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Kevin12492

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Hey, I'm Kevin and I am setting up a largish tank around 125-350 gallons. I'm 15 and funding the tank my self and it is going to be a work in progress. It is going to be a SPS dominated tank and I want to know what type of equipment I will need to set it up. I will be researching in the mean time. Thanks for reading my thread.

-Kevin:Hydrogen:
 
C

Chiefmcfuz

Guest
Rating - 99.1%
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I would get a nice Reef Ready tank with a nice stand. A good sump 90 gallons for the 125 and for the 350 I would say a minimum 120. Next is you are going to need a good protein skimmer. Check the skimmer thread for that recommendation. For SPS in those large tanks you are looking for a Metal Halide system that will be strong enough to cover the entire tank I would hope someone would chime in here with a recc for the 350 but for the 125 I would say a minimum of 3 250W Metal Halide lights.

Rock and sand are going to be needed as well you will have to play it by ear for that because of your aqua scape but it's gonna be quite a bit. Look at some of the larger tank threads here and see how they have things set up. This is not going to be a cheap hobby so keep that in mind, if you go cheap first it will cost you more in the long run because you will have to upgrade to the correct equipment. Trust me I have been there.

Good luck and most importantly welcome to MR!
 
NYreefNoob

NYreefNoob

Skimmer Freak
Location
poughquag, ny
Rating - 99.4%
168   1   0
welcome to mr

like the ambition. not to discourage you. but hope you really have a few grand to start with to get a tank like this start. not including corals. and there's alot more to keeping sps's that lps's. id try my hand at that route first and see if you are up to all that entale's keeping a reef tank. best of luck
 
jhale

jhale

ReefsMagazine!
Location
G.V NYC
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Kevin, welcome to MR.

the equipment list will be pretty much the same for a 120 or a 350, it will just get bigger and more expensive for the 350 size. A tank that size requires a lot of time, then again so does a 120. what tanks do you have set up now, or is this going to be your first reef tank?
 
NYreefNoob

NYreefNoob

Skimmer Freak
Location
poughquag, ny
Rating - 99.4%
168   1   0
tank

lol i was trying not to run him off with a more realistic price. and if this is your first tank. i truelly would suggest starting with something a little smaller. and being that young, { got one almost your age } that i would make sure parent's know how to do some of the thing's also.
 
D

DEEPWATER

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Welcome Kevin

15 huh ,,great early start :)

My honest opinion ,GO with a 125g tank for a few years till you get some experiance in the hobby ..Going with a 350 gal tank youll need the following

400w MH at least 3 of them total should cost around $1000

a few power heads ,Tunze 6100s or Vortechs each cost $300 or better

Chiller ,at least 1/2 HP ,good one cost $900 pr better

Live rock ,at $3 LBS for the cheapest around ,about 300+ youll need

Sand ,,not ness ,all depends it you want sand in your tank ,if so ,some what cost $200

Skimmer ,--$700+

Tank and stand ,up to you

sump ,,,could get away with a use tank and make baffles

Controllers and calcium reactor ,Ide say in the $1500 mark

this does not include all the little things that add up to big things ,nets ,tests kits ,ph monitor, Buckets and salt ,pumps ,magnets im sure there are other things that i forgot ,and we didnt even get to the livestock yet.

Good luck with the quest


Ronen
 
K

Kevin12492

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Rating - 99.4%
168   1   0
I relize this and this would be my first "reef" tank but won't be my first saltwater. Right now I have a 20 gal with a tomato clown and a feather duster after reading on how hard it would be to take care of I might go with a smaller 54 gal. corner tank to start with. Money is not an issue as I am willing to do things right the first time.

thanks for all the info it was great and I hope to get more from this site. =]

-Kevin
 
jhale

jhale

ReefsMagazine!
Location
G.V NYC
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52   0   0
Kevin,
I'd suggest starting with a 120 gallon. It's a great size for a reef, and not so big that you'll kill yourself trying to take care of it. Think of it as a tank to learn on. You can alway upgrade to a larger tank and keep the pieces you have grown out. the equipment list deepwater gave will be about the same on a well set up 120. my list would be,
2 250watt de or se MH bulbs in luminarc reflectors
2 6000 tunzes on a contoller
sump with a decent skimmer (there are many to choose from now)
a return pump, also many more to choose from.
1/3 hp chiller or to be really cool :)lol:)one of these,
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=40_43_205
a doser for two part additives (b-ionic) either the aquamedic or liter meter
a full set of salifert test kits
some good books, reef volume 3 is a great start.
these are just the basics to get started off in the right direction.
 
J

jacob_lee

Reefer
Location
upper east
Rating - 0%
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How in the world does a 15 y/o say "money is not an issue?"

Or even think about a tank that big?

What do you do for a living kid, and are they hiring?

My 34g easily took over 2 grand just to get it cycling.
 
S

steveo32

Guest
Rating - 0%
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Kevin, welcome to MR. Its nice to see the youger genoration getting into the hobby. Remember reading and patience is the key to success in this hobby. As Jahle responded a 120 is a nice size and you could get some cool fish in there as well. I wish good luck w/ your venture.

With money not bieng and issue are your parents willing to adopt ? I am house broken and I could probably do some tricks if I ttried lol j/k

Good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!! and keep us updated.
 
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