New Tank, What Equipment

[dusten]

Hi All,
I'm looking at starting my first reef tank. It's going to be a 55G or there abouts. I am going to start with an RO/DI so that I know my water is not an issue. What I would like to know is what other equipment would you suggest getting to start the tank.
Thanks

 

[teresaq]

I have a 55 gal, here is my equipment
1 hob filter
4 small power heads
1 canister filter
1 aqua remora skimmer.
up and running a yr and a half with no problems
about 50 lbs sand and 60 to 70 lbs live rick.

 

[dusten]

Thanks for the quick reply.
Quick question: Was there any equipment that you have replaced due to failer or it was not the right size for the tank?

 

[drewsta]

My 55 Aggressive tank includes
2 penguin 200 filters
1 seaclone 100 skimmer
1 maxi jet 1200
1 150W titanium heater
50 lbs LR
60Lbs Aragonite sand
1 Mag Float
Enjoy

 

[teresaq]

no not really. i did a lot of research, and picked products that everyone said were good. i use maxijet power heads, aqua remora skimmer and hydor canister. i bought all equipment on line. there are several good sites and i have catologs to compare.

 

[jmick]

at all costs avoid buying a Seaclone skimmer...surprised anyone would even admit to buying one.

 

[drewsta]

Originally Posted by Jmick
at all costs avoid buying a Seaclone skimmer...surprised anyone would even admit to buying one.
Why is that, I did alot of research and I have found it is an excellent skimmer for the $95 I paid it has been working great! I have a Nautalis on my 115 and they work equally great and I paid... I think $295 for the Nautalis

 

[payton 350]

I got a seaclone...and i think it works great....but then again i can't compare it to other skimmers because i don't have any other......maybe i got lucky with mine....but the consensus on here seems to say stay away from them

 

[dusten]

It would seam skimmers is a big topic in other threads also. I guess a question would be why did you chose the skimmer you did and not what you dislike about the skimmer another person is using.

 

[fgcu14]

find a skimmer that does NOT require airstones!!!!!!

 

[cgrant]

Here's my setups
210
all-glass #4 megaflow filter/sump
mag drive 24 pump
2 - 300w all-glass heaters
coralife ss220 skimmer
2 - powerheads 400gph, dont remember brand offhand
old 55
15 gallon sump
amiracle skimmer 90gallon version
600 gph mag drive pump
pro-clear trickle filter 90gallon version
2 - 200 gph power heads
1 - 300w heater
Whatever you decide I would highly recommend a sump and a good skimmer,
my coralife skimmer runs circles around my old amiracle skimmer.

 

[dusten]

Question about sumps is there a right ratio of the size of the sump to the size of the tank? It would seam like a lot of extra equipment to have a sump.

 

[drewsta]

For a sump all you need is a tank 1/4-1/2 the size of your main, a return pump, bulkhead,and a skimmer thats it. You really don't need anything fancy check the DIY forums for sump advice there is awesome ideas there

P.S. Unless you want to do a refuge than thats a diff story :happyfish

 

[dusten]

So after a lot of looking around at all the hardware I need or that is suggested I have come up with this list.
Over Flow Box CPRCS90 Overflow Box
SkimmerAquaCEV-120
HeaterTitanium Heaters300 watt
Power HeadTunzeTurbelle Stream 6060
PumpDanner Mag-DriveSupreme 9.5
LightsAqualight ProHQI/Compact Fluorescent/Lunar Light Fixture 24" 280W
RO/DIKent MarineDeluxe Maxxima 35 Hi-S 35 gpd
RO/DI inline testerHM DigitalIn-line Dual TDS Meter
Refractometer
Let me know what you think. There are some things missing like my sump and tank, I will deal with that once I move and have a place to set it all up to start it running.