Need help picking out equipment

[vdhillon2]

I'm setting up a 125 FOWLR...for now. its a 4x2x2
I'm trying to figure out what kind of equipment to invest in.

Lighting: a 48" LED is running about $400, should i stick with T5s, mind you I live in Phoenix, so its gonna need a chiller regardless of heat output.

Skimmer: its been a while since my last set up, I had a octopus, i think i liked it. I'm looking for an in sump. My sump is going to be a 29 gallon. I see ASM alot, i think thats the name...any input in that or other types.

Return pump: I have an overflow though the sump which i would like to keep somewhat low- so i was thinking a magdrive 5.
I am also plumbed for closed loop. I'm not sure about this, its my first closed loop. Obviously a little more power, but i want it to be quiet....thoughts?

would you put a canister filter in the closed loop?
I'd obviously like to maximize my bioload, would putting in the canister filter allow for more fish?

Thanks for any help.

 

[msayani2]

For the skimmer -

aquamaxx skimmers with the new sicce 2.0 pumps should do good.. maybe a "cone -2" model? Excellent construction.. same guys that made the warner marine skimmers are making these

Also to consider - ATB 840 v2 or Bubble king mini 180

Been doing some research on stuff like this for my revamped 90g so this is just my $0.02

 

[SmokedOut]

I love my reef octopus skimmer....

 

[aandfsoccr04]

the 4x2x2 is a 120 gallon.
125 gallons are almost always 6 feet long.

 

[viggen]

also don't forget the reef dynamics skimmers, made in the states use to be euro reef. I just picked up a used rs250 for my 210g, great skimmer. I also have a RC500 from ER, great stuff

Pump wise there is also bubble blaster pumps, seem like a similar design vs red dragon/laguna/atb pumps....... better that the mag stuff.

Lighting... get what you want, I have MH's on my FO/FOWLR tanks, never messed with LED's

 

[Reefnut2010]

For lighting t5 would give you the option of picking the bulbs that best show off you fish, so that's a + in a FOWLR set up. Return pump, I would do nothing less than a Mag 9. Skimmer wise get one that will work with the fish load you plan on having. Predator tanks require big skimmers because of their feeding habits. Super Reef Octopus Skimmers are a great choice. I would run Bio pellets too. It's a good way to keep the nitrate and Phosphates down.

 

[TNTahan]

I live in Scottsdale and I know about the summers here but I dont know if you need a chiller. I am just getting into this too and have many friends that get away just fine with cooling fans as long as you dont have your tank getting direct sunlight during the day (during the summer) you should be fine from what I have seen. I looked into getting a chiller too but they are just loud and annoying, take up space and take a lot of electricity. But if your one of those people that have your A/C on a program to go up during the day when your not there then you should do the chiller. But if you just keep it at like 78 all day long you should be more than fine with just fans. Thats just what I have seen and the reason I am not getting a chiller.

However I am going with LED's for my setup, you should look into doing that it will help a lot with the heat

 

[mkengr45]

I've always used euroreef, but this weekend I put an Octopus 150 in my sump and it works just as well so far. Had a little too much foam it first but now it's fine. Precision Marine also has many many fans and are priced reasonably.

 

[TNTahan]

I have a ASM G2, Havent set it up yet but I got it because of the price and the reviews on it for what it does. I have 4 friends with tanks that use them and have yet to hear someone have something bad to say about it. According to them they all said "you wont get a better skimmer for the price" so thats what I was going off of