Proposed Newbie Reef - Design and Equipment List

[Tobman]

Below I've briefly described a proposed system for my house. Any suggestions ya'll may have concerning the basic design or the equipment would be much appreciated. Am I missing anything, would you use something different, what would you add or delete?

A 75 gallon reef-ready display aquarium in my living room with live rock and hardy/beginner fish and corals/inverts (see list below). Water movement in the display will be via sump return and powerheads. Tank plumbed to a basement (7 feet vertical) sump and refugium. The sump and refugium will be separate to allow for maximum flexibility. The overflow will be split one side to the sump and the other side to the refugium. Refugium line will be valved to allow for higher or lower flows. Return of refugium to same sump area as overflow where skimmer is (refugium gets raw tank water).

The list of livestock is very preliminary as I am still in the midst of researching compatibilty and care. I envision it being a mixed fish and corals/invert tank with easy to care for (can you say beginner) inhabitants (e.g., xoos, mushrooms, leathers, hardy fish). But I have included 4 x T5HO lights and lots of water flow to allow progressively more light, flow and water quality demanding species down the road.

Livestock and Equipment List

Livestock (Suggested)
- Fiji Premium Quality Un-Cured Live Rock 44 lbs/box X 2
- Tank Cleaner Crew Basic 75 Gallon Tank
- Zoanthid Mushrooms - Zoanthus species X 2
- Button Polyp - Green - Epizoanthus species
- Green Metallic Mushrooms - Actinodiscus species
- Chili Coral - Alcyonium species (leather)
- Macroalgae - Assorted Caulerpa
- Fish - not sure yet (I like wrasses, tangs, triggers, butterflys, etc.)

Aquarium
- 75g Reef Ready (48x18.5x21.5)
- American Oak Cabinet Stand (32")
- Decorative Oak Canopy
Lighting - Display
- 48" Retrofit: 4 x 54W T5 HO Fluorescents
- In-Tank Water Flow
- Iwaki MD 30RLXT - 960gph - Japan
- Turbelle Pump/Powerhead 7400/2 (185-1057 gph) x 2
- Squid Wavemaker - not sure exactly what I need here other than PHs
Substrate - Display
- Live rock - see 'Livestock'
- Aragamax Sugar-Sized Reef Sand 30 lbs x 2
Sump
- 20 Long Tank (30x12x12)
- Euro-Reef CS80 Protein Skimmer
- Baffles
- Egg crate plastic
- PVC plumbing (1") (7' vert/4'horiz)
Refugium
- 10 Gallon Tank 20x10x12
- 65w PC light 6500k color
- Transfer pump (refuge to sump) - still researching design of two tanks sump/refuge
- Baffles
- 5 lb. Aragonite Substrate - do I need mud?
- PVC plumbing (3/4")
Quarantine Tank
- 10 Gallon Tank 20x10x12
- 20" Fluorescent Recessed Hood
- AquaClear 30 Power Filter
- Tetra Whisper Heater 10" 50 watt
- Power Head Model 20
- Airstone
- Fishnet - dedicated
- PVC hide-outs
Water Changes
- Salt mix
- 3-stage Deluxe w/White 75 GPD RO/DI filter
- 35 gallon tub/can
- 150W Jager Heater
- Maxi-Jet Powerhead MP400
- Python No-Spill 25-foot Siphon
Test Kits
- Marine Lab Master Test Kit (NH4, NO3, NO2, pH, alk)
- Calcium Test Lab
- Digital Thermometer
- Hydrometer (salinity & SG)
- Phosphate Test Lab
- Magnesium Test Kit
Miscellaneous
- Algae scraper
- Fish net
Live Rock Curing
- Rubber tub - 35g
- 200W Jager Heater
- Power Head Model 20

Cost: ~$3,000-$3,500*

* Does not include:
- O&M
- Electrical upgrades (e.g., GFI outlets)
- Shipping & taxes

Also, it is priced as 95% new equipment.

 

[Andrew]

You've been doing lots of planning. Sounds good.

 

[Jcohen9999]

Nice list!


However, based on my limited experience, I would drop the SCQD and get a OM Squirt from the get go.

Keep us posted.

Jeff

 

[SerLunchbox]

Looks good to me!

 

[skylab1]

tobman, at 95% new still cost you $3500? you must have a lots of money.

Did you already purchase all that? I hope not.

Are you interest in a system will do better then your current list every will, and cost you have of that?

here is my 200 g reef at 4 weeks old
http://www.angelfire.com/planet/reef/reef/

 

[Tobman]

Half the Cost?

Half the Cost?

skylab1,

No I have not bought anything at all, and no I don't have a lot of money. Plan on cost savings by purchasing much used.

Yeah, I am very interested in an equally effective system for half the price, absolutely. Please give me ideas, that's why I posted.

I have been told/read a reef tank costs $50-200 per gallon with an average of $100/gallon. At $3,500 I am at $46/gallon; so it seems I am on the low end.

Can you send me your equipment list and design specs?

Thanks, Toby

 

[Tobman]

Jcohen9999,

Can you please send me a link for the OM Squirt? Thanks.

 

[BlackOnyx]

might want a 6 bulb t5 so you can plan for additions later

 

[Clayman]

I will second the OM squirts. ( I have two on my tank and love them ) Also I would get a refractometer instead of a hydrometer waaay more acurate. If you would like more info PM me, As I can't type that fast so it will take awhile.

 

[bertoni]

Nice list. I don't have much to say.

Some thoughts:

You don't need mud for the refugium. You can skip the substrate altogether, or add a bit of sand, or some live rock rubble. The sand supports some animals; the live rock rubble is good for small crustaceans.

I would plan on getting two heaters, and some sort of temperature controller, if you can swing it. There's a DIY project for an emergency shutoff at SeaBay.org. Heaters are sadly, and somewhat amazingly, unreliable.

What kind of animals would you like to keep long-term? Those lights are fine for those animals, but you might want stronger lighting for other animals. Best not to have to upgrade.

I agree with the refractometer idea, but a float type hydrometer can be calibrated and is reliable. The swing-arms can be calibrated, too, but they seem touchy to me. Mine went into the trash.

I like Salifert test kits. The SeaTest-FasTest kits have worked well for me, although they are more time-consuming. The SeaChem kits have gotten some good reviews. I don't know much about the brand you've listed.

A pH meter can be handier than a pH test kit, although more expensive, at least initially.

 

[skylab1]

Ok tobman,

here is the design spec. first

Let me know what you think.

Note: actual spece between each parts are depend on your available space.

 

[Tobman]

Thanks ...

Thanks ...

Thanks for all of the encouragement and ideas. This sure is a journey, an ocean journey.