Suggested Setups For Beginners

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I would like everyone to contribute in defining a collection of setups along with prices at retails for Newbies. This will definitely help us (newbies) to decide what to do. Please title your post with 1 to 4 and try not to repeat what others might have already listed. Of course you can put as many different setups as possible in one category. Also, please list the Ups and Downs for your suggested setups, including "it just look artistic"!

1)Reef Only/Mainly

2)Fish Only/Mainly

3)50/50

4)Other Live Stock

I also suggest the moderators to complie a resource link such as disease, IDing, and online instruments(like sand bed calculator, stand design...)

Thanks.

 

[Reefer420]

1)
16g AGA bowfront setup.

This is my setup, but with the lighting I wish I had. Good for apartments with limited space, or someone having to move in a year or so (not that it will be fun when I move this in June.. ).

Link to my tank thread...
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4547

Equipment:
-16 g AGA bowfront Tank
http://www.all-glass.com/products/aquariums/index.html

-Aqua Clear 70 HOB Filter (I drilled holes in the top to insert probes, and my Ice Probe chiller, it also holds my carbon bag when I have it in...)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=HG10615

-Ice Probe Chiller (stuck into the top of my HOB filter)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CW1111

-Remora Skimmer (I place my heater in the Remora in the outflow chamber- keeps it out of my tank. I sometimes forget to turn back on the skimmer once I turn it off- a huge mistake as the heater has its probe in my HOB filter- if the water isn't flowing past the heater in the skimmer, the water in the skimmer boils! Make sure to keep skimmer running! You also need to add the drain fitting option so that the heaters wire can come out of the side).
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ACRDM

-Won Brothers Pro-Heat II Titanium heater w/ LCD readout, 150w (a little much for my tank, but the only LCD titanium I could find- works great though!)
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=WB1317

-Float Switch for ATO water (Good buy here- very reliable switch, though I might be getting a dual float switch for extra protection)
http://www.californiareefs.com/forsale.htm

-Custom built Acrylic ATO water tank (I bought one kit off ebay- from acrylicman - he cut the pieces to my specs and I put the kit together at home. Works great- it fits in my 16g stand, and has a lid w/ a hole in the top for the hose to come out of). The water lasts about a week before I have to fill it again).

-Lighting - I have this light, the Orbitz 80w PC combo. Its a great light for softies and most LPS, but I am going to upgrade soon.
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CU01020

Here is the light I want, probably w/ 20k MH bulbs since I don't want to light too intense as I think 150w is a little strong for a tank mostly LPS and softies. I guess you can go 70w, but I think that is too weak. They need to make 100 or 120w bulbs!
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium...pod_powerpaq_hqi_lamp_lunar_light.asp?CartId=

-I dose w/ Kent Nano reef parts A&B for Ca and Alk. I usually dose 2x a week- though if I were keeping SPS I would probably monitor it a little more.

-I also have this on my list - the lighthouse controller. Good value imho...
http://www.mcuresearch.com/

-The LR and LS in my tank came from Tampa Bay Saltwater- great value if you get the package. The rock comes shipped in water- so there will be little if any dieoff- I think mine came from the ocean, was packaged and in my apartment all in 6 hours! The rock is more dense than Fiji, and maybe not as 'pretty', but you will get a ton of life on it! You could probably just keep the rock as is and not add corals- it would still be great looking. ONLY if you like a more 'natural' looking tank though- you will gets lots of macro algae, and tons of hitch hikers - good and bad. I'm still finding new things in my tank! Not sure about the quality at this point in time though- they were having a problem in the gulf w/ some red plankton or something suffocating all the fish and reefs- make sure you ask how the rock looks (they are nice guys and easy to deal with).
http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/

Here are some Reef Central Links to read up on it..
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=254435&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=456077&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

I've stocked the tank mostly w/ coral from MR members, and a purple fire fish.


There you go! Other than misc. things like a Pinpoint PH monitor there isn't much else in my tank.

 

[bad coffee]

I also suggest the moderators to complie a resource link such as disease, IDing, and online instruments(like sand bed calculator, stand design...)

There are lots of information on the web. (www.google.com knows everything!) But we're constantly working on upgrading the site, and adding little bits here and there. There's a sand bed calculator on reef central if you're looking for one.
Stand/sump/tank/electrical plans and construction could get iffy. We (the board) could post all kinds of plans. But if someone builds a stand from our plans, and their tank breaks, we could be held liable. We can't supervise the construction methods, materials used, ect. So rather than chance it (as a board) you can look at people's individual threads. Check your PM. I'll send you the link to my tank site. It shows construction pics, ect. Feel free to ask any questions!

( this should be in the noob forum but I'm gonna leave it here cause it will get more views)
bc

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Excuse me for not being clear enough.

There are lots of information on the web. (www.google.com knows everything!) But we're constantly working on upgrading the site, and adding little bits here and there. There's a sand bed calculator on reef central if you're looking for one.
Stand/sump/tank/electrical plans and construction could get iffy. We (the board) could post all kinds of plans. But if someone builds a stand from our plans, and their tank breaks, we could be held liable. We can't supervise the construction methods, materials used, ect. So rather than chance it (as a board) you can look at people's individual threads. Check your PM. I'll send you the link to my tank site. It shows construction pics, ect. Feel free to ask any questions!

( this should be in the noob forum but I'm gonna leave it here cause it will get more views)
bc

When I say "resource link"-I mean just links to outside information, thus the board will not be liable. And I fully aware that all DIY should be referenced in an individual manner not the board's opinion or view.

Thanks for reminding anyway.