fogcutter
Active Member
I’ve got a similar story to a lot of posts I’ve seen here already and I’m always looking for advice. It’s how you become successful in this hobby in my opinion. Getting back into reef keeping after a long absence. I had a successful reef tank about 12 years ago...a 72 gallon using sump/fuge with miracle mud and caulerpa with no skimmer until I had to move and wasn’t able to take the tank with me.
I’ve been researching the hell out of what’s new and I’ve been skimming these boards and others and I think I have a plan. I’ve got my eye on used pre-drilled 90 gallon that’s bean-ready. I’m truly a gadget guy so I’ll be investing in an APEX for a variety of reasons but mostly for the monitoring capabilities. I’ve looked at other controllers but for now, I’m going APEX. I want to control my return pump, lights, powerheads, heater and ATO but I really don’t want to have to buy all APEX branded components.
My need for advice starts here:
Return pump: Neptune Cor 20 – read reviews and it looks like a good pump with the bonus of being APEX ready.
Lights: SO many options but I’ve decided on the Photon v2. It has its own controller but hopefully I can integrate it.
Powerheads: Will be using one Gyre but need one/two other power heads. Not sold on Ecotech…too pricey. Apex Wav is an option but they are really expensive as well. I’m thinking Tunze 6055 or something similar priced – looking for suggestions but again wanting to control with Apex.
I’m planning to use a Triton method as I’m already familiar with the science behind it and this time I’ll run a skimmer. Decided on the Vertex Omega 130 – talk me out of it.
Here’s where I need the real help. For dosing the Triton my first choice would be (if I was independently wealthy) the Neptune DOS units - 2 of those. There are so many cheaper options like the Jebao DP-4 that look good but again I’m wanting to integrate with my controller and need something reliable. Need help here…don’t want to spend the $$ on the Neptune ones.
Sump : – I have a good one already that I plan to modify.
ATO – might go with the Neptune but not sure yet
So that’s my plan so far –help me shoot holes in it please.
I’ve been researching the hell out of what’s new and I’ve been skimming these boards and others and I think I have a plan. I’ve got my eye on used pre-drilled 90 gallon that’s bean-ready. I’m truly a gadget guy so I’ll be investing in an APEX for a variety of reasons but mostly for the monitoring capabilities. I’ve looked at other controllers but for now, I’m going APEX. I want to control my return pump, lights, powerheads, heater and ATO but I really don’t want to have to buy all APEX branded components.
My need for advice starts here:
Return pump: Neptune Cor 20 – read reviews and it looks like a good pump with the bonus of being APEX ready.
Lights: SO many options but I’ve decided on the Photon v2. It has its own controller but hopefully I can integrate it.
Powerheads: Will be using one Gyre but need one/two other power heads. Not sold on Ecotech…too pricey. Apex Wav is an option but they are really expensive as well. I’m thinking Tunze 6055 or something similar priced – looking for suggestions but again wanting to control with Apex.
I’m planning to use a Triton method as I’m already familiar with the science behind it and this time I’ll run a skimmer. Decided on the Vertex Omega 130 – talk me out of it.
Here’s where I need the real help. For dosing the Triton my first choice would be (if I was independently wealthy) the Neptune DOS units - 2 of those. There are so many cheaper options like the Jebao DP-4 that look good but again I’m wanting to integrate with my controller and need something reliable. Need help here…don’t want to spend the $$ on the Neptune ones.
Sump : – I have a good one already that I plan to modify.
ATO – might go with the Neptune but not sure yet
So that’s my plan so far –help me shoot holes in it please.
