Finally. Suggestions Please

[Burrellch1]

Finally I "think" I have enough money to do this.
I had a 110 gallon setup for 8 yrs. I had good results with fish and softies and a few other coral.
For the past year and a half I have only been running a 30 gallon long with my live rock crammed into it with a few fish and some coral waiting for today.
In our new home I have plenty of space. I can accommodate a 7' long tank and still have 6"s on either side for pumps ect. The best part is I have a finished basement under this room and will have approx a 10x5 space for my sump and Display fuge. So this is where I need help from others. I have 5000 dollars to play with. Here is a list of hardware I believe I need.

Display tank 6 or 7' X 18 X 30
H2Overflows?
3 kissel 360w leds
Powerhead
RO filter??
Calcium reactor ??
Phosban reactor??
Return pump. 18' of head pressure. What brand???
Controller? ??
Containers for RO water and changes

So my questions are
Is 5k enough cash
Above question marks. I have never had any of the items with the question marks
Any thing I am missing or should be replaced.
I will add pics during the build out.

 

[143MPCo]

Sounds like you're off to a good start, best of luck with the build and please post tons of pictures showing off your progress!!!

[HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] recommendation?

 

[rayn]

Calcium reactor and controller are, to me, extras. Buy them last.
Ro/di filter is a must in my book. With all the money in corals and fish, I don't trust the lfs to make my water. BRS is what I use, though there are other good brands out there.
Again, BRS has a good single or double reactor for gfo or carbon. Break little fishies is another brand I use, there are others.
For return pump, you are looking for reeflo, hammerhead, panworld, but most likely a external.

I used Kessil in the past and have changed over to the hydra HD. Personally I think the 26 gives as good of coverage as the Kessil does. You could go with 3 of these at about the same price and get more color options. If you went to the 52 you would spend more, but definitely get enough coverage.

Good luck and start a build thread!

 

[Diesel]

Display tank 6 or 7' X 18 X 30 I suggest a 72x30x24, that gives you more space on the side and more real-estate in your tank

H2Overflows? do a CTC or Ghost overflow but it depends on your budget corner overflows still work good and are inexpensive.

3 kissel 360w leds for the amount of tank you have the kessils aren't enough but you have enough money into the kessils to get a full blown T5 light that give you plenty of light to grow everything you want as corals.

Powerhead I like Ecotech but it depends on your budget as there are other good Powerheads which are cheaper but the MP40 QD is the last pump you'll ever buy.

RO filter?? go with a RODI, buckeye supply a sponsor here has good quality or if you want the best the Smart RODI from Coralvue

Calcium reactor ?? Good choice but you can get away for while with two part dosing and it cost less money.

Phosban reactor?? stay away from that, just hang a mesh filter sock in a fast flowing area in your sump.

Return pump. 18' of head pressure. What brand??? Can't answer that for you as I never had to deal with a basement.

Controller? ?? APEX............. it's a no brainer!

Containers for RO water and changes. Brute trash cans work well and you always can look for the food grade storage containers later.

5k should be enough but if you go with a custom tank that size you looking close at $3500 just for the tank.
Sometimes a good used tank will be great or a standard size tank 72x24x24 about 180 gallons will run you new $1000.

You still need liverock an sand, sump, skimmer, stand.
I would do my homework real good and put a price tag on every item for new and used.
Take your time as you don't want to end up upside down on the cost of this.

 

[Diesel]

Btw, welcome to R2R!

 

[Burrellch1]

Thanks everyone. I can only go 18" the built in I am using will not let me go wider. I have found a 72x18x30 reef ready for 699.00 at the lfs. It is Marineland brand. The 5k I have is only for hardware. I have another budget for rock, coral and fish, salt ect....

 

[Burrellch1]

Here is a pic of the space for my display. I will have to deconstruct it a tad and rebuild around it

 

[Diesel]

Thanks everyone. I can only go 18" the built in I am using will not let me go wider. I have found a 72x18x30 reef ready for 699.00 at the lfs. It is Marineland brand. The 5k I have is only for hardware. I have another budget for rock, coral and fish, salt ect....

Great if this is the space you have available than shoot for that, great price too.

 

[rayn]

Sounds good! Good price on the tank

 

[Diesel]

Here is a pic of the space for my display. I will have to deconstruct it a tad and rebuild around it

Are setting the tank on top of the already cabinets there?

 

[Burrellch1]

Are setting the tank on top of the already cabinets there?

No. The shelving will be removed I will be able to salvage the top 2 shelves.

 

[Diesel]

Ok, you building your own stand? or use a stand that comes with the tank?

 

[Burrellch1]

Ok, you building your own stand? or use a stand that comes with the tank?

The bookcase is the stand

 

[Burrellch1]

Calcium reactor and controller are, to me, extras. Buy them last.
Ro/di filter is a must in my book. With all the money in corals and fish, I don't trust the lfs to make my water. BRS is what I use, though there are other good brands out there.
Again, BRS has a good single or double reactor for gfo or carbon. Break little fishies is another brand I use, there are others.
For return pump, you are looking for reeflo, hammerhead, panworld, but most likely a external.

I used Kessil in the past and have changed over to the hydra HD. Personally I think the 26 gives as good of coverage as the Kessil does. You could go with 3 of these at about the same price and get more color options. If you went to the 52 you would spend more, but definitely get enough coverage.

Good luck and start a build thread!

Thanks for the suggestion. I started researching the Hydra 26 hds. I'm dropping the kessils for the hydras.

 

[Burrellch1]

After much deliberation. I am going with a 84" long by 24x24. If I remove the shelving and drywall it gives me the clearance I need. I decided against the tank from my lfs. I am now ordering from www.customaquariums.com .
I am getting the H2Overflows which require additional clearance in the back.

And thanks Rayn. I'm going with the hydras.
Now I'm stumped on which calcium reactor to purchase. If I'm running an apex do I really need another ph controller for the reactor? Can I run two pH probes off the apex? Also I talked the wife into a 6500 budget. I should be good.
Another thing I'm considering is putting glass lids on the display tank. My sump room in the basement is HUGE. I believe I can get enough exchange using a rubbermaid tub and another tank or 2. Suggestions?

 

[Diesel]

Is that budget for the whole tank or the calcium reactor?

You don't need another PH probe but I strongly advice it if you want to that APEX controls your dosing for it.
The second PH probe you plug into the PH/ORP inlet on the main module.
There are only two CaRx that I'm set on and that is the GEO and the Dastaco reactors, give it a Google and read up.
A tank like that foot print you should need about 6 Hydras 26 HD.
Also a smart thing is to substitute with T5 bulbs.

 

[Burrellch1]

Is that budget for the whole tank or the calcium reactor?

You don't need another PH probe but I strongly advice it if you want to that APEX controls your dosing for it.
The second PH probe you plug into the PH/ORP inlet on the main module.
There are only two CaRx that I'm set on and that is the GEO and the Dastaco reactors, give it a Google and read up.
A tank like that foot print you should need about 6 Hydras 26 HD.
Also a smart thing is to substitute with T5 bulbs.

I have a 6500 budget for everything.

 

[Duke4Life]

I have a 6500 budget for everything.

You should be more than fine in being able to get some great quality hardware for that.

 

[Burrellch1]

Is that budget for the whole tank or the calcium reactor?

You don't need another PH probe but I strongly advice it if you want to that APEX controls your dosing for it.
The second PH probe you plug into the PH/ORP inlet on the main module.
There are only two CaRx that I'm set on and that is the GEO and the Dastaco reactors, give it a Google and read up.
A tank like that foot print you should need about 6 Hydras 26 HD.
Also a smart thing is to substitute with T5 bulbs.

 

[Burrellch1]

I think I will start with 3 hydras. I can always add later. I will mostly stick with LPS and the easier to keep sps. I will not have Rock from end to end but 3 smaller mounds under each light. Do you think that will work?
Ordering tank tomorrow. 8 to 10 week lead time