Equipment Recommendations Please

[@ombomb]

Putting together the shopping list for my new tank and would like some recommendations on the right brands to be looking at (trying to balance cost / effectiveness). The tank will be either 48x18x24 (85USG) or 48x24x24 (114USG) with a 40USG sump / fuge and I will be moving my existing corals / fish as well as adding more hard corals over time. My experience in marine is all nano so far, so I'm a little clueless when it comes to hardware on a larger scale.

So far I have:

Arcadia 2x250W Metal Halide Unit

I (assume) I will need:

Protein Skimmer - Deltec look good but expensive, Jebo seem more reasonably priced, but I assume there is a reason for this... what flow rate should I be looking for?

UV Steriliser - Again, what flow rate should I be looking at / what output bulb?

Sump return pump - I currently have a Maxjet 1700 sitting around doing nothing but might look for something with a better output

Powerheads - I'm looking at Tunze at the moment, seems hard to go wrong

Phosphate Reactor - More of a long term requirement I think for when the more sensitive corals are added

Calcium Reactor - As above, can keep on top of this by dosing if required

Heaters - Plan is for 2 x 300W heaters which should be fine as it's a warm room and the lights will be producing plenty of heat

Any recommendations / additions to the list would be appreciated.

 

[nanocubeking]

I dont see anything wrong with the list.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Looks good, only a few comments below though (I have limited experience myself though so take with a pinch of salt ).

UV unit: In general the higher wattage the better. The flow rate through it depends on the specifications of the unit. Again generally higher wattage lights can have more flow through them. Not something that is 100% neccersary and there are arguements for and against it.

Calc reactors: Unless you are already having calc/mag issues and needed to dose I would say dont bother with these to begin with. Adds extra cost with no real benifit and the money would probably be better spent on an auto top off unit or on the skimmer (or on some new corals ).

Skimmers: I'm going to either get a deltec or TMC skimmer (most likely a TMC). They seem to be the best ones out there from what I have read. I'm sure flow rate is important but when I buy mine I'm just going to look at what size tank it is rate for and get one that is rated for a tank 2-3 times bigger.

Phosphate/nitrate reactors: Again unless you have a problem already may be something you dont need to get right away. If it was me though I would get these before a calc reactor.

 

[@ombomb]

Two 4200 lph powerheads ordered

 

[SkiFletch]

For a sump pump, look at the aquamedic and ocean runner lines of pumps. I hear they're good for the UK

 

[@ombomb]

cheers, i'll have a scout around

 

[@ombomb]

ski - do you know of a good calculator for head loss or is there a general rule of thumb?

 

[SkiFletch]

ski - do you know of a good calculator for head loss or is there a general rule of thumb?

Maybe

YGPM


There is also a good rule of thumb. For most moderate sized tanks with sumps in the stand, take the vertical height in feet, and add another foot to that total and you're in the ballpark. If you start throwing tons of fittings in, maybe another half foot or foot. Things get a little complicated with basement sumps and larger tanks though

 

[@ombomb]

Putting together the shopping list for my new tank and would like some recommendations on the right brands to be looking at (trying to balance cost / effectiveness). The tank will be either 48x18x24 (85USG) or 48x24x24 (114USG) with a 40USG sump / fuge and I will be moving my existing corals / fish as well as adding more hard corals over time. My experience in marine is all nano so far, so I'm a little clueless when it comes to hardware on a larger scale.

So far I have:

Arcadia 2x250W Metal Halide Unit

Protein Skimmer - On the way thanks to MissWiggle

2 x 300W Heaters - On the way thanks to MissWiggle

Sump Pump - Ocean Runner 3500 as recommended by SkiFletch

Powerheads - 2 x Hydor Koralia 4 (4600 lph)

UV Steriliser - Generic pond UV Sterilser bought off ebay on the cheap - worth a go

Tank / Stand - Ordering today

I (assume) I will need:

Phosphate Reactor - More of a long term requirement I think for when the more sensitive corals are added

Calcium Reactor - As above, can keep on top of this by dosing if required

Any recommendations / additions to the list would be appreciated.

Getting close , the reactors can wait

That's 9200 lph from the power heads and I'm estimating about 1500 lph from the ocean runner with the head, so about 10700 lph turnover in the main tank = 25x per hour. I may add another hydor koralia at some point, but until I start adding some hard corals, I think the water movement will be sufficient.