Hey group, I have a few questions about a new reef-tank setup I'm wanting to do. Sorry this is going to be long, but I hope I can get some help.
First of all I've been running a fish only 125gallon for a year and a half, and while it's been going fine and I've never lost a fish, I'm not happy with it for a few reasons.
1.) It was a cheap tank/stand. The stand isn't tall enough for a good sized skimmer.
2.) I started it with a wet dry and the sump is very small, I can't get a good sized skimmer in there either.
3.) I had to get a cheap skimmer for a 75gallon tank just to fit.
3.) It's not a drilled tank.
4.) My lighting isn't very good. I have 3 6 foot light fixtures, 2 NO and 1 PC. Because they all sit on top of the tank it fluxates the temp of the tank alot while they are on and off.
5.) I don't have a wooden canopy.
6.) My plumbing job is pretty basic.
Now I do have some things about my tank that are ok. I have about 120lbs of live rock, a good 4 inches of sand, I've got a couple fish I really like (but some I can't put into a reef tank), and I did invest in a good RO/DI unit a while back.
So here is what I want to do and what I need help with.
I want to get a 180 gallon tank and set it up as a reef. I have access to a good drilled tank with a nice wood canopy and pretty tall matching stand, for a great deal. What I need to decide is what equipment I should use. I don't want to spend 5000 dollars on equipment but I want some good stuff.
So here are my questions.
1.) I'll move my 120lbs of rock and my sand over and add more as needed. Do you think an additional 200lbs of rock will be enough for a 180, or more or less?
2.) Lighting.... I will probably gut my existing PC fixture and build it into the new canopy, so that will be 2 36" 96 watt PC bulbs. Probably for Actinics. What Metal Halide Bulbs and Ballast would you recommend for a 180gallon tank? And how many bulbs/watts (2 400w, 3 250w???)?
3.) I'm not very good at building stuff. So I'll probably have to buy a good Sump. Any recommendations on this? i want one with enough room for a good skimmer, heaters, and I've seen some that have canisters for chemical media which might be nice.
4.) What skimmer? I requirement here is it must be quiet. My house has wood foors though-out and vaulted ceilings. Echo Echo Echo... My current little skimmer can keep me up at night and thats with my door mostly closed.
5.) What return pump? I have a Mag Drive 9.5 that I like. Do you think I need something bigger? Also the pump must be quiet. one that goes in the sump would probably be easiest for me, but an inline pump would be ok if I can find a sump that is drilled already.
6.) Do you think the plumbing should be PVC, or some type of hoses? Right now I have that flexible spa type hose coming from my overflow box, and just regular clear tube for my return pump. It's not pretty thats for sure. And breaking up the return to allow multiple places for the water to get pumped back up into the tank would be nice for added current.
I'm also curious about those miricle mud filter systems anyone have any experience with those? Or would running a good quality skimmer be the smarter way to go?
I have to admit I'm a little worried about running a tank with no wet/dry. I know people do it every day, but it just seems that you wouldn't have the ability to filter as much with just Rock/DSB. I have a friend that has a rock/sand bed only system and I see the amount of fish loss he has and it just scares me. But everyone else I've talked to says it's not a problem and it's better. I guess thats a fact I'll have to trust.
Thanks and I look forward to your suggestions.
Guy
First of all I've been running a fish only 125gallon for a year and a half, and while it's been going fine and I've never lost a fish, I'm not happy with it for a few reasons.
1.) It was a cheap tank/stand. The stand isn't tall enough for a good sized skimmer.
2.) I started it with a wet dry and the sump is very small, I can't get a good sized skimmer in there either.
3.) I had to get a cheap skimmer for a 75gallon tank just to fit.
3.) It's not a drilled tank.
4.) My lighting isn't very good. I have 3 6 foot light fixtures, 2 NO and 1 PC. Because they all sit on top of the tank it fluxates the temp of the tank alot while they are on and off.
5.) I don't have a wooden canopy.
6.) My plumbing job is pretty basic.
Now I do have some things about my tank that are ok. I have about 120lbs of live rock, a good 4 inches of sand, I've got a couple fish I really like (but some I can't put into a reef tank), and I did invest in a good RO/DI unit a while back.
So here is what I want to do and what I need help with.
I want to get a 180 gallon tank and set it up as a reef. I have access to a good drilled tank with a nice wood canopy and pretty tall matching stand, for a great deal. What I need to decide is what equipment I should use. I don't want to spend 5000 dollars on equipment but I want some good stuff.
So here are my questions.
1.) I'll move my 120lbs of rock and my sand over and add more as needed. Do you think an additional 200lbs of rock will be enough for a 180, or more or less?
2.) Lighting.... I will probably gut my existing PC fixture and build it into the new canopy, so that will be 2 36" 96 watt PC bulbs. Probably for Actinics. What Metal Halide Bulbs and Ballast would you recommend for a 180gallon tank? And how many bulbs/watts (2 400w, 3 250w???)?
3.) I'm not very good at building stuff. So I'll probably have to buy a good Sump. Any recommendations on this? i want one with enough room for a good skimmer, heaters, and I've seen some that have canisters for chemical media which might be nice.
4.) What skimmer? I requirement here is it must be quiet. My house has wood foors though-out and vaulted ceilings. Echo Echo Echo... My current little skimmer can keep me up at night and thats with my door mostly closed.
5.) What return pump? I have a Mag Drive 9.5 that I like. Do you think I need something bigger? Also the pump must be quiet. one that goes in the sump would probably be easiest for me, but an inline pump would be ok if I can find a sump that is drilled already.
6.) Do you think the plumbing should be PVC, or some type of hoses? Right now I have that flexible spa type hose coming from my overflow box, and just regular clear tube for my return pump. It's not pretty thats for sure. And breaking up the return to allow multiple places for the water to get pumped back up into the tank would be nice for added current.
I'm also curious about those miricle mud filter systems anyone have any experience with those? Or would running a good quality skimmer be the smarter way to go?
I have to admit I'm a little worried about running a tank with no wet/dry. I know people do it every day, but it just seems that you wouldn't have the ability to filter as much with just Rock/DSB. I have a friend that has a rock/sand bed only system and I see the amount of fish loss he has and it just scares me. But everyone else I've talked to says it's not a problem and it's better. I guess thats a fact I'll have to trust.
Thanks and I look forward to your suggestions.
Guy
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