Opinions on Lifereef?

[Miklos]

Well I did a search on protein skimmers and found a few post about lifereef.I looked at their website and people's comments;I think they make superior products and I am thinking about buying all or most of my equipment from them.I will buy a sump,protein skimmer,calcium reactor,and all other essentials to setup my reef tank.I will buy a custom built acrylic 180g tank with two prefilters.I am also going to buy an icecap hood with 4 160 watt bulbs.But I don't think that will be enough light for hard corals,it is not even 4 watts per gallon.So I will make the tank an Indo-pacific bitome with only soft corals and certain Indo-pacific fishes and other IP organisms.So does this sound good.Also does Lifereef explain instructions on how to plumb everything to the system when I recieve their products and do they include everything needed to connect their products to the tank or will I have to buy more plumbing stuff.
Nick

 

[Nanook01]

I have owned some Lifereef products for the last year, so I feel I can shed some light on your question. I bought a sump, skimmer, calcium reactor, and float switch for my 120g tank.

Jeff is an excellent craftsman with acrylic and the materials are first-class. I have had no functionality problems with his skimmer or sump. I did have to make a small modification to the calcium reactor along the way. The skimmer works very well and is easy to maintain.

With your proposed setup, I do not think you will need the calcium reactor. Simple water changes will keep the calcium at appropriate levels for your soft corals. I think you will be very happy with Lifereef products. He includes thorough instructions and has fantastic customer service. I have been happy with my setup.

nanook

 

[Miklos]

Thank you Nanook,
I read the testimonials on the site and seems many people are happy with lifereef products.
Nick

 

[mariner]

Don't you mean (4) 110 watt lamps?

 

[Nanook01]

72" vho bulbs are 160w each.


Nanook

 

[Enkidu]

I know that for a while they were suffering from a ridiculous backlog of orders, pertaining mostly to their sump tanks. We're talking months here. They may or maynot have gotten better. Good luck.

 

[Tcook]

I would get the calcium reactor also. My tank was primarily softies and a few LPS. The tank sucked up alot of calcium. Water changes wouldn't even come close to maintaining the appropriate levels. You may want to add a few SPS or clams down the road.

 

[louey louey]

Any other opinions on Lifereef. I contacted via email through their webiste about making a custum sump to house a Euroreef skimmer. I got a reply that they want to speak to me about using their skimmer in lieu of the Euroreef, saying their skimmer is superior.

I haven't spoken to them yet but it'll be a hard sell that their product is better than Euroreef!