90 Gallon Upgrade

So I took the poll advice from you guys and decided on starting the upgrade to a 90 gallon. Here's the proposed list of equipment to get this thing going. My only dilemma is my core filtration. Currently I'm using biopellets on my 55 upright. Other than a dino outbreak recently that came under control, I haven't really had any issues with it. So now for this tank, I'm not sure to stick with the pellets with GFO running or go back to a fuge with chaeto in it, or all of the above. Anyways, here's the current list of equipment that will be used and as the stuff starts coming together I will take photos of the build. I'm definitely open to any suggestions from you guys.

Tank - 90 Gal RR Deep blue professional
Stand - R&J Enterprise Black Oak stand (Ordered from petco on sale, free shipping)
Sump - Temporary 15 gallon tank with baffles (Already owned)
Lighting - 2 200w Full Spectrum Units from ebay (1 already being used)
Skimmer - Hydror Performer 705 Recirculating rated for 300 gallons
Return pump - Jebao DC12000, monster to run all the reactors and fill skimmer via manifold and valves.
Circulation - 3 Jebao WP-40's (2 reused from current tank)
Heater - Finnex 200w heater (reused from current tank)
GFO reactor - BRS (owned)
Biopellet reactor? - TLF Phosban 150
Neptune Apex to control it all including ATO

Will use all new dry rock, sand and water. Will cycle tank like new and then acclimate and transfer livestock.

 

good to see you moving on the upgrade everything sounds really good from what I can tell (not real knowledgeable on the stand). I'm thinking the two wp-40's might be a bit much. Did you like having the fuge when you ran one? If so, I'd put another one in. It's up to you as far as pellets go.

 

Thanks! I honestly had no issues with the fuge and dumped it because of the fad with biopellets. At the same time I like having the biopellets because it really does let you feed a bit more and have unreadable nitrates. I was thinking about running both this time but not sure if that's a good idea. I guess you're right with just two wp-40s being sufficient.

 

yes, and then some on 40's. I'd say if you had success in running the pellets then I would be inclined to continue to run them. I don't think there would be a down side to running a fuge also especially since you like to run a tank with frequent feedings. If I was to do mine again, I'd just have live rock and cheato in it with no sand. Just my .02.

 

That's what I had before when I ran a small fuge on my current set up. I love the idea of a fuge but feel like it's a bit out dated. At the same time I guess with large enough of a fuge would compensate for extra feedings and fish.

 

oh, you youngin's and out-dated, I just put one in mine thinking I was more in keeping with the trend lol

 

lol. and did it satisfy your needs on your tank? I noticed that Mr saltwater tank got rid of his fuge and went to biopellets and GFO only.

 

well, I'm still deciding. Honestly, I'm thinking of going with vinegar dosing. I do need to do something, I was really hoping I wouldn't have to but *sigh* The fuge is certainly not doing a lot but I do need to change the spectrum on my light to encourage the algae/cheato growth and that should help. I honestly did not get a great result with pellets, it definitely helped but I'm not sure how much.

 

i was browsing through all the reefkeeping magazine tanks of the months, and you barely see biopellets being used.

 

hmmm....what are they using for nutrient control?