Upgrade to 75 gallon equipment help

[starypotter]

Hi everyone,
I'm upgrading to a reef ready 75 gallon tank, it's the standard Aqueon tank with overflow box. I'm getting it cleaned up now, have to reseal it, and build a stand before it's ready go get started, but I want to know what sort of equipment I'm going to need.

The skimmer I have will work, it's a Curve 5. I've got a 200 Watt heater, I'll be getting another.

• Most importantly- What size pump do I need? It's a 600 GPH overflow box. So does that mean I should get a pump that's rated 600GPH, less than that? More than that? I plan to split the return so some is going back to the tank, some to the refugium which will overflow back into the tank.
• I have a black box light that's got a 24x24 spread, I could get another of the same or does anyone have experience mixing different lights on the same tank? I'll probably stick with another black box but I'm curious if anyone has different lights and what they look like.
• Also do I need any sort of reactor? I don't plan on keeping SPS corals, but I do like some LPS, and have softies. I have a phosphate problem last I ran my numbers, so I'm thinking if I get the BRS double reactor I could put whatever carbon, phosguard, whatever I want in there, it's not just restricted to carbon and GFO right?
• I want to get an ATO, but I don't want to spend a ton of money, I've already spent so much and while it's great to have, I don't really want to go crazy here. Some of the full setups are 100s of dollars, and I'm not willing to spend that right now on an 'extra'. 60 on this however I wouldn't mind. I'm thinking I could plug in my aqualift to this and use it as an ATO. My only concern is that it says it has a 5 minute detection delay. So does that mean if my water dips below the level, the pump turns on and fills it up in a minute, that it won't turn the pump off for another 4 minutes? If you have any other suggestions, that would be great.
• Anything else that I should be considering? I plan on having a refugium and sump.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Check out my build thread. I also have a 75g so it may give younsome ideas. I would suggest 2 BB led lights ober the rank for a soft and lps reef, they will work just fine. Getting a cheap RKL controller will do any funtions you need including being the ATO, light times and heater comtroller and saves a lot of money in the long run.

 

[starypotter]

Check out my build thread. I also have a 75g so it may give younsome ideas. I would suggest 2 BB led lights ober the rank for a soft and lps reef, they will work just fine. Getting a cheap RKL controller will do any funtions you need including being the ATO, light times and heater comtroller and saves a lot of money in the long run.

heater controler? I've never heard of that why would someone want to time their heater? checking out your thread now

 

[starypotter]

Anyone have any input on the choices?

 

[Stonekeg]

heater controler? I've never heard of that why would someone want to time their heater? checking out your thread now

I'd guess that most folks don't need it, but it has its uses. One benefit is less on/off cycling for the heater. A feature like that probably gets more use if there is a chiller attached to the unit, though. You wouldn't want both units constantly fighting each other.

 

[starypotter]

I'd guess that most folks don't need it, but it has its uses. One benefit is less on/off cycling for the heater. A feature like that probably gets more use if there is a chiller attached to the unit, though. You wouldn't want both units constantly fighting each other.

Sounds like something I don't have to worry about, I don't really live in an environment where a chiller would probably be necessary so I don't plan on getting a chiller.