alpineroush
Member
what equipment and how do i need to set up my tank. Have not bought anything yet
Starting sps tank
- Thread starter alpineroush
- Start date
That's a pretty loaded question as pretty much thousands of different types of successful setups exist, lol. I would suggest you take a look at the tanks of the month that are posted on www.reefkeeping.com as they all list the equipment they are using.
The main element to keeping a successful reef is
1.) Time. Make sure to do your research and learn to be patient.
2.) Stability. Namely find a level you want to keep your alk, cal, and magnesium at and keep it there. It's been said you can substitute SPS as (Stability Promotes Success).
In general, alkalinity should be between 7-11, calcium between 380-450, magnesium 1250-1350. Some even keep their levels higher than what I just stated as well just fine.
3.) Nutrients. Keep your nitrates and phosphates low.
4.) Lighting. Halides, T5's, or LED's have all been used successfully. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
The main element to keeping a successful reef is
1.) Time. Make sure to do your research and learn to be patient.
2.) Stability. Namely find a level you want to keep your alk, cal, and magnesium at and keep it there. It's been said you can substitute SPS as (Stability Promotes Success).
In general, alkalinity should be between 7-11, calcium between 380-450, magnesium 1250-1350. Some even keep their levels higher than what I just stated as well just fine.
3.) Nutrients. Keep your nitrates and phosphates low.
4.) Lighting. Halides, T5's, or LED's have all been used successfully. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
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chrisneill1987
New member
yes lots of flow,i prefer T5s but thats just my preference
trueblackpercula
New member
I would also add a chiller depending we're you live and were the tank will be set up. Then ther is a heater for the winter months, test kits, salt, outlets ,extension cords,sump,pumps,hydrometer, protein skimmer, dosing pumps or calcium reactor, live rock , sand if you like that....power heads controllers stand and yes a tank the bigger the better.
Andyf30
Member
1. tank (bigger the better, preferably ree ready for ease of plumbing)
2. lighting (metal halide and t5 are still more dominant amongst sps guys, but led is quickly catching up)
3. sump (bigger the better. should accommodate skimmer, and maybe a reactor or two, and maybe a refugium if you want. There are lots of DIY sump plans in the DIY threads using smaller tanks)
4. skimmer (buy something rated for larger than your tank size, good brands are reef octopus and reef dynamics)
5. lots of flow in the display (tunze and ecotech are hands down the best two brands available)
there's more like return pumps and so on, but those are the basics off the top of my head
2. lighting (metal halide and t5 are still more dominant amongst sps guys, but led is quickly catching up)
3. sump (bigger the better. should accommodate skimmer, and maybe a reactor or two, and maybe a refugium if you want. There are lots of DIY sump plans in the DIY threads using smaller tanks)
4. skimmer (buy something rated for larger than your tank size, good brands are reef octopus and reef dynamics)
5. lots of flow in the display (tunze and ecotech are hands down the best two brands available)
there's more like return pumps and so on, but those are the basics off the top of my head
alpineroush
Member
I got a 75 gallon reef ready with trigger sump. Also got two two ai vega colors. Have two next reef reactors. What settings do i use on the Vegas. What media Do i need. In reactors and sump. Have two macro glows for sump. Got reef dyanamics ins 80 skimmer. Is this big enough.
alpineroush
Member
Looking at vortex powerheads but what size is needed and do i place on sides or back and how many.
Andyf30
Member
Your reactors should have carbon and gfo in them, unless you wanna run biopellets or something to that effect. The ins80 should do the job if you don't stock your tank too heavily. It's a little under sized (i run the same skimmer on my 40 breeder sps reef). The vega colors should be ok if you put them on each side of the center brace. if you search the forums, you should be able to find people using the vega color who post their lighting schedules, and what percentages they use.
