Input on equipment ...

[Ice]

I'd like to hear some input or suggestions on equipment set-up for my SW aquarium before I purchase them. I've been doing quite alot of thinking and I may jump up to either 36 gallon or 40 gallon tank set-up to start and maybe move up to 50 gallons down the road. I might still stick with 28 (for now) but my mind will change after more researching and reading. With this in mind, the equipment will reflect on the 36 or 40 gallon tank.

Emperor 400 BIO-Wheel Power filter
Powersweep Powerhead (model 228)
Either the Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump 900 OR the Hagen AquaClear 50 Powerhead (for a #2 powerhead as a wavemaker application connected to a timer - Please advise on powerheads.)

Visi-Therm Heater (150 watts for 36-40 gallon tank; 100 watts for 28 gallon tank)

Either the Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer (recommended by CollegeReefer) OR
Typhoon Hang-on Skimmer {both found in Foster& Smith website}

LIGHTING (also recommended by CollegeReefer)

I'm going to go with the Dual Satellite Compact Fluorescent fixture (24 inch, 2 - 65 watt, 1 lunar light) $107.99 at Foster & Smith website

Any helpful suggestions and ideas will be appreciated.

[Fishfirst]

Skip the biowheel and get more liverock from the money you save. Also up the flow... 2 maxi jets 300gph would be good.

[Reefneck]

See comments in quoted text.

Originally Posted by Ice

Emperor 400 BIO-Wheel Power filter (Lose this)
Powersweep Powerhead (model 228) (Junk)
Either the Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump 900 OR the Hagen AquaClear 50See below)Powerhead (for a #2 powerhead as a wavemaker application connected to a timer - Please advise on powerheads.)

Visi-Therm Heater (150 watts for 36-40 gallon tank; 100 watts for 28 gallon tank) Use 2 50 watt heaters in case one fails.

Use 2 SEIO m620's for Powerheads. Top notch with a wide dispersment which is better for corals.

Either the Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer (recommended by CollegeReefer) OR
Typhoon Hang-on Skimmer {both found in Foster& Smith website}

The Coralife is a Good Skimmer for the money. there are better ones but they cost more.

LIGHTING (also recommended by CollegeReefer)

I'm going to go with the Dual Satellite Compact Fluorescent fixture (24 inch, 2 - 65 watt, 1 lunar light) $107.99 at Foster & Smith website

Decent lighting, Need more for most Clams & Corals

Any helpful suggestions and ideas will be appreciated.

[Damon]

Your lighting will depend on what you want to keep. PCs aren't very good for clams (have low par ratings) but there are a few you could probably keep.

I love VHO but thats just me.........

[Osiris]

Yes dump the biowheels!

I would almost consider using one large pump even external and get a SCWD! just type it in at Drs F&S and you'll see what i mean better then using timers! Hmm as for the lighting does your tank have a canopy? for that price you could get a 175w MH system and keep virtually anything you want!

[Ice]

I am planning on having Live Rock (I'd love to get Premium Fiji Live Rock from vividaqauraiums.com) and Arag-Alive Sand live sand in my tank. Wow ! Eliminate the BIO-Wheel ?! I thought most fish tanks require a Power filter. I'm not planning on adding clams though. Polyps, mushrooms and some soft corals in some sort of starter pak of some kind.


To Reefneck : where do you place the 2 powerheads in the tank ? Opposite sides ? How far in water do you place them ?

[Osiris]

nope none of my reefs do even the one holding tank of liverock and sand just has powerhead in it...the rock is the filter the sand is the atom bomb in the making.

[Fishfirst]

Yep replace the biowheel.... the liverock IS your biological filtration (what a biowheel does) except it also uses a lot of the nitrates it creates by output of biomass ex. algaes such as coraline. Your skimmer however, will take up most of your organics and put them in a collection cup there by keeping nitrates out of the water as well.

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by Ice

To Reefneck : where do you place the 2 powerheads in the tank ? Opposite sides ? How far in water do you place them ?

Best in the left rear & right rear corners pointing toward the center of the front glass so the flow from each collides there. About mid tank level seems fine.

[Ice]

Ok - I think I pretty much revised my equipment set-up list needed to start a possible 36 or 40 gallonSW tank. Please advise if I'm making some equipment errors or missing anything important stuff I'm going to need.

I'm ditching the BIO-Wheel power filter altogether due to fact I did not know that my live rock I have planned on adding IS my biological filtration. I do appreciate my new found knowledge to Reefneck & FishFirst.

Either 2 SEIO m620 powerheads or 2 Maxi-Jet powerheads (not sure what model to go with )

I decided to go with 2 Visi-Therm heaters depending on tank size I end up with in case one heater fails. I'm guessing to place one on each side of tank for better heat distribution.

I'm sticking with the Coralife Super Skimmer for now.

Lighting - After looking around in a couple of catalogs, I've decided to go with this pc lighting fixture - either the 30 in. or 36 in. depending on the tank size :

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ar.asp?CartId=


However, since I was advised to ditch the BIO-Wheel, I keep feeling that I've always thought all fish tanks have to have a filter of some kind. I guess what I'm trying to find out is, am I still going to need a canister filter or some sort of filter regardless (mechanical or chemical) ?

How is the tank being cycled without a filter when I first get it going before anything goes into it ? Do I cycle it with a skimmer and powerheads ?

Someone mentioned a SCWD setup. How is this set up with powerheads and what is the advantage to them ? I know it's economically smart and cheaper but how is it hooked up ?

Are UV sterilizors optional ? Is a refugium optional for a SW setup ?

I'm also looking to getting a Tap water filter because my city water is hard. A good idea to have ? I know Petsmart sells them for about $30.

Next question - with all this equipment I need, am I going to need an air pump or a sump pump of some kind along with some plumbing to run the skimmers, powerheads, and such ? Does the skimmer & powerhead come with some plumbing items I will need ? Please advise.

[Reefneck]

Originally Posted by Ice

Ok - I think I pretty much revised my equipment set-up list needed to start a possible 36 or 40 gallonSW tank. Please advise if I'm making some equipment errors or missing anything important stuff I'm going to need.

I'm ditching the BIO-Wheel power filter altogether due to fact I did not know that my live rock I have planned on adding IS my biological filtration. I do appreciate my new found knowledge to Reefneck & FishFirst. Good Move)

Either 2 SEIO m620 powerheads or 2 Maxi-Jet powerheads (not sure what model to go with ) As I said, The SEIOS have a wide dispersment that no other can match. Even the Maxijet Mod can't match the wide dispersing SEIO.

I decided to go with 2 Visi-Therm heaters depending on tank size I end up with in case one heater fails. I'm guessing to place one on each side of tank for better heat distribution. Correct

I'm sticking with the Coralife Super Skimmer for now. Not a death sentance

Lighting - After looking around in a couple of catalogs, I've decided to go with this pc lighting fixture - either the 30 in. or 36 in. depending on the tank size :

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ar.asp?CartId=

Will do ok for softies. No Clams No SPS, No Anemones.


However, since I was advised to ditch the BIO-Wheel, I keep feeling that I've always thought all fish tanks have to have a filter of some kind. I guess what I'm trying to find out is, am I still going to need a canister filter or some sort of filter regardless (mechanical or chemical) ? With plenty of Live Rock, Nothing else is needed. Cleanup crew handles the rest.

How is the tank being cycled without a filter when I first get it going before anything goes into it ? Do I cycle it with a skimmer and powerheads ? The bacteria grow in the live rock to complete the "Cycle". Can be done with damsels or with the fishless cycle methods others prefer.

Someone mentioned a SCWD setup. How is this set up with powerheads and what is the advantage to them ? I know it's economically smart and cheaper but how is it hooked up ? Best in a drilled tank. Requires a pump of it's own and could eliminate the powerheads.

Are UV sterilizors optional ? Is a refugium optional for a SW setup ? UV is great for a Fish Only Tank, Bad for a reef

I'm also looking to getting a Tap water filter because my city water is hard. A good idea to have ? I know Petsmart sells them for about $30. Get an RO/DI unit. You can find them on ebay for under $100. You will thank me later.

Next question - with all this equipment I need, am I going to need an air pump or a sump pump of some kind along with some plumbing to run the skimmers, powerheads, and such ? Does the skimmer & powerhead come with some plumbing items I will need ? Please advise.

The Coralife Skimmers come with everything you need to make it go. No extra plumbing required for it of powerheads.

[Damon]

I perfer Won Bros. heaters. They are titanium and are less likely to get damaged if live rock collides with them. They also have an external temp set guage. Cost a few bucks more but well worth it.

I like Marty's Idea with the MH. Love the ripple effect. (Which I still think you can get from VHOs Reefneck )

I use the coralife super skimmer on my 75 reef and I love it. The 125 has a drain on the collection cup that I dont believe the 65 has.

Check your local reef clubs or places like reefcentral. You can find good quality used stuff like skimmers for cheaper than buying new. Thats what I did. The only new parts on my tank are sand, rock and my skimmer.

Be extremely patient. I know you've heard this and you'll hear it a lot more. You'll be anxious to add stuff sooner but the wait will be worth it. Plus you can look at all the coepods and worms and other various critters running around.

[Osiris]

I've heard from a few locals it's possible to get the ripple with VHO's which i would think be possible if the top of the water was moving pretty good with MH's top water barely has to move and you have ripples.

[Ice]

Wow guys ! Keep it coming !! This is great hearing different ideas and input. This helps alot ! Keep'em coming !! LOL !!

[Reefneck]

Forgot to mention that a Refugium IS entirely optional UNLESS you want to keep a Madarinfish or a Scooter Bleeny (Both Dragonettes) in which case a Refugium then becomes MANDATORY!

[Ice]

As well as other Blenny species ?

[Damon]

No. Those particular dragonets rarely take to frozen or dired foods. They feed mainly on coepods in your tan kwhich will become depleted if there is no "refuge" for them to breed in. You see many of the little critters in your tank in the beginning but if you add one of these creatures, they will be quickly diminished if no shelter is provided for them.

[Ice]

How about this compact lighting system ?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113345


Would this be better ? What if I increase the wattage from 2 - 65 watt bulbs to 2 - 75 watt bulbs for better lighting ?

Any good ideas or suggestion would be good. I know I won't be able to afford the MH as of now but at least I can start with an orbit pc lighting.

My mind is made up regarding the powerheads. Gonna go with the SEIO powerheads ! Now time to shop around for good prices on them ! LOL !!

Going to stick with the Coralife Super Skimmer and now shopping around for the RO/DI unit. Great input guys ! Keep it coming !!

[Damon]

There is no such thing as a 75 watt pc bulb They come in 13, 18, 28, 36, 55/65, and 96. It would really help to know the length and volume of your tank. You may be able to go 2x96 if the tank is long enough. Or go 2x55/65 (there is no difference between a 55 watt and 65 watt bulb in temrs of par and effeciency) and maybe a single or twin tube T5 or even N.O. flourescent.

[Ice]

Oh I see. What's the difference between the satellite and the orbit pc light fixtures ?