180 Gallon New Build Questions

[julesjt]

Well I ordered my 180 gallon reef ready tank and I am preparing to get the following items. I just want some insight and make sure I am on track.

1. I am thinking of doing the aqualife 3 x 250w MH HQI, Actinic, and lunar light fixture. I would like LED for power saving if anyone knows of a fixture out there yet to replace MH.

2. I am thinking of doing a 2400 gph MAG 24 pump. But I see different brands that use the MAG 24 label, which brand of pump to go with that does around 2400 GPH?

3. I am doing my sump with a refugium section and thinking of doing the miracle mud. Do you believe in miracle mud and which brand? I heard it has some pretty good eco-system benefits with production of plankton and other needed organisms? If not than should I go with a live sand and live rock bottom instead for my refugium section?


Thanks in advance, I can't wait to get this build started and get my tank with water, sand, and rock to begin the cycle.

[julesjt]

Wow, no one responded. Believe me I read what I could read, just wanted some experience advice.

[ToddTT]

We're all too jealous.

Maybe put some links to the products you mentioned.

Marine Depot is a great site to check out what's available, compare brands, get specs on pumps, etc.

As long as the MAG pump is made by Danner, I wouldn't worry about the packaging. The MAG pumps I have owned have varied greatly... in the boxes they come in. They one constant is somewhere on the box it was labeled Danner Manufacturing.

By the way, if you haven't seen it, the PriceGrabber of fishkeeping:

TRT Comparison Shopping

Some Miracle Mud info:

site:reefland.com miracle mud - Google Search

There is a lighting forum here, might be useful to check out, and ask lighting questions:

Lighting

[Steve McKay]

1.I don't have any experience with MH lighting so we'll skip that,but that should be more than enough light.

2.If it's advertised as a mag pump that's what it should be.

3.If you go with a DSB in you display tank and fuge and have plenty of LR in your display tank you will not have a problem with nitrification or denitrification.A DSB will also provide a good habitat for sand dwelling inverts.

[julesjt]

I think I will go with the DSB route in the fuge, that is pretty proven other than this miracle mud.

Thanks for the info.

[julesjt]

We're all too jealous.

Maybe put some links to the products you mentioned.

Marine Depot is a great site to check out what's available, compare brands, get specs on pumps, etc.

As long as the MAG pump is made by Danner, I wouldn't worry about the packaging. The MAG pumps I have owned have varied greatly... in the boxes they come in. They one constant is somewhere on the box it was labeled Danner Manufacturing.

By the way, if you haven't seen it, the PriceGrabber of fishkeeping:

TRT Comparison Shopping

Some Miracle Mud info:

site:reefland.com miracle mud - Google Search

There is a lighting forum here, might be useful to check out, and ask lighting questions:

Lighting

Thanks for the info, I am getting my tank tonight. My light should be ordered this week. And hope to have everything ready for water within two weeks.

[Parrothead]

+1 on whats been stated,

Jules,

I'd also consider a dsb in the dt has well, it will go along way in helping to keep the system balanced

Good Job, now we need to let you know about a little rule we have here,

We all love pictures, they are a must

Even an empty tank gets some of us excited

[julesjt]

+1 on whats been stated,

Jules,

I'd also consider a dsb in the dt has well, it will go along way in helping to keep the system balanced

Good Job, now we need to let you know about a little rule we have here,

We all love pictures, they are a must

Even an empty tank gets some of us excited

Thanks and what is "DT" I know most of the acronyms but dont know that one.

And I plan on doing a build thread with lots of pictures as soon as I pick up my tank Friday. Dont you worry there will be pictures out of the wazzu

[Parrothead]

DT = Display Tank, sorry about that