New Reef Tank

[fernalfer]

Ok it has been about 8 years since i dismantled my 120 gallon Reef Tank. It was pretty good but i have learned alot since then and now that we are in our new home would like to set another one up.

Firstly size: I either want to do a 75 gallon, 90 gallon, or another 120.
Which size do you pro reefers recommend? Also is there a difference between going with 1 or 2 pre-drilled corner flows? I am going to be doing sump filtration and love the trigger system sumps.

I was hoping that i can get some comments on equipment to look at before starting up my month long initial cycling of water. Pumps, heaters, lights, protein skimmer, flex tubing or PVC, Sand or No sand, what kind of live rock.

Keep in mind money is a factor but i also don't want crap for equipment. Definately willing to spend on the important items.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I would like to start buying my equipment sooner then later.

Thanks

 

[scooter31707]

Sounds like you are on the right track for getting started. Don't forget the following:
1. Salt
2. Test Kit (API will work for your cycle, but will need something more reliable after that)
3. ATO (Automatic Top-Off, keeps the water level up from evaporation and helps keep stable)
4. Dosing Pumps (if keeping corals)
5. Good Thermometer
6. Brute Trash cans/5 gallon buckets (for water changes)
7. Powerheads (in tank circulation)
8. GFO Reactor (if keeping corals)

 

[scooter31707]

Almost forgot the important thing. A refractometer, to measure the salinity.

 

[fernalfer]

Sounds like you are on the right track for getting started. Don't forget the following:
1. Salt
2. Test Kit (API will work for your cycle, but will need something more reliable after that)
3. ATO (Automatic Top-Off, keeps the water level up from evaporation and helps keep stable)
4. Dosing Pumps (if keeping corals)
5. Good Thermometer
6. Brute Trash cans/5 gallon buckets (for water changes)
7. Powerheads (in tank circulation)
8. GFO Reactor (if keeping corals)

Yes thank you. I know i need a lot more then i listed above. Probably should of put etc..... at the end. lol. My question is can you give me some brands of the equipment listed that is trusted and works that won't totally break the bank. Even some sites that are good that people use to buy things. I guess what i'm asking is to be kind of pointed in the right direction. And if going with corals is a bigger tank better. Keeping in mind a bigger tank comes along with a deeper pocket.

 

[DavidGraves]

I would pick the 75 tank if I was building one. Shallow depth is easier to work on, with better light penetration to sand bed. The fish that need the large tanks prefer length over depth.

 

[scooter31707]

Now, have you decided what type of tank you wanted, coral or fowlr? That being said, 75, 90, 120 are almost in the same ballpark. A 4ft 120 gallon will be great for a reef tank because of the height and depth. If you want a FOWLR, I would suggest a 5ft 120, more length will come into play. If you have a 75 gallon all the equip you have to buy will mostly be compatible to the 90. Equip for a 90 will almost can work on a 120. So the main thing is figure what you want to do and what your floor can support. You can find quality used equip on this forum, craigslist, and some vendors do have good prices. With that said, "what you pay for is what you get", so if you try to be too cheap, then you might have cheap equip. Just my 2 cents.