New setup.....so many choices

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by bulldogniner, May 4, 2010.

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  1. bulldogniner

    bulldogniner Feather Duster

    Joined:
    May 4, 2010
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    Location:
    Dallas
    I am new to the hobby but have been a long time "enjoyer" of reef tanks. I have been looking at getting either a 90 gallon or 120 gallon tank and setting it up with a biological filter.

    Here's what I want:

    1) Soft corals(frogspawn, torch, leathers, etc)
    2) Maybe a couple easy SPS corals and some clams
    3) A few smaller tangs, maybe an angel, gobies, etc....total 10-15 fish

    Here's a couple of my dilemmas:

    1) Filter: Do I need to setup a refugium? It seems like a lot of hassle and messy. Could I just use a live rock only filtration in the sump?

    2) Lighting: Metal halide seems great, but do I really need it for what I want to do? Are T5s good enough? I am a little concerned with heat and the room I am going to put it in can get close to 80 in the summer...I am going to have to get a chiller

    3) Protein skimmer: What type and size do I need to get?

    Well, I'm sure I have way more questions but that's a start. Any help is appreciated :)

    Oh....also this stuff can get expensive pretty quick. I found a dealer I like, but the prices are still higher than I like. Any suggestions on what a 90 gallon setup should cost. Remeber that I have nothing to start. I can give more details on what I want if needed.

    Thanks

    bulldog
     
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  3. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Berkeley, CA
    Tank: 120 - Go big if you can - more stable.

    Refugium: Not necessary but worth it down the road. I just set my first one up a few months back and I am a big believer now. My nitrates went from 10ppm to 0 once it kicked in. They are actually easy to deal with depending on how you set it up. Mine didn't kick in until I added fish and started feeding. They help with pH swings too and are cheap to set up light wise.

    Lighting: for what you want T5's would be more than fine.

    Skimmer: I have a Bubble Magus and love it. There are many great ones these days: Reef Octopus is popular, SWC have a lot of fans and many more. Great investment, don't skimp too much here.

    Tank: Look for deals on Craigslist. I bought a 75 show tank and stand with some lights and filters for $100.

    Hope this helps. Edit - just saw that was your 1st post - welcome to 3reef! 8)

    matt
     
  4. bulldogniner

    bulldogniner Feather Duster

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    So do you think T5s would be enough in a 24 inch tank to eventually have clams? Do you have to put them on the bottom or can you put them on the reef a little higher in the tank?

    I was thinking of starting with just the live rock in the filter and then maybe converting to a hybrid refugium later if needed. I think the compartment in the sump would be able to do this the way the guy was describing to me.

    Yeah, I have been looking on Craigslist quite a bit lately. I found a couple nice ones but they were to big....couldn't actually fit them anywhere!

    If the room I am going to put the tank in gets close to 80 in the summer on occasion, would I need a chiller? I can answer my own question and say yes...but I just hate to drop the money on one if not needed.

    wayne
     
  5. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    bulldogniner - welcome to 3 reef

    cant offer much on the clam question, its a species I have never kept up to this point some species do live on the rockwork T Maxima is one according to this article

    http://www.3reef.com/forums/clams/intro-giant-clams-37258.html

    T5s is a good option for a mixed reef IME and many SPS species will do great under enough of them, with correct placement

    Chiller - depends really I have one as I find it a convenient option to run one
    but with a sump and open top tank, you may be able to keep the tank from reaching temperatures that are to high using appropriately placed fans

    temps of 80 - 82 are common on reef tanks its when the tank gets to mid 80s and stays there for long periods you can start to have issues IME.

    Fans - one directed over the surface of the sump can have a positive cooling effect and if you go for T5s some of the canopies have fans fitted to help remove heat from the light unit

    Sump - If you have enough rockwork in the DT, then there is no need for additional biological capacity in the sump IME
    keep the sump empty other than water, skimmer, heater, return pump and any reactors for GFO and carbon etc

    Just my opinions

    Steve
     
  6. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    for a 24" tank you will want a 6 or 8 bulb t5 fixture... for this money your better off getting 2 or three halides. the penetration is better and when you catch the sps bug you wont have to buy a whole new lighting system ;)

    the hybrid refugium can work if you do it correctly

    with t5 you can 'maybe' get away with no chiller but your probably going to need one if your room temp is that high. fans blowing across the surface can dissipate some heat...

    and welcome to the site!
     
  7. bulldogniner

    bulldogniner Feather Duster

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    Thanks for the info.

    I think because this is the first tank I am going to setup there might be a little trial and error. Hopefully not too much error!....but I am trying to do as much research as possible.

    Cost is another huge issue. I found a lot of places that sell the tank components(lights, pumps, etc), but I haven't found any good places to actually buy the aquarium and stand. Any suggestions?

    wayne
     
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  9. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    For your clam placement question - it depends on the clam - some like Deresa like sandbeds.