Opinions on new equipment for new setup?

[ameares8]

So, I am going to buy all of the equipment for the new tank that I am setting up. Long story short, I decided to stick with the 36 gallon bow front that was bought for my birthday. It is an Aqueon tank and stand. Here is a list of what I am looking at purchasing. Thoughts, opinions, suggestions? I had good luck with most of these companies when I had my 160 two years ago, but I am sure stuff has changed since then.

36 Gallon Bow Front Aqueon Aquarium w/ Stand
40lbs. Fiji Pink Sand
50 lbs. Marco Rock Key Largo Dry Rock
Glass Holes Overflow & Return Kit (700 GPM or 1500 GPM kit?)
Vortech MP10 (Maybe the MP40) Never had an MP10, so not sure if it will be enough flow.
Apex Controller
Mag 5 Return Pump
Aqua Illumination Vega LED lighting system
Hydor 150W Heater
Salifert Test Kits (can't remember exactly which ones I need. I know I had bought a few that I never used.)

 

[fragmatic]

My opinion:

The MP 10 is plenty of MP flow.. maybe a cheap power head additional somewhere.. I use an MP10 in my 90. with two small el-cheapo heads. ..LOVE the MP 10.

Not sure you need 40 pounds of sand with 50 pounds of Fiji. I'd back off to 20 lbs.

I'd be darned sure to add a skimmer to that list!

You mentioned the Glass Holes.. Does that mean you are going to run a sump? I sure do recommend one.

 

[ameares8]

I thought the MP 10 should be enough, just hesitant since I've never had one. The rest of the sand will go in the refugium. I meant to toss a skimmer on that list as well. I had a Vertex, but probably going with a reef octopus.


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[fragmatic]

Good stuff.. I expected you had forgot to list the skimmer.

FYI, I had sand in my refuge and later removed it because it was a PITA when I wanted to clean it out. I went with lots of rock rubble. I can isolate my refuges with ball valves and remove the LR rubble, snails, hermits, plants, etc. and shop vac them out as a water change sometimes. I now consider this as an asset.

 

[ameares8]

Good plan! I have done both and you are right. The sand is a HUGE PITA to clean. It's funny, I remember the hard stuff like names and formulas but can't remember what combos of setup worked the best.


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[bknapp]

Cook that Marco Rocks, I love mine the shape is amazing but had a bunch of hair algae to contend with. May want to look into some sort of reactor for carbon, GFO or, the like.

 

[ameares8]

Wow, I bought about 120 lbs for the 160 and never had an issue. Good to know. I requested certain sizes and shapes last time and they hooked me up. A good company for sure!


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[Dowtish]

Are you planning on SPS? what about 2 part dosing pumps or a Calcium Reactor?

 

[bknapp]

Wow, I bought about 120 lbs for the 160 and never had an issue. Good to know. I requested certain sizes and shapes last time and they hooked me up. A good company for sure!

You're not the first person to tell me that. Maybe it was user error.

 

[ameares8]

I am planning on SPS, but am not sure what room I will have for equipment. With my last tank, I ran a reactor for the last 6 months and loved it. If everything works out, I will go that route again. Having the Apex helped make it easier to control too. Any suggestions on good reactors that won't break the bank? I'm already hitting my budget for what I wanted to spend. I'm ordering most of everything from BRS, so maybe one their reactors will work?


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[Dowtish]

I would look into Avast marine reactors. I have one and love it. Cost me around $60

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[ameares8]

Those are cheap! I might pickup a skimmer from them as well. I like the DIY kits that they offer.


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[Dowtish]

Cool. Glad you like their stuff.

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[mapn4reef]

Is this Anthony getting back into the hobby...I forgot your RC screen name...

 

[ameares8]

Hey John! Yep, it's me. Do you still have the Tangs that you got from me? I think you picked up a few corals as well.

 

[mapn4reef]

Hey John! Yep, it's me. Do you still have the Tangs that you got from me? I think you picked up a few corals as well.

No reef tank at the time. Sad story on the tangs, left for vacation + storm outage + controller strips not tripping back on (first time ever in this situation) = death on the reef... I had a reef sitter too, it just happened the evening of the day we left, and he wasn't scheduled to come by for another 2 days... I'm still traumatized by the experience.

 

[ameares8]

That's horrible, I hate to hear that.


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