gwax
New Member
Hey friends,
So, I'm just getting back into the hobby after about 10+ years.....I decided I want to set up a Reef in my office (since I spend so much time there). There have been so many advances since I was a kid with a fish tank! I picked up a copy of "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist"....been going to ALL the LFS, and been reading the forums here and elsewhere for a couple months. I'm being EXTRA thoughtfull as I want to be 100% positive with the equipment before I go live. I'm almost ready to purchase everything, would like some opinions by experienced Reefers here. My goal is to keep some reef safe fish, inverts, and soft corals. Not considering any SPS at this point.
Here's the dream so far-- please let me know your thoughts before I buy!
90 gal acrylic w/ canopy and fans (48x18x24)-best size tank for my space
4x96w PC lights (1:1 actinic/daylight) + 18 Blue LED's
approx 100lbs of mixed live rock from various regions
mixture of coarse-dry aragonite and live sand
1/4 HP Chiller --either JBJ or Current Prime Tower
Now-- here's some critical points for me....
For sure going to use a 30" sump and keep all pumps, etc. inside
Looking at Mag Drives/Marineland Utility Pumps for returns and chiller.
But here's the dilema- my LFS is into the new Marineland sump and Pro 100Protein Skimmer. They have had great results with this equipment for a year or so. I've read so many negative reviews about the Seaclones I'm kinda nervous. The Pro's look great, and are needle wheel. Also, the sump is really cool but the skimmer box is only 7" x 7" x 7"....so IF I ever want to change skimmers not much will fit in their- MAYBE I can squeez in a Coralife SS, or a Tunze. Really unsure if it is a safe move...part of me feels really comfortable with the set up though.
My other thought would be to get a simple Berlin Sump with a micron sock and 2 large chambers-- then get the skimmers I know are good like an ASM, Aqua C-EV, or Coralife SS.
So-- any suggestions? Everything else I feel pretty good about. Was thinking about using Ice Mountain bottled water to start (abundant at my office) and maybe later getting my own RO/DI unit.
Thanks!
So, I'm just getting back into the hobby after about 10+ years.....I decided I want to set up a Reef in my office (since I spend so much time there). There have been so many advances since I was a kid with a fish tank! I picked up a copy of "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist"....been going to ALL the LFS, and been reading the forums here and elsewhere for a couple months. I'm being EXTRA thoughtfull as I want to be 100% positive with the equipment before I go live. I'm almost ready to purchase everything, would like some opinions by experienced Reefers here. My goal is to keep some reef safe fish, inverts, and soft corals. Not considering any SPS at this point.
Here's the dream so far-- please let me know your thoughts before I buy!
90 gal acrylic w/ canopy and fans (48x18x24)-best size tank for my space
4x96w PC lights (1:1 actinic/daylight) + 18 Blue LED's
approx 100lbs of mixed live rock from various regions
mixture of coarse-dry aragonite and live sand
1/4 HP Chiller --either JBJ or Current Prime Tower
Now-- here's some critical points for me....
For sure going to use a 30" sump and keep all pumps, etc. inside
Looking at Mag Drives/Marineland Utility Pumps for returns and chiller.
But here's the dilema- my LFS is into the new Marineland sump and Pro 100Protein Skimmer. They have had great results with this equipment for a year or so. I've read so many negative reviews about the Seaclones I'm kinda nervous. The Pro's look great, and are needle wheel. Also, the sump is really cool but the skimmer box is only 7" x 7" x 7"....so IF I ever want to change skimmers not much will fit in their- MAYBE I can squeez in a Coralife SS, or a Tunze. Really unsure if it is a safe move...part of me feels really comfortable with the set up though.
My other thought would be to get a simple Berlin Sump with a micron sock and 2 large chambers-- then get the skimmers I know are good like an ASM, Aqua C-EV, or Coralife SS.
So-- any suggestions? Everything else I feel pretty good about. Was thinking about using Ice Mountain bottled water to start (abundant at my office) and maybe later getting my own RO/DI unit.
Thanks!
