new tank

howard1818 · Jun 26, 2017

So I've decided on a Planet Aquarium 90 gallon 36x24x25 tank and stand for my first saltwater venture. I've been recommended an Eshopps RS 100 sump and Reef Octopus skimmer. Any thoughts from the more experienced? Thanks in advance ps going to be fish only

I'm a natural blue · Jun 26, 2017

Oh how exciting! Go big or go home huh? I'm running a 90 mixed reef. I have a Reef Octopus 150 and that thing works like a beast! No complaints or problems at all with it. Getting great skimmate out of it so I know it's doing it's job. I've had it two years. As far as a sump, I had a custom built bite off of a Eshopps and loved the design of it but unfortunately DIY isn't always the way to go since it blew out after about a year. Now running a Bio Marine Bio 36. LOVE IT! Plenty of room, running a fuge in there with some live rock and the skimmer and still have left over space. Runs great, nice sleek lines and it's pretty solid as far as build and quality. It's been running for about 2 1/2 months.

Big G · Jun 26, 2017

howard1818 said:
So I've decided on a Planet Aquarium 90 gallon 36x24x25 tank and stand for my first saltwater venture. I've been recommended an Eshopps RS 100 sump and Reef Octopus skimmer. Any thoughts from the more experienced? Thanks in advance ps going to be fish only

Hello! I'm running an Eshopps RS 200 sump under my 90 gallon mixed reef. Lots and lots of room in there for equipment and for water that runs back down into the sump during pump shutdowns. Really like it so far and highly recommend their products. Also running Eshopps Eclipse overflow. Lots of room for adjustment and peace of mind.

jsker · Jun 26, 2017

Sounds like you have a good start

Lighting do not skimp T5 or LED's or a combination
Pumps/power heads. Mp 40 or gyre's or a combination
Controller also do not skimp. There are a couple on the market that do a great job
Dosing pump/Pumps

howard1818 · Jun 26, 2017

I'm a natural blue said:
Oh how exciting! Go big or go home huh? I'm running a 90 mixed reef. I have a Reef Octopus 150 and that thing works like a beast! No complaints or problems at all with it. Getting great skimmate out of it so I know it's doing it's job. I've had it two years. As far as a sump, I had a custom built bite off of a Eshopps and loved the design of it but unfortunately DIY isn't always the way to go since it blew out after about a year. Now running a Bio Marine Bio 36. LOVE IT! Plenty of room, running a fuge in there with some live rock and the skimmer and still have left over space. Runs great, nice sleek lines and it's pretty solid as far as build and quality. It's been running for about 2 1/2 months.

I like where your head's at, I've been thinking to get everything I can oversized as well. Thanks for taking the time

howard1818 · Jun 26, 2017

jsker said:
Sounds like you have a good start
Lighting do not skimp T5 or LED's or a combination
Pumps/power heads. Mp 40 or gyre's or a combination
Controller also do not skimp. There are a couple on the market that do a great job
Dosing pump/Pumps

thanks thinking of a Current Orbit with controller, I'll check out those powerheads

jsker · Jun 26, 2017

howard1818 said:
thanks thinking of a Current Orbit with controller, I'll check out those powerheads

Had the current light and needed to upgrade to a stronger light

howard1818 · Jun 26, 2017

jsker said:
Had the current light and needed to upgrade to a stronger light

it looks like now you can add another one and I have been looking at a Kessil they have the new smaller ones and I was thinking maybe 2 of those would cover it

jsker · Jun 27, 2017

Kessils are good lights. I went back and forth and finally went with the Hydra 26 Hd's for controllability and price.

howard1818 · Jul 17, 2017

So the Planet Aquarium is finally on order 36x25x25 90 gallons and going with the Eshopps RS100 and Orbit lights to start, any suggestions on what should go in the sump? Lots of info out there. I'm doing fish only aggressive fish pretty low load I'm thinking, going also with Real Reef rock. thanks

Big G · Jul 17, 2017

Consider finding room for either the plates or balls or cubes of Marine Pure in your sump. I like it.

howard1818 · Jul 17, 2017

Big G said:
Consider finding room for either the plates or balls or cubes of Marine Pure in your sump. I like it.

thanks that looks great much appreciated

I'm a natural blue · Jul 17, 2017

howard1818 said:
So the Planet Aquarium is finally on order 36x25x25 90 gallons and going with the Eshopps RS100 and Orbit lights to start, any suggestions on what should go in the sump? Lots of info out there. I'm doing fish only aggressive fish pretty low load I'm thinking, going also with Real Reef rock. thanks

So what made you change your mind about the lights? I have 3 Kessel
A150 deep blues on my 90g. They are older and not adjustable like the newer models but I find them to be good. Newer ones are much better. Curious about your decision on orbits as I might be changing out my lighting in the near future. ETA: Also as far as your sump, I LOVE having macro in mine. Helps alot with nitrate reduction. I also have some smaller pieces of live rock in there for "extra" biological filtration.

howard1818 · Jul 18, 2017

I'm a natural blue said:
So what made you change your mind about the lights? I have 3 Kesselpric
A150 deep blues on my 90g. They are older and not adjustable like the newer models but I find them to be good. Newer ones are much better. Curious about your decision on orbits as I might be changing out my lighting in the near future. ETA: Also as far as your sump, I LOVE having macro in mine. Helps alot with nitrate reduction. I also have some smaller pieces of live rock in there for "extra" biological filtration.

price and it comes with a controller plus I can add another strip if need be and I like the shimmer from the Kessels but I like be able to make the Orbits into moonlights as well. Since I'm doing fish only should be ok.

howard1818 · Aug 24, 2017

Still having a hard time deciding on lighting for this 36x24x25 tank, like the price of the orbits with the controller but like the shimmer of the more expensive units, looking at kessil and AI thanks for any opinions, tank is on the way so I need to decide pretty quickly