Where to duy these:

[Shaun120]

You need to determine what you want to keep in your tank before buying any equipment, kinda work backwards.

I would get your LR from your LFS then you can see what your getting. If your LFS is not very good then go to the internet but search Reef Central for the better suppliers.

I'm with Hop...skip the "live sand" its not really alive compared to substrate in an aquarium that has been set up for awhile.

Don't skimp on equipment...do your research and if it is super cheap but promises big results it’s usually crap (I've yet to experience such a paradox).

System pumps range from cheap to super expensive. You will need to determine what is important to you. The cheaper pumps will use more electricity and make more noise for the same flow as some more expensive ones, again do your research. What may work for some may drive you nuts.

 

[Scoobaman17]

Thanks!

The tank I plan on making is not going to be a full out reef. The tank is 8 feet long by 2 by 2. The hard coral reef will be around 3 feet wide on the right side with twin 250 watt reefstars over it. some clams, then towards the left side of the tank in the center will be a soft coral island no more then 2 feet in diameter at the base. That will have a 150 W mh over it. The fish will include a school of chromis at about 15-20 strong. a few odd balls here and there lets say clown gobies, firefish, yellow head jawfish, and maybe a yellow tang. Thats all the life I want in the tank. I love the open water and I hope you can see what I'm getting at. What I mean is there will not be a lot of bioload, lots of cleaners, and not too much on coral life. I want simple. At least for now.

What you think?

 

[klam114]

For skimmer, I would still recommend the ATi Bubblemaster 250 as the best balance in terms of great performance and price.

 

[Scoobaman17]

Thanks.

 

[kodyboy]

If you can afford it the ATI 250 is great....but that is $750! In addition it is way overkill on your system, especially considering the light load you are going to have.

 

[Scoobaman17]

If I was going to do a full out reef, I would, but I am going very simple, I'm talking around 30 green chromis sized fish in this 240 gallon system and very little coral life, mainly open water. I've been looking into the aquaeuro classic 400 which is only around 40 bucks more then the classic 250 and it seems like that would still be very sufficent for this tank.

 

[dannieboiz]

Why not just use three 250w MH SE with spider reflectors?

3x Icecap 250 ballast = 340-ish
3x Reeflux 10k bulbs = 160-ish
3x reflectors - $100
2x VHO Super actinic = $60
1 IC 660 = $120

You can find the ballasts/reflectors used and save a few dollars.

RODI was well worth it for me, but it also depends on where you live. My TDS was ~ 500, with my RODI unit I brought it down to ~ 2.

That's a nice size tank, and I'm sure you spent a pretty penny on it. Don't go cheap on other components and screw it up later.

Get the AE400 instead of the 250. You can never over skim.

Also look @ your local reef forums I'm sure someone is always unloading some live rocks.

 

[klam114]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9702291#post9702291 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kodyboy
If you can afford it the ATI 250 is great....but that is $750! In addition it is way overkill on your system, especially considering the light load you are going to have.

I have to disagree with this statement, unless you've owned and use the Bubblemaster skimmers, it is not overkill. The BM200 $529 will support up to 200g heavy bioload, for any tank/sump/refugium over 250g, most will recommend the BM250 $749 which will support up to 400g heavy bioload. Scoobaman17 is starting out light, but his total water volume is probably going to be over 300g. He can start with a skimmer like BM200, but can easily outgrow it. I think it's always nice to go up a little bit so you don't box yourself in with an unpowered skimmer. I'm sure that other BM250 owners will recommend that Scoobaman17 go with the BM250 as well. But then, not sure what your budget is. The BM250 does perform as well as other high end needlewheel skimmers that may cost 2x-3x what the BM250 is priced at. Not trying to get into any arguments here about what skimmer is better than what, just clarifying what the Bubblemaster skimmers can and cannot do and the BM250 is an appropriate fit.

 

[kodyboy]

I think you misunderstood, I meant for what he wanted to keep the 250 was overkill, not that a 250 would not be appropriate for a 240 gallon tank. $750 for a skimmer is a lot of money, especially considering skimmers for a lot less do just as good a jobe as the BM 250, but I guess you could say the same thing about BMs vs. Bubblekings.

 

[Scoobaman17]

By the time I am ready for the BM250 I'll be able to upgrade the tank. The 240 gallon has two monster overflows, plus the sump won't exceed 80 gallons give or take due to the water level in the sump would be less then the dimensions. "Can't know for sure". Also dannieboiz: I am going to use (2) 250 watt mh reefstars since I already have them. I also already have the 150 watt mh lighting. I just need to get new bulbs for them. The tank was given to me as a family heirloom. It meant more to me then it did my father. So I took it. The bio load in my tank will be no more then a 70 gallons fully stocked more or less. I want simple, big yet simple. I've had this 240 gallon tank for 6 years and have wanted it a reef since. I want to do it right but keep it simple and work on it over time.

 

[kodyboy]

Sounds like an interesting idea, a large tank and lots of little fish, kind of like this but for saltwater: http://www.ada-eu.com/images/contenuti/Fgrande/foto31_211.jpg
in freshwater they tend to concentrate on one species, but not always.
Another species that might fit your "theme" is a shoal of threafin cardinal, maybe 20 of them. They shoal very tightly and are different. They also tend to swim near the bottom more than the top like the chromis that you mentioned. http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/images/apogon_leptacanthus.jpg

 

[Scoobaman17]

OOOOO I'm in love!