New Member; New Tank Setup…Need your opinions!

[Sistom]

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m new to the hobby, but completely prepared to undertake the challenges of maintaining a successful reef aquarium. I have read several books, spent countless hours of research online and Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m now in the process of purchasing my equipment. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve already purchased a 46 gallon bowfront, stand, and 40 pounds of black pacific live sand (Might get another 20 pounds). Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m still researching the remaining items and would like everyoneââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s opinion on my selection. I will be purchasing the majority of my equipment from Doctorââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s Foster and Smith (online).

Here is the list:

Main Tank Equipment:
Satellite Compact Fluorescent Fixtures Dual 36ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚: $168 (made by Current; 192watts)
Fluval 305 (Multi-Stage 05 Series): $150
Prizm Skimmers Prizm Deluxe: $75
Live Rock (undecided on where to purchase, but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m planning to buy 50 pounds)
2X AquaClear Powerhead Model 50: $35 x 2 = $70
2X Rotating Deflector attachments: $9.29 x 2 = $19
2X Stealth Heater 150W: $14 x 2 = $28
Coralife Power Center Dual: $45 (3 daylight/2 actinic/1 nighttime)
Aquarium Systems Synthetic Sea Salt Reef Crystals 160 gallon mix: $30

Quarantine Tub/Salt Mixing Equipment:
2X Heavy Duty Rubbermaid Tub: $14
Whisper Air pump Model 40: $12
2X Oxygen Plus Bio-Filter 11: $6
Stealth Heater 150W: $14.00
AquaClear Powerhead Model 50: $35

Test Equipment/Kits:
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Liquid Test Kit Saltwater: $18
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Reef Master Test Kit Liquid Test Kit: $26
Portable Refractometer 0-100 ppt salinity and 1.000-1.070 specific gravity: $42
53.0 mS Calibration/Reference Fluid 2 fl oz: $5

I have accounted for the items I am missing from this list (chemicals/food/misc equip/etc.) but these are the primary items I would really appreciate your opinions (good or bad). I realize that Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m overdoing a few things, but I want a little room for if I choose to go with a slightly larger tank (75gallon?) in the future. Whether that happens or not, I still want a very efficient and cost effective setup. I realize that there may be better products out there but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m looking for the best bang-for-the-buck here and donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t necessarily want to spend much more than I have listed. Donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t get me wrong, if someone suggests a product that is $20 more than one I have listed and explains why itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s worth it, I will most likely take your advice. For example; I went back and forth about the Fluval and the Eheim Pro 2 for weeks! In the end, the extra 50 dollars for the Eheim wasnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t worth it to me (in addition to the lack of filter media at my local store and only having 2 media compartments).

Please post comments/suggestions/alternatives/ANYTHING that you think could help me get off to a great start in this hobby! I will take everything into consideration and Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m hoping to make my purchase sometime this weekend (Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve had the tank for 2 weeks now while Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve been researching everything else).

Thanks in advance and Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m looking forward to hearing from all you Pros!

 

[sassafrass]

If you are planing on keeping corals t5HO 's are more effiecent than compact flourescent and come in a much greater variety.I would skip the media filters and get the best skimmer you can afford.Media filters can work for marine aquariums ,however they require much more maintenance than protien skimmers. Your black sand will look dirty all the time from my experience.Two smaller heaters is always better than one (think redundant systems) Hydor Korellia powerheads give alot of flow and use very little wattage and have a great mounting system.
Best of luck , Lee

 

[Zestay]

dont waste your money on those lights

 

[Sistom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13157141#post13157141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sassafrass
If you are planing on keeping corals t5HO 's are more effiecent than compact flourescent and come in a much greater variety.I would skip the media filters and get the best skimmer you can afford.Media filters can work for marine aquariums ,however they require much more maintenance than protien skimmers. Your black sand will look dirty all the time from my experience.Two smaller heaters is always better than one (think redundant systems) Hydor Korellia powerheads give alot of flow and use very little wattage and have a great mounting system.
Best of luck , Lee

Thanks for your response!

Another helpful member from this sites suggested the following:

Nova Extreme HO Light Fixture - 4 x 39W 3 Lunar - 36 in. $180
Aqua C Remora Pro $200
2 x Koralia 3's $40 ea.

I'm really glad I asked though because it seems like the lighting I picked out was definitely not a good choice...

Zestay; I'm definitely changing my system lighting. Most likely to the Nova Extreme HO listed above unless someone has a better suggestion...

Thanks everyone for the great advice! Keep the comments and suggestions coming!

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

actually I would go with the pro series of the nova T5HO unit.