185 Gallon Equipment???

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Addikted2Cichlids

Gambusia
MFK Member
May 13, 2009
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Northern Italy
I am buying a 185 gallon tank that I plan on setting up as a reef tank down the road. I'm currently stationed overseas and will be setting the tank up in about 18 months from now. I was wondering what equipment should/can I buy now and what equipment should I hold off buying until I'm ready to set it up. I would like to purchase things overtime if possible, so my wife doesn't freak out like she would if I dropped a few grand all at once. I'm looking at getting a skimmer, Metal Halides, RO/DI, Calcium reactor, Pumps and Etc.. My biggest concern is what equipment might go bad or may have problems if I buy it now and leave sitting for that long? Plus the advancement in technology is also a downside if I purchase these things in advance. So what items don't really change that often. I'm assuming pumps, RO/DI units don't really improve to often. I may be jumping the gun but I am really excited about getting this tank. I also figured if I plan everything out and don't rush things and save up money and buy better quality equipment it will only set me up for success when I'm ready for the setup.


Also Here is a link to the lights I'm looking at. The tank I'm getting is 78" x 24" X 24". http://www.ebay.com/itm/3x250W-Metal-Halide-4x96W-PL-72-1134W-Aquarium-Light-Hood-Reef-Coral-LEDs-Fans-/140691672136?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c1e08c48#ht_1833wt_1398

Thanks for the help in advance..
 
You can buy everything in advance if you want... nothing really goes bad if you aren't using it. The advancements in lighting are going to happen, but it's not at the same pace as say a computer. Buying a fixture now will be just fine. There may be something bigger and better in a few years but that doesn't make your fixture obsolete, it will still work. If I were doing a 6ft reef tank I'd consider LED's. They will be expensive, but in the long run you will definitely save money. Replacing halide lamps gets spendy pretty quick. Not to mention the money you'll save on the electric bill. -Take this with a grain of salt though, my biggest salt tank is a 30g, lol- just putting in my .02 cents.

Are you going to be using a sump?
I'd feel comfortable buying the RODI, Skimmer, Lights, Powerheads... of course it would kill me to have to look at that stuff sitting in a box for over a year too though. :D
 
Yes, I will be using a sump. It's about 60 gallons or so. I think LED's still have a long way to go for large reef aquariums. I found a couple of fixtures that would work but they are asking over 2 grand which is not worth it to me. I'm sure in the next few years they will come along way and the prices should drop also.
 
If you go with a pre-drilled tank it'll cut down on equipment needed and make more room in the sump - figure 4-5X per hour + hieght of 5', Lil' Giant externals are decent - then figure on the plumping, usually 1 1/4" pvc to bulk head + 1 1/4" return from bulkhead to sump. In baffle 3/4" pvc + oulet kit and adjustable intake with a de-priming hole on the top. 5 bulkheads -2 tank (1 1/4 to 3/4") -1 sump (1 1/4") 2 tank (slip gasket To 1 1/4"). Also need elbows 1 1/4" + 1 1/4" braided tubing for sump bulkhead to pump ( pump to tubing and sump bulkhead to tubing will need tappered nossles. pump will need screw on 1 1/4" pvc. 2x shut off valves off of pump 1 1/4" pvc.

In sump - Glass return plates are nice 1 1/4" holes - pre drilled sump w/ bulkhead and 1 1/4" 90 degree fitting at least 1 baffle plate w/ scrubber pad block only half the hieght of the sump ( to prevent overfolw during shut down or poweroutage) small T-5 light, filter bags, Sump w/ a Mag drive 7 to12 w/ air intake venturi + 1/4" tube,reactor pumps w/ flo ajdusters no lower than 100gal per hr ( go 130 to 150 per hr and you can run reactors in tandeum)

Lighting - if your doin' MH probably need a chiller and plumbing, Multi stage light/pump timer, if you go T5HO - 8 Bulbs, LEDS could be spending a couple grand.

Powerheads - w/ external pump figured correctly ( hieght x flo per hr) you'll probably only need 2 powerheads with a combine rating of 150 gal.( Rocks take up water volume)

RO/DI - waste water bucket + clean water catch bucket or tank

Miscellanous items - Reactors w/ 1/2" tubing, Base rock, dry agronite, 2x heaters (1 running, 1 extra), Reef testkits, hydrometer, Carbon, mag float

( A few things I did to make life easier cause buckets suck) - w/c tank w/ heater + mag drive, top off tank w/ heater + mag drive

If yours turns out to be a power consumption machine like mine - 2x 20amp tank dedicated breakers, 10 gauge wire 3 or 4 wire, numerous wall sockets

Hope this made some kinda sense.
 
I like those lights. I am planning to order some for a 135 gallon I am setting up.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/72-384W-PL-...908?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ffdec104

60 gallon sump sounds perfect.

That's a kick ass skimmer. I am a big fan of Reef Octopus.

You will need a good return pump (Mag 7 to Mag 12 like Otherone suggested) depending on how much flow you want thru the sump and how many powerheads your gonna run. Personally, I like slow movement thru sumps, and powerheads in the tank for movement. So I would go with a Mag 7 or 9.
:D

Take your time and enjoy building the sump. That's the most fun for me is sump design and fab. :D
 
The tank is drilled, I didn't pay to much attention too the sump as my main focus was checking out the tank. Here is some of the equipment I'm considering. Let me know what you think.

Pumps:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+20396&pcatid=20396
http://www.aquacave.com/mag-drive-12-water-pump-552.html http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+4590&pcatid=4590 http://www.hydroponics.net/i/280600

Power heads: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+15955&pcatid=15955

Heaters: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+23726&pcatid=23726

RO/DI: http://www.saltysupply.com/5-Stage-Mako-Double-DI-Reverse-Osmo-p/fx1120.htm

Phosban Reactor: http://www.aquacave.com/phos-ban-media-reactor-550br-by-two-little-fishes-2715.html

Auto Top Off: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10090+20412&pcatid=20412

Live Rock: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/eco-rox-fiji-dry-rock/brs-pukani-dry-aquarium-eco-rock.html

I have never used a sump before so forgive me on being indesisive on the pumps. I plan on going with 2 Magnum 6's for powerheads. I like a lot of flow and may add another or change it up depending on how I feel about it once it's set up. I also have never used an RO/DI system. Is Aqua FX a good brand? I didn't list a calcium reactor because I'm not sure on what I want to get yet. I also don't plan on having any SPS in the tank for quite awhile until I feel comfortable with the whole system. I currently have a 29g Nano Cube and this is a big jump as far as the whole system goes.

I plan on buying about 100 lbs of the pukani dry rock from BRS. Then purchase another 40 of Live to seed the tank. Im going to hold off on buying the lights until i'm ready to set the tank up and maybe prices will drop and new technology will be released. I didn't list a skimmer because I already listed the 2 earlier in the thread.

Please let me know what you think about the list so far and what changes I should possibly make. Sorry for such a long post I just want to make sure I'm doing this right the first time. Also any good reef keeping books out there anyone would suggest. I have Saltwater aquarium encylopedia. I'm looking for something that goes a little more in depth in actual reef keeping though.
 
Yeah, people who grow algae (or live rock) in their sumps will run a simple Home Depot or Lowes halide.

I am still running bioballs thru mine (until I can afford all the live rock I need).
:D

Then I might switch to a refuge of some sort in the sump (removing the bioballs).

That's a good and simple phosban reactor. That's the one pretty much everyone uses.

No advice on the RO unit. I will be in the market for one myself after I sell a 75 gallon. I will prob shop for a 3 or 4 stage that produces 25-50 gallons a day. That should be more than enough water for top off and changes on my 135.
 
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