Setting up a new 180- need advice/product reviews

[l3leedingstar]

Ok so I'm starting to get everything together to set up my 180. Currently I have a 92 corner mixed reef with 2 250w metal halides and 4 t5 hos plumbed into my 55 sump in the basement with a top fathom 200a skimmer mag 24 return pump and tlf phosban reactor running Ecobak.

First question is t5s or leds thats all im going to say on that subject other then I was thinking about getting the LEDs from reef filtration if I do go led. Anyone have these? Good bad?

Next is which skimmer will be really good without braking the bank. This skimmer is for 200 gallons so more then likely I'll be ordering a new one.

This may be a dumb question but should I be running carbon? Or anything else ? Using dosing pumps? Any other info I need to know? Right now all I have is the ecobak should I keep running this in the new tank? I'm really trying to completely start over here and do things right and want to have a beautiful sps tank.

 

[l3leedingstar]

Ttt

 

[ArmanS]

Skimmers have come a long way and you have many choices that will not beak the bank. SWC makes some good affordable skimmers, many people like reef octopus extreme series as well. Whatever suits your budget. I have a Vertex Royal Exclusiv skimmer and it is a beast~ I got it used for 600$ so I mean if you shop around you can get great deals.

If you will do LED lighting on a tank that size it wont be cheap. Have you thought about DIY Led? I am going that route on my 225g tank.

T5 is good as well. ATI PM is a great and popular brand if you are going that route. With LED however you wont have to replace bulbs and will save a lot on electricity. I would personally go LED. You can get the Aqua Illumination LED series which I think are amazing just too costly for me. So you have many choices, DIY LED, AI LED, or T5 all are good.

Most people I think run carbon, it's pretty cheap to get a media reactor and run some activated carbon in it, you just have to change it regularly.

I am in the same boat as you, completely starting over from my past tank. I am trying not to skimp on quality at all because if you spend so much money on corals / fish you want it to look good and thrive so you might as well spend your money on the right equipment. Put a lot of your money into your Skimmer + Lighting. If you have any questions ask I'll try to help man thats what reef central is here for just keep asking.

 

[l3leedingstar]

Skimmers have come a long way and you have many choices that will not beak the bank. SWC makes some good affordable skimmers, many people like reef octopus extreme series as well. Whatever suits your budget. I have a Vertex Royal Exclusiv skimmer and it is a beast~ I got it used for 600$ so I mean if you shop around you can get great deals.

If you will do LED lighting on a tank that size it wont be cheap. Have you thought about DIY Led? I am going that route on my 225g tank.

T5 is good as well. ATI PM is a great and popular brand if you are going that route. With LED however you wont have to replace bulbs and will save a lot on electricity. I would personally go LED. You can get the Aqua Illumination LED series which I think are amazing just too costly for me. So you have many choices, DIY LED, AI LED, or T5 all are good.

Most people I think run carbon, it's pretty cheap to get a media reactor and run some activated carbon in it, you just have to change it regularly.

I am in the same boat as you, completely starting over from my past tank. I am trying not to skimp on quality at all because if you spend so much money on corals / fish you want it to look good and thrive so you might as well spend your money on the right equipment. Put a lot of your money into your Skimmer + Lighting. If you have any questions ask I'll try to help man thats what reef central is here for just keep asking.

Thanks for your input..

I was thinking about getting a reef octopus. As far as skimmers go what makes one better from another? What makes them considered awesome in performance is it being a top of the line skimmer or one rated for more gallons then your using it for? Can a skimmer be to powerful?

DIY lighting seems very confusing I've tried going online and trying to design one and learn about them but they seem to not be much less then buying a fixture? What kind of LEDs are you going to use on yours? I'd be interested to learn more about DIY LEDs. I def. Want to go LED. T5s seem easy and they'll always get the job done so if all else fails I think I'll go t5. But if I'm going to a new setup I want it to be top of the line

I've always wanted to run carbon but I'm not sure exactly what it does. Do you put it in a special reactor? I know with a 180 plus 55 sump I'll have to use alot more then 1 or 2 bags of chemi pure like I've tried in the past.

 

[ArmanS]

No problem man.

Regarding Skimmers, you actually can be too powerful and you do not want that. I think the performance as well as efficiency are a big factor of the more expensive skimmer. The pumps play a big role in that. Like I said, a reef octopus will be a good skimmer. I would talk to Mojo, he is much more knowledgeable them me and can help you out in his Skimmer Question + Answer thread. Here it the Link

DIY Led can be confusing if you do not take the time to read and learn. Reef central has some amazing people who have contributed so much and have posted many great things that simplify LED's. Here are a few to begin with:
DIY LED The Write Up This thread has all the info you need, you should also ask questions if you need help.

Page 200, this Page 200 has tons of great info if you scroll down best page!

LEDS wont fail my friend. If you do not want to DIY I recommend Aqua Illumination great units. If you go to this thread that I made you can see many videos on DIY LED and many videos on Aqua Illumination LED setups. You should really check it out here

Next Reef 1 Media Reactor Kit

This is a great Media Reactor Kit that is only 90$, comes with reactor, pump, and hoses. You simple purchase activated carbon and media bags and place into your reactor and change regularly. Another thing many people run is filter socks, which you will need to change regularly as well.

My DIY LED Setup Equipment:
Mean Well LPC-35-700w Constant Current Driver Runs string of 12xRed LEDS 1 18 18
Cree XR-C Red 3W LED with Black Lens Runs on Mean Well LPC-35-700w Constant Current Driver 12 7 84
Mean Well LPC-35-700w Constant Current Driver Run String of 12x Blue LEDS 1 18 18
Cree XR-E Royal Blue 3w LED with Black Lens Runs on Mean Well LPC-35-700w Constant Current Driver 12 6.75 81
36 Ultra Premium LED DIY Kit with Dimmable Drivers Main Lighting 2 350 700
Drilled and Tapped 4.25" x 23" Heat Sink for 36 LEDs Heatsinks for all lighting 2 60 120
92mm Vantec Stealth Fan Kit Fans for Cooling 1 45 45

First # is the Quantity, 2nd is Price, 3rd is Total Price

The Grand Total with my tax rate is $1170 I am also purching an APEX Controller, this will cost 500$ and allow me to dim my lights, and set my moonlights, and dusk to dawn effects as well as a lunar cycle. All Together around 1700$.

For Aqua Illumination I would need 4-5 units for my tank and my setup which would cost 2300$ for a 4 unit setup which would have the same capability as my DIY and My Apex however would cost 600$ more and I wouldn't have an APEX.

Feel free to ask more questions~
HTH
Arman