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06-17-2006, 12:09 PM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Plankton
Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 30
Posts: 9
Karma: 2
 |  just starting in the reef hobby . help
I need advice on the best mid priced skimmer. if t5 light will be a good growth light for sps and zoo's and how many will i need for a 125 and 180. also if a cal. reactor is necessary. | 
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06-17-2006, 01:54 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Spanish Shawl Nudibranch
Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Age: 32
Posts: 76
Karma: 4
 
| skimmer
Look into the ASM skimmers, copy of Euro C, And are half the price and just as effective. I run 2 different models and love them.
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300 Freshwater Predator aquarium, Peacock Mantis shrimp 46 bowfront,Oceanic 144 Half circle reef ready aquarium, PFO Pro 36" canopy, 2-14k 400 watt Megachrome Halides, 2-110 Actinic VHO's, 2-1 Watt Pfo Moonlights. Octopus nw 200 skimmer, Two little fishes Phosban reactor, Mag drive 2400 return pump, Pro clear aquatics 300 sump, 3 maxi jet 1200's with sure-flo kits. Tangs, various wrasses, flame angel, Fang blenny, various gobies and more... | |
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06-17-2006, 09:01 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Torch Coral
Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St. Paul/Woodbury, Minnesota Age: 50
Posts: 1,181
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Dont skimp on a skimmer for those size tanks. A skimmer for tanks that size will run $250-300. You could go with a turbofloater multi for the 125g but for a 180g it would be pushing it. Check prices on ebay. _________ 75g reef with Nova Extreme 8 bulb HO T-5 lighting, refuge, Remora skimmer, DSB, Seio powerheads, Acro's, LPS corals, assorted zoo's & mushrooms, Yellow Tang, Maroon Clown, Blue Cleaner Goby , Cleaner, Fire and Sexy Shrimp, Coco Worm, T.Crocea Clam, Derasa Clam
120g FOWLR, 260w Orbit power compact lights, Remora Pro skimmer, 30g DIY Sump/Refuge, DSB,Seio Power heads, Powder Blue Tang, Purple Tang, Flag Fin Angel, False Eye Puffer, Copperbanded Butterfly and a Moorish Idol  | |
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06-18-2006, 06:06 AM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Meriden, Connecticut Age: 44
Posts: 3,963
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Hi, and welcome to 3reef first of all!
As for your protein skimmer, as RAVEN stated, don't be cheap with regards to a skimmer. Also, the skimmer designed for your tank (gallon size), I would buy the next size up especially since the companies don't really take a look at bio-load etc. when stating tank size the skimmer will handle.
I am partial to AquaC skimmers(no venturi's!), and for your tank size i'd go with a EV 180-240. These are a very good and reliable skimmer.
T5's are a good lighting performer, however, to save you money in the future, I would forgo them and step up to metal halides-then there really isn't any coral you couldn't keep. Sps are the most light demanding on the whole with lps and softies mainly kept under subdued and moderate lighting, then followed by most Gorgonians and sponges.
If you went with t5's, why not purchase a fixture offering both t5's and metal halides. Ther are a few companies that offer them such as Aqua Medic and Giesemann(Germany). Just a suggestion based on my own opinion and experience.
No chillers...They work but are very expensive and energy hogs. Do you need to have one to be successful with saltwater?...NO!!!!!!!!!
What I do is place a fan near my tank to blow across the top of my tank(evaporative cooling), and man it works wonders. The only thing is you will be required to replace water which has evaporated(word of caution:when replacing the water-USE ONLY FRESH WATER-preferably RO water!!!).
Well, best of luck in your endeavors regarding your introduction into saltwater and reefers annonymous-we all have the disease and are broke in doing so, however, are enjoying it all the way... _________ 125gal.w/Mag9.5 return(dual megaflow)>Mag7 pump Aqua Cev180skimmer.Wave2k Hamilton Reefstar(2)250watthqi(mh)pend.a Yellow, Naso Tang Red Lip Blenny Percula Clown Demoiselles Niger Trigger F. Wrasses Ceriantharia Orn.Shrimp and Stars Hermits Queen Conch asst. snails> Stars Zoos shrooms Montipora Brains Gorgonians Favia Turbinaria(large+small polyp) Acropora Xenia Tridacna (CroceaMaximaSquamosa) Leathers <35+75gal.reef tank as well> 
"IF THE PHONE DOESN'T RING...IT'S ME"  jb  | |
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06-19-2006, 05:48 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Plankton
Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 30
Posts: 9
Karma: 2
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thanks 4 the advice. i was going to use 12 54 watt t-5 but i guess that i won't be able to keep sps. i have looked at the AquaC skimmers but there pricey. | |
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06-19-2006, 11:26 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Torch Coral
Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St. Paul/Woodbury, Minnesota Age: 50
Posts: 1,181
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check ebay for skimmers. Remember, most skimmer manufacturers over rate their skimmers by 30-50%. You can buy a turbofloater multi for under $200 and its a good skimmer that can be run in sump or HOT. Its rated for up to 250g tank but I wouldnt use it for any tank over 180g depending on your bio load. | |
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