Settled on a Tank - Looking for Equipment Advice

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Folks,

After a 7 year absence, I'm looking to startup a new tank. I've settled on a Waterbox Reefer Pro 170.4/5, but still looking for advice and feedback on a few key pieces of equipment. The tank is 170 gallons and measures - 55"L x 26" W x 24" H

The tank will be SPS dominate, and while I've decided on LED, I'm having a very hard time deciding on what lights to purchase, and how many I will need. The short list is as follows:

EcoTech XR30W G4 PRO
AI Hydra 52
ReeFi LED Duo Extreme (Fixture is appealing, as it has a diffuser built in, but not familiar with the brand, so worried about long term reliability, and easy configuration)

I'm also trying to figure out which skimmer to purchase, that would be suitable for my build. I have considered Nyos, but open to suggestions... And finally, what is the new thinking on amount of live rock and how deep the sand bed should be? Back in the day, 3" seemed ideal, and about 1 pound of LR per gallon of tank. Not sure if thats changed?

I'm grateful for any help, advice and feedback!

 

[Doctorgori]

what kind of budget are you on?

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

what kind of budget are you on?

I don't mind spending a bit more for really good gear, that will ensure success, but also want to be smart about it.

 

[FacebookJail]

IMO You're not going to find a better LED on the market than G4 pro radions (not even Orphek), and when supplemented with T5 (i.e. aquatic life hybrid fixture) you'll potentially have the ultimate lighting combo. Of my 3 tanks my Radion + T5 supplement is my favorite lighting. Other two are Orphek Atlantik v4 and 8bulb T5 supplemented with 2 SBreef bars.

 

[FacebookJail]

Also the 1lb of LR per gallons seems to have absolutely changed. Minimilist rock scaping is much more common now, and most tanks that have such no longer have nutrient issues (often have to dose nutrients instead)

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Thanks guys, appreciate the replies!

 

[Snoopy 67]

A friend of mine used the Ocean Revive T-247 lights, GREW EVERYTHING.
Deep sand beds are not popular anymore & minimal rock work seems more prevalent.
Many use ceramic blocks for added filtration (me too).

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Thanks folks. I'm still struggling with which LED fixture, and how many I would need for a peninsula tank that is 72″ L x 26″ W x 24″ H which is what I think I will end up getting...

 

[FacebookJail]

Having setup and currently keeping a peninsula (60"x24"x24") I'd look at going wider, maybe 30-36" if possible. With aquascape set up in the middle as opposed towards the rear, growout room for corals (especially acropora) can be pretty limited. I hope that makes sense?

I love peninsulas, and will always try to keep one, but next will be at least 36" width, longer as well.

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Having setup and currently keeping a peninsula (60"x24"x24") I'd look at going wider, maybe 30-36" if possible. With aquascape set up in the middle as opposed towards the rear, growout room for corals (especially acropora) can be pretty limited. I hope that makes sense?

I love peninsulas, and will always try to keep one, but next will be at least 36" width, longer as well.

That's actually really good advice, and not something I had thought of.... Hmmm.... Lol, now I may need to re-think this.
(My fiance is going to kill me)

 

[FacebookJail]

That's actually really good advice, and not something I had thought of.... Hmmm.... Lol, now I may need to re-think this.
(My fiance is going to kill me)

Hah, well I'm glad you understood the point I was trying to make as it reads rather confusing.... sorry to futher complicate but if you go wider i think you will be happier in the end! Provided she doesn't kill you :0

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

I may have to stick with the peninsula, as it suits the space I'd like to put it, but the coral piece is definitely going to have to be well planned, as will the aquascape. Hmmm... Guess i will google aquascape in a peninsula tank. Glad I'm not working tomorrow, I may be up half the night!

 

[J’s reefreturn]

Folks,

After a 7 year absence, I'm looking to startup a new tank. I've settled on a Waterbox Reefer Pro 170.4/5, but still looking for advice and feedback on a few key pieces of equipment. The tank is 170 gallons and measures - 55"L x 26" W x 24" H

The tank will be SPS dominate, and while I've decided on LED, I'm having a very hard time deciding on what lights to purchase, and how many I will need. The short list is as follows:

EcoTech XR30W G4 PRO
AI Hydra 52
ReeFi LED Duo Extreme (Fixture is appealing, as it has a diffuser built in, but not familiar with the brand, so worried about long term reliability, and easy configuration)

I'm also trying to figure out which skimmer to purchase, that would be suitable for my build. I have considered Nyos, but open to suggestions... And finally, what is the new thinking on amount of live rock and how deep the sand bed should be? Back in the day, 3" seemed ideal, and about 1 pound of LR per gallon of tank. Not sure if thats changed?

I'm grateful for any help, advice and feedback!

Agree with the radions and t5, so many aqua cultures using it is hard to deny effective long term success on SPS tanks. That’s not to say the the others you listed won’t work.
Protein Skimmer - the Nyos is really nice but overpriced. The tech and method they use is being repeated so much that it doesn’t make sense.
Tunze 9410
New Maxspect aeraqua
Vertex
Are you planning to utilize a refugium or chaeto reactor ? Think the water box reef pro has a refugium section that would work in size with the tunze or vertex, not sure about the maxspect.

Bare bottom or cover layer of sand with a refugium takes a little bit longer but really a novel idea when you have to add nutrients instead of fight them.

 

[JoshH]

Having setup and currently keeping a peninsula (60"x24"x24") I'd look at going wider, maybe 30-36" if possible. With aquascape set up in the middle as opposed towards the rear, growout room for corals (especially acropora) can be pretty limited. I hope that makes sense?

I love peninsulas, and will always try to keep one, but next will be at least 36" width, longer as well.

I'll have to +1 on this advice. I had originally settled on a 60" L x 24" W x 17" H peninsula and gave it a lot of thought then switched it up to a 30" W half way through. And now I do wish that I had have gone even wider but it would have been a huge pain in the butt to get through the door. The true beauty of a peninsula style is you can go much wider and still be able to easily work on and reach the whole tank.

 

[FacebookJail]

That is a BEAUTIFUL tank @JoshH !!!

Woah but I'm very curious about the holes drilled in the bottom glass???

 

[JoshH]

That is a BEAUTIFUL tank @JoshH !!!

Woah but I'm very curious about the holes drilled in the bottom glass???

Lol There are a total of 5 leak inducing holes drilled into the bottom panel Kidding! Well atleast on the leak inducing side of things anyway. Each hole is to run my closed loop setup, very old school style of plumbing but it will eliminate the need for any powerheads on the walls and sides of the tank. Each hole will have two outlets for a total of 8 outlets (4 holes + 1 Intake hole). Run by an Ocean Motion 4 way with an Ecotech Vectra M2 as the feed pump. This will not only allow me to rotate the outlets the flow comes out of but also adjust the flow speed while doing so, hopefully creating very random occasionally intense flow patterns throughout the tank.

 

[FacebookJail]

@JoshH I figured plumbing and flow would tie in somehow, sounds pretty intriguing... Will be following your build thread!

 

[Jekyl]

For sps dominant I would recommend led/t5 hybrid. Get the best of both worlds

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Thanks guys!

 

[SPR1968]

Folks,

After a 7 year absence, I'm looking to startup a new tank. I've settled on a Waterbox Reefer Pro 170.4/5, but still looking for advice and feedback on a few key pieces of equipment. The tank is 170 gallons and measures - 55"L x 26" W x 24" H

The tank will be SPS dominate, and while I've decided on LED, I'm having a very hard time deciding on what lights to purchase, and how many I will need. The short list is as follows:

EcoTech XR30W G4 PRO
AI Hydra 52
ReeFi LED Duo Extreme (Fixture is appealing, as it has a diffuser built in, but not familiar with the brand, so worried about long term reliability, and easy configuration)

I'm also trying to figure out which skimmer to purchase, that would be suitable for my build. I have considered Nyos, but open to suggestions... And finally, what is the new thinking on amount of live rock and how deep the sand bed should be? Back in the day, 3" seemed ideal, and about 1 pound of LR per gallon of tank. Not sure if thats changed?

I'm grateful for any help, advice and feedback!

I’ve just ordered and received the equipment for my new tank which includes some of the items you mention

My current system has the NYOS Quantum 160 (650 litres) which is silent and very easy to use. The new system will have the NYOS Quantum 300

I currently use Hydra 26 and was going to get the 52’s but having researched a lot the best lights seem to be the Ecotech and that’s what I’ve gone for. They are also fully integrated into Neptune’s Apex.

My full equipment list is here post 1415 if it gives you ideas

Monster Build - Shaun's 2000 Litre (530 USG) Living Reef & Red Sea Max S 650 LED Design & Build

Moi jealous, *stomps off to the vodka bottle*! ;) Love it, big **** refugium! :) "bottomed" It would have had a bigger refugium but I had to reduce it because of the size of the NYOS Quantum 300, just to make sure there was plenty of room for it. But the refugium is still huge!

www.reef2reef.com