I have been in the saltwater arena over 20 years in and out. I have noticed lots of technology changes. I just wanted to hear what is the gold standard for equipment on SPS systems? I have LED lights, a Life Reef Skimmer, Biopellet Reactor, Refugium. Are the latter 2 really required? Are people doing fine without them? I do notice a good pod collection in my refugium which is made by Life Reef. It is a totally separate system from the sump so I am able to control the flow of water through it. Let me know your thoughts.
what is the standard in SPS equipment
- Thread starter sunilp
- Start date
My thoughts are look at what the tanks that have been amazing for many years are using, tanks like Emster and Rigleautomotive, the fact that they have had amazing tanks that have stood for years shows not only excellent ability but excellent equipment choices.
jjmccloud2011
New member
So gfo and carbon reactors and a skimmer is basically it for equipment besides the obvious like wavemakers and ato?
jjmccloud2011
New member
I'm in progress of setting up a 90g for an sps attempt myself so I'm wondering the same got an aquamedic triple doser for cal, alk,& mag and a nwb 150 reef octopus skimmer already is that skimmer big enough?
PaleHorse
New member
Word:thumbsup: and a ATO lol
Agreed. I use a zeo reactor because I have one, but I've never run GFO, carbon has always been passive. Good flow with whatever floats your boat, good lighting (I agree 400w Radiums) and a good skimmer.
Over the years I decided that for me must haves include a controller and ATO, but those aren't needed, just nice to have.
That's pretty much the standard right there
I think the only "standard" is bright light and clean water with the right levels of what make coral grow. How you get there has many routes.
Dapg8gt
New member
Agreed with all above great skimmer/high flow/quality lights and great husbandry..
Bio pellets Def aren't needed along with a refugium but if implementation is correct they both can benefit the tank..
Imo while some can achieve good colors running all leds most can not and end up either supplementing the tank or having to change them out. So if your going with 100% leds I would do some research and get some examples of others for settings /par etc..
Bio pellets Def aren't needed along with a refugium but if implementation is correct they both can benefit the tank..
Imo while some can achieve good colors running all leds most can not and end up either supplementing the tank or having to change them out. So if your going with 100% leds I would do some research and get some examples of others for settings /par etc..
Dog boy Dave
New member
I have to agree. There is no standard. Honestly the "standard" should be the health of the animals. But each of us needs to set our own internal standards. Some successful tanks do use sumps. Some dont. I personally have LED , Halide, T-(somethings) fluorescents in different parts of my systems. They all work, all have advantages and disadvantages.
On the issue of nutrient export, of course you can run a tank without a skimmer or without a sump or even without water changes. As long as you can control the export so that you stay ahead of the lag and keep you system in the sweet spot. After you establish the base line where you are exporting just a lil more than you are adding its relatively easy to maintain that sweet spot with an increase in nutrient import. That can be more food or amino acids or even turning off your skimmer. Doesn't really matter as long as you are actively managing your system to keep it balanced inside the zone that our corals are happy in. Some people do this with lots of tech and $. Some do it lo tech and lo bucks. Just as many expensive systems fail as cheap ones.
I guess in short, my point is its not the equipment that needs to make the standard , its the attitude.
ryanerickson
New member
For best sps colour 100% radium 400 watt halides nothing beets them
ChrisKirkland
Reef and Coral Fanatic
The most important standard is good husbandry. You can have top notch gold standard equipment but get nothing out of it if you have poor husbandry practices.
80W t5 are stronger and more easy to use..and colors are better..more more better
54w are not powerful like 400W but 4 color corals are perfect
i'm talking of ATI fixtures with 10/12 tubes.. :beer:
