Sps tank essentials and recommendations?

[refridgeRAIDER]

I'm in just over 2 yrs, I went with Live Rock, my tank never cycled, then added Live/Dry from BRS, be sure to cure this rock 6 weeks in SW, with heat and circulation in total darkness.
LEDs last forever, cost less annually, and don't give off a quarter of the heat, most tanks using T-5's or MH also run a chiller, AC for your tank. A sump with a skimmer and refuge, Reef Octopus 2000 is easy to clean. And make cleaning everything easy or it's a pain, and then you will be lazy about it. The biggest thing I would consider is going bigger tank wise. A large display, 180. 2' x 2' x 6'. I did, and wish I went 220 gal. There's lots of reasons to go big. More variety. More water gives you a little more room for errors. And yes, the bigger tank will cost more at start, but the end result is incredible. More corals, more fish, more of everything! I don't watch TV with a 6 foot DT that is captivating. Think of all of these options over and over, and over again. Then make the commitment. But before you buy anything, I would speak to someone from BRS, Bulk Reef Supply. Then call Adam from Battle Corals and bounce everything " you think " you would like to do. Ask for his recommendations, and go with his options. I wish I knew him before I started. He will help you, and spend more time better than anyone else I've ever met. I just received my order. It was a "War Chest" of Acros. The finest corals, at the best prices, and the chunkiest!
You're already thinking right, buy quality equipment once! Best of Luck!

Great advice I appreciate it! I would definitely go larger but am in an apartment and barely got this cleared with the office lol. I will definitely reach out to BRS and to Adam at battle corals as well. I have been admiring his drag packs for awhile, can't wait till I'm able to order one and post up in front of my tank to drool over them!

 

[ndrwater]

Don't get me wrong here, I love the look of Halides. I just hate the bill. I figured, and was correct, that the Radions would pay for themselves in about 6 months. Actually took about 5, and moving forward I now have more money for corals.... Or food... But who needs food...

 

[justingraham]

Not going to disagree with anyone who has had, or uses Halide currently. But....
I ran Halide for 2 years here in Southern California, and a chiller was absolutely necessary during the summer months. Granted my tank is big. 8' to be exact, and I had four 250 watt bulbs in addition to T5. My issue wasn't color or growth, but the bill. Bill as in electric bill. In Anaheim where I live, we have our own utility company in Anaheim public utilities and get the cheapest rates anywhere in CA. The biggest bill I had was the summer before I switched to Radions.
Take a seat and ponder this for a second.... $1600 electric bill....
Yes, SIXTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS.
That was it for me. Dropped a fat chunk for 5 Radions, but with LED, no more chiller, no more HUGE bills from the power company. Same tank, same corals (better growth and color IMO) and now $300 electric bills...
Just something to consider...

Yea ok I see why u say leds now I am in a diffent climate and electric isn't that

 

[justingraham]

Don't get me wrong here, I love the look of Halides. I just hate the bill. I figured, and was correct, that the Radions would pay for themselves in about 6 months. Actually took about 5, and moving forward I now have more money for corals.... Or food... But who needs food...

I am in Jersey but I don't have to run a chiller I run two computer fans and my tank hasn't hit 80 degrees yet and it has been a hot summer. I also think different ballast produce better in terms of heat and electricity esp with halides

 

[Peng]

When I used to run MH the electricity bill was more expensive too. I switched to LED but eventually went with T5 for many reasons. Personally I like the growth and color under T5 than LED.