New Tank, all the toys looking for everyone's input!

[Bblinks]

Very nice set up you are planning to have, I love the deep demension tanks. It's gonna open so much aquascaping posibilties that a narrow tank just can't match.

As far as equipment goes I made more mistakes on cheaper under rated stuff that I can count so please don't waste any money on cheap stuff, you will end up replacing it in the very near future anyways.

For me a quality skimmer is on the top of the list, it is the beating heart of mine entire system. I have a BBK supermarin 250 and I just love it. I went from coralife to hydor to vertex to bbk mini and finally arriving at the current model. If I would've just went to my current model now I would've saved couple of thousands of dollars.

Once the skimmer is picked then lighting and water movement, Led is the future... New models almost arrive daily but this is where it gets tricky. I have AI sols and they do wonders on my tank, but they are not "full spectrum". I would wait for the newer models to come out before making any purchases.

I use Tunze 6105 for water movement due there reliabilty and low noise factor. It is a bit unsightful to have a largerer power head in the tank but I rather see the power head then to hear it. It also comes with 2 different gates for wide or narrow flow.

Apex controller has a really tough instruction booklet to understand, well not as bad as profilux but still bad. There is an unofficial guide online you can get and it explains everything in details which I highly recommand you to have a look.

Live stock is totally up to you, I love sps for corals, wrasses and tangs for fishes. I think you can keep some tangs but keep it to a few smaller sizes ones like yellow or purple or maybe a powder brown. Once those tangs starts to grow, they can become waste stations. I have a 6 inch naso tang that has a lot more to grow and the waste it produces is equivalent to 10 or more wrasses. In the recent month I started to really get into wrasses, I swear once you get in you just can't get out. Amazing colors and ample amount of choices.

Anyways looking forward for the build. Good luck and have fun!

[ScubaSteve]

If you like SPS and angels, take a look at John Coppelino's (Copps) tank.http://vimeo.com/13564370

He's been TOTM over at Reef Central and number of times, so go over there for more info on his tanks.

[Gizmoh]

Wow! What a tank, that's a beauty! And thanks bblinks for all the input. What do you think of the octopus skimmers? I was thinking of going that way with the ecotech pumps, little fish phosban reactor, and I am not sure if I am going to do calcium reactor or dosing yet. I was thinking of going with 10xT5 as I don't have a lot of clearance over the tank for the lights to sit above the tank, how far above the water level do most LEDs need to be?

O and I really need a good quite return internal or external any input there? My Mag is really loud

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by Gizmoh

Wow! What a tank, that's a beauty! And thanks bblinks for all the input. What do you think of the octopus skimmers?
I have never used an octopus skimmer so I can't really comment on it, I think bulkreefsupply sells them, maybe check out the reviews and go from there. I am still leaning towards either a vertex cone 250 or bbk mini 200 or supermarin 200 depend on your funds.
I was thinking of going that way with the ecotech pumps,
Personally I like the ecotech's design and functionality but that's where it ends. Compare to my Tunzes they are just so abnoxiously loud I just can't take it. I went with a herbie overflow just so I can keep the decibel level to a mininum(my tank is in my basement where we hang out the most)
little fish phosban reactor,
I have used 2 little fishes reactor but if you want a quality reactor, vertex is the way to go. very similar designs, both with screw on top that I like but tlf doesn't have the best built quailty. I also have 3 nextreef reactor which are pretty good except for the thumb screws. I just hate it.

and I am not sure if I am going to do calcium reactor or dosing yet.
This is really personal perferences. Larger system like mine, a calcium reactor is so much easier IMO then dosing, I dosed in my 210 but after a while I got sick of mixing and filling the jugs of chemicals. My theory is the simple and lazy approach, the easier the task means more chances for me to do it. I use Vertex rx6 duo and I love it.
I was thinking of going with 10xT5 as I don't have a lot of clearance over the tank for the lights to sit above the tank, how far above the water level do most LEDs need to be?
I like T5's so 10 X T5 will be enough to grow anything at 20" but LED's are just so cool. As for clarence on LED's there is nothing set in stone, it all depends on wether or not you mind the spot light effect. You can always use lens to focus or spread.
O and I really need a good quite return internal or external any input there? My Mag is really loud
Ehiem 1262 or Tunze silence pro(expensive but worth it)

[Gizmoh]

Thanks again bblinks, I am liking the looks of the vertex equipment, as I have never used a media reactor before, can I run carbon and a phosphate absorbing media in the same reactor? Like the looks of the tunze silence pro, prob going that route, any input on if it better as an internal or external? I like the looks of the vertex calc reactor as well, are you happy with all the parts as a whole? And just curious as to why you recommend a skimmer for up to 300 gallons for a 125, just bigger is better? Or is it higher quality then there smaller ones? All and all I love the input and I almost have the equipment list done I think! Thanks again to all!

[Gizmoh]

Oh and do you use a Kalk reactor with your ATO?

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by Gizmoh

Thanks again bblinks, I am liking the looks of the vertex equipment, as I have never used a media reactor before, can I run carbon and a phosphate absorbing media in the same reactor? Like the looks of the tunze silence pro, prob going that route, any input on if it better as an internal or external? I like the looks of the vertex calc reactor as well, are you happy with all the parts as a whole? And just curious as to why you recommend a skimmer for up to 300 gallons for a 125, just bigger is better? Or is it higher quality then there smaller ones? All and all I love the input and I almost have the equipment list done I think! Thanks again to all!

I use carbon and rowaphos together without any problems. I think the only reason people like to use them in different reactor is cause carbon is exhausted faster then phosphate removing media. So to save on rowaphos or what ever media you use, it is better to run them in different reactors. I change both of mine once a month so it's always fresh. I know it cost a bit more but it works for me. I do 4 cups of carbon and 2 cups of rowaphos.

I am glad you are gonna go with tunze pro pump, I am a big fan of large turn over rate. I have a reeflo pump for my return but its very important that you try to match your flow rate to your skimmer so it can pick up as much crap as it can and not miss any.

I love my Vertex reactor. like I said I am not the laziest person but between the kids, work, and other activities I just like to keep things simple and the reactor for me is just that. Set it and forget it. Man I sound like that informerical about the rotassary.

If ask anyone about skimmer rating you will get an different answer every time. IME always take half of what the manufacture recommanded size for most skimmers. Usually the rating is on a lightly stocked tank but if you have or planning to have a semi heavy stocked tank like most of us do you will need a skimmer that's rated for more.

I do use kalk stirrer from Avast marine for top off.

Glad to hear everything is coming along,

WE NEED PICTURES!!!

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

I use carbon and rowaphos together without any problems. I think the only reason people like to use them in different reactor is cause carbon is exhausted faster then phosphate removing media. So to save on rowaphos or what ever media you use, it is better to run them in different reactors. I change both of mine once a month so it's always fresh. I know it cost a bit more but it works for me. I do 4 cups of carbon and 2 cups of rowaphos.

the theory behind two different reactors with two different pumps (or one pump with a manifold) is both carbon and GFO have optimal flow rates where the product works best....for GFO its about 200-400 gph and for carbon its 400-600 gph



as for equipment and such....get the best you can afford.....the higher priced items may not perform any differently then less expensive units, but the build quality and components are usually better.....

[Tracey2]

I love copps tanks but your video won't load for me.

[Nano]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

If you like SPS and angels, take a look at John Coppelino's (Copps) tank.http://vimeo.com/13564370

He's been TOTM over at Reef Central and number of times, so go over there for more info on his tanks.

Yikes thats a lot of angels in a reef!! lol but beautiful.
He must keep them well fed to avoid coral and mantel nipping