Saltwater Reef Controllers

[JohnZena]

Hi All, I am a month or two from starting my build. I am being transferred and waiting until then. I have decided to get as many controllers as needed to make the success of my tank that much easier. Considering the investment involved there really is no room for rookie mistakes. I have been researching controllers for days. I need your help. ATO, water parameters, lighting etc. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

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[top shelf]

As far as reef controllers go the Apex and Reefkeeper are the two big ones, opted for an Apex Jr myself. They can both control ato's, lights, pumps, skimmers, heaters, the list goes on. By water parameters I'm assuming you mean test kits. Stay away from API as there not that great but there's salifert which are good, Hannah checkers if you wanna go more high end, and I'm sure others can suggest more. Tunze ATO's seem to be the most reliable bit theres the jbj which many seem to like too. Lighting can get very expensive depending what you want. If your going led's you can get cheap Chinese black boxes, reef breeders makes a couple good ones at a mid level price, all the way up to the ecotech radions or ghl mitras which come with a high price tag. You also have the option of t-5's or metal halide. Replacing bulbs can get rather expensive and metal halide generate a lot of heat. It all comes down to personal preference and if your trying to keep mostly soft, lps, or light loving sps. If you could tell us the intentions for this tank it can help narrow things down a little better.

 

[JohnZena]

As far as reef controllers go the Apex and Reefkeeper are the two big ones, opted for an Apex Jr myself. They can both control ato's, lights, pumps, skimmers, heaters, the list goes on. By water parameters I'm assuming you mean test kits. Stay away from API as there not that great but there's salifert which are good, Hannah checkers if you wanna go more high end, and I'm sure others can suggest more. Tunze ATO's seem to be the most reliable bit theres the jbj which many seem to like too. Lighting can get very expensive depending what you want. If your going led's you can get cheap Chinese black boxes, reef breeders makes a couple good ones at a mid level price, all the way up to the ecotech radions or ghl mitras which come with a high price tag. You also have the option of t-5's or metal halide. Replacing bulbs can get rather expensive and metal halide generate a lot of heat. It all comes down to personal preference and if your trying to keep mostly soft, lps, or light loving sps. If you could tell us the intentions for this tank it can help narrow things down a little better.

I am still up in the air regarding lighting. I retired as an electrical superintent and I am toying with building a system I probably wont but have trouble paying the kind of money they cost when I understand how they are made. In regards to the tank, it is a 75 gallon with a 55 gal sump. I want to stock it as a beginner while I learn the hobby. Slow and patient.

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[top shelf]

I can understand that, one of those I could do it but will I. Reef breeders might be worth looking into then. They make some solid lights without the high price tag. A lot of people seem to like and have good luck with the chinese black boxes as well. Maybe someone who has personally used them can chime in. If your planning to start off simple and slowly build up as you gain experience it would be worth it to buy equipment now that you can grow into as time goes on rather then buy equipment you'll have to replace later. Learned this my first time around so this time when I purchased my sca 45g I have taken the time to save up and do it right the first time. I purchased the Apex I mentioned, a vortech mp10wqd powerhead, tunze nano ato, salifert test kits, and a few other odds and ends. I'm using the skimmer and return pump that came with the tank. The only thing k coming over from my old tank is the maxspect razor light which I wanna eventually replace with a radion pro.

 

[JohnZena]

I can understand that, one of those I could do it but will I. Reef breeders might be worth looking into then. They make some solid lights without the high price tag. A lot of people seem to like and have good luck with the chinese black boxes as well. Maybe someone who has personally used them can chime in. If your planning to start off simple and slowly build up as you gain experience it would be worth it to buy equipment now that you can grow into as time goes on rather then buy equipment you'll have to replace later. Learned this my first time around so this time when I purchased my sca 45g I have taken the time to save up and do it right the first time. I purchased the Apex I mentioned, a vortech mp10wqd powerhead, tunze nano ato, salifert test kits, and a few other odds and ends. I'm using the skimmer and return pump that came with the tank. The only thing k coming over from my old tank is the maxspect razor light which I wanna eventually replace with a radion pro.

I have most of my equipment. My build was scheduled to start cycling last week. Then the hammer dropped and I was asked to relocate. I couldnt let the oppurtunity pass. So it will be a couple more months before I start. I set up a 20 gallon tank to practice water tests and such. I have 80 pounds of LR in a container with a pump and aerator. It should be in good shape when the time comes tostart my build. While analyzing things I decided to automate Hence this thread.

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[Ron Reefman]

Hi John. How big of a tank do you expect to end up with after the 20g 'practice' tank?

I ask so we can offer you some ideas about lighting. DIY is an option, but over the past couple of years, the cost for good quality led fixtures has gone down to the point that buying is as cheap as DIY. There is nothing wrong with the Chinese made 'black box' fixtures that are made and sold under a variety of names and with a variety of sizes and levels of features.

You can get a well made 'basic' fixture that has 2 channels of color control and 5 or 6 different colors of leds along with separate dimmers for each of the 2 channels. The typical fixture is about 16"x10" and will cover a 24"x18" footprint. If you raise the fixture a bit you can get to 24" front to back and something a bit more than 24" side to side. This basic black box fixture can be found for under $100 and produces enough light to grow anything.