Need Equipment Advice

[lterna]

Hello!

I am new to the hobby and finally made a tank purchase after looking into it for the past 2 years or so. I got the Red Sea Reefer Deluxe 350 (came with their LED lights) + a skimmer. I have also purchased a RO/DI unit. From what I understand, I still need: Heaters, Powerheads + wavemaker , Return Pump, refractometer + thermometer. I also think I'm going to purchase a UPS and plug everything into there.

I am interested in making it a full blown reef tank and would really like to have some success growing corals. There are a million recommendations out there for what products to get, and it can get overwhelming. I am looking for some suggestions on what to order! Would love some help so I can get this project fully underway!

 

[AiKkz]

This is a hard one to answer because there are so many variables. In this hobby you get what you pay for, and your paying for piece of mind, customer service and warranty. For example you can get a Marineland maxi jet power head or a EcoTech mp40. They both will push water but with the mp40 you will get custom flow patterns, warranty, and responsive customer service. Buy what you can afford, and try to be redundant on key pieces of equipment like the return pump, power heads, heaters.

 

[GThompson]

Your on the right track asking here. My one piece of advice is don’t go cheap trying to save s lot of money. I tried that, I don’t work out worth a crap. Watch the the for sale section and do your research. I went through different leds that are “supposed “ to be great. Now I have Kessils. As far as return pumps I would recommend a good DC pump that the flow is controllable and get one the next size up than you need. You can always turn it down. Good luck with your tank build

 

[Katrina71]

Lighting. Lighting demands are going to be your most expensive thing.

 

[AiKkz]

Lighting. Lighting demands are going to be your most expensive thing.

Ain’t that the truth!!!

 

[Billldg]

I agree with @AiKkz 100 percent. Its a tough question to answer, if you ask 10 reefers you will get 10 different answers. I also agree with redundancy, I use 2 heaters in case one of them fail. Ultimately it comes down to what r you willing, or able to spend.

 

[Katrina71]

I personally think Jebao wavemakers/powerheads work fine. You can always upgrade later. They will then become your spares.

 

[Billldg]

I started out with IM pumps, for 100 dollars each they worked great and gave you the ability to have variable speeds. Its a cheap and great DC pump.

 

[Mical]

If you haven't already, watch these -

 

[Katrina71]

If you haven't already, watch these -

Agreed!!!!!

 

[Retro Reefer]

You don’t need to spend a fortune on equipment to have a successful reef.. keep it simple, read reviews and shop for bargains.. Eheim Jagers heaters are good for the price points and I’ve been running jebao power heads for years in multiple tanks and haven’t had a failure. Some have slowed down over time but that’s probably due to lack of maintenance.

 

[biecacka]

Look in the used equipment section on here and in local groups for equipment as well.

Corey

 

[reefwiser]

well since you have the lights that came with the unit that is taken care of.
Next, since they didn't supply a pump get a tough workhorse one like this Tunze pump

Submersible Pumps

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.marinedepot.com

The Ecotech MP40's are popular and well-made pumps for wavemakers. You can buy them new or check out the used equipment forum for people selling them.

 

[AiKkz]

well since you have the lights that came with the unit that is taken care of.
Next, since they didn't supply a pump get a tough workhorse one like this Tunze pump

Submersible Pumps

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.marinedepot.com

The Ecotech MP40's are popular and well-made pumps for wavemakers. You can buy them new or check out the used equipment forum for people selling them.

+1 on tunze, awesome product!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Focus first on needs of corals and what type.
With that, the first order will be lighting, then water flow and other equipment such as controller, doser and skimmer.

Light: Either two Ai Prime HD OR two Radion XR15 . . . or One Orphek Atlantik
Pumps: Either MP10 or Nero 5. Most Koralia also good.
Controller : Apex EL or Full version
Doser: Bubble Magnus T101 or Jebao DP-4
Skimmer- Reef Octopus 150 or 200 model OR BM Curve or Nyos

Regardless, this will be a nice tank

 

[lterna]

Thank you all for commenting and helping me out with this. As you know, this hobby can be extremely overwhelming for new hobbyists, and I probably watched those 52 weeks of reefing videos at least 15 times.

Anyway, here is a photo of my tank. I am currently cycling. Looking forward to getting some life in this tank soon. Also, still trying to mess around with the Gyre settings to find one that gives me the flow I want while not blowing the sand around....

 

[GThompson]

Thank you all for commenting and helping me out with this. As you know, this hobby can be extremely overwhelming for new hobbyists, and I probably watched those 52 weeks of reefing videos at least 15 times.

Anyway, here is a photo of my tank. I am currently cycling. Looking forward to getting some life in this tank soon. Also, still trying to mess around with the Gyre settings to find one that gives me the flow I want while not blowing the sand around....

Your rockscape turned out nice