Equipment Show Down-Help Me Choose Upgrades.

ccombs · Dec 26, 2019

Hello All,

I am working on converting my IM 30 Gallon AIO into a drilled tank and plumb a sump. That being said, I will be picking up some new gear and would like your recommendations in the following categories.

Sump:
Synergy vs. Trigger, Not sure what model, but nothing over 30" (Refugium is a must)

I will be running a skimmer, carbon media reactor and Bean Animal Drain. I see many of these only have 2 filter socks, how do people typically go about that with 3 drains.

Protein Skimmer:
Reef Octopus Essense S-130 vs. Red Sea RSK 300

Carbon:
Vertex RX-U 1.5 L is the only one in the running right now... thoughts?

Overflow:
Synergy Shadow vs. Eshopps Eclipse L- I really want to go with Bean Animal.

I really like the Shadow, but some are stating that it is cheap plastic/issues leaking?

Return Pump:
Reef Octopus VarioS-2 792 GPH vs. Neptune COR-15 (I already live in the APEX Ecosystem) vs. Vectra S2.

For this build I do not want any cheap plastic parts, and I don't mind having oversized gear.

I know this is kind of vague, I just would love to hear your thoughts/opinions. The only thing I ask is that we limit the conversation to gear pros/cons over methodology debates. This isn't because I don't love a good discussion, I just want to limit the already broad scope so we don't get TOO off topic haha.

Be102 · Dec 26, 2019

I have a marine depot trigger System 36 in sump ( I think they have a 30’ of it) and really like it.

Be102 · Dec 26, 2019

I also have two varios 6 and love them!! For overflow I have a lifereef and lifereef skimmer.

Roosterjack · Dec 26, 2019

If you are already Apex the Cor does offer some nice features you can leverage right out of the box.

dank reefer · Dec 26, 2019

For the price and build quality, look at Bashsea sumps. Great sump build right. You can also look at there reactors.

If you can go a bit higher on the return pump, I'd suggest the COR-20. If your apex goes south, you can still run the return without the Apex.

ccombs · Dec 26, 2019

Jose Esteves said:
For the price and build quality, look at Bashsea sumps. Great sump build right. You can also look at there reactors.

If you can go a bit higher on the return pump, I'd suggest the COR-20. If your apex goes south, you can still run the return without the Apex.

Why the COR-20 over the COR-15, the only difference is output right?

dank reefer · Dec 27, 2019

ccombs said:
Why the COR-20 over the COR-15, the only difference is output right?

Cor-20 can run stand alone and doesnt need the apex to run. And yes, more gph

ccombs · Dec 27, 2019

Jose Esteves said:
Cor-20 can run stand alone and doesnt need the apex to run. And yes, more gph

Oh, I didn't realize that.... hmmmmm

ccombs · Dec 27, 2019

Ok, here are my updated choices. Anything in bold has been decided.

Sump:
Synergy CL-34

Protein Skimmer:
Reef Octopus Essense S-130 vs. Red Sea RSK 300

Carbon:
Vertex RX-U 1.5 L is the only one in the running right now... thoughts? Maybe Aquamaxx?

Overflow:
Synergy Shadow

Return Pump:
Vectra S2

ccombs · Dec 29, 2019

Update on Last Post- Thoughts?

Sump:
Synergy CL-34

Protein Skimmer:
Reef Octopus Essense S-130

Carbon:
Vertex RX-U 1.5 L vs. Aquamaxx vs. ???

Overflow:
Synergy Shadow

Return Pump:
Vectra S2

GoldeneyeRet · Jan 6, 2020

Save yourself a ton of headache, avoid synergy reef at all cost!

ccombs · Jan 7, 2020

GoldeneyeRet said:
Save yourself a ton of headache, avoid synergy reef at all cost!

Ooops, literally just placed an order with them 5 minutes ago lol.

I emailed back and forth with them for awhile and was very impressed, I do not want to start company bashing, could you PM me with your thoughts?

Snoopy 67 · Jan 7, 2020

Only because any help needed from Vertex is non - existing, I would pick another brand.

ccombs · Jan 7, 2020

Snoopy 67 said:
Only because any help needed from Vertex is non - existing, I would pick another brand.

Good thing I did!

JoshH · Jan 7, 2020

@ccombs were you planning on removing the AIO panel on the 30???

ccombs · Jan 7, 2020

JoshH said:
@ccombs were you planning on removing the AIO panel on the 30???

Yep!

JoshH · Jan 7, 2020

ccombs said:
Yep!

That sounds... gross lol!!!! Trying to remove the glass/acrylic back wall does not sound like fun atall. Personally I would have spent the extra $300 and just got the 30 EXT

ccombs · Jan 7, 2020

JoshH said:
That sounds... gross lol!!!! Trying to remove the glass/acrylic back wall does not sound like fun atall. Personally I would have spent the extra $300 and just got the 30 EXT

Well.... we will see how it goes. I am spending a lot on new gear, so it made the most sense to DIY that part.

The Sump, MP10, 2 Vectra Returns, Skimmer, Reactors, Various Neptune Accs. adds up!

JoshH · Jan 7, 2020

ccombs said:
Well.... we will see how it goes. I am spending a lot on new gear, so it made the most sense to DIY that part.

The Sump, MP10, 2 Vectra Returns, Skimmer, Reactors, Various Neptune Accs. adds up!

It certainly does, I was just thinking spend $500 on the tank and save the 200 for the overflow and a huge headache, plus get a much slicker clean look than even the shadow would provide lol have you started a new thread for the DIY part??? Or is it part of your current thread?

ccombs · Jan 8, 2020

JoshH said:
It certainly does, I was just thinking spend $500 on the tank and save the 200 for the overflow and a huge headache, plus get a much slicker clean look than even the shadow would provide lol have you started a new thread for the DIY part??? Or is it part of your current thread?

I will be starting a new thread.