What else am I missing to start my tank?

[carpediem212]

:banghead:

So I have 120 gal and a 40 breeder sump which I will add a refug. or the right and the skimmer on the left with the return in the middle. I know you guys love pics, but the tank is still in the garage and not ready for pictures yet. The total tank gallons would be around 145-150.

Skimmer: I was thinking about a lifereef or H&S. Which is better, quiter, energy efficent, and skimmate effiecent?

Over flows: Should I drill the tank for a in-tank overflow or have a hang-on one? Should I use 2 over flows or tee off and limit the flow to the refug. and skimmer?

Power: Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper 2, not sure if the wave feature is pratical as I don't want power heads in the tank.

Recirculation: 6 nozzles and a swcd to up the water flow.

RO/Di: will be from air/water/ice or from melev and storage will be a brute rubber can.

Temp control: not sure if I need one. My planted tank is pretty stable around 79 - 80. Even in the heat with no fans.

DSB: 3" of old castle and will mix with live sand first then will add more to make 4"

Salt: Not sure which one

Live rock: Tampa Bay Saltwater. Is there a different place for the rocks?

Heater: Ebo 200w

Return pump: Ehiem 1250

Am I missing anything?

I need your opinions guys Please! I am addicted and just want to make the right purchases and set it up with no going back to the drawing borad.

 

[House of Laughter]

I am going to shamelessly promote this group buy becuase the more we get the more discount we can offer to MR membership.

Here is the 5c on a 180g fish system - it finally broke in and produced that skimmate in 2 days. Effective, well crafted and discounted - what more could you want.

House

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

IMO, DSB starts at 5"

 

[scumonkey]

what about lights,...test kits,.....heaters???
Live rock: http://www.livestockusa.org/SITEMAP.html

 

[cali_reef]

:banghead:

Am I missing anything?

You are missing 100s of things.

 

[Quang]

We had a thread listing all the equipment people should consider before entering the hobby.

Dean...can you find it?

 

[reefman]

how about this...a Strait Jacket :splitspin :biglaugh:

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

You need to sit down with someone and properly draw up the plumbing plans. For a tank of that size I would recommend two returns. Also, pre-drilling a tank is the way to go. I absolutely HATE the external overflows.

You are missing:

Return pump(s)
Temp controller can be handled by the Reefkeeper II
Chiller (Especially if you plan on having SPS and LPS corals)
Heater
Calcium Reactor (or some other method of adding calcium back to the system)

-Alfred

 

[carpediem212]

So I left out a few things, but it was late anyways. Calcium I was thinking to use crushed shells from Florida. How fast does those shells decompose back to calcium?

Hopefully tonight at Absolutely fish I can get some questions answered from you alll that will be there. I have some picks printed in B&W.

 

[Deanos]

Calcium I was thinking to use crushed shells from Florida. How fast does those shells decompose back to calcium?

Not fast enough. Crushed shells will lead to increased nutrient/nitrate problems. Consider dosing kalkwasser or adding a calcium reactor as previously suggested.

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

I recommend your first purchase be a few good books. (Not trying to be funny) This is a very expensive hobby that requires considerable amounts of planning and dedication, especially in the first few months.

99% of future problems can be avoided by properly planning your set-up. If you are not familiar with how to dose calcium you really need to do a little homework before you make this big investment. Otherwise you will end up frustrated and will lose a lot of money and time in livestock.

-Alfred

 

[drunktank]

read a book and do more research

 

[Deanos]

We had a thread listing all the equipment people should consider before entering the hobby.

Dean...can you find it?

No.

Reef Planning Worksheet

 

[carpediem212]

Not fast enough. Crushed shells will lead to increased nutrient/nitrate problems. Consider dosing kalkwasser or adding a calcium reactor as previously suggested.

That is what I thought. I will have to get that as well. Which company is a good reactor?

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

There are many vendors here on MR that can help you, also, I am sure that someone has a calcium reactor listed in the For Sale / For Trade forum.

I would recommend that you read for a while. Go back through the old messages on MR. If you want something quicker, I can recommend one of the maintenance vendors. Tim is pretty good, I use him for my water changes and maintenance. His rates are reasonable and he does a good job.

-Alfred

 

[carpediem212]

how about this...a Strait Jacket :splitspin :biglaugh:

I am going nuts about it and need to take a step back and think.

I have a few drawings and probably looking to have this running with water around January.

 

[carpediem212]

No.

Reef Planning Worksheet

Thanks for that worksheet link. It is a big help. I have some basics to be worked out it should be fun anyway. I want to keep it fun and not make it a chore.:givebeer:

 

[carpediem212]

There are many vendors here on MR that can help you, also, I am sure that someone has a calcium reactor listed in the For Sale / For Trade forum.

I would recommend that you read for a while. Go back through the old messages on MR. If you want something quicker, I can recommend one of the maintenance vendors. Tim is pretty good, I use him for my water changes and maintenance. His rates are reasonable and he does a good job.

-Alfred

I have been on this board amongst others and starting to organize all the information.

 

[House of Laughter]

Carpe, you hit my cell the other day via AIM, what's up?

BTW< good start to keeping your reef strong.

House