Help Me get started 125G

[BTECH]

Hello Everyone, I'm so glad I found such an informative place to help me get into this hobby after a 20 year break. I have found alot of useful information but I decided to craft this post in an attempt to help me narrow down my setup choices...

So far I have a brand new 125 G reef ready tank and a used matching stand and canopy. I'm looking to set this up at a FOWLR with the option to add few simple corals and anemones in the future. I'm thinking of a more peaceful simple environment (Tangs, clowns, some other interesting inverts/ critters)

I'll try to organize my thoughts on equipment so you can provide your thoughts as simply as possible. I'm looking to do this on a pretty tight budget but I prefer to get the setup right from the get-go.

Filtration- 100-125 lbs of live rock in the display with a sump setup. LFS recommended the RS 200 or 300 with the Eshopps s-200 or S-300 skimmer. He said I can get away with the 200 but that bigger is better. based on the specs, it seems the 200 should work fine but...Thoughts/ suggestions?

Lights- I'm lost here... Id like to keep it under 300 but im scared with all the options I see on Ebay/amazon (china black boxes) Thoughts/suggestions?

Pumps/wavemakers- I'm also a bit lost here... please help

RODI- From what I'm seeing, this is a must do these days, when I used to have a 55G fish only setup I used to just make saltwater from the tap. I can create a setup in my basement for this but would appreciate a recommendation on the actual system.

I would prefer to have the phone/BT control for some of the basic functions (lights/pumps, etc... ) but not a must.

Thanks alot for any help you can provide! I'm excited to get this going (so are my kids)

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

skimmer - i’ve always love bubble magus. best bang for your buck. bigger is not always better. at least not with skimmers. lol.

lights - tons of options but i would spend a little more upfront and that would keep you from upgrading in the future.

flow - i love my vortech mps

rodi - accept no substitute, https://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/MaxCap-Standard-90-GPD-RO-DI-System

controller - you can find cheap, used apex “legacy” controllers. maybe $300

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

btw...

 

[Flippers4pups]

I for one am running a “keep it simple and cheap” system.
Some will say it wasn’t all that cheap, being on a basement sump.

I took my time researching and reading how to do it on a limited budget, but with decent equipment. Took my good old time buying the equipment, sometimes one piece at a time.

It took me a year to build and it was well worth the patience in the long run. Allowed me to spread the Initial cost out.

For what it’s worth, here’s my build thread. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/flippers-reef-125-gallon.317425/

If you have any questions, ask away!

 

[BTECH]

Wow...awesome setup flippers! You are quite the woodworker!

 

[BTECH]

Wow... awesome setup Flippers! You are quite the woodworker!

 

[BTECH]

Thanks!

btw...

 

[lapin]

howdy
Nothing wrong with Chinese black boxes. Look at Viparspectra or Ocean Revive T247.
I too like Mp 40's for flow
I always overkill on my skimmer but then I dont run mine 24/7
Its hard to beat an Apex for control.
Dont forget an ATO

 

[Flippers4pups]

howdy
Nothing wrong with Chinese black boxes. Look at Viparspectra or Ocean Revive T247.
I too like Mp 40's for flow
I always overkill on my skimmer but then I dont run mine 24/7
Its hard to beat an Apex for control.
Dont forget an ATO

Proof is in the pudding on the Chinese Black Boxes.

 

[wom001]

Black Boxes if you going cheap new. Otherwise Id find a cheap T5 fixture.

Powerheads Id go Jebao RW's, Yea they are chinese but they are great and can slave them together.

Return Jebao DC pump, again Jebao but honestly I had a vectra bind on me out of the blue and I just picked up a large Jebao to use on my waterchange station. It is so dang quiet I never swapped it back when I got my replacement vectra in the mail. Fixing to swap it in now but the Jebao will stay on as the backup to my vectra.

Find a good used sump, the bigger the better. If you dont have access to a 2nd hand market then id say to DIY a 40 breeder

Skimmer: find the nicest 2nd hand one you can find. I found a Reef Octo with snapdragon pump for under 300 which blew me away. Obviously you dont have to go that big and bad just giving an example of the deals.

RO/DI is a must but again id wait for a good second hand model to go for sale. It doesnt have to look pretty as long as you have fresh filters on it. For instance I picked up a 7 stage BRS Ro/DI with super saver attachement and tds meters on both inflow and outflow for under 100. picked up a full set of filters and still made out like a bandit.

 

[Dragonreef202]

Welcome I look forward to seeing your tank up and running. I have looked into upgrading to a 125g from my 75 gallon. Hopefully if I can make space in the house for the upgrade

 

[wom001]

If your around Texas Iv got a PM 36 Classic I could let go for cheap BTW. Also have a ratty 4 stage RO/DI ill let you pickup for 4o bucks. Ratty as in the base is a little dirty / rusty but it doesnt affect it.

 

[BTECH]

Thanks for all the information! I’m in Chicago so a bit too far from you...

If your around Texas Iv got a PM 36 Classic I could let go for cheap BTW. Also have a ratty 4 stage RO/DI ill let you pickup for 4o bucks. Ratty as in the base is a little dirty / rusty but it doesnt affect it.