New 90g setup - Recommendations Welcome

[iSW4Y]

Hi Folks! I'm starting a 90g setup, been doing a lot of research but could use some advise. I currently have a 60g FOWLR + a few corals (not doing well) that came with the live rock. I have around 60lbs of live rock, a P1000 wet/dry system which uses a Syncra 2.0 568gph pump for the return (http://www.aquariumconnection.com/detail.php?ID=35468). I also have a Sicce Voyager 3 for circulation. Running T5's for my lighting.

Livestock includes:
1 - Coral Beauty Angelfish
1 - Flame Angelfish
1 - 6line Wrasse
1 - Ocellaris Clownfish
1 - Banggai Cardinalfish
1 - Royal Gramma
1 - Purple dartfish (on order)
1 - Juvenile Desjardini tang (on order. I know I will probably get flamed that 90g isn't big enough but he's only 1.5-2", I plan on getting another 180+ sometime in the near distant future.)

2 - Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
2 - Peppermint Shrimp
1 - Electric Blue Hermit Crab
2 - Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs
5 - Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs
3 - turbo snails
10 - Astrea snails
5 - Nassarius snails


I just purchased most of the fish and figure they need a bigger home. I found a great deal on a used 90g in excellent shape which will be a FOWLR tank for now but I'd like to move into some Corals in the near future. Here's what it came with:

90g - 48x24x18 w/ stand
48" Aqueon modular LEDs - 3 slots running White (They make different bulbs for this unit. Are these LEDs strong enough for Corals? If so, what kind?)
Eheim 2217 canister filter with new media (I don't have experience with canisters. Can this be used to start the cycle process? Should I even used this on the 90g system after it's cycled, I've read that they're nitrate camps if not properly cleaned. I'd like to have a low(er) maintenance system.)

I purchased 2 - Jebao WP20 (these things are AWESOME!!!), plan on getting a JBJ Auto Topoff system. I have water mixed with Aquavito Salinity circulating now. I plan on getting a Protein Skimmer and have narrowed it down to the SCA-302 rated for 160g or the Aquamaxx EM200 rated for 240g. The SCA is a BM or SWC knockoff, has pretty good reviews on RC and is cheap. I've read nothing but good things about the EM200 but it costs almost twice as much. I'm leaning towards the EM200 but the SCA302 price tag is attractive. I'm afraid if I get the EM200, it may be too big and may sit idle most of the time, then again... I don't know if what I have is considered to be a high bio load. I feed about 2-3 times a day, about one cube per feeding. I would like to add a few more fish if possible. Will a 90g accommodate more fish? I've heard that you can have a higher stocked tank as long as your filtration is suited but don't know the ratios to really make a judgement. What skimmer do you all suggest that would be suited better for my needs?

I've been debating on using a DSB in the DT of probably 4" but I'm not sure as I have read mixed reviews, although, "New York Steelo" from youtube swears by them. For my 60g I used CaribSea Fiji Pink that an old diamond goby demolished. I will likely by new sand for the 90g. I'm trying to decide if I should go with a CaribSea or Nature's Ocean product. Anyone with experience with either, please let me know if one is significantly better than the other. Anyone discourage against a DSB. I don't want to invest in something that was just a fad and doesn't really provide benefit whereas I could spend money towards something else.

The more I'm reading the more I think I'm going to have to ditch the P1000 wet/dry and go with a sump. I really hate spending a lot of money to later retire something useless. It'd be great if I could convert the wet/dry into a sump but I don't think its big enough run both the skimmer and house a fuge. Also, most of the skimmers I've seen require 8-10" of water so that may be an issue. Can I daisy change sumps together or is it better/easier/more efficient if I have one that houses everything. I have an old 10g and 30g long that I could be used. I've seen some pretty nice designs for 30g tanks converted into sump online that have a section after the Skimmer for a fuge. I'd like to have macro algae to reduce nitrates and house copepods. Should I ditch the DSB idea in the DT and just add it in the fuge or go with Mud? I'm pretty good with putting things together. Does anyone sell prefabricated baffels/dividers for a 30g tank/sump or will I have to get creative with plexiglass from HD and cut them to size? I assume you would use a aquatic safe sealant keep them in place.

Another area of question... Can I use the overflow box that I have on the 60g (the P1000 system is rated up to 100g) or will I need something with more flow? If I need more flow, can I add another overflow or just get a bigger one? Can the return pump of my current system handle the 90g or will I need to get another one? I like the idea of two return lines into the DT, one for opposing corners. Can I put a "Y" connector off the return pump to make two return lines or should I use two pumps? Does it really matter where the overflow box is located on the back of the tank (center or either side)? I'd really appreciate if someone can shed some insight, the last thing I want is to have inadequate filtration.
I apologize for the long write up with lots of questions but I figure better to ask than to run into issues down the road. I'm looking forward to everyone's feedback. Thanks a million!

 

[McAllyn]

OK, lots of questions... My opinions only to follow:

1. WP-25's are great. 2 in a 90 should work okay. Might need to upgrade one to a 40, but probably not. Shoot for 25x turnover minimum, quite a bit more if you'll get into SPS. (I'm at 40ish with a mixed reef)
2. I don't think the Aqueon LED's are good for reefing. Have not heard great things about them. There are several vendors on here that sell truly reef capable LED's for every budget.
3. Canisters on a reef require A LOT of maintenance. Use a sump, far easier to maintain.
4. I wouldn't skimp on the skimmer, get the best you can afford. It's the second most commonly replaced piece of gear in a reef after lighting. People tend to skimp on the lights and the skimmer trying to get by, only to replace them both rather soon. Don't be like me and have a tub in the closet full of junk lights and skimmers.
5. You're stocking list looks moderately full, I personally wouldn't add anything to it. (Your angels may end up as coral nippers, use with caution.)
6. Never used mud in the sump, but I've used sand. Your choice.
7. No DSB in the display. A good DSB would be 6". Do one in the sump if you want, but a 2.5" sandbed in the display is plenty. I don't use a DSB in the sump either.
8. Use the 30L as your sump, don't worry with the wet/dry. Get a local glass cutter to cut your baffles and use pure silicon from HD. Super easy to do, sets up overnight. Do it in the garage though, the fumes will ruin your night. Acrylic doesn't bond well with silicon.
9. The 100g overflow should work fine, but more important than what gallon is it rated, you need to know what Gallon Per Hour it's rated for. Then match the return pump to it. I use a Mag 9.5 on my 90. With head loss, I'm right at about 700GPH.
10. If you split your return, you'll lower the GPH of your pump. This happens because you're introducing more 90deg elbows and such.
11. Overflow location doesn't really matter. You could put it on the end if you wanted and make your tank peninsula style.

Mac

 

[iSW4Y]

Thanks for the input, Mac! I think the 2 WP25s will be fine. I was tinkering with the settings last night and got them synced to create a nice rocking wave. I'll have to see how they perform when the rock is in.

 

[fremont roger]

Lots of stuff

 

[iSW4Y]

Lots of stuff

Yup, lots of stuff to learn. I'm still looking for input on the Protein Skimmers. Does anyone think the Aquamaxx EM200 will be good or is it too big for my setup. While I agree it's good to buy the best quality products that you can afford. I don't necessarily agree that the most expensive stuff is better. I'm all for a deal if I can find one.