Stocking a 135g reef

spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
OK here we go. I have the tank now in my breakfast nook ready for cleanup and starting to put everything together. This is what we are planning:
- 150-200lb LR
- 1 inch LS bed with the IndoPacific black sand (I think it's 50/50 white and black)
- ADHI 45 Refugium w/G2 or G3 skimmer and Mag 18 pump (will order tomorrow)
- Lifereef overflow
- 2 400W MH + actinics + lunars (still under planning, got both MH and actinics)
- AquaController Jr with PC application to control and log the tank
I'm sure to forget other components, but those are the main ones.
Now the livestock. Here is my wish list. Can you see anything that won't work with each other?
1 Percula Clown
1 Ocellaris Clown
1 Black Sailfin Blenny
1 Yellow Tang
1 Blue Hippo Tang
1 Tiger Jawfish
1 Fansy Bass Antheas
1 Brazilian Gramma
1 Desjardini Tang (Red Sea Sailfin Tang)
Corals is a world of it's own and I have done zero research on that yet. I've got a couple of good books to start with.
Any suggestions/recommandations/comments. All are welcome.
 
al mc

al mc

Active Member
Spider...My thoughts...Nice to be planning a new tank..eh?
It is always fun.
Go with at least the ASM3. I might even do a '4' with the bioload you will eventually have.
If the '4' would fit in the sump and into budget it never hurts to over skim. The '2' is too small IMO.
Fish...Yellow and sailfin tangs 'may' have issues. Personally, if I were to keep both I would introduce the yellow last.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Al Mc
http:///forum/post/2483412
Spider...My thoughts...Nice to be planning a new tank..eh?
It is always fun.
I'm trying to contain myself, I'm so @^$%@$ excited!
Go with at least the ASM3. I might even do a '4' with the bioload you will eventually have. If the '4' would fit in the sump and into budget it never hurts to over skim. The '2' is too small IMO.
I don't think the G4 fits in the 45, it would fit the 60, but that is too wide to fit in the cabinet. Yeah the price diff between G2 and G3 is only $40 at one vendor.
Fish...Yellow and sailfin tangs 'may' have issues. Personally, if I were to keep both I would introduce the yellow last.
Great! Good to know. With the list of fish, is there any room for others or am I'm *maxed* on fish?
 
sh2000

sh2000

Member
Isn't that too much lighting ? I'm no expert but how much wattage is that you said it is 135 RT ? I have a 120 RT with 2x250 MH and actinics total wattage is around 750 and my tank is 32 deep and I have 40 corals thriving sps,lps,clams,anemone..etc..most on the bottom of the tank.. just wondering I can be wrong.
 
al mc

al mc

Active Member
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2483429
I'm trying to contain myself, I'm so @^$%@$ excited!
Yes..It is a great feeling..living vicariously thru you!

I don't think the G4 fits in the 45, it would fit the 60, but that is too wide to fit in the cabinet. Yeah the price diff between G2 and G3 is only $40 at one vendor.
A G3 it is
Great! Good to know. With the list of fish, is there any room for others or am I'm *maxed* on fish?
You will probably need to add these fish a couple at a time. Once you have what you have planned intact, if you go 2-3 months with stable water conditions you 'might' be able to squeeze in another medium size fish imo
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
I figured I better be a bit understocked than over. I'm leaving my pesky Damsels in the 55g and put a few other agressive fish in there I guess. It's a bit too big to be a QT and I already have a 20g for that. Right now the 20g has 70lb of LR in it.
I've taken a few pics of the *new* used tank and cabinet/canopy and will take pics of the equipment as they come in and hopefully will start a *build* thread on our journey.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by SH2000
http:///forum/post/2483510
Are the lights too much what are the dimensions of the tank.. btw good luck and congrats.
Thanks :)
The tank is standard 72x24x18
Too much light was my original thought too, so before I bought them from a fellow reefer here, I asked around my local reef club and basically got this...
With the 400watts you'll be able to run them semi-high off the surface of the water which will spread your light out enough to cover all areas. Your going to have some shaded areas, but you will find that some corals thrive in those type settings outside the direct light.
Most people go by the rule of every 2ft. there should be a light(halide), which you could always add a 3rd later if your not getting the look/growth your after.
I couldn't pass on the great offer of $250 for
Dual 400wt PFO ballast w/ 2 spider reflectors-quick disconnects and 2 XM 15k 400wt bulbs. Bulbs are mogul type.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Question:
Any benefits of getting a UV sterilizer and possibly calsium reactor? The tank came with a huge external heater that hooks into a 8W UV sterilizer, but I doubt we'll use those.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
UV sterlizer would help with water clarity if run correctly and maintained, but not a cure all or quick fix.....I would opt for the G3 if the G4 won't fit, but would mod the skimmer straight out of the box with the mesh wheel mod, and gate valve mod for fine and easy tuning IMO......I'd also consider running the skimmer or modding the skimmer to run recirc if possible to feed the skimmer the rawest tank water possible.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Did you already purchase the AquaController? If not I would seriously look at the new ReefKeeper Elite...... And as far as a calcium reactor....I would what and see if you seriously need to add it!!!! Alot really depends on the demand your tank calls for.....Depending what your keeping and the "demand" it might be easier to dose manual.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member

Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/2483802
UV sterlizer would help with water clarity if run correctly and maintained, but not a cure all or quick fix.....I would opt for the G3 if the G4 won't fit, but would mod the skimmer straight out of the box with the mesh wheel mod, and gate valve mod for fine and easy tuning IMO......I'd also consider running the skimmer or modding the skimmer to run recirc if possible to feed the skimmer the rawest tank water possible.
Dumb question, but what are those mods you mention?
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/2483805
Did you already purchase the AquaController? If not I would seriously look at the new ReefKeeper Elite...... And as far as a calcium reactor....I would what and see if you seriously need to add it!!!! Alot really depends on the demand your tank calls for.....Depending what your keeping and the "demand" it might be easier to dose manual.
I haven't purchased it yet. I was going to place all of my orders today. I'll take a peek at the ReefKeeper Elite, thanks!
Hubby is all about the reactor and trying to justify spending the money on it. My thought is on the same lines as your... let's see if we really need it and just get the system running for now. We can always add it later on. Maybe I can get him sidetracked a bit and promise we'll get it for the bigger tank that will be put in the wall in the house extension a year-two from now.
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
I could get my hands on a Wave2K center unit, brand new for $175 (normal $249.99). Has anybody experience with the unit?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top