Forgetting anything ?

[FullPull]

Hello all, my first reef tank is in the works...I'm trying to get all my equipment on hand before even thinking of live rock or sand. Just wanted to know if you could point out anything simple I may have overlooked. I still have time to order as I just finished my stand and currently working on my canopy.

My list of equipment is as follows:

55 gl AGA with corner overflow
29 gl sump
CSS 125 skimmer
Mag 7 return pump
2 MJ 600's (for extra flow)
Hydor THEO 150w Heater
Nova Extreme 4 x 54W's T5
Reef Keeper II Controller(for lights and powerheads)
Test kits
Hydrometer

[archer8681]

Maybe use 2 heaters instead of 1.

[acwilson]

You might want to look into getting a refractometer instead of a hydrometer, those things tend to be pretty inaccurate. 2 heaters might be a good idea, but probably not necessary.
What do you want to keep in there?

[FullPull]

Definately thinking of a refractometer in the near future. I forgot to mention also have a Pure-Flo II Ro unit ordered as well.

As far as livestock....mostly just interested in softies and perhaps a bubble tip anemone later down the road high in the tank.

To be completely honest, the fish don't really fascinate me at all. For me it's the crabs, shrimp and other inverts I truly find amazing

[UrbanSage]

Is that a list of equipment already purchased?
If not or if you can trade back, then I would go with some Seio's instead of Maxijets.

Better flow and less power consumptions.. Oh and better suctioncups :D

[FullPull]

UrbanSage...already ordered....Didn't know Seio's were in about the same price range. I may have to check on the return policy where I got the powerheads.

[UrbanSage]

I think they are more spendy. You would have to look into it :)
But I like mine and my five MJ's are now collecting dust.

[FullPull]

As long as they would stand up to being switched on and off, they do seem like a much nicer set up

[Jasontkd]

I would go with a refractometer instead of the hydrometer

[theatrus]

You're forgetting to have fun !!! ;)

But everything else looks fine :)

[FullPull]

Theatrus...you make a very good point.

I must admit, spending the initiall money is kind of enough to make you sick to the stomach...Ha Ha..

But it's something I have a great passion for and have always wanted to do so....I figured what the .....Why not just do it

Thanks all you guys...your opinions are valued greatly by me, for I know the responses are coming back from reef lovers as well, not just someone trying to sell everything they can.

[UrbanSage]

As far as Seio's turning on and off you have to ask someone else. I don't know.

I use a SCWD for my alternate flow. The Seio's are not being switched on and off.

[0p3n Brain]

Here's a few things that you might consider:

1) pH meter (because they're quick, accurate and all the pH test kits suck;))
2) 30 Gal Rubbermaid container for mixing salt
3)Auto top off - it takes a lot of discipline to add water every day (manually).
4) Calcium/Alkalinity supplementation system (either 2 part system like B-Ionic or Calcium Reactor)
5) APC UPS - keep a couple powerheads on UPS for power outages. Mine has run 2 maxi 1200's for over 4 hours during an outage. It's a fairly small insurance policy for your investment.

Hope that helps!
-Jim

[650-IS350]

Just go to lowes/HD and get the BRUTE 45gal plastic cans. They don't leak stuff to your water.

also a battery operated air pump also usefull incase of PO.

Seios also has the new multi controllers out for their powerheads..

[acwilson]

Seio's cannot be switched on and off... they won't last long if you do that. For the random flow on the seios you would need to get the seio controller, which is about $140-$170. You can mod the maxi-jets though... but I don't know much about that. I do know that there are kits you can get that are relativley cheap.

[jbittner]

Does the reefkeeper control the heaters?? If so make sure you use that option. Only truth about heaters is they all fail. T5 might be a little much for softies at first--make sure to acclimate them slowly--I like the window screen method

[jbittner]

Oh I forgot---have fun, take your time and take lots of pictures

[tpb31]

you didn't list a stand...j/k

I am a newb, so the only thing I could suggest is a digi camera so you can take pics and share with us.

[CMcNeil]

RO/DI water maker hands down.should be first on list.

[N8ster]

Turkey baster