125 gallon saltwater setups HELP

[torontoleafs_ro]

The big als boxing day (decmber 26) sale is comeing extremely quick and i've decided to go with a 125 gallon setup I would like to do a coral setup with sump and fuge, and besides the tank (72"x18"x22") I need help picking out the RIGHT equipment so If I could get some sujestions that would be great. Keep in mind this is my first saltwater tank and i'm just looking to get some equipment cheep now so i will have all i need when i want to set up a couple of months from now... I need some help please Also If anyone has any sujestions for species to put in the tank for later that would be great

[archer772]

Lighting I would go with T-5's with individual reflectors or MH's, at least 2 Koralia 4's, a PS (protien skimmer) like a ASM, Euro Reef or Octopus, a refugium with a return pump rated at about 500-700 GPH at the proper head heigth and about 150-200 lbs of dry argonite sand and you could get about 75 lbs of dry base rock.

[Morel]

My biggest peice of advice is to honestly tell yourself what you are going to want in the future..

This is very important when it comes to lighting and such.. Alot of people like T5's (I use them myself) But alot of people will argue that if you want SPS corals that MH is the only way to fly.. And Honestly, if you're looking at T5's for a 125 gallon, it's not that huge a jump between the two types.

A TON of information is here, and it's alot easier to find what you need to know, if you know exactly you want. :)

Archer is right with the Koralia's. I love um, I have 2 in my tank and would never go back to a regular powerhead for water flow.. Not sure about a good Skimmer for that size of a tank.

Also. Quarrentine tank! Get this.. Don't think. just get it, and use it! Don't waste all your time, money, and sanity only to have fish start dying on you.. It breaks the heart :(


Oh yea, one more thing..

Eventually you will tell yourself "Oh I know I should get/do this, but I don't want to spend the money, or wait the time.. " Don't lisen to that voice hehe. You'll regret it :)

Good luck!

[torontoleafs_ro]

this is not a rush project by any means the only rush is i only have one day to get stuff on sale so i need to know at least some of the equipment i need... also do u think a 10 gallon quarantine tank is to small.... and what does anyone think would be a good size sump/refugium for the tank... also if anyone has some specific models for skimmers lighting or any other equipment maybe you could look on the web site and post the links www.bigalsonline.ca (http://www.bigalsonline.ca) thanks for the sujestions keep them coming

[Grins]

The size of the QT depends on what you'll buy. In a 125g you may potentially buy fish that would be of a size at purchase that are too large for a 10g.

Sincerely, the recommendations you get are only going to be as good as the info you give us on what you want to put in the tank and what kind of budget you might have to work with.

[torontoleafs_ro]

I probably have around 1000 to spend at the sale so the 125 galoon tank plus 1000$ to spend maybe more depending on what deals i see... but i would like to have a mixed coral maybe even anemone plus clams and maybe a sea cucumber would be nice... i would probably keep a pair of clowns , and maybe a yellow and blue regal tang, but nothing is for certain they are just ideas

[Grins]

For that I'd want a 55g or so for a fish qt...could also be used for LR qt. I'd want a frag tank as well. And if you're thinking high light species like clams and anemones I'd go with either MHs or T5s with individual reflectors.

[archer772]

Do you plan to use a canopy because if so you can do retro's or a DIY light setup. I didnt really see any lighting or skimmers on Big Als that I would recomend. I checked on another site and for about $840 before shipping you could get a complete DIY 12 bulb T-5 setup and a decent skimmer for your tank.

[torontoleafs_ro]

could you send me a link for the light setup... I went to Big Als early just to check out products and i'm going to get 125gallon tank with holes for overflow also the overflow kit for it... also a custom sump/fuge 36x15"... they recommended i get 2 koralia rated for 1200GPH... also they recommended the coralife turbo sea 1100P for a pump.... and also the seaclone super skimmer 125 or 220gallon version.... just let me know what people think

[archer772]

I think you should avoid the Sea Clone skimmer at all cost here is the link to the lighting

each item, 12 of these https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=84&products_id=335&osCsid=940a7fc31950eda465901854cf9785d3

3 of these https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_66&products_id=224&osCsid=940a7fc31950eda465901854cf9785d3

12 of these plus the mounting brackets https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_66&products_id=117&osCsid=940a7fc31950eda465901854cf9785d3

8 0f these https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_59_85&products_id=326&osCsid=940a7fc31950eda465901854cf9785d3

and 4 of these https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=55_59_88&products_id=594&osCsid=940a7fc31950eda465901854cf9785d3
With this setup you should be able to keep anything you would want and it should give a nice light blue cast to the tank, you could always drop a couple of the 11k's and get a couple of the GE Starcoat 6.5k's and the that would soften the blue and give a little extra punch on the par side.

[torontoleafs_ro]

the lighting setup your recommending is just a little more time consuming than i would to do ... i don't mind assembling or wiring up the light fixtires but thats just to many pieces and shipping could become expensive to canada... and i miss typed i meant a coralife super skimmer .. or if u have any other sujestions for the tank setup let me know

[torontoleafs_ro]

come on some sujestions please.... on equipment , thoughts or ideas for the tank, how you might go about it ... and if you recommend equipment please be specific... i'm just looking for some advice and im running out of time

[archer772]

Will you be building a Canopy or do you need an all in one unit for your lights.

[Grins]

come on some sujestions please.... on equipment , thoughts or ideas for the tank, how you might go about it ... and if you recommend equipment please be specific... i'm just looking for some advice and im running out of time


The trouble is that you're asking us to take what we'd do with a $1000 budget for a new SW set-up and wanting us to spend it in a rush due to a sale you've found. The sale might be a good one but if you don't already have a clear idea of what you want you could end up spending more money in the end than you would have if you'd done research first.

I can throw out names like Deltec, Euro-Reef, Tunzes for skimmers. I can toss around names like IceCap for lights. We all can, but the trouble is that there isn't one formula for setting up a tank and you need to have a clearer idea (or at least share with us what that is) of what you're trying to create.

And psst, if it were me...and I had a $1000 I'd first look at used set-ups. For that amount around here I could probably even get a Geo Calcium Reactor with the system.

[archer772]

I would get these http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp18120/si1317790/cl0/aquariumpharmaceuticalssaltwatermastertestkit

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp18117/si1317180/cl0/tomaquariumdigitaltemperaturealertthermometerfahre nheit

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17350/si1317664/cl0/theconscientiousmarineaquaristsoftcover

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17350/si1317950/cl0/aquariumcoralssoftcover

[archer772]

I agree grins after the tank and still have about $1000 to spend it might be a good idea to look around for a used setup

[torontoleafs_ro]

i've scrounged up 2000$ and thats not for the complete setup thats just for what i'm going 2 spend at the sale i'm not planing on getting everything there in one day i'm just planing on getting what ever equipment i need that takes up the money..... so i'm really just looking for everyones advice on (if it was your tank) what is the must have piece of equipment for the tank.... (keep in mind i'll probably have to get the lighting at a later date because it'd eat up almost all the budget... hopefully i hear back from some people before the sale and if not merry christmas to everyone

[snailrider]

Deffinately a large Quarantine Tank, with all the fixins. Sump/fuge Large. Maybe even a smaller hospital tank. And the room to put em.

I would also pick up a can of patience. The sale may be good, but there are always deals if you wait.

But if I had that budget, here is what I would do. Get the tank, some korellas and some heaters. I would fill tank with sand and salt water and wait. Then I would go get some rock.

I would squirrel away the rest in a safe place earmarked for the tank. That way any impulse buys can be funded at time of need.

Merry Christmas!

[torontoleafs_ro]

i'm not seting up the tank for a couple of months maybe read the entire thread before you make a comment .... just a thought i appreciate everyones help but this is not an impulse buy i'm trying to do my hw but i'm just looking forthe right advice .... so please read the questions that i asked previous and answer accordingly

[snailrider]

i'm not seting up the tank for a couple of months maybe read the entire thread before you make a comment .... just a thought i appreciate everyones help but this is not an impulse buy i'm trying to do my hw but i'm just looking forthe right advice .... so please read the questions that i asked previous and answer accordingly

Yes, you are trying to do an impulse buy!! Big sale!! Buy it NOW!!!

Have you not read anything anybody posted in this thread?


Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night :hearts:

[Grins]

i'm not seting up the tank for a couple of months maybe read the entire thread before you make a comment .... just a thought i appreciate everyones help but this is not an impulse buy i'm trying to do my hw but i'm just looking forthe right advice .... so please read the questions that i asked previous and answer accordingly

Aren't you wanting to buy it now though? Or did you have a few months to research and make the purchases?

[strangerdejavu]

I would get these http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp18120/si1317790/cl0/aquariumpharmaceuticalssaltwatermastertestkit

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp18117/si1317180/cl0/tomaquariumdigitaltemperaturealertthermometerfahre nheit

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17350/si1317664/cl0/theconscientiousmarineaquaristsoftcover

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp17350/si1317950/cl0/aquariumcoralssoftcover


Just thought I'd throw it out there that y'all should check overstock.com for any books that you might want. I got great deals on the pocketexpert books, as well as the aquarium corals book listed in the last link above.

[torontoleafs_ro]

Alright I went to the Sale and I purchased the 125 Gallon tank w/ overflows (72"x18"x22") , a custom sump with refugium , 2x 1200GPH Koralia . and turbofloater multi SL protein skimmer. If anyone has anymore sujestions of other equipment that would be needed for the tank that would be great..... lighting, return pump, etc

[chucke]

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/for/519872164.html

100 for thats not bad depending on where the leak is

[chucke]

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/for/521179756.html

[torontoleafs_ro]

I already bought a tank and some equipment... read my last post

[joander123]

Alright I went to the Sale and I purchased the 125 Gallon tank w/ overflows (72"x18"x22") , a custom sump with refugium , 2x 1200GPH Koralia . and turbofloater multi SL protein skimmer. If anyone has anymore sujestions of other equipment that would be needed for the tank that would be great..... lighting, return pump, etc


Return- do you want an inline return? I tend to like those more... but they are more expensive too.

Lights- I personally would go with a custom made MH set-up... probably 2x or 3x 250 watt halides with actinic supplements. If you do a little research you can find some pretty well priced ballasts... but i wouldnt go cheap here as lights really make the tank... PFO is a brand of ballasts that is generally liked in the hobby.

Why did you go with the turboflotor multi just out of curiosity? I think the only thing different from the multi and the normal 1000 model is that the multi can be used out of sump... are you planning on using it that way?

[torontoleafs_ro]

ya i plan on using the skimmer with the sump... I'm wondering what people might recommend for cheap refugium lighting..... I haven't got the sump/ refugium but when it comes in I know the fuge is supposed to be 36"..... any sujestions......

[Grins]

I have a PC fixture over mine but many use a shop light fixture and one of the screw in spiral compact 65watt bulbs.

[torontoleafs_ro]

So like 3 of these bulbs should be fine???? and for how long a day do u usually keeep your fuge light on a dayhttp://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=945575&Ntt=945575&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber

[Grins]

My fuge is on a reverse cycle with my display. Meaning when the daylights go off the fuge lights come on.

[torontoleafs_ro]

Is that the bulbs you were talking about though http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?D=945575&Ntt=945575&catalogId=10051&langId=-15&storeId=10051&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntx=mode+matchall&recN=0&N=0&Ntk=P_PartNumber