New to SW

Kimmer322

New member
Just got a tank - 120 gal. have been researchig and researching and have decided I would like to do a reef tank and get the package from Richard. Just want to see if you guys can recommend a pump or filter system. Seems everyone has something to sell. I want to make sure I have the right stuff so any info you have will be greatly apprciated. I have ordered a ro/di filter for the water. Recommendations on lighting would also be great.

Thanks!!
 
Would need to know if you'll have a sump for the skimmer or will be using a HOB one, and what price range for the flow, filtration and lighting, and also if this tank will be TBS rock only.
 
I guess that is my question regarding the sump. Out shopping last night I was recommended a wet/dry filter system reading TBS website it says I only need a good pump and protein skimmer. As well as heater and lighting and stuff.

So what is best? In regards to price - I only want to do it once and do it right so I guess I will spend what I need to spend. Of course I don't want to overspend for unnecessarily.

It will be TBS rock only until I get some fish.

Thanks!!
 
Forget the wet/dry setup w/ bioballs, that's outdated stuff from the 1980's. A sump is another smaller tank under your tank that adds to total water volume, is a place for a skimmer, heater, a fuge, a return pump, etc. and would need to be plumbed to your main tank. You would either have to have a reef ready tank, drill it, or use an overflow to get water flowing down to the sump. You can also use an HOB skimmer on the back of your tank if you don't use a sump.

There are any number of good skimmers including but not limited to Tunze, Deltec, Octopus, Bubble King, etc. and it all depends on your price range. For lighting for TBS rock and fish only you could use something like a Nova Extreme/Extreme Pro T5HO setup as TBS rock and fish will not require high PAR/intense lighting, and for flow you could use something like several Koralia or Tunze powerheads or even a Vortech pump (good flow is important). I would also get a reactor or canister filter or power filter and run a good quality carbon like Seachem Matrix or Rox .8 If you are going to have a lot of fish I would get a skimmer rated for up to 50% larger than your size tank.
 
I do not have the reef ready. And don't think I will be drilling the tempered glass - Although it seems not necessary, would a sump be your recommendation? Or will a HOB protein skimmer be enough. (with a canister filter?)

Totally new at this and my mind is filled with info from shopping and reading.

Thanks for your repllies!!
 
Although a sump/fuge is nearly standard equipment with reefers these days, you can have a very successful tank without one. If you run a HOB skimmer I would go with either the Rogue Wave, the Deltec, the C&C, or the Warner Marine one.
 
Kim, it sounds like your set up is very similar to mine - 120 gallon tank, not drilled. Here is my build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1289083

I have a 55 gallon sump that I divided into 3 sections. The first section is where the overflow empties and the skimmer sits, this is separated from the second section by 3 baffles so the water flows over, under then back over into the second section which contains live rock and Chaeto algae for filtration. This section is separated from the third section by another baffle. The third section is where my return pump (Mag 9.5) moves the water back into the display tank.

My skimmer is an AquaC 180 powered by a Mag 7, the overflow is a CPR CS202 with an Aqualifter pump. I have 3 Koralia 4 powerheads and for lights I have 4 LED bulbs from Aquarium Direct.

My setup is not really traditional as the sump sits next to the display tank rather than under. I can do this because the display tank is in-wall in the basement and I built a large table the tanks sit on behind the wall in an unfinished room. This gives me about 13 feet of workspace with storage underneath.

I put my first shipment of TBS rock in the tank about 12 days ago and everything is going great.

There is a ton of information on this site and some fantastically knowledgeable people here. Ask lots of questions and do lots of research and you will have a wonderful experience.
 
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