well they've worked for me, yet.

 

[Rognin]

Well my LFS is suggesting the Geisemann Futura 950mm. I thought it was a little too pricey. Granted it's german (they have the same great products in computer liquid cooling), it's just a little much. Plus someone told me they didn't have a full spectrum??

With some research and reading I found those lights (radion) and those power heads (vortex) to really be synced which was awesome. That's what's selling me also (shame about the tunze pump, guess I'll sell it). It's also modular part that sold me; if I want to pursue this hobby, I just need to expand on the units needed instead of brand new equipment.


Now are two units enough to grow whatever I want?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I just ordered 2 new IT2080's, a IT2040 and two D120 led lights from Evergrow. the IT2080's for my 180g DT, the IT2040 for my 75g anemone DT, and the D120's for my 55g QT and 24g frag tank. If you want my 6 mth old EcoTech Radion, it's for sale. A new Radion is $750 and I got the IT2040 (a bit bigger than the Radion, built in timer and timed dimmers) for $210 and $30 shipping. I like the IT2040 better and I can get 3 for the price of 1.

 

[Rognin]

I just ordered 2 new IT2080's, a IT2040 and two D120 led lights from Evergrow. the IT2080's for my 180g DT, the IT2040 for my 75g anemone DT, and the D120's for my 55g QT and 24g frag tank. If you want my 6 mth old EcoTech Radion, it's for sale. A new Radion is $750 and I got the IT2040 (a bit bigger than the Radion, built in timer and timed dimmers) for $210 and $30 shipping. I like the IT2040 better and I can get 3 for the price of 1.

I'm aware of pricing for the LED lights are a little higher. That won't deter me from my current choice. Though if you changed because they just didn't work properly, or you found things missing that the other types have; then I'll surely change.

Was your decision to change from LEDs only because of price?

 

[Danroth]

G1/Original Radions are now $599. The G2's with TIR lenses are $649, brand new. Price on these have gone down. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take advantage of that. Ah well.