Hi in the process of setting up my first reef tank and wanted to drop by here and get everyone's input on equipment I'm planning on using to make sure I get started off on the right foot. I'm set on a tank as the IM fusion mini 40, I actually had it arrive today but unfortunately it had a small crack at the top so I'm in the process of getting a new one. As far as other equipment I'm planning on running a AI hydra 26, tunze 9004 skimmer, ice cap ato, 20lb reef saver dry rock and probably 5-10lbs of live rock from my lfs, 30lbs CaribSea Fiji pink live sand, BRS led refractometer, red sea marine care test kit, jbj digital thermometer/temp probe. The few things I was hoping to get some advice on is, first is a heater looking at Jager trutemp 150w or the finnex hmo heater with digital controller 100w. Not sure if either of these are good or not but seem to get solid reviews. Next is a powerhead/wave maker considering the ice cap 3k gyre with controller, IM aqua gadget midsize pump/controller, tunze nano stream 6040 w/ controller, looking for some help picking one. I'm also not sure what I should be running as far as chemical filtration, to start I was planning on running chemi pure blue unsure if that is all I would need or if there is some others I should use as well. Last I'm considering getting a minimax pro midsize media reactor, I'm not sure if it will be needed and if I do get one what i should be running in it. Let me know if there is anything I'm forgetting or overlooking and thanks in advance for all the help!
new tank and new reefer
- Thread starter nlutfi
- Start date
mcgyvr
New member
Welcome..
For the most part your choices seem fine..
Jager and Finnex both make good quality heaters so either one will work..
The gyre 3k is a bit oversized but since its adjustable it can be used.
Tunze also makes great products..
Personally I think that unless you have a specific problem you are trying to address that blindly throwing a media reactor on a tank isn't usually needed.. You don't need to run chemical filtration to have a successful tank.. Bacteria does most of the work..
There are reasons that carbon,etc... can be potentially beneficial though but you might want to hold off and just see how it goes without spending the money yet on chemical media..
For the most part your choices seem fine..
Jager and Finnex both make good quality heaters so either one will work..
The gyre 3k is a bit oversized but since its adjustable it can be used.
Tunze also makes great products..
Personally I think that unless you have a specific problem you are trying to address that blindly throwing a media reactor on a tank isn't usually needed.. You don't need to run chemical filtration to have a successful tank.. Bacteria does most of the work..
There are reasons that carbon,etc... can be potentially beneficial though but you might want to hold off and just see how it goes without spending the money yet on chemical media..
marzvt
New member
I agree with everything mcgyvr sais. Out of the heaters I prefer the Jager. Eheim makes quality stuff. That gyre is overkill for that size tank. You won’t be able to get it low enough not to cause havoc in the tank. Power heads in general are something you need to buy the right size. Also two smaller power heads on either side of the tank working in opposing flow is much better to great randomness.
Leave the chemical media aside for now,. You want to build the natural bacteria at first.
I would use the money you save on the gyre and get a reef keeper or basic apex. Automation and redundancy in my opinion is the best investment for long term success
Leave the chemical media aside for now,. You want to build the natural bacteria at first.
I would use the money you save on the gyre and get a reef keeper or basic apex. Automation and redundancy in my opinion is the best investment for long term success
Thanks for all the input. For powerhead I think I'm going with the aqamai kps looks like a better size and like I the app controllability. As far as a reef keeper or Apex which ones am I looking at? Seems like there are so many options and prices. And was do they offer me in the beginning
ChronicReefH2o
New member
comparing Reef Keeper to an Apex, my choice would be the Apex for its multiple capabilities of adding new addons down the road.
There are many options with the Apex, depends on what your looking for in terms of monitoring and budget.
Look into the "Classic" version which is very minimal and isn't going to break the bank.
There are many options with the Apex, depends on what your looking for in terms of monitoring and budget.
Look into the "Classic" version which is very minimal and isn't going to break the bank.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/apexel-controller-system-neptune-systems.html
here is what seems like the basic Apex system that I've found but a 500$ the price point seems kind of high but maybe it's worth it? I guess I'm not sure looking for advice on this.
here is what seems like the basic Apex system that I've found but a 500$ the price point seems kind of high but maybe it's worth it? I guess I'm not sure looking for advice on this.
mcgyvr
New member
A thinner wallet and just more ways to "tinker" that usually will not benefit the tanks inhabitants in anyway..
