Best Pieces of Hardware

[Slayvoff]

Does anyone have a link to, or simply know, the best brand of equipment for each piece of hardware needed in a saltwater tank? Looking to build a 30-50g saltwater tank and planning all of the hardware right now. Wanted a drop-off tank but looks like the 35g from artfully acrylic is just too pricey. So cube or regular rectangle. Thank you for any input!

 

[Mombo]

I think most people love the entire ecotech line. But if you thought the tank you liked was a bit to pricey then asking what is the best of everything might not be the right question for you.

Exspensive hobby we all have here.

 

[Slayvoff]

I think most people love the entire ecotech line. But if you thought the tank you liked was a bit to pricey then asking what is the best of everything might not be the right question for you.

Exspensive hobby we all have here.

Well it's more that I can't justify to myself the $800 plus $180 for shipping for a 35 gallon tank. For other hardware I don't have an issue paying a lot for something you will actually get a lot more out of as far as lifespan of product and simply how well it functions on a day to day basis.

 

[recess62]

This is an impossible question to answer without knowing what are your goals. What type of live stock do you want to keep? How much do you want to automate. Finally you really need to set a budget. The spending can easily get out of control

 

[Slayvoff]

This is an impossible question to answer without knowing what are your goals. What type of live stock do you want to keep? How much do you want to automate. Finally you really need to set a budget. The spending can easily get out of control

As for livestock, I certainly want a pair of clownfish - either ORA frostbites or mocha davincis. Of course I would want some others but haven't settled on that quite yet. These, along with coral which I would add over time. Budget would be (not including the tank itself) maybe a thousand dollars if I can manage that - but fine going over. I already have a heater and AutoAqua smart ATO. If practicable, I'd like to avoid a sump altogether because I've never even seen one in person and the whole concept of it seems very overwhelming.

 

[Mombo]

The sump will give you more total water volume so that your system is more stable. Plus it can hold your skimmer and pump keeps the tank looking nice etc... I have a 30g all in one right now without a sump and as you can tell I wish I had a sump....haha

As for the exact gear to get I am too new to make proper suggestions. Ive read a lot about sicce return pumps, ecotech powerhead(vortech mp10 I think for your tank), and the ecotech or AI brand lights. For a skimmer Reef octopus is well liked.

 

[mcarroll]

If practicable, I'd like to avoid a sump altogether

The Tunze Reefpack – the filter unit also hides your heater and ATO sensor. VERY SLICK!!


Comline® Reefpack 250
(0250.000)
The Comline® Reefpack 250 features an optimum combination of technical filter components for seawater biotopes. It is designed to maintain near to natural conditions in sensitive seawater aquariums from 60 to 250 liters (15 to 65 USgal.).

Mechanical and chemical filtration with Comline® Filter 3162, refillable with any type of filter medium.
Surface intake for removal of bacteria film, ground intake for heavy particles and sediments.
Loop current in aquarium by energy saving pump with variable performance from 250 to 850 l/h (70 to 250 USgal./h).
Skimming with Comline® DOC Skimmer 9004, surface intake and high performance.
Storage tank 5002.100 with a volume of 13 liters (3.4 USgal.), serves as reservoir for refill water.
Energy consumption of only 8.5 W for all components, 230V/50Hz (115V/60Hz).
Supplied ready for installation, including patented Magnet Holder up to a pane thickness of 12 mm (1/2"), storage tank and filter cotton. Dimensions including skimmer cup (L x W x H): 110 x 180 x 305 mm (4.3 x 7.1 x 12 in.).

213.96 USD

 

[mcarroll]

One or more Nanostream pumps would be a great compliment.
(Watch the Flow vs. Turbulence video!!!!)


Turbelle® nanostream® 6020
(6020.000)
for aquariums from 40 to 250 liters
(10 to 66 USgal.).
Flow rate: approx. 2,500 l/h (660 USgal./h)
Energy consumption: 4 W
Voltage / frequency: 230V/50Hz (115V/60Hz)
Cable length: 2 m (78.7 in.)
Dimensions without flow deflector:
65 x 60 x 72 mm (2.6 x 2.4 x 2.8 in.)
Outlet ø40 mm (1.6 in.)
Silence Magnet Holder up to a glass thickness of 12 mm (1/2").

42.92 USD



Turbelle® nanostream® 6045
(6045.000)
for aquariums from 40 to 500 liters
(10 to 135 USgal.).
Flow rate: 1,500 to about 4,500 l/h
(400 to 1,175 USgal./h)
Energy consumption: 5 to 7 W
Voltage / frequency: 230V/50Hz (115V/60Hz)
Cable length: 2 m (78.7 in.)
Dimensions: diam. 70 mm (2.7 in.)
Outlet: ø40/15 mm (1.5/.6 in.)
Magnet Holder with Silence clamp up to a glass thickness of 15 mm (2/3").

78.02 USD



Turbelle® nanostream® 6040
(6040.000)
for aquariums from 20 to 500 liters
(5.3 to 132 USgal.)
Flow rate: approx. 200 to 4,500 l/h
(53 to 1,190 USgal./h)
with Turbelle® controller
Energy consumption: 1.5 - 13 W
Power supply unit: 100-240V / 50-60Hz
Cable length: 3 m (118 in.)
Dimensions without flow deflector:
65 x 65 x 65 mm (2.6 x 2.6 x 2.6 in.)
Outlet ø40 mm (1.57 in.)
Silence Magnet Holder up to a glass thickness of 15 mm (1/2").

140.30 USD

 

[Slayvoff]

The sump will give you more total water volume so that your system is more stable. Plus it can hold your skimmer and pump keeps the tank looking nice etc... I have a 30g all in one right now without a sump and as you can tell I wish I had a sump....haha

As for the exact gear to get I am too new to make proper suggestions. Ive read a lot about sicce return pumps, ecotech powerhead(vortech mp10 I think for your tank), and the ecotech or AI brand lights. For a skimmer Reef octopus is well liked.

I guess I just don't understand all that goes in a sump. Instead of having filter and skimmer in the main tank, you put them in the sump to look cleaner? But don't you also need a heater in the sump or something? And you can't use the sump water as the storage water for the ATO?

 

[Slayvoff]

One or more Nanostream pumps would be a great compliment.
(Watch the Flow vs. Turbulence video!!!!)


Turbelle® nanostream® 6020
(6020.000)
for aquariums from 40 to 250 liters
(10 to 66 USgal.).
Flow rate: approx. 2,500 l/h (660 USgal./h)
Energy consumption: 4 W
Voltage / frequency: 230V/50Hz (115V/60Hz)
Cable length: 2 m (78.7 in.)
Dimensions without flow deflector:
65 x 60 x 72 mm (2.6 x 2.4 x 2.8 in.)
Outlet ø40 mm (1.6 in.)
Silence Magnet Holder up to a glass thickness of 12 mm (1/2").

42.92 USD



Turbelle® nanostream® 6045
(6045.000)
for aquariums from 40 to 500 liters
(10 to 135 USgal.).
Flow rate: 1,500 to about 4,500 l/h
(400 to 1,175 USgal./h)
Energy consumption: 5 to 7 W
Voltage / frequency: 230V/50Hz (115V/60Hz)
Cable length: 2 m (78.7 in.)
Dimensions: diam. 70 mm (2.7 in.)
Outlet: ø40/15 mm (1.5/.6 in.)
Magnet Holder with Silence clamp up to a glass thickness of 15 mm (2/3").

78.02 USD



Turbelle® nanostream® 6040
(6040.000)
for aquariums from 20 to 500 liters
(5.3 to 132 USgal.)
Flow rate: approx. 200 to 4,500 l/h
(53 to 1,190 USgal./h)
with Turbelle® controller
Energy consumption: 1.5 - 13 W
Power supply unit: 100-240V / 50-60Hz
Cable length: 3 m (118 in.)
Dimensions without flow deflector:
65 x 65 x 65 mm (2.6 x 2.6 x 2.6 in.)
Outlet ø40 mm (1.57 in.)
Silence Magnet Holder up to a glass thickness of 15 mm (1/2").

140.30 USD

These look very nice. Would you only really need one for a 40-50 gallon tank? How does this brand compare to the Hydor Koralia 240/565?

 

[mcarroll]

I can't say because they are new and I haven't used them....most pumps are wide flow.

Tunze's 6045 and the others they make with the "ball" design (e.g. 6055) are pretty unique in that they focus the flow into a useful shape that can be directed as-needed.

A pair of 6045's would be an awesome start for a tank like that. If/when the tank gets really full of corals you'll need to add a third one.

 

[Mombo]

Tunze is much better.

 

[Mombo]

I have the tunze 6045 in my 30g and I have to keep it turned down quite a bit but it gets a lot of excellent flow through my tank.