Need help to spec out 90gal Reef

[gogregerson]

I've only been in the reef hoby for a few months and was terribly mislead on stting up my first sw tank. Now I'm starting fresh with a 90gal reef tank. I'm looking for some solid direction on filtraion/skimmer, lighting, and any other hardware suggestions.

 

[gogregerson]

I'm looking at a Euroreef rs series skimmer, any thoughts?. Not sure how many watts worth of lighting I should be trying for?

 

[fahz]

Re: Need help to spec out 90gal Reef

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7890021#post7890021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gogregerson
I've only been in the reef hoby for a few months and was terribly mislead on stting up my first sw tank. Now I'm starting fresh with a 90gal reef tank. I'm looking for some solid direction on filtraion/skimmer, lighting, and any other hardware suggestions.

Hello and welcome to the reef hobby. Your new best friends and helpers are located here. Great group of people with lots of suggestions and very willing to share. We are in Duluth but I'm sure our paths will cross as we also members of this group.

http://thereeftank.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=58

Jim

 

[stacerbean]

Welcome gogregerson! Glad you found this forum. You will find lots of help throughout your journey! Don't be afraid to ask. Someone will answer!

As for your 90gal, good luck to you! We are moving to a 90gal soon. Ok, maybe six months from now, but in my book that's soon! Lots of prep. Lots of making the right choices. After a rocky start, our 55gal reef has been successful. Mostly due to the people in our club (Greater MN Reef Society) and this board. Thanks everyone!

As for skimmers, I'm still researching. People from TCMAS (Twin Cities club) have a lot of praise for the My Reef Creations skimmer. Also the Turbofloater 1000. I can't speak for either yet as we have a 55gal tank running a CPR BakPak.

What kind of corals do you plan on starting with? What direction do you want to go?

Nice to meet you!
Stacey

 

[gogregerson]

Since I posted this thread I've now decided to go with an 150 extra tall tank (48"Wx24"Dx31"T) so now my filtration and lighting needs have increased. I want to be able to do any kind of coral with the tank including and have a healthy load of fish.

 

[fahz]

Spoken like a true reef hobbyist your hooked. Check out Forest Lake Pets and Ocean Devotion for good prices. Forest lake has the best prices you'll find on tanks.

Jim

 

[gogregerson]

You're right about Forest Lake they do have the best prices on tanks. They are selling a 150 tall for almost $200 cheaper then Wet World. Acually, their stocked 120 drilled is only $40 cheaper then the 150 and it does include the two $40 overflow kits. Which by the way, How much of a flow rate do I need for that 150? It only comes with one overflow with 800gph rate. That should be enough, right?

 

[fahz]

Don't depending on your overflow for water movement. Consider adding powerheads or a closed loop spraybar, you can't over do water movement. Many guys get into trouble if they only have overflow for water movement and a pump fails as their tank is void of water movement. Trust me pump failures happen for the stranges reasons.

Jim

 

[gogregerson]

Don't worry I've got plenty of power heads I'm planing on using plugged into a wave maker timer I've got. On the 150 with 31in deep what kind of lighting am I going to require? I was looking at a retro kit with 2-250w MH and 2-110w VHO.

 

[fahz]

Lighting sounds good how deep is the 150?

Jim

 

[gogregerson]

31in deep. Do you know the difference between the different types of MH bulbs. (5k,10k,20k,ect.)

 

[gogregerson]

31in. tall

 

[Thefilterguys]

OK best bulbs are going to be 10 or 14K you are going to get more punch down then with 20K . Since you are planning on using VHO The 10K are more sunlight and the 14K are more blue I suggest 10K. Since you are still in the planning stages I suggest you attend the twin cities meeting on the 27th for more insight.

Suggest you do a lighting search in the reefkeeper mag here on RC lots of information on single ended and double ended blulbs and fixtures. After reading you'll be a lighting pro.

Jim/Fahz

 

[Thefilterguys]

Don't be confused by my change I'm on the company login.

Jim