New here

Joey Merrell · Aug 5, 2017

Hello all! I'm new here and to the hobby. I'm getting ready to start up a 90g oceanic reef tank. Any tips on what equipment I need is greatly appreciated. I will be running a 40g sump and protein skimmer I know for sure. What I need help deciding is what lighting and other equipment will help make this tank successful. A lot of i formation out there just has me back and forth on what to go with. Tank dimensions are 48l x 18w x 24t. I would like to accomplish alot of soft coral with a lot of movement and color. Thanks and looking forward to hearing from y'all.

Big G · Aug 5, 2017

Joey Merrell said:
Hello all! I'm new here and to the hobby. I'm getting ready to start up a 90g oceanic reef tank. Any tips on what equipment I need is greatly appreciated. I will be running a 40g sump and protein skimmer I know for sure. What I need help deciding is what lighting and other equipment will help make this tank successful. A lot of i formation out there just has me back and forth on what to go with. Tank dimensions are 48l x 18w x 24t. I would like to accomplish alot of soft coral with a lot of movement and color. Thanks and looking forward to hearing from y'all.

Welcome to R2R

There is no such thing as a "silly" question here. Be sure to start a "build thread" where you can show and ask as you go. I have a 90 gal with an Eshopps RS-200 sump. I really like it. Plenty of room and will fit under a 90 tank. You are limited by the depth (18") of the cabinet as to which sump will fit with a bit of room to spare. Focus on water and water quality. What we really do is first and foremost manage water and water conditions. Everything else comes after. I also have an Eshopps Eclipse overflow. It can easily handle a range of flows. Here's a pic from before I filled the tank:

dbl · Aug 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R Joey and to hobby.

kschweer · Aug 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R!!!

Joey Merrell · Aug 5, 2017

Thanks. I don't care for the stand that i got with this setup, so another will be built by a friend of mine that does cabinets. I may be able to get a little larger sump in that one. My main worry is I won't pick the right lighting, or buy a wrong piece of equipment. I have a tendency to spend a lot when I don't have to, lol.

Big G · Aug 5, 2017

Spending too much? You are in the wrong hobby - LOL x2

Big G · Aug 5, 2017

Lighting? Photon 48-V2 or SB Reef Lights (nice control from your iPhone). Both have incredible range.

Big G · Aug 5, 2017

Joey Merrell said:
Thanks. I don't care for the stand that i got with this setup, so another will be built by a friend of mine that does cabinets.

Great your friend can make a cabinet for you. I had to do the same thing. I couldn't get the sump in the cabinet because of obstruction of a support between the front doors.

Joey Merrell · Aug 5, 2017

Big G said:
Spending too much? You are in the wrong hobby - LOL x2

Maybe not "too much" rather than more than I have to. My wife w/o t let me spend to much lol

Joey Merrell · Aug 5, 2017

Big G said:
Lighting? Photon 48-V2 or SB Reef Lights (nice control from your iPhone). Both have incredible range.

I hadn't considered those. I have been looking at the ati sunpower 48 6 bulb, the kessil ap700 (not sure if i would need 2 or not) and the ai hydra 52 (again, possibly need 2).