Decisions...decisions...decisions

[Sticker shock]

Hey all,

So I’m new to the reefing hobby. I’ve been keeping freshwater aquariums for years and know just about everything there is to offer in that world. I just happened to have an open 75 gallon with no tenants and just couldn’t find anything left that interested me anymore. So I thought to myself why not try a reef.

Fast forward a few months and I have finally got my tank started. Got myself some reef saver rock, dry sand, and a couple power heads while running through a fishless cycle. So that was the easy part...now I need to decide what equipment I’m going to use. Why in the world does every piece of equipment in the reefing world have to have about 50 different options? And it always seems that I really need to get the top of the line option or I’ll have nothing but trouble or eventually my tank is going to crash in spectacular fashion.

Anyway, I sifted through a bunch of passionate discussions about lighting (90% of which I had no idea what I was reading) and decided to go with the aquaticlife T5-LED hybrid. Which eventually will be paired with a couple kessil A160s. No need to buy them yet since I have nothing in the tank...but soon enough. So with what I think will be my biggest equipment decision handled I should be set right? Not so much...I now realize I want an auto top off just to make things run a little more smooth. I really don’t think I need anything fancy here, so please steer me away from the top of the line options and let me know what is a nice, easy, realatively cheap ATO system that can handle a small 75 gallon system.

And coming soon to a forum near you...what’s a good HOB skimmer that does what it needs to do?

 

[SPR1968]

I can recommend the Tunze Osmolator for a reliable ATO, maybe not the cheapest but very solid and reliable which is what you need for an ATO.

You might find this helpful as well

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

And welcome to R2R by the way!

 

[Steelheader09]

I have the Innovative Marine Titanium Hydrofill, I love it! Easy to use, connect it to any pump. Uses titanium probes to sense the water instead of optical sensors that can get blocked or floats to fail. The probes have been super reliable, just remember to clean algae off from them from time to time. They are titanium so no rusting or corroding. I would not use their pump though, lots of reports of failures. I just use a cheap return pump.

 

[Auquanut]

Welcome to R2R and the reefing life. I second the osmolator. I use it and really like the redundancy. Can't help you with the HOB skimmer, but I'm sure there are many here that can.

 

[sharpimage]

3rd for the tunze. Ato is not something you want to fail and flood

 

[Devaji]

welcome to R2R anf reefing. I have always thought about a FW planted tank even went as far as getting all the gear for a "heigh tech" set up but life changed and my passion for SW is more so I never set it up.

yes get an ATO it will need it for sure, a long with a temp controller IMHO are the 2 must have for reefing.

illike the auto aqua better than the Tunze yes I had the tunze I found the pump to noisy even the replacement I got drove me crazy. I wanted to like it but did not.
I believe aqua aqua as a due censor now as well.

nice size of tank but you will find it fills up fast in the SW world.

great lights I hear tons of good things about the hybrid T5 system.
my only suggest is maybe think about the AI primes? that is just a personal chose tho both would work great!


HOB skimmers reef octopus or aqua max get the best reviews.

now that we are this far, I would take a moument to pause and think about if you want to drain the tank in to something like a rubber maid tub or small swimming pool add the rock and sand. then drill the tank for a sump. not needed at all but you will find a sump keeps your DT tank so much cleaner with having the heater, skimmer and other reef goodies out of the main tank + it gives you some flexibility for future equipment and adds H20 volume to the over all system = more stability. just a thought.

just a thought. if you dont wait to drill there are HOB over flows the life reef is the best (IMHO) and been around for years will positive feedback.

all the best of luck and welcome to the wonderful world of reef keeping!

 

[ScottB]

I'll second @Devaji on all counts.

I STRONGLY encourage you to consider drilling the tank and adding a sump. While perhaps not immediately apparent, there are >1000 reasons not to go HOB everything.

It may seem daunting to drill, but it is really a dead simple and quick project. Just confirm that the back glass panel is non-tempered. There are plenty of videos on how to do it. I drilled and installed the below in 30 minutes.

Eclipse M Overflow Box (800 GPH)

Quiet, Slim, Plug & Play The Eclipse aquarium overflow system consists of a slim black box that is mounted inside of your tank and a clear external box that mounts outside of your tank, to transport water down to your sump with as little noise generated as possible. The DIY project only takes a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Devaji]

I'll second @Devaji on all counts.

I STRONGLY encourage you to consider drilling the tank and adding a sump. While perhaps not immediately apparent, there are >1000 reasons not to go HOB everything.

It may seem daunting to drill, but it is really a dead simple and quick project. Just confirm that the back glass panel is non-tempered. There are plenty of videos on how to do it. I drilled and installed the below in 30 minutes.

Eclipse M Overflow Box (800 GPH)

Quiet, Slim, Plug & Play The Eclipse aquarium overflow system consists of a slim black box that is mounted inside of your tank and a clear external box that mounts outside of your tank, to transport water down to your sump with as little noise generated as possible. The DIY project only takes a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

finally someone who agrees with me on all accounts! cant wait to tell the GF....see I am all ways right. HAHA

 

[PatW]

Autotopoff.com sells a variety of inexpensive top off devices and pumps and tubing. Their prices are pretty modest and their systems are reliable. But the systems tend to be basic without the backups of more refined systems.

 

[Sticker shock]

I know you pretty much always get what you pay for in this world and of course recommendations for the Tunze are coming in. I do know that I don’t want any top off with a float switch as I just don’t trust them. Anyone out here use the Hydor ATO? Half the price of the Tunze...half as reliable?

Also for this round, I don’t plan on going with a sump as this tank has a big sticker on the center brace that says “tempered glass, do not drill.” If I’m successful with this tank I have plans for a 6 foot tank and that will be fully reef ready, and then the 75 will essentially be my overflow/frag tank. If I fail in anyway, there’s no way the wife let’s me get a show tank up in the living area. I’m a little nervous about a HOB overflow too as a flood would certainly count as a failure and my plumbing skill are shaky at best. I certainly realize the benefits of a sump, but just don’t think it’s in the cards for me just yet.

Also AI primes were on my list, but I just wasn’t sure how well they hold up. Some of the reviews I read were pretty spotty on customer service. Have a lot of people had good luck with these. It would save me a few bucks so I’m all in on these if they are really a decent light.

 

[Devaji]

I know you pretty much always get what you pay for in this world and of course recommendations for the Tunze are coming in. I do know that I don’t want any top off with a float switch as I just don’t trust them. Anyone out here use the Hydor ATO? Half the price of the Tunze...half as reliable?

Also for this round, I don’t plan on going with a sump as this tank has a big sticker on the center brace that says “tempered glass, do not drill.” If I’m successful with this tank I have plans for a 6 foot tank and that will be fully reef ready, and then the 75 will essentially be my overflow/frag tank. If I fail in anyway, there’s no way the wife let’s me get a show tank up in the living area. I’m a little nervous about a HOB overflow too as a flood would certainly count as a failure and my plumbing skill are shaky at best. I certainly realize the benefits of a sump, but just don’t think it’s in the cards for me just yet.

Also AI primes were on my list, but I just wasn’t sure how well they hold up. Some of the reviews I read were pretty spotty on customer service. Have a lot of people had good luck with these. It would save me a few bucks so I’m all in on these if they are really a decent light.

yeah tons of AI prime users out there join the AI hydra/prime FB group you will see alot of 1st class tanks.

a sump is not needed as you know just nice. then look in to the reefocto or aqua max HOB skimmers aslo a aqua clear HOB filter with an intank media basket works really well to.

I might get flamed for saying this but you can use a canister filter as well. **BUT YOU MUST CLEAN IT OUT VERY OFTEN LIKE ONCE A WEEK.**
most cant commit to than so an HOB filter is a better choice.