160 Gallon Reef

[TrueBlueReefs]

Let me give you some back ground information. My name is Christian I've been in the hobby for close to 11 years now. My first tank was a 29 gallon bio-cube with PC lights. My current aquarium is a 160 gallon mixed reef aquarium with 4 ecoxotic led stunner strips 2x white,2x 460 blue I'm also running 3x 250watt MH. Let's start with the equipment.

Equipment list so far:
Tank - 84"x24"x 24" (160gallon)
Sump - Mars sump
Skimmer - open to ideas
Returns - two random pumps, they return 1600 gph in two returns on either side of the aquarium.
Powerheads -2 x hydor korallia but would like 2 x vortech mp60
Heater - 1 x 100 watt
RODI - Aquarium II system 100 ghp
LEDs - 4X ecoxotic led stunner strips
Controller - APEX ( don't own yet) open to ideas
ATO - open to ideas

The aquarium is currently set up with 4x ecoxotic led stunner strips and 3x 250 watt MH.
🐟🐠🐟🐠🐟
The sump
The skimmer that I will be using is unknown. I'm open to all suggestions on witch one to use, I will be haveing lots of SPScorals, GSP too ( my fencé loves it) and of corse anemones. As far as fish go I'm not sure yet.
That will come in time but I do have one pajama cardinal, one sailfin tang, one dimand goby, 2 yellow prawn gobys, one Bellus Angelfish (Genicanthus bellus) its a beautiful fish. 🐠🐠

I am going to be using a Neptune systems APEX gold. It will control lights, heater auto top off pump, the 2 x vortech mp60, my lighting systems and dousing systems I don't know much about them so if any one uses the systems and has some input that would be amazing.
I want to used the douser for zooplankton, carbon, and I was thinking calcium.

I know I'm forgetting something but I'm not sure what just yet. No pictures of anything just yet but soon.


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v9ghtqab1la42it/AACi4AvqZGm0Huv4BDXVFZVSa?dl=0






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[Troy Valentine]

I love the 84"x24"x24" foot print. (Only if that is your foot print you have a 210 gallon, not a 160.) I wish I went with this instead of my 96"x24"x24". IMO the flow characteristics are much better in your system. You could easily use 2-MP40s for circulation. That is what I use, and with them at 100% they can barley do the job. Also your return pumps will provide added flow to the sides of the long tank.
For your ATO I would recommend the Tunze Osmolator, I've been using this system for well over a decade, and its been relatively trouble free. However I am on my 2nd unit. But now that you can pick whatever pump you would like as your ATO pump it is a much better system.

This set up has tons of potential! Especially since you are going with MH/LED combo. You are smart to take it slow. Good Luck!

[fuzzybob4]

I actually just measured the tank it's 84x24Wx 22tall but the corners of the tank are not corners it's aculy angled at like 75°
Yeah I think I need to upgrade the MH bulbs to new ones.
yeah I have to add about 5 gallons of water to the aquarium about every 3-4days. I need an ato system.

[fuzzybob4]

27061
With just leds on.

[klwheat]

Just a thought...if you're using the apex, you could just add a float switch (or 2) and a pump of your choice...no need to buy an expensive ato separately. Also, as mentioned above, I'd go with 2 mp40s instead of the mp60s...I think that might be overkill. I have been playing with the setup for my apex for a few months now and would be happy to help.

[fuzzybob4]

I was thinking the mp60 because I can always make them slow down and hopefully I can make them copy natral ocean currents in the aquarium.
I will have to save up for an apex system.