New Reef Tank Setup

S

Shaun Mack

New member
Hi,
I'm setting up a 75 gallon reef tank. From my research I have come up with the list below:

1. EHEIM UNIVERSAL PUMP 900GPH
2. 2 Hydor Koralia Evolution 1050 Aquarium Circulation Pump, 1050 gph
3. JBJ Ocean Pulse - QUADRA Wavemaker (4 pump Capacity)
4. Aqueon ProFlex Model 3 Modular Sump Filtration System
5. Reef Octopus NWB 150 Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer
6. JBJ 300W True Temp Titanium Heating System
7. Aquatic Life 48" 6-Lamp T5 HO Light Fixture

Has anyone used the Proflex sump?

Is the light fixture good for both SPS and LPS corals?

Is there anything in the list you would change?

What is your opinion on live sand or crushed coral or a mixture of both for the bottom?

I have a 28 gallon reef tank now and use most of the brands in the list. This will be my first setup with a sump. I’m planning on doing a refugium setup.

Also, I have 70 pounds of live rock and 40 pounds of a mixture of live sand and crushed coral. I plan on add more of both later.

Thanks in advance.
 
I would stick with ATI or Tek for your T5 choice. I no nothing about Aquatic Life fixtures but I do know that the ATI's and Teks are quality. You don't want to skimp on your light or bulbs.

I'd also think about building your own sump. It's not hard and will most probably be much cheaper than buying off the shelf.

Everything else looks like a nice start.
 
Thanks, I will looking in the ATI and Tek.

I read a lot about building a sump and just wasn't sure if that was the way to go for me. I may try to build one to see how easy/hard it is.
 
I buy all of my equipment at reefgeek, great prices and really nice people there. I recommend that when you call you talk to George @ reefgeek he is very knowledgeable.
 
Tek fixture you can hang or get brackets they sold for it and it will stand on top of your tank.ATI is a nicer fixture with active cooling, your bulbs will last longer and this fixture puts up more PAR then Tek, but you can only hang it.There is no legs or brackets to go with it.This is how my Tek looks like with brackets:
IMG_3917-1.jpg
 
I have a Finnex DL fixture on my tank, it's only a 4x t5-ho but it comes with a huge array of 1w 460nm LED lights that realllly make the colors pop in the tank when you have it switched to hi power mode, and has a low power led mode for moonlights. What I like is that having so much brightness from the led allows more flexibility with bulb selection to maximize growth without needing a 6 bulb fixture to get a good color combo. Regardless, I'm pretty sure when bulb change time comes, I'll be going with a DIY LED fixture to replace the Finnex, I've just seen enough tanks with LED that I've convinced myself it's the way to go.
 
I checked out the Marineland LED lights but they are thin and they don't cover much of the tank. I would have to get two to cover the tank.
 
Shaun Mack said:
I checked out the Marineland LED lights but they are thin and they don't cover much of the tank. I would have to get two to cover the tank.
Click to expand...

And you would need 2 of the reef ready ones to get enough light to grow stuff, the marineland fixtures are way overrated, overpriced, and underpowered for an LED fixture. DIY with 3w LED's is the way to go at this time for best "bang for your buck"
 
Good Morning,

I received my protein skimmer yesterday and put it in the sump it takes up most the third chamber. Can I put the return on top of the skimmer pump with out doing damage to either pump. I would build a shelve to separate them. If not I will return the skimmer and get a smaller one.

Thanks
 
I decided to go with the Reef Octopus extreme SX 160 Protein Skimmer. It fits in the 3 chamber of the Proflex model 3 sump with the return pump. Also most there.
 
Shaun Mack said:
Good Morning,

I received my protein skimmer yesterday and put it in the sump it takes up most the third chamber. Can I put the return on top of the skimmer pump with out doing damage to either pump. I would build a shelve to separate them. If not I will return the skimmer and get a smaller one.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Something to consider is maintenance. If you decide on stacking your pumps and equipment on each other you will at some point need to move everything around to clean pieces and parts. Just make sure its easy to do this. The less you have your hand in the tank the happier your inhabitants will be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top