Newbie needing some advice

[TX_Tanks]

Hello all, love the website so far. I have been doing a lot of reading on the do's and don'ts of reef tanks and I have a question. Someone is selling a complete setup and I just wanted to get some expert opinions to see if it will have everything I need or if I would be missing something. Here is what is included in the package:

90 gallon reef-ready oceanic tank and stand
- 1 powerhead
- 1 wave maker/powerhead
- 1 32'' reef keeper LED light
- 1 40 gallon name brand sump
- 1 8 watt uv sterilizer
- 1 phosphate reactor and pump
- 2 mag 12 pumps, one for return and one for water changes
- 1 vertex 180 skimmer
- 1 oceanic chiller that is rarely used and works great
- 1 top off container, holds one week worth of refill

Thanks for your help and I look forward to becoming a regular on this board.

 

[MondoBongo]

they're selling the top off container, does it come with the ATO as well?

that looks like a fairly comprehensive list of things. the mag 12 is a seriously hefty return for that sized tank. i might actually consider something more around the size of a mag 7 - 9, but that's largely down to how you want the tank to turn over.

i don't find UV sterilizers to be useful for a reef, but that's another thing that depends on your personal preferences to a large extent.

for the right price that seems like a reasonable turn-key setup.

any live stock or rocks included?

 

[dustinkimpel]

Looks pretty good. I would buy all new sand and rock and make sure to clean out everything really well. People normally get UV sterilizers when they are having some sort of algea or parasite problem. Could also be the reason they are selling the tank. If its a good deal I'd jump on it. Chillers alone can cost around $500.

 

[Canadian Reefer]

I didnt see a heater on your list. Other than that looks like a good initial set up.

 

[TX_Tanks]

All of the pieces listed he is selling for under $500. He upgraded his tank so this is taken apart and in his garage at the moment. I will be thoroughly cleaning the tank before I put anything into it. A few additional questions and comments.

It does not come with any live rock or sand.
Is a heater necessary?
Should I purchase a RO/DI filter?


After doing my extensive reading once I set up this tank then I have a few months of getting the tank ready for fish.

 

[dustinkimpel]

All of the pieces listed he is selling for under $500. He upgraded his tank so this is taken apart and in his garage at the moment. I will be thoroughly cleaning the tank before I put anything into it. A few additional questions and comments.

It does not come with any live rock or sand.
Is a heater necessary?
Should I purchase a RO/DI filter?


After doing my extensive reading once I set up this tank then I have a few months of getting the tank ready for fish.

Good you want all new rock/sand to start anyway.

Yes a heater is very very very necessary. It is the second most important piece of equipment just behind a power head.

Yes without RODI water you will have phosphate problems which translates to an ugly algae filled tank.

 

[dustinkimpel]

and for under 500 that's a steal, jump on it before someone else does.

 

[dustinkimpel]

You may have already seen this but here is a great place to start:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632

 

[TX_Tanks]

As for a heater what type is a good one to get for that size tank?

 

[dustinkimpel]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+25144&pcatid=25144

These are like the best heaters you can buy at the moment. You'd need to buy 2 of them for that size tank. Look around that website and pick some out. They all have charts showing what wattage you'd need for your tank size. I go all out on a heater because a heater failure will end in complete catastrophe for your tank.

 

[oldbones]

You might want to read this thread before you buy that suggested heater...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2376715

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+25144&pcatid=25144

These are like the best heaters you can buy at the moment. You'd need to buy 2 of them for that size tank. Look around that website and pick some out. They all have charts showing what wattage you'd need for your tank size. I go all out on a heater because a heater failure will end in complete catastrophe for your tank.

 

[dustinkimpel]

You might want to read this thread before you buy that suggested heater...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2376715

This was a noticed problem when they first came out. They stopped producing them for sometime and claimed to have fixed the issue. They also paid for all damages caused if you contacted them. You just have to check the manufacturing date. I do know some people have decided to completely avoid cobalt now though.

 

[MondoBongo]

one piece of equipment i can't live without is my Apex (or comparable) controller.

strictly speaking it is a "nice to have" but the security and peace of mind it gives me was well worth the purchase the price.

if nothing else, having something watching over your heater(s) is never a bad idea. the internal thermometers suck on every model i've ever used.

 

[Ls2Goat]

As stated above a controller is highly helpful, I Use a reefkeeper Elite and would not dare setup another tank with out one.