New setup, new to the hobby

[archer8681]

Wow, great forums!! I've been reading alot in here, and learning quite a bit!

I'm sorta new to this, so please forgive me if I sound dumb.

Ok, on to my setup/project!

http://i9.*******.com/2n24c52.jpg

Tank - 90 gal reef ready All Glass 48x24x18 - This is all I have, aside from the stand. I plan on a fish only tank, although I may somewhere down the road go reef. My lighting is the basic 48" 3x 32 watt fixture from All Glass. I'll worry about better lighting later if I decide to go reef.

Now its time for me to purchase my equipment and I was hoping on some feed back as to quality and choices. I plan on running the Protin Skimmer inside the sump.

Sump - Euro-fil 125 or Euro-fil 180 (the 180 is 6" longer and should fit in the cabinet with room to spare. Its also rated for a tank 2x my size. Is it worth the extra $50 for more volume and the ability to place more LR in it? or will the 125 be sufficient ?)

Skimmer - ASM G Series G1-X / G-2 ( if I go with the bigger sump, would i need the G-2 to accomidate the added volume?)

Pump - Rio Hyper Flow Rio 32 F - 1920 gph@ 1' / 1500 gph @4' (This would me my main pump and would feed into the return already built into the tank. Everything I read says to use 2, but I was thinking that 2 powerheads inside the tank would aid in flow. I want to keep the inside of the tank, and the area outside and behind the tank clean. I really dont want additional plumbing outside. I paid extra for the reef ready tank, and i want to utilize the plumbing that is built in. Would I consider 2 pumps in the sump feeding into a 'Y' connector that feed into the built in return?)

Heaters - Ebo-Jager 2x - 150watt (Each is rated for tanks 80-120 gal. I was planning on putting these in the sump. Is this a good or bad idea? Again I want the tank to have as little equipment in it as possible)

UV Sterilizer - Current 15 watt - rated up to 150 gallons or 25 watt rated up to 250 gallons. (should I start off with a UV sterilizer?? or see if one is need at a later date? and would I plumb this between the pump and the main return to the tank?)

Live Rock - 100lbs
Live Sand - 2" bed (is this enough?) 2"= 90 lbs / 3"= 135lbs

Any input /advise would really be welcome!!

Thanks,

Dave

[michaeldaly]

Welcome To Reef Central, Hope you enjoy your stay.

I dont think the larger skimmer would be needed, but it all depends on how heavily you plan to stock your aquarium.

Maby you could consider going with a different pump, I have heard many bad things aboout RIO's

UV is not vital, most people run tanks without them. I would start without it and consider it later.

[MCary]

I'm not a big fan of live sand. Mostly because of the expense. I would spend the money if I thought it yielded a significant benefit, but a little dry sand and paitence is just as good if you ask me.

With a big skimmer, big sump, and 100 pounds of liverock, it seems a shame not to make it a reef. I have had really good luck with a Aquamedic light fixture with 2 250 watt mh 10,000k w/ 2 54 w t5's actinic.

Mike

[archer8681]

Thanks for some fast replies!!

Hmm, what recommendations for a different pump?? GenX? other?


I'm making the setup so that a transition to reef would be simple with better lighting. As it is, this setup is costing alot. :( My intentions are to go with fish that would be compatible with a reef setup.

[MCary]

If your going with an insump pump, Eheim (I believe my 950 gph is the model #1262) is probably the best. I also have a Mag 9.5 which is also a good pump for about 1/3 less that the Eheim. Rio have been the topic of some horror stories. I never had one so I can't vouch for them.

External pumps, the Little Giants are economical and never steered me wrong. The Iwaki is considered the cadillac, especially with the japanese motor. I have heard good things about GenX. They are basically all the same. A motor turning a magnet that turns an impeller. Since the motor has no direct contact with the water, the worse that can happen is probably the brushes go out in the motor and it quits. Whereas a Rio that burns up can leak its innards into the water.

Mike

[ERICN]

I would not go smaller on the skimmer myself it is to important I would go for the G3 if anything

[archer8681]

Ok Eheim 1262 it is! Only about $40 more than the Rio I was looking at.

I think that of the ASM G Series skimmers, the G-2 would be the largest I could fit height wise in the cabinet under my tank. It is 21.25" tall, the G-3 is 25".

Dave

[theatrus]

I think a G2 should be just fine for a 90gal.

About the sump, have you considered using a smaller aquarium or rubbermaid tub and some DIY? It can help save on the really high initial cost of many aquariums. Those pre-built sumps can be more than the tank its self :-/

[archer8681]

I'm horrible with DIY stuff. I'm dreading the plumbing setup for fear I will screw it up! Looks like the G-2 !! thanks

Dave

[InvaderJim]

The plumbing shouldn't be hard at all. I have the same tank sitting right behind me. Althought mine has a canopy with 3 110W VHO Actinic Whites, and 3 110W VHO Super Actinic Bulbs. ;)

[archer8681]

Thanks for the vote of confidence!!:thumbsup:

[ken6217]

i don't know how much flow your main pump will have by the time it reaches your tank, but the maximum flow it can handle is 600 gph. I just went through this with my tank.
Ken

[newreefbishop]

I swore the 90 gallon had 800 gph overflow.....I have a 65 and that has 600 gph overflow......gosh i cant wait to get my new pump....

[Randall_James]

Well if no one else did :)
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
archer8681

And I like using live sand (even store bought) as it tends to do a lot less clumping later for some reason.

The overflow you have should feed your skimmer and sump, it will not handle the flow of the tank however. 90G is going to want at least 1800Gph and so either a closed loop or powerheads are going to be needed. Your sump/skimmer will want around 400-600Gph (about right for the overflow)

Sure wish I had new stuff to play with :)

[archer8681]

I was planning on 2 powerheads in the tank. (Maxi Jet MP 1200 - 295 gph) They would just be moving the water in the tank and wouldnt be bringing water from the sump. Would that work? The Ehiem should be strong enough to match the flow from the overflow. (right?) Will I have enough flow?

[MCary]

You would be amazed at how many problems go away with just a little more flow. I consider it second to lighting. I didn't realize how important it was until I went SPS and boosted mine to 6000 gph. Suddenly half my problems just went away and my corals opened up like spring time in a flower garden. I know they are expensive, but I always recommend tunze's. You don't need the big ones on a controller for a $grand. A couple of 6060 streams for $137 would be great. Even one would be better than the 2 maxi jets.

My 2 cents

Mike

[Randall_James]

I think Mcary suggested the 1262 and that looks to be a good match from what I can find, (their flow charts are awful)

I am also on board for the Tunze units if you can afford them, otherwise maybe the Seio's? I would get at least another 1800Gph flow added on the flow from the sump.

Flow is your friend :)

[archer8681]

hmmm

2x Seio M1500 (1500gph ea) @$70 ea is a little more affordable than the 2x Tunze 6060. $140 vs $274 which is still more than what I was looking at with the 2x maxi jets.

I can live the the cost of the 2x Seio M1500. (just dont tell my wife what all this is costing me!!!)

So 2 x 1500gph + 600 to 800 from the Ehiem 1262 = 3600 to 3800 gph. Good enough flow?

Dave

[MCary]

Very good. You'll be happier with that.

[Shagsbeard]

I have a Gen-X30 that pumps about 800 gal/hour through my sump... a bit of overkill. It's pretty noisy, but that's probably my plumbing skills or lack there of and not the fault of the pump.

[archer8681]

Haha, then mine should be louder than yours!

Thanks to Randal & Mike, and everyone else for all your help!
This is a great community, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

I guess the next step is shopping the prices on all this equip to see if I can save a few bucks here and there.

[archer8681]

EDITED SETUP

Tank - 90 gal reef ready All Glass 48x24x18

Lighting - 48" 3x 32 watt fixture from All Glass (FOWLR)

Sump - Euro-fil 180 - $200

Skimmer - ASM G Series G-2 - $273

Pump - Ehiem 1262 ( 900gph ) - $130

Powerheads - 2x Seio M1500 - $70 x 2 = $140

Heaters - Ebo-Jager 2x - 150watt (Each is rated for tanks 80-120 gal) - $19 x 2 = $38

UV Sterilizer - Current 25 watt rated up to 250 gallons. (Set up, but not using during the cycling) - $119

Equip Total - $ 900 ( ack !!!!)

Live Rock - 100lbs
Live Sand - 2" bed (is this enough?) 2"= 90 lbs / 3"= 135lbs

If anyone has more input or advise for me, I'd love to hear it!!

Thanks,

Dave

[Randall_James]

cant wait till we do the lights :lol: how about a new high tech LED setup? Hey if we are not telling your wife already.... whats another couple grand :)

Oh check with http://premiumaquatics.com for prices as well. They do a pretty decent job and are even good about returns when there are problems

[archer8681]

LOL Randall!!!

I looked those LED's up. 48" Solaris is like $2,400!! Now I want one! Maybe Christmas '07

:bigeyes:

[Tiki G.]

Keep posting pics!

[savethereef]

For a skimmer remeber ASM over rates there skimmer for your 90 gallon i would go with a ASM G2 i just got it last month and did a gate valve mod and omg the stuff it pulls out is NASTY lol. As for lights if you can just jump into MH lights you cannot beat the shimmer effect on the water. check out this site and you can get a good idea on how it looks www.reefvideos.com