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[qburgess]

Good afternoon,

I have been in the process of starting a reef tank for the past 5 years, I know that is quite some time, and I finally will be ready to drop the cash to get it up and running in three months.

I feel I have done too much research and consequently have overwhelmed myself.

I want to do this right, or as close to right with this forums help, the first time. Most importantly I want to create an environment that is healthy for my inhabitants. Also, I want to create as energy efficient setup as possible.

Current Inventory:
72 Gallon Bow front tank, 20-30 gallon sump, and a stand of course.

What I would like to achieve: I would like to care for soft corals, live rock, and fish. NO hard corals right now.

Current Pitfalls: I live in the Orlando, FL area and have been unable to find a saltwater retailer with decent prices and inventory. Consequently, I am looking to this forum to get me up and running as far as the best places to purchase needed equipment and livestock; and answer my questions below.

What I am considering (remember energy efficiency is key):

-LED light fixture, possibly a DIY fixture, but I am wary about quality of lights from overseas suppliers. Any Thoughts?
-Decent low energy consumption Protein Skimmer, hang-on or in-sump
-Low energy return pumps, and maybe just a pair of #3 Koralia's if possible
-Good live rock suggestion?
-Live sand suggestion?
-Solid RO/DI system suggestion?
-Anything I may have missed?

Thank you for taking the time to help out another passionate future marine aquarist.

[ChicagoReef]

Hey man 5 years is a long time. I'm glad you did research though. No such thing as doing too much. If you start reading conflicting info that's when it get's confusing.

I had a hard time finding a reputable dealer to work with too so I bought a lot of things online. If you look in my thread "75 Gallon new member" something like that there are links for some of the essentials that I bought. You could do google searches to find deals and just post the site on here before you buy. Most likely someone can give you input as to whether or not they're reliable. Good luck with your journey.

[qburgess]

Thank for the reply. 5 Years is quite some time I know. I would love to see some pictures of your setup and hear about your progress, especially if you run into some pitfalls that you wish you would have approached differently.

Thanks again and Iwill keep you posted on my progress.

[ChicagoReef]

No problem gburgess. I've had a few pitfalls and challenges so far. Go ahead and take a look at my thread. 75 Gallon Setup/New Member I've tried to keep pictures and what not posted about my progress so far. You should also take a look at other peoples build threads such as Deathsmile, Parrott, Steve_McKay, and Metalhead....all of these will help you avoid mistakes and challenges we've had.

[metalhead]

Good afternoon,

I have been in the process of starting a reef tank for the past 5 years, I know that is quite some time, and I finally will be ready to drop the cash to get it up and running in three months.

I feel I have done too much research and consequently have overwhelmed myself.

I want to do this right, or as close to right with this forums help, the first time. Most importantly I want to create an environment that is healthy for my inhabitants. Also, I want to create as energy efficient setup as possible.

Current Inventory:
72 Gallon Bow front tank, 20-30 gallon sump, and a stand of course.

What I would like to achieve: I would like to care for soft corals, live rock, and fish. NO hard corals right now.

Current Pitfalls: I live in the Orlando, FL area and have been unable to find a saltwater retailer with decent prices and inventory. Consequently, I am looking to this forum to get me up and running as far as the best places to purchase needed equipment and livestock; and answer my questions below.

What I am considering (remember energy efficiency is key):

-LED light fixture, possibly a DIY fixture, but I am wary about quality of lights from overseas suppliers. Any Thoughts?
-Decent low energy consumption Protein Skimmer, hang-on or in-sump
-Low energy return pumps, and maybe just a pair of #3 Koralia's if possible
-Good live rock suggestion?
-Live sand suggestion?
-Solid RO/DI system suggestion?
-Anything I may have missed?

Thank you for taking the time to help out another passionate future marine aquarist.

Hi and welcome to ReefLand!!!

There are some other members on here that live near you, they would be a good resource for local suppliers. Parrothead lives near Jacksonville I think so shoot him a PM and ask if he knows of anyone near Orlando.

As for LED lighting, this is a sore subject with me as there are very few, if any, good LED fixtures available commercially and the ones that you can find are terribly overpriced. Besides that, I have yet to see any significant data that supports the claim that LED provides better, or even similar, sustained PAR values than metal halides.

If power consumption is your main concern have you considered a "light chimney" or some other form of natural lighting? Or does your home currently employ any type of alternative power source (wind/solar)?

Power efficient skimmers are readily available, check out the octopus skimmers or other types of recirculation models that use the smaller mag-drive type pumps.

For your size tank you'll probably be good with a mag-9 or mag-12 for the return pump, these are very efficient compared to a big reeflo pump or similar.

Rock and sand will either have to be ordered or acquired locally. If you buy used rock and/or sand be sure to inquire about the presence of copper and phosphates in the former system in which said rock/sand was kept. Another, better option would be to take copper/phos test kits with you when you look at the rock and test the water it's in on the spot. This way there will be no doubts. I would also recommend that you employ a deep sand bed somewhere in the system whether in the main display or elsewhere.

Most of the RO/DI units out there are pretty similar, I would look for one with a built in TDS meter though unless you already have one.

Other than that, go ahead and be thinking about how you want to maintain Ca and Alk levels, there are several methods available and this is something you will need to address sooner than later. You may also want to think about some sort of means for nutrient export like a refugium or algal turf scrubber.

[Parrothead]

+1 on the led, the technology over reef tanks has not been around long enough to know if it produces the proper amount or type of lighting that our corals and creatures require. Look at the Nova Extreme Pro T-5 6 Bulb fixture, this light will enable you to keep just about anything. A good skimmer that is hang on is the AquaC Remora Pro with the mag 3 pump, does an awesome job, and would be perfect for your size tank.

In addition to what metal said about copper and phos in rock and sand, I would stray away from purchasing used live sand, you would really only be able to use the top 1/2 inch out of the established tank. You would be better off just going all new when it comes to the sand, just get plain old aragonite, and get a cup of live sand from a fellow hobbyist or your lfs to seed the new sand. The rock you have a bunch of different opts. we can discuss that when you are ready. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with, I'm on here everyday, so I'm not hard to find

[qburgess]

This is great, thank you all for the suggestions. I think I should probably steer clear of overseas manufacturers that create LED aquarium fixtures, am I right?

Also I feel a T5 setup should be just fine, plus I can add an LED strip or two to create the nice shimmering effect.

What do you guys think about an in sump skimmer? Any suggestions. Lastly, do you guys like the Koralia power heads and if so would a pair of #3's be sufficient for my size tank?

Thank you

[Parrothead]

the Koralia power heads are great, the 2 x 3's = 1700 gph, plus what ever you decide on for a return pump, whether that is enough flow, that needs to be determined when you get a good idea of what you plan on keeping in your tank and placement. If you are planning on just softies as you mentioned above the flow will be fine. I don't use an in-sump skimmer, I use the aquaC remora hang on, will have to wait till some of the other guys who use in sump skimmers to chime in......Sorry on that one

[Doodaa]

Lastly, do you guys like the Koralia power heads and if so would a pair of #3's be sufficient for my size tank?

Thank you

If you have the extra cash to throw around, go with the EcoTech Marine Vortech MP40w. You'll really only need one and will get tons more widespread flow, keeping detritus in suspension and pulling stuff out from under your rocks you never knew was there. You won't be disappointed. I believe the Tunze pumps are similar, but I haven't used them so I can't comment.

If money is an issue, then yes, the Koralia's have been pretty reliable for me.

[Parrothead]

If you have the extra cash to throw around, go with the EcoTech Marine Vortech MP40w. You'll really only need one and will get tons more widespread flow, keeping detritus in suspension and pulling stuff out from under your rocks you never knew was there. You won't be disappointed. I believe the Tunze pumps are similar, but I haven't used them so I can't comment.

If money is an issue, then yes, the Koralia's have been pretty reliable for me.

At 420.00 per, you better only need one

[metalhead]

At 420.00 per, you better only need one

No doubt... Seems to make wasting 20 bucks on a bottle of purple up pretty insubstantial! I'd go with the Korillias, I'm sure the vortec pumps are nice and all and they look cool but not at all worth the price you have to pay for them IMHO. Same goes for Tunze... You'd be better off putting the money you save in a good skimmer and some lighting.

Speaking of Tunze... have you guys seen what they're trying to charge for those wave boxes??? Over 500 bones for a plastic box, powerhead and timer!!! Unbeleivable!!!

I do have a Tunze 6160 BTW - Good pump but really no better than the korallia magnums IMO.

[Parrothead]

The big problem I got with the vortecs is they are non adjustable, so you almost have to have two to cover the whole tank, that's 800.00, 2 K-3's will run you 80 - 90 delivered if you buy on-line, lets all do the math

[Doodaa]

Have you two seen them in action? They are quite impressive. They move more than 10 times the water the K's do and they are adjustable...you don't have to run them full blast. 1 is plenty for a 75 gallon tank...probably a little overkill. I don't have mine turned up 75% of what it can do. It takes up a lot less real estate than even one Koralia.

I just wanted to throw an option out for a high quality, worry free, easy to clean piece. I am totally glad I bought one. Not knocking the Koralia's at all...I have 2 myself now for backup

[Doodaa]

I also wouldn't throw the LED lights out the window. There are a lot of people trying them out and it seems successful for them. I don't know any personally, but I'd guess they'd be happy to explain what they consider pros and cons. Some are even doing SPS with them. If you're really interested in lower power consumption, then I'd research them a bit more. I think they'd pay for themselves after a while.

[Parrothead]

I also wouldn't throw the LED lights out the window. There are a lot of people trying them out and it seems successful for them. I don't know any personally, but I'd guess they'd be happy to explain what they consider pros and cons. Some are even doing SPS with them. If you're really interested in lower power consumption, then I'd research them a bit more. I think they'd pay for themselves after a while.

Not everyone has 420.00 to spend on a powerhead, I feel he would be better off getting the K3's or 4's and using the extra cash(320.00) for other stuff that is needed to set the tank up right out the gate, he can always upgrade to the vortecs later should he choose to do so...

[Parrothead]

I also wouldn't throw the LED lights out the window. There are a lot of people trying them out and it seems successful for them. I don't know any personally, but I'd guess they'd be happy to explain what they consider pros and cons. Some are even doing SPS with them. If you're really interested in lower power consumption, then I'd research them a bit more. I think they'd pay for themselves after a while.

Doodaa, as you said, you do not know anyone personally who uses them, nor do I, but we both know people way better than us who have looked at them and decided the jury was still out on exactly how good they really are, I prefer tried and true to well it worked for me, maybe it will work for you too. Helluva gamble

[Doodaa]

yea, i don't know anyone personally that keeps a reef tank...really sucks for me cause I have to try everything out for myself to see how it works in real life. I still don't know what people mean by "high flow".

[Parrothead]

yea, i don't know anyone personally that keeps a reef tank...really sucks for me cause I have to try everything out for myself to see how it works in real life. I still don't know what people mean by "high flow".

e.g. a 72 gallon bowfront running a vortec, high flow is for sps dominated tanks, read Charlies rebuild of the 300 thread, that will give you the ultimate def. of high flow, and he has some vortecs sitting in a box he's think of hooking up..

[Doodaa]

The vortechs come with a controller and are variable speed. Once Charlie hooks them up and gets them going, he's going to wonder what took him so long to get them out of the box!

[Doodaa]

Anyway...I was throwing out options...all depends on what qburgess wants to spend and how he wants it to look.