My first SW tank..in the works (no pics yet)

[Brwestern]

Hey all, finally starting to make all my purchases for my first SW tank. Ive got my list and would love to hear if I need more or if the items I'm getting will be sufficient, and if you recommend better equipment.

Tank:
150g marine land deep dimension cube (36x36x24)
Sump:
Aqueon model 4 sump (40 gallon)
Pump:
Mag drive 12 (1200 gph )
Power heads:
2 hydor koralia evo 1400
Protein skimmer:
Red Sea C-Skim 1800
Lighting:
8 panorama 12w LED modules
150 lb live rock
100 lb live sand

My main "concern" is will the lighting be sufficient? I am trying to stay away from MH

I haven't decided on heater yet, any suggestions on how many(2) and wattage?

Can anyone think of any other "necessary" items I need ( other than tests etc, strictly tank equipment)

[headless]

Hey all, finally starting to make all my purchases for my first SW tank. Ive got my list and would love to hear if I need more or if the items I'm getting will be sufficient, and if you recommend better equipment.

Tank:
150g marine land deep dimension cube (36x36x24)
Sump:
Aqueon model 4 sump (40 gallon)
Pump:
Mag drive 12 (1200 gph )
Power heads:
2 hydor koralia evo 1400
Protein skimmer:
Red Sea C-Skim 1800
Lighting:
8 panorama 12w LED modules
150 lb live rock
100 lb live sand

My main "concern" is will the lighting be sufficient? I am trying to stay away from MH

I haven't decided on heater yet, any suggestions on how many(2) and wattage?

Can anyone think of any other "necessary" items I need ( other than tests etc, strictly tank equipment)


Sounds like a great tank! Make sure you get some snails with coralline on their shells to seed your tank...this will help it grow...also, I like Purple Up...really helps coralline algae growth...

[Brwestern]

Sounds like a great tank! Make sure you get some snails with coralline on their shells to seed your tank...this will help it grow...also, I like Purple Up...really helps coralline algae growth...
Good, thanks!

I haven't put a ton of thought into my CUC yet, but will once I get everything in.

[Brwestern]

So I just bought a Maxxima ro/DI unit. I'm not able to plumb much, as I rent my house, but have people had much luck hooking a unit up to a garden house outlet?

What do most people do with the waste water?

[Brwestern]

Still trying to decide about my lighting...anyone have any input on LED lighting modules?

[headless]

Still trying to decide about my lighting...anyone have any input on LED lighting modules?

I use compact fluorescents...like them. Have on a 92 gallon 1 65 Watt and two 95 (I think it is) Watt bulbs. One of the 95s is an actinic while the other two are 10k or a combination of 10k and something else...of course, I put them on timers to simulate morning, mid-day, evening, and night...at night, I have the moonlights and I also run red light so I can see what is going on but the critter can't see me!

I can really grow anything in there that I need...

I know most will say to go with metal halides...they are great too...

[anbosu]

Still trying to decide about my lighting...anyone have any input on LED lighting modules?

What kind of tank do you want to have? A reef tank? If so, what kinds of corals? That will drive the lighting requirements.

[Brwestern]

It will be a 150g cube 36x36x24 reef.

[anbosu]

Are you looking to build your own fixture or do you want to buy something pre made?

There are some pretty reasonable LED DIY kits out there now.

If not, for that type of tank I would recommend a MH fixture, they lend themselves well to cubes. I would not recommend any sort of PC lighting for a reef, it simply isn't intense enough for the more demanding corals. If you dont' want to do MH, there are a ton of T5 HO fixtures that are 36" in length.

[Brwestern]

I'm buying a pre made tank setup. Marine land deep dimension


I'm trying to go LED if I can. Trying to avoid MH just for the heat. Everything ive read and heard about LED is that it will be just fine.

I'll be using this LED assuming it will promote coral growth.

http://www.ecoxotic.com/products/panorama-led-lighting/panorama-led-fixtures.html

[Brwestern]

Ok, so after some reading, I think I may be going with a different skimmer.

I heard some good things about the c-skim, but then more negative than positive.... So I'm probably switching to a reef octopus skimmer. Only problem is, there are literally dozens of choices.

Does anyone know which model would be more than enough for a 150g?

[Brwestern]

Self bump :-(

[Fibinotchi]

You don't want to go to large on a skimmer, if you oversize it to much it can have trouble removing all the waste from your aquarium.

The lights look like they would do the trick, but I haven't spent the time researching led setups yet so hopefully someone with experience chimes in.

If it was me, I would probably do a high watt metal halide pendant hanging over the tank. But heat isn't an issue here like it probably is where your at.

[Brwestern]

Good advice on the skimmer. I looked at the options with reef octopus again, and I think the closest one is up to 200 g. Which is more than enough I think for my 150.

I've been talking to my LfS about the LED and he showed me a client that they built a tank for and has same lighting... Wow, just stunning. Great coral growth and beautiful colors.

He did say though to add a few stunner strips if I want to add some more variations...I'm sure I will.

I love the look the mH gives...but I'm not sure I want to deal with the heat/cost/expense in running it.

And oh yeah, it'll be 90 here before July.

[Brwestern]

Here's a stock pic of the tank... Still waiting for mine.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/detailed_image.cfm?pCatId=21462&large=/images/Categoryimages/larger/lg-71918-50595-fish-supply.jpg

Edit: well image doesn't work so:

[Indymann99]

Depending on your drain setup a Mag 12 may be a bit much. I recommend a Herbie or Bean drain design.

my 0.02

[Brwestern]

I will be running the herbie drain as I think I'll
Only have 2 holes drilled.

[Brwestern]

Well...scratch most of this... I'm changing up my buy list as I've read more and more. New post to follow.