Reef Crystal salt and red Sea reefer 170

[schneidergarret]

Hello all I am not new to the hobby but I am new to using a sump I have always had aio tanks bio cube and nanocube. I shut down my last tank for time restrictions so I am slowly purchasing what I want for my next tank which is the reefer 170. I am looking for advice on a return pump and a skimmer I also have a black box led 165w that I will be using for lighting do you think this will be ok? Since I knew I would get back into the hobby with a new tank I kept my salt and found it has become hard as a rock is this still usable or should I toss it and start all over with new salt?

 

[Jatx]

I am looking for advice on a return pump and a skimmer...

I just set up my reefer 170 with a Sicce Micra return pump and a Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer. I'm still cycling so I can't speak to how well they will perform in the long run, but I love how quiet they are and both are doing a great job so far.

Skimmer in Sump

Even after breaking in for almost two weeks the skimmer was still just pouring over in the recommended 8" of water. I used two 1" bio blocks to raise it to 6" and it's working like a champ.

 

[schneidergarret]

Alright thank you for the advice

 

[schneidergarret]

Is the return pump enough? I was thinking more gph? Do you have any other power heads?

 

[ROB2005]

Meh IMHO I'd say start with a fresh batch of salt.

 

[Jatx]

Is the return pump enough? I was thinking more gph? Do you have any other power heads?

I also have a VorTech MP10 Quiet Drive Wireless propeller pump for circulation in the display tank. You can see it in the top left of the image here http://i.imgur.com/xqzcBDM.jpg.

It is more than enough for the reefer 170 but I'm considering getting a second and turning them both down so I can get some more variable current going.

 

[schneidergarret]

Thanks for the tips I have a long time planning this tank so I am slowly going to get everything piece by piece.

 

[MakomekTVN]

I have a similar size tank with a jebao dct 3000 and ran it at 30%.I think dc pump is the best way to go as you can adjust the flow rather than the fixed pump. The jebao is cheap and very quiet pump or you can get the high end one if you want to spend the money.