new 125 gal tank

[Jeff Goss]

I sure could use some advice on what to buy.

The plan is to have a lot of live rock and associated critters with some smaller fish. No expensive or hard to keep corals or fish.

I recently purchased a 125 gallon tank (not pre-drilled) with stand and some cheap lighting. My goal is to buy nice equipment but I am afraid of waisting money on items that are not necessary for a basic set-up.

Any suggestions on good RO/DI units?

Should I go with a protein skimmer only or should I include a wet dry?

What about a refugium?

What about lighting?

Please keep in mind that I would like to be able to keep feeding my children!

Your thoughts and oppinions will be much appreciated.

 

[Shiandy]

Definately get a good protein skimmer, good water flow, 20x or greater, refugium would be a great addition to keep those nitrates in check.

Lighting is a personal preference, depending on what your going to keep.

 

[a4twenty]

would you say it will be a FOWLR or more of a reef?

ro is good for a FOWLER but a reef needs ro/di, check on ebay there are loads for sale and as long as you maintain / replace the membrane and pre filters there all pretty good.

for a FOWLER a wet dry is ok but for a reef they raise nitrates to much. fish can take it but reef creatures can't. as for a skimmer i like euro-reef ( u could get away with a rs-135 ) but also check out ASM and Deltec ( over priced IMO )

refugium if you have the room then definitely, it's a great way to export nitrates. plus it gives you a safe haven for pods to grow.

lighting, again depending of what your keeping and the depth of your tank this can vary from VHO to MH's.

if you want to keep feeding your children then start collecting rocks instead :eek1: this hobby has lots of expenses. but seriously to have the best success and to not have to spend more money later to replace stuff don't skimp on skimming, lighting and flow

 

[old salty]

Re: new 125 gal tank

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8252894#post8252894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jeff Goss

Please keep in mind that I would like to be able to keep feeding my children!

You sure picked the wrong hobby for that!!

Check out the used equipment forums for some good deals on items.