90 gallon build equipment thoughts???

[Nano man]

Hi Guys,
So I am going to be setting up a 90 gallon long here in a month and am looking to get all my equipment together. Done a lot of research to the point where I am confused.

To start off I'm moving into a new house and have a small fish room so I want to do this right. So let me start with a list of things that ran across my head but if you guys would be so kind to offer some alternative input that would be great.

Tank is a scaquarium 90 gallon starfire long with center overflow.

Sump: trigger system is what I would like but which one would you guys recommend or an alternative perhaps?
I want a skimmer section and a fuge section.

Lights: ecotech, rapid led, kessil
What do you guys think? Corals will be primarily softies with some lps and perhaps some super hardy sps as well.
I want some adjustment ability in spectrum but primarily to pop colors of fish and corals

Heater: eheim jager, how many watts?

Skimmer: I have no clue which one???

This start would help me out a lot,
I appreciate it.
Thanks, Jay

 

[Kammetal]

Lighting-are you doing coral? reef i am happy with they AI hd 26s

Filtration 30g sump/ refugium- diy or a trigger systems, bashea etc.

Jaeger heaters

Skimmer skimz 181


return pump- vectra m1

And i would definately look into a reef controller. They make life alot easier no worry about heaters cooking tank, run equipment at desires times theres a on going list.

 

[Kammetal]

I had the emeral 39 on my 90 and it worked well. As for the jaeger heater inran two just so one doesnt keep having to work as much and it adds to the life of the heaters

 

[butrflynlambie]

I think i have the same tank 90gal 36x24x24 I picked up used... alot depends on your budget. I bought a ice cap sump off of craigslist and am very happy with it, (I don't like that there is no cut out in the ato chamber for the pump power cord, minor irritation).

If I bought new I would have gotten something from Synergy Reef or Advanced Acrylics for a sump. I follow the 302 aquatics facebook page also.

For lighting i have a maxspect ra20r but will add additional lighting. I want a ap700 but may pickup a ecotech gen3 pro, they are reselling for 350. I believe the gen4 look nicer but buying new they are twice the cost. If I bought new i would go with the ap700. Still not sure what i am doing in the long run. I am just finishing my water cycling and adding fish so I have a bit before I add coral myself.

Do you have the SCA skimmer as well? What do you think of it? I am thinking I will replace it and hold as a backup.

Good luck!!

 

[Nano man]

Kammetal what do you think of the kessil vs ai? The AI nano I have on my nano is just overkill even on low setting with 8 inches off surface at that. I have heard good things with AI but just hear that the kessils grow corals a lot better. I think the trigger sump is what I am going to do but which one would go with at least? 31 gallons vs 40 gallon sump for a 90?

Butrfly, I am going with a different skimmer probably what kammetal suggested as I have heard the skimz is really good. Do you like the ecotech and how is coral growth?

So ecotech vs kessil vs ai?
And what reef controller would be good to get? Something not so complicated but reliable.

Thank you

 

[butrflynlambie]

I am also running the ecotech m1 vectra for the return.

I do not have the Radeon yet. Might pick one up used. There are a lot of lights that grow coral now. The Radeons are used by world wide corals for their coral propagation. I prefer Kessil to view the tank. Kinda depends on your budget and personal preference for a variety of factors.

 

[Bpb]

Before I type this I’ll preface by saying , budget willing on all this. You mentioned sca, trigger, and radions so I assume you’re not exactly a cheapskate.

If you haven’t already bought the tank, the first consideration I would make is maybe a 120 or 150 over the 90. The 18” depth on the sca 90 long gets annoying fast. I’ve had a 90 gallon for 3 years now and regretted it almost instantly after filling it. I really wish I had the 24” depth you get on the 120 or 150. But I digress.

I like those top end trigger sumps with the drain chamber covers and spill over sock section. You can find comparable designs by Synergy and BAO at comparable price points.

I’ll combine skimmer and sump and recommend something off your radar in a Lifereef sump which would include skimmer, fluid reactors, and refugium. It’s a bit more expensive and not as quick to ship as the others but the design and build quality and my favorite. It all fits together so perfectly and has no wasted space. I wish I could afford one.

If you hate the idea I’d still recommend a lifereef skimmer, I love mine and can’t imagine having another brand at this point.

If you go with another sump just get one with the largest refugium you can find. Tiny refugiums are worthless. Some make Triton specific sumps which id recommend whether you use triton or not. They just have larger fuge sections. If you’re going to run chaeto, don’t be stingy on light. The more you give the better it’ll work. Don’t be afraid to give your chaeto as much or more light than you’d give an acro.

As far as lighting goes, if it’s in the budget I’d go with the radions or kessil ap700. AI lights are great if you want to spend a few hundred less but still get great performance. Look into the new GHL Mitras also. They get rave reviews.

Eheim jager 300 watt heater. Make sure you have a controller. Heather thermostats are worthless.

 

[Nano man]

Bpb thanks for the info I'll research everything you said and get back to you.
And no I'm not not a cheapskate because this is an in wall tank and I want the best without splurging too much, width restriction might allow me to go 100 gallon at 20 inch depth but will have to remeasure to be exact.
Thanks

 

[Iiismet]

Before I type this I’ll preface by saying , budget willing on all this. You mentioned sca, trigger, and radions so I assume you’re not exactly a cheapskate.

If you haven’t already bought the tank, the first consideration I would make is maybe a 120 or 150 over the 90. The 18” depth on the sca 90 long gets annoying fast. I’ve had a 90 gallon for 3 years now and regretted it almost instantly after filling it. I really wish I had the 24” depth you get on the 120 or 150. But I digress.

I like those top end trigger sumps with the drain chamber covers and spill over sock section. You can find comparable designs by Synergy and BAO at comparable price points.

I’ll combine skimmer and sump and recommend something off your radar in a Lifereef sump which would include skimmer, fluid reactors, and refugium. It’s a bit more expensive and not as quick to ship as the others but the design and build quality and my favorite. It all fits together so perfectly and has no wasted space. I wish I could afford one.

If you hate the idea I’d still recommend a lifereef skimmer, I love mine and can’t imagine having another brand at this point.

If you go with another sump just get one with the largest refugium you can find. Tiny refugiums are worthless. Some make Triton specific sumps which id recommend whether you use triton or not. They just have larger fuge sections. If you’re going to run chaeto, don’t be stingy on light. The more you give the better it’ll work. Don’t be afraid to give your chaeto as much or more light than you’d give an acro.

As far as lighting goes, if it’s in the budget I’d go with the radions or kessil ap700. AI lights are great if you want to spend a few hundred less but still get great performance. Look into the new GHL Mitras also. They get rave reviews.

Eheim jager 300 watt heater. Make sure you have a controller. Heather thermostats are worthless.

my previous tank was a 90 and i regretted it because of the depth and switched to a 16" high tank a couple years later, its just a matter of preference.

i really like my ap700, and use 2x 150 watt jager heaters, and 2x 250 gyres for intank movement, a 1900gph current eflux for return, and a diy 40b sump

 

[Bpb]

I understand a space restraint. Also...look into Tampa bay saltwater for your live rock if you’re not already set on something. Just research them

 

[Nano man]

OK so after measuring size and fitment for tank and sump area here is what I have come up with for hardware.
Tank = 90 gallon starfire long by SCaquariums
Sump = Trigger Systems 34
Return Pump = ??? Whats a reliable good pump? vectra m1 gets some mixed reviews.... 5 foot height max pump head height
Skimmer = Skimz Kone SK181 or a comparable DC version around $300 or less?
Controller = Apex JR
Light = Kessil AP700 or 2 Kessil A350WE?
Heater = Eheim Jager 300 watt heater
Intake movement = Gyres which one?

Thats what I am at so far and plan on buying everything on or before black friday to save some $$$ if I can.
BRS having deals on this stuff, Aquacave, Marinedepot or who else would you all suggest?

Thank you for all your help reefers.
Nano Man
-J