Thoughts on equipment for my first Reef Aquarium

herlin518 · Feb 28, 2014

Hi folks,

I am going to setup a 75 Gal Reef Aquarium. My first one. I am working through an LFS nearby. They are putting together a package/deal for me. Below are some of the pieces I am looking at using. I would like your thoughts on these items. Thanks in advance.

Lights: 4Lamp T-5 HD 48" Lunar (I believe this is 48 Inch 4x54 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture w/ 4 Lunar LEDs)
Skimmer: Hydro Performer 405 Protein Skimmer
Water Pump: Koralia EVO 850GPH 4.5W
Circulation Pump: Quiet-One 4000 1017 GPH

I was going to build a stand, but I might go with an Aqueon stand. It's kind of cold here to be working in my garage.

Thanks again.

EllisJuan · Feb 28, 2014

Have you thought about going LED? Also, you're going to need more than just that Koralia. Look into a pair of Jebao WP25 powerhead.

herlin518 · Feb 28, 2014

Sorry. I should have mentioned I am going with two of the Koralia pumps.

raswank · Mar 1, 2014

I have koralia's and just bought 2 wp25's for my 90. Little more than Koralia's but WELL WORTH IT.

herlin518 · Mar 2, 2014

From everything I have read, one WP25 seems fine for a 90. Am I reading something wrong?

Mike J. · Mar 2, 2014

Buying a tank from a LFS is the way to go. But I'm not so sure about the equipment. One of my tanks is a 75 gal. - good choice; it's a good size tank. I'd prefer to have a 6 bulb T5 on a 75 though. I have an 8 bulb on mine. IMO and IME koralia pumps aren't - well, let's just say I have a few that just circulate 5 gal buckets. I use the magnets off of some of them to hold frag racks and stuff. Two WP25's would be a good choice; I have a 55 gal set up that way. They need to be cleaned often though for some reason. On my 75 gal. I've got a Koralia Smart Wave with two Sicce Voyagers - large ones. I've never had a Hydor skimmer so I can't comment on that. I have a Bubble Magus CS180; which I really like. And a 32 gal sump with a Mag7 return; which I've never had to clean in over 3 1/2 years, so it must do a pretty good job.

I'm not a rich person, so if you need help setting this up just ask.