Please review my full setup plan - Newbie looking for feedback

[jjz_13]

Hi - I am just getting into the aquarium hobby and have been doing a lot of research lately. Most of it has been through books and forums like this. I have definitely learned a lot, but it would be nice to get some feedback from some seasoned veterans about the whole setup, rather than just on individual items and methods.

What I am trying to do is set up a 150gal reef tank (I know - maybe a bit large for a beginner, but I've read bigger is easier and I know I would want to upgrade soon anyway.) I want to do things the right way, so I've figured out most of the items I need to make this work. I would really appreciate any feedback you could give me on some of this equipment and my plan of attack.

I plan to go slowly, stocking my tank one species at a time and then moving on to corals and probably other fish. For each species, I plan to quarantine them for 3-4 weeks before placing into the main tank - in this order.

1 6-line wrasse
2 Clark's Clownfish (with anemone)
6 Green Chromis
1 Kole's Tang
1 Yellow Tang

Questions about stocking:
I believe I should quarantine these separately per species (i.e. quarantine all the chromis at once) so they can all be introduced to the main tank at once. Is this correct? What about the Clownfish? Are they going to be okay together in a 10gal tank for a few weeks?
Also - when I introduce the Clownfish, should I put in the anemone at the same time or wait to add that until I start adding corals? Should it be 2 anemones?


Questions about equipment:
Besides the obvious buckets, plumbing supplies, food, additives, what else am I missing on this list?
I want to paint my tank black on one side. Is it okay to paint a glass tank? What type of paint should I use? I don't want acrylic, because I'm afraid my kids will scratch it up.
I live in FL, but I keep my house air conditioned at 75 degrees, so I don't think I'm going to need a chiller. Any thoughts on that?

Here are the items on my shopping list - most are being bought online, the rest are from an LFS ("Marine Warehouse" in Tampa). I have provided links to the equipment where I can. Again - any feedback on any of this equipment would be appreciated, and also suggestions on different items/brands.


Cabinet/Canopy
-Dayton Cabinets (eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7755829685)- I already received this and am in the process of staining it. If you are looking for a good-priced tank stand and canopy, and don't mind applying the finish yourself, I highly recommend this one.

Tank
-All-Glass 150gal, 72"long x 18"deep x 29"high (pre-drilled)

Substrate (to create a 4" sand bed)
-120 lbs CaribSea Arag-Alive
-120 lbs Aragonite Reef Substrate

Live Rock
-200lbs Fiji Base Rock (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7759976146)
-will probably buy a couple of smaller pieces of Tonga or something from the local shop to decorate

Mechanical Filtration
-Model 200 Berlin Sump (not sure who makes this - looks like about a 20 gallon sump - no Bio-media)
-Little Giant 4-MDQ-SC Pump (for return)

Chemical Filtration
-Protein Skimmer -RS-135 EuroReef

Lighting - combination of Metal Halides(3x250watt), Compact Flourescent(2x96watt), 2 moonlights
-2 Coralife 36 Inch AquaLight Compact Fluor. Retrofit Kit w/ 1-96W 50/50 Lamp Square Pin (https://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES01690)
-Retrofit System - 250W 10000K Ushio (https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104300.html)
-Retrofit System - 2-250W 10000K Ushio (https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104301.html)
-2 R2 Solutions Moonlight 11000 MC (https://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=RM1111)
-2 Ice Cap Canopy Fan, 4 inch (http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/fans.html)

Water Movement
-4 Rio SEIO M1100 Super Flow Pumps - only 2 will run at a time, alternating every 15min (https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/pumps/104671.html)

Temp Control
-2 TS Series Heater 200 watts (https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/heaters/100156.html)

Water/Salt
-Instant Ocean
-125GPD Reverse Osmosis Water Filter (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4454548130)

Misc (Timers for lighting and powerheads, test equipment, etc)
-Coralife Power Center Single Timer (https://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES01690)
-2 Coralife Power Center Dual Timer (https://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES01691)
-Rid-Volt Titanium Grounding Probe (https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/misc/103488.html)
-American Marine Pinpoint Wireless Thermometer w/ One Remote Sensor (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AM1131)
-SeaTest Hydrometer (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AS2141)
-Hagen Master Test Kit (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=HG17860)
-Net
-Gravel Vacuum
-10gal Quarantine Tank


If you've read this far down on this post, thank you for your time and thanks even more if you can provide any feedback/advice. In a few months, I hope I'll be proud enough to post some pictures on this thread...

[gvibes]

Lots to cover, and I don't know much, but:
- That RO/DI doesn't look any good (research on this forum - tons of discussion)
- Those retro kits look pretty pricey for what you get
You can almost get Reef Optix I or IIIs w/ a decent ballast and the Ushio for that price.

Also, someone will probably correct me, but 29" deep may be approaching 400W territory.

Those IceCap fans also seem really expensive for what you get.

That's all I got at first glance.

[Stile2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7214879#post7214879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jjz_13
1 6-line wrasse
2 Clark's Clownfish (with anemone)
6 Green Chromis
1 Kole's Tang
1 Yellow Tang

Looks like a nice beginning list.

Questions about stocking:
I believe I should quarantine these separately per species (i.e. quarantine all the chromis at once) so they can all be introduced to the main tank at once. Is this correct? What about the Clownfish? Are they going to be okay together in a 10gal tank for a few weeks?
Also - when I introduce the Clownfish, should I put in the anemone at the same time or wait to add that until I start adding corals? Should it be 2 anemones?

Quarantine is a huge debate. I personally won't quarantine the Clowns, good long drip acclimation, at least 1 hour (to get the fish used to your water) then straight to the tank. I would also put the anemone in at least a week before the Clowns. Let the anemone get settled and then hopefully the clowns will host. Just one anemone. When you get a pair of clowns get one larger than the other. The larger will become female.

I would quaratine species separately, I have read of people that have had problems with fighting.

I would worry about the Tangs in a 10 gallon. Do some research on short (2 week) quarantine and copper treatment in QT.


Questions about equipment:
I want to paint my tank black on one side. Is it okay to paint a glass tank? What type of paint should I use? I don't want acrylic, because I'm afraid my kids will scratch it up.
I live in FL, but I keep my house air conditioned at 75 degrees, so I don't think I'm going to need a chiller. Any thoughts on that?


I painted my glass tank black with Kyron Fusion (meant for plastic, but worked great.) chiller? Just wait and see, I guess. I live in SoCal and no whole house Air, I had no choice. I agree about acrylic, I have a 6 and a 3 year old.


Substrate (to create a 4" sand bed)

I would go with a 1/2" to 1" sand bed and refugium.


Water Movement
-4 Rio SEIO M1100 Super Flow Pumps - only 2 will run at a time, alternating every 15min (https://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/pumps/104671.html)

I won't use Rio, look into Seio's or Tunze's.



HTH Keith

[Stile2]

Check out these lights, I have them on a 24" deep tank and loads of light in there.

http://diyreef.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=83

And way cheaper.

Keith

[Stile2]

Also check out these RODI, a bit more money, but you just saved $100 on lights:D

http://www.melevsreef.com/ro_di.html

Keith

[Teeka]

I live across the state in Palm Bay. I do need a chiller. I keep the house at 76. My lights are 2 x 250 HQI MH and 2x54 w T5's anetics. My chiller clicks on abit.

[Stile2]

Two more things. Do not go with the Hagen Test Kit. Really a piece. Salifert is the best for the money.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_test_kits_salifert.asp?CartId=

Also save the $7 and spend the extra money to get a refractometer. The swing arm meter are not accurate at all. Plus the refractometer will last forever.

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_thermometers_refractometers_hydrometers_captive_purity_refractometer.asp?CartId=

Keith

[reverendmaynard]

Those power centers are known to have the timers fail quickly. Also, there have been quite a few complaints about them catching fire! Look into getting a controller instead of all the miscelaneous monitors timers and heaters.

[MCary]

I wouldn't waste money on Agra-alive sand. The only life on it is bacteria and any dry sand will have bacteria in it in a month or so.

The base-rock might be cheap but it'll come with alot of small pieces and rubbble. The last time I bought rock, I bought large and show sized pieces. If you can afford it, its the only way to go.

Having used all three, I prefer T5's and VHO to power compacts. Power Compacts are hot and don't last as long, T5 are brighter, especially with good reflectors and VHO has the prettiest actinics.

my 2 cents

Mike

[jjz_13]

Hey - thanks very much to all of you for the advice. This site is great.

[grendl]

I woudl also check purelyh20.com for RO/DI. You wont regret the decision to buy from Bryan, I cannot tell you how great his customer service is... Its the best I have gotten, ever, no questions.

[goda]

dont use sios. i know some one said do nt suse rio lookinto sio or tunze but since rio makes sio


my seio stoped working in a month and i had only salt water inthe tnak.. nothing jammed it there junk and cannot be used on a timer without failing.
look into tunze or the vortec by icecap. both are good but tunze has been around alot longer and vortec pumps are still very new.