Final Tank Decision? Thoughts

[MarkS]

After quite a bit of research and what is available in NZ, I have narrowed down my tank choice based on what size I can manage now etc.

My preference is the Reefer 350 but my LFS also said to look at the Aqua One 395 better value etc. I feel they are trying to push me in this direction???

I checked with another supplier for what parts they recommend for the Reefer and that is option 3.

If you could let me know what you think I want to get it correct.

Below is the Reefer 350 plus their recommendations for additional equipment.

Option 1
Red Sea Reefer 350

Light Fittings Aqua One MariGlo LED 120cm x 2 ​

Protein Skimmer Reef Octopus NWB110 1 ​

Submersible Pumps Eheim Compact 3000 1 ​

Power Heads Tunze 6045 1 ​

Heater Jager 300 watt​

Option 2
Aqua One 395 (they say better value than the Reefer 350).
Litres: 395L
Lighting Type: 144W LED (ReefGlo, 18.5V DC with blue Twin Cable)
Filtration Type: Sump Filter with Filter Sock, Moray 4900 & Elite Skimmer 600
Flow Rate: 4800L/Hr (Moray 4900) & 2200L/Hr (EliteSkim 600)
Heating: 2x 300W Glass Heaters
Glass Thickness: 10mm

Option 3
I have another quote for the Reefer 350 with following recommendations.
Red Sea Reefer 350

Ecotech Marine Vectra M1 DC Centrifugal Pump​

Deltec SC 1351 Internal​

Aqua Illumination Hydra 26 HD - Black​

Thanks for your help

 

[sbash]

I would drop Option 1 (and not listen to anything they have to say, lol); they gave you a the bare minimum for skimming on this system. 75 Gallons is the max for that skimmer, so the odds are (unless you only want three fish) you will be upgrading in no time.
Option 2 looks better; but I would bump the skimmer up to the 800...

Option 3 with the light and skimmer from Option 2 would probably be fine...

But really, to be able to help properly. What are your goals for the tank?

 

[MarkS]

Hi Sbash, thanks for the reply - so you have heard of good things with Aqua 1? This is my first Marine after many years of tropical - so I am really keen on a lot of coral and a few fish - quite keen on growing the whole ecosystem. TY

 

[sbash]

I have never even heard of Aqua 1. However, for lighting that does not mean a whole lot to me. What I look for is spectrum charts and LED configurations. Unfortunately, they do not really publish either of that data, lol... That said, based on the limited information they provide, I imagine it would suffice for softies and LPS. Without real technical data, it is hard to say...

What other local options do you have for lighting?