Suggestions on brand name filters/heating/skimmer

[Capslock]

I am setting up a reef tank sometime in the near future. Right now I am doing the reasearch and soon I will be buying the tank; the tank is tentativly going to be around 70 gallons.

I can (and of course will) search the web and stores for the filters and such that I will need for my aquarium. There are so many choices of brands out there. It always helps hearing from those who have had good and bad experiences in the past over these items.

Does anyone have recomendations to the brand of:
Canister filters (I would like one that I can keep in the cabinet below the tank if possible)
Heater (I think using two instead of one would be best, Id like both submersible)
protein skimmer


Any particular testers that I should consider to buy because of their quality or, avoid from the lack of quality?

Thanks for any help you could provide

 

[Nemo2007]

Check out the following concerning protein skimmers:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=78592

I read the reviews and selected the one I felt was the best.

 

[JKDMan]

if possible i wouldn't use a canister filter i would get a drilled tank and go with a sump. that way u have a place to put all of your equipment and its a better way to filter water IMO

 

[Capslock]

A drilled tank for a sump. I have not read up on sump at all; so I will be sure to read up. Do they take care of bacterial, mechanical, and chemical filtering?

How do I know what drill size to use and drill what, the top of the tank? My dad used to have a salt water tank years back but the top was open.

Can I put a sump in a cabinet?

Ideally I want to have the ability to put my filters and protein skimmer (thanks for that link btw, that is extremely helpful) in a cabinet out of sight from guests. Plus I live in an apartment so they almost have to go there in order to preserve appearance of the entire place.


Thanks for the help so far

 

[Nemo2007]

I have seen smaller tanks run successfully using canister filters usually below 30 gallons. I don't have any personal experience with them but fell they would not be the best choice for the tank size you mentioned.

Concerning sumps, they are almost always hidden beneath the tank in a cabinet or other enclosure. That is the case with my own system which consists of a 72G tank and a sump that sits below in the cabinet. The tank is pre-drilled for drainage. "Reef ready" tanks are sold pre drilled. However, if the tank is not made of tempered glass, you can drill it yourself or have it drilled by professionals used to working with glass. I believe it takes special drill bits and "cooling liquids". There is a pretty good article about sumps in the October issue of Aquarium Fish Magazine.

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.html