Equipment suggestions for a 160 or 185

WHITEWOLF7417 · Jul 25, 2019

Getting a list setup of equipment I want to have in my next build which will either be a 160 or a 185. I know I want to run a calcium reactor and a carbon reactor. As for lights in looking at the red sea lights. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Loggerhead · Jul 25, 2019

I am currently building a 150 tall as an upgrade and this is my list. Some stuff is coming from my 90 gallon so it may be somewhat undersized.

Return: Varios 8 which will power the return, biopellet reactor, carbon reactor and UV sterilizer. May still be a bit of overkill but I would rather dial it back than run a 6 at full speed.

Original model reef octopus biopellet reactor. BRH - MF - 100

BRS reactor for carbon

Aqua Ultraviolet 25 watt sterilizer

Eshopps Axium 160 skimmer. (Coming from the 90 gallon. Size should be fine for me but I’m not entirely happy with it)

Trigger systems 36” crystal sump

ApexEL

3x BRS 1.1ml dosing pumps

Skimz 3 chamber reservoir for the dosing pumps

Trigger systems crystal ato reservior

Tunze 3155 ATO

Ice cap gyre 3k

MP40

2x radion xr15 gen 4 pro.

Loggerhead · Jul 25, 2019

One more thing which could factor in if you haven’t thought of this is the weight of the setup. Make sure your floor can support the weight of a tank. After the water, tank, sump, stand and rock you will have over a ton on the floor. That is a lot of weight to have in the exact same spot for years on end. Some of your “equipment” could be floor reinforcements.

AZMSGT · Jul 25, 2019

I wouldn’t jump on the Red Sea light bandwagon yet. To new for my tastes. The above list is pretty good. You can look at my build and see what I have used. It’s a 133 DT with a 30g sump.

WHITEWOLF7417 · Jul 27, 2019

What are the benefits of running a deep sand bed, like 4 inches deep.

vangvace · Jul 27, 2019

Benefits are that it can reduce Nitrates and is needed for certain species. The downside is that it could nuke your tank quicker than Thanos down the road. DSBs have largely been replaced by other methods like Brightwell and Marine Pure blocks for example.