What to buy??

[mabel_photo6]

On Saturday, I bought a 100 gallon tank from Alamo Aquatics.
I'm trying to figure out what equipment I would like.
Some are not so hard to pick like a heater... I already bought 2 Koralia #3.
I would love your opinions!!

I need help picking model and brands of:
Water pump for the refugium and another to do water changes
Lighting (I would like T5 unless you guys have suggestions)

Someone suggested Nova over at Alamo Aquatics... what do you guys think?
(I'll be having soft corals in my tank.)

[CoryDude]

Will you be using a sump? If so, a Precision Marine Skimmer is a very good skimmer at a reasonable price. Plus, they're made in Texas.

A four bulb t-5 fixture would do nice for most your softies. The tek lights by sunlight supply are pretty nice. You can hang them or mount them on optional legs.

An automatic top off will simply things. Personally, I use the tunze brand, but there's a few good ones out there.

Tons more to suggest, but you'll get some good advice from everyone. Setting up a new tank is the best part of the hobby. Have fun and good luck.

[mabel_photo6]

Will you be using a sump? If so, a Precision Marine Skimmer is a very good skimmer at a reasonable price. Plus, they're made in Texas.

A four bulb t-5 fixture would do nice for most your softies. The tek lights by sunlight supply are pretty nice. You can hang them or mount them on optional legs.

An automatic top off will simply things. Personally, I use the tunze brand, but there's a few good ones out there.

Tons more to suggest, but you'll get some good advice from everyone. Setting up a new tank is the best part of the hobby. Have fun and good luck.

Thanks! I'll look up that auto top off. It'll save me some headaches!!
I'll be doing the refugium actually. Will that skimmer still be compatible?? I totally forgot to add a skimmer to my list. lol

[CoryDude]

The Eheim pumps are also good return pumps. The 1262 would work for your tank size.

They also make smaller compact series pumps. The smallest one can do 80gph and is adjustable so you can go slower. May work on your fuge. They have a model that does 160 gph and can be adjusted lower also.

[CoryDude]

Have you seen the refugium/sump that Gabe's using on his main coral tank? That is a 2 level sump that would let you have a fuge and a place for a skimmer in one unit. I believe a local guy named Dan makes them.

[mabel_photo6]

Have you seen the refugium/sump that Gabe's using on his main coral tank? That is a 2 level sump that would let you have a fuge and a place for a skimmer in one unit. I believe a local guy named Dan makes them.

Yes indeed. :D I loved the silencer idea!! I'll be talking to Gabe for my refugium/sump. :applause:

[mabel_photo6]

Okay, I'm going to S.A. this Saturday to pick up my tank.
I also want to pick up as much equipment to complete my system.
(I'll be paying with a credit card.)

I need:
Heater(s)
Live rock (Phenomenal Aquatics for this! :bigsmile:)
Live sand
Skimmer
Eheim pump(s) for refugium and to do water changes
Tunze top off (does this have to be attached to an RO system?)
RO system (where I can easily find replacements for the cartridges)

I want to get my system started asap.
I'm super excited!
I want to get as much stuff as I need to lessen the amount of trips out there.
If there's anything from that list I've missed out, let me know.
Overflow box and refugium are being discussed. :ph34r:

P.S. I'm totally new with what lives beneath the tank. lol I get overwhelmed when I see those with pvc piping all over. So yeah, cut me some slack... I'm here to learn. :hypnotyized:

[mabel_photo6]

Yes, I am fast. lol
Thank you Gabe!

[blindside]

Sorry if all my pvc confused you! Just know, my system is totally different from the route your going. :) you will do ok

[mabel_photo6]

Yeah, your pvc confused me a little blindside. lol
I hope I'm doing everything right.
So far, so good! I'm going to take pictures of my stuff as it starts to come in.
I have to wait for my refugium and overflow box get made.
Then I have to wait for things I order.
I just hope the move goes smoothly.

[Crazyeyes]

Take your time, as for lighting joelb has 150w giesemann halides. I would contact him see if he has two of them and pick them up they are a smoking deal and they are top of the line fixtures. As far as a sump ace aka hobogato makes them and they are great you can have a two part sump, where one location for the fuge and the other side for the skimmer. That is what I currently have on my tank, it's one sump, a little bit simpler then a two piece sump. I have a 35g sump for my 100g tank, with an iwaki return pump. 3 koralia 4's, 4 koralia 3's as far as circulation in my tank. You can get away with an hob( hang on the back) skimmer for your tank if you decide you want more room for algae.

[mabel_photo6]

Well the refugium, I'm talking to Gabe about that. I loved the one he had on his main tank. What won me over was the silencer. lol I'm not sure how big it's going to be. I would love to know so I can find a light for it.

I haven't bought lights yet and I was even thinking about Current USA Sundial for the main tank... it has timers and there's 3 actinic and 3 daylight. I'm not really looking for halides because of the heat and price. But I'm only doing soft corals so T5s should be good. I'm thinking about ordering them from marinedepot.com.

Someone had told me they had a Koralia #3 and Koralia #4 but that's because he wanted "a lot" of current. So I only bought 2 Koralia #3s. After reading what you have in your 100 gallon tank, makes me think twice. lol I'll probably end up adding my Koralia #1 somewhere in there since I'm keeping it. I'll be selling my BioCube 29 after the upgrading.

To be honest, I'm totally new at this so it's a little much to take in. Most of it is familiar but I've never had a refugium under the tank or a huge saltwater tank! lol I've only been in saltwater since January so yeah my mind races a lot and thinks of the different things I need. *sigh* But I'm sure I'll get everything I need.

[Crazyeyes]

If you going with t5's here is a sight that might help you out on bulb selection. http://tfivetesting.googlepages.com/bulbs good luck with the tank.

[Ping]

You do not need live sand. Save your money and go with dry sand. I prefer sugar fine (Oolitic) Aragonite, one inch deep for the display. If you think the current in the system will ever be "high flow" #2 sized sand is the better option as it will not blow around as much.

[mabel_photo6]

Thanks Crazyeyes, site is helpful.

Well I'll look into the sand then. Thanks Ping.

[Rychek]

I haven't bought lights yet and I was even thinking about Current USA Sundial for the main tank... it has timers and there's 3 actinic and 3 daylight. I'm not really looking for halides because of the heat and price. But I'm only doing soft corals so T5s should be good. I'm thinking about ordering them from marinedepot.com.


Keep in mind that you can keep anything under T5 if your tank isn't too deep (24" or less). However, individual reflectors are necessary to get the full potential of each bulb. The Sundial is a good low/mid range fixture, but it doesn't have true individual reflectors. Also, if the timers stop working, the light is either stuck on, or off (depending on how the internal switch sticks). I'm not saying don't get it; just read some reviews and make yourself aware of the track record for the fixture.

As for skimmers, I would recommend an in sump model. Hang ons are convenient at times, but they can't compete with an in-sump. I've had a good experience with Octopus skimmers. Not too expensive and pull a lot of gunk out of the tank.

my $.02

[ErikH]

On the sundial timers, there is a tiny switch that you can flip to turn them on. Bad part is the Sundial only has one cord, so after the timers go (THEY ARE TERRIBLE TIMERS) you can only have lights on or lights off. For the price I would get some 150w Metal Halide RetroFit Kits. To me Metal Halides terrorize T5s. Sure T5s may put out ample PAR, but, they don't shimmer, and the closer your rocks are to your lights, the more you can see a differentiation in color on the rocks from the different colored bulbs. You see "color lines" across your rocks unless the spectrums of the bulbs are close. PITA!

150w Double Ended (HQI) Halides should grow any soft corals with ease. 250W DE HQI will grow SPS on your sand.

I have both types of lighting, and overall, the halides are better to me.

ECb0mCE7Y64

Thats a video I made awhile back. On that tank I use the halide just for dawn and dusk effect. It looks wicked awesome in my opinion.

[mabel_photo6]

Ahhhhhhh lol Well I'm scared ... well not scared just concerned about the heat MH produce. This will be at my boyfriend's house since most of my time is spent there. I don't want it to cause a problem with the heating.

I like the Current Sundial but I hadn't thought of the one plug... if the timer goes wrong, I'm a little screwed. Hmm well if I considered MH, which model or brand have you guys had good experiences?

Same goes with T5. What model do you guys recommend?

I'm trying to figure out if I have to order the lights or if I can find someone who's selling a used one maybe.

[mabel_photo6]

That is a really cool video ScorpINO!

[mabel_photo6]

Bump!

I've thought of choosing between T5 and MH.
I've read of those adding chillers to their tanks.
So that made me really lean towards the T5.
I have a feeling I'm going to have to order this.
The only place I will order from is from Drs. Foster & Smith, That Pet Place, Marine Depot, and Pet Solutions.

Any recommendations on a T5 model? I'm sort of digging Current USA.
And as mentioned, I had looked stuff up and ran into Current Sundial but was warned by ScorpINO and would really like something I can count on.
Where do you guys order your lights... online?

[mabel_photo6]

What about this?? Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO
It's lights have individual reflectors. 3 Daylight and 3 actinic.

https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?category=Current_USA_Nova_Extreme _Pro_T5HO_10k_460nm_Actinics_20_Inch_T5_Fluorescen t_Light_Fixtures&vendor=Current_USA&idProduct=CU01083&IdCategory=FILTFIT5T5&tab=2

I've been looking like crazy for a lighting system for my soon to be 100 gallon tank.
If you have had a good experience with a certain brand, please do share.
It's hard to pick something without knowing if it's going to give me problems.
Especially when I have to travel for my equipment. :angry:

[Gseclipse02]

the reflector looks like one sheet ... i would prefer each bulb to have there own reflector


What about this?? Current USA Nova Extreme Pro T5HO
It's lights have individual reflectors. 3 Daylight and 3 actinic.

https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?category=Current_USA_Nova_Extreme _Pro_T5HO_10k_460nm_Actinics_20_Inch_T5_Fluorescen t_Light_Fixtures&vendor=Current_USA&idProduct=CU01083&IdCategory=FILTFIT5T5&tab=2

I've been looking like crazy for a lighting system for my soon to be 100 gallon tank.
If you have had a good experience with a certain brand, please do share.
It's hard to pick something without knowing if it's going to give me problems.
Especially when I have to travel for my equipment. :angry:

[mabel_photo6]

Well it says this in the description:

Individually contoured reflectors for maximum light intensity

I checked other websites and they say the same.
Really hope they do have their own reflector. lol
This light might be the chosen one!