How does my equipment list look?

[OceanMinded]

I’ve been outta the reefing game for about 5 years now. For 5 years before that I had a 24g Aquapod with a Unibody LED setup that was over a mixed reef. Well since I got the itch to set up a tank again, I’m going to be using my old AP24 and I want to purchase all new, fresh equipment for it. I’ll be drilling the tank and running a sump. This is the first time I’m running this kind of filtration so any advice on that is helpful. So far I’ve removed the false wall and removed the plastic rim. It looks 100% better already. So since I’m spending this weekend working on the stand, please let me know how my list of equipment look so far and if I should change anything. I won’t be keeping fish. Just mainly Z’s/P’s softies, and maybe a few frags of SPS up top.

AI Prime HD
Eshopps Eclipse S overflow
Icecap Reef 15 sump
1” drain & 1” return
MP10QD

Recommendations on a skimmer and a return pump would be awesome.

I’m not trying to go balls-out with the setup, I’m living in an apartment at the moment so this little cube will be perfect. Let me know what YOU would change and why. Thanks!

(Please ignore the leftover silicone on the rim. Still working on it!)

 

[Crabs McJones]

I’ve been outta the reefing game for about 5 years now. For 5 years before that I had a 24g Aquapod with a Unibody LED setup that was over a mixed reef. Well since I got the itch to set up a tank again, I’m going to be using my old AP24 and I want to purchase all new, fresh equipment for it. I’ll be drilling the tank and running a sump. This is the first time I’m running this kind of filtration so any advice on that is helpful. So far I’ve removed the false wall and removed the plastic rim. It looks 100% better already. So since I’m spending this weekend working on the stand, please let me know how my list of equipment look so far and if I should change anything. I won’t be keeping fish. Just mainly Z’s/P’s softies, and maybe a few frags of SPS up top.

AI Prime HD
Eshopps Eclipse S overflow
Icecap Reef 15 sump
1” drain & 1” return
MP10QD

Recommendations on a skimmer and a return pump would be awesome.

I’m not trying to go balls-out with the setup, I’m living in an apartment at the moment so this little cube will be perfect. Let me know what YOU would change and why. Thanks!

(Please ignore the leftover silicone on the rim. Still working on it!)

Not familiar with the aquapod. Is it glass or acrylic? And if it's glass did you check to see if it's tempered or not? How much are you looking to push for flow? 1 inch return may be overkill...not that that's a bad thing.

 

[OceanMinded]

Not familiar with the aquapod. Is it glass or acrylic? And if it's glass did you check to see if it's tempered or not? How much are you looking to push for flow? 1 inch return may be overkill...not that that's a bad thing.

The Aquapod was made by Current-USA but discontinued some time ago. I bought the tank used back in 2009. They came with hoods with PC lighting and later you could purchase the tank with a 150w Sunpod as their HQI upgrade. The tank is glass but it’s not tempered. The back panel isn’t at least. People have drilled these tanks in the past.

As for the return, if 1” is a bit much I could always add a gate/ball valve to reduce flow, correct?

Thanks!

 

[Crabs McJones]

The Aquapod was made by Current-USA but discontinued some time ago. I bought the tank used back in 2009. They came with hoods with PC lighting and later you could purchase the tank with a 150w Sunpod as their HQI upgrade. The tank is glass but it’s not tempered. The back panel isn’t at least. People have drilled these tanks in the past.

As for the return, if 1” is a bit much I could always add a gate/ball valve to reduce flow, correct?

Thanks!

Absolutely. A ball valve could create artificial head pressure for you otherwise everything else in your list looks good

 

[chefjpaul]

Add an ato and your set.

 

[OceanMinded]

Add an ato and your set.

Ah yes, I forgot to add that. I haven’t even begun to re-research those, as I never had one when the tank was running. I always added RO by hand. Last I checked the JBJ ATO was always the go-to. Are they still, or is there something better? I saw something about optical ATO’s...

 

[fabutahoun]

Ah yes, I forgot to add that. I haven’t even begun to re-research those, as I never had one when the tank was running. I always added RO by hand. Last I checked the JBJ ATO was always the go-to. Are they still, or is there something better? I saw something about optical ATO’s...

I would recommend Apex ATK, I replaced my jbj with Apex few months ago, and it worth the upgrade.

 

[fabutahoun]

For skimmer if you are not going with fish, and only few corals, you can go without one. or you just can get the smallest reef octopus, AquaMaxx , or Bubble Magus.

Just remember if you went without a skimmer you'll need to make more water changes

 

[Crabs McJones]

Ah yes, I forgot to add that. I haven’t even begun to re-research those, as I never had one when the tank was running. I always added RO by hand. Last I checked the JBJ ATO was always the go-to. Are they still, or is there something better? I saw something about optical ATO’s...

The optical ato's are nice. And it's what I use, however, you have to keep a close eye on the inside magnet, it tends to start rusting at the seam. What I did to mine, and it's working great so far, was put a band of silicone around it on the seam. Can't rust if the saltwater can't get to it

 

[Crabs McJones]

But on the plus side, coralvue is aware of the issue and if you contact them telling them you have a rusty magnet, they'll send you a brand new one no questions asked even if it's out of warranty.

 

[OceanMinded]

for skimmer if you are not going with fish, and only few corals, you can go without one. or you just can get the smallest reef octopus, AquaMaxx , or Bubble Magus

Yeah I thought about that. I dont plan on having many fish but knowing myself, I’ll be adding frags non stop once the tank is ready for them. I figured the bioload from the corals and whatever CUC I have could get handled with a smaller skimmer...I suppose that can be purchased later on down the road though!

 

[chefjpaul]

Ah yes, I forgot to add that. I haven’t even begun to re-research those, as I never had one when the tank was running. I always added RO by hand. Last I checked the JBJ ATO was always the go-to. Are they still, or is there something better? I saw something about optical ATO’s...

I use my ghl for main tank, but the jbj for my frag and QT, had same one for many many years

 

[count krunk]

for a 24g tank. a 1/2 or 3/4 return is better IMO. For one, a 1" return in a tank that small looks big haha. But for scale many 55 and 75g tanks have 3/4" or 1" return. I would much rather have a lower gph return pump paired with PH's so you can direct the flow better. The jaebo returns are cheap and seem to do the job well. I will be using one on my 40b so I can let you know in a few months. The newer models are also DC and controllable