Equipment for new 75?

[blazeyreef]

well in 6 months I get to upgrade to a 75 (so excited!!!) and have never had a tank bigger than 29gallons so I need a little help on deciding what equipment to get. this is what I THINK I want?

fluval XP3? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...2&N=2004+22777
Ehim Classic 2217 http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...294966894&Ne=2
(im leaning torwards the ehim)

Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel 65 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113771
SeaClone SCPS100 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113771

lighting, how about this? it gives me 3.5 wpg
http://cgi.ebay.com/48-Power-Compact...QQcmdZViewItem
250 stealth heater

does this sound good? also how much more sand should I get? I have 40 pounds of agralive stuff in the 29, so how much for a 75?

thanks a ton

[MT79]

fluval XP3?.....Ehim Classic

A 20 gal or larger DIY sump/fuge combo would be a much, much better choice. Better filtration(macros algae for export, more sytem water volume= less pollution) hides ugly equipment, etc-many, many benefits. Here is a great link w/ a lot of info on DIY sumps, and great info in general- http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html
If your interested in DIY I have a pic in my gallery showing my set-up. It's fairly simple and effective.

lighting, how about this? it gives me 3.5 wpg

I much prefer the look of VHO lamps over PC. I think many people would agree.
You get what you pay for w/ skimmers. Avoid the seaclone IMO/ IME. I have no experience w/ the coralife and have never heard anything good about it either. Read first sentence again lol.

also how much more sand should I get? I have 40 pounds of agralive stuff in the 29,

I used 80 lbs and that got me about 3". You could use a little less IMO to give more room for animals, LR and be ok. I would not recommend using your old sand. Nutrients tend to be a problem in reefs, especially over time, and that is one of the primary places they accumulate. Best to buy new and start over clean. Just add a couple pounds of the old LS to seed the new sand.

[melosu58]

Originally Posted by MT79

I much prefer the look of VHO lamps over PC. I think many people would agree.

I know I agree. VHO are much better and if you get the URI brand with the internal reflectors the you`ll have much more light in your tank. Here is a good link on what you`ll need in the tank.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=76139

[Ziggy953]

I agree with the guys above! Drop the canister filters and go with a DIY sump/fuge. You and your reef will like the results! VHO or those new T5s are a good idea. PC lights get expensive and IMO don't do a very good job over time. I have a 260w PC fixture that is sitting in my fish room collecting dust because one of the ballasts failed after only 4 months of use. A DIY lighting system would be better as you can change out parts as needed rather then a complete system that has to be scrapped or sent back to the manufacturer.

Don't use your old sand! It is a nasty mess trust me. Take a little to seed your tank and fuge (since you are going to be putting one in right?) and buy new sand.

I wouldn't skimp on the skimmer either. AS has been stated many times, you get what you pay for. Upgrade...spend a little money on your skimmer and save a lot of headache later!

[blazeyreef]

I would love to do a sump...but my father would never in a million years let me do so (he is doing the 75 so I will take down all the other tanks) so I dont think I have much of an option....
this is what stinks about being a 15 year old fish enthusiest

[Marc118]

Skip both that skimmer and that cannister and get a AC Remora. You could also to a HOB fuge somewhere down the line.

[Ziggy953]

The cost of doing a sump and fuge is nothing if you do it yourself. I have a 20g tank as my fuge ($30) I have a 10g tank as my return tank ($10) and I have the wet/dry mistake (15g). All of these fit nicely under my tank in my stand. It's not like having additional tanks they are part of the natural filtration of the tank. Tell you dad that if he is helping foot the bill to put nice animals in this tank that spending a little bit of money to help the HEALTH of those animals just makes good sense. I promise it isn't expensive at all!!!

[blazeyreef]

ok, lets say I can ... somehow talk my dad into letting me use the 29 as a sump.... how in the world to build one? ( I looked at the link you gave me and was completely lost) ..... help?

[Marc118]

Was it this link?

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

Anyways all you need is the aquarium, a few tools, aquarium silicon, and a sheet of acrylic to get things going.

[blazeyreef]

ya that, it is CONFUSEING! I would need help to build one ...?

[Marc118]

I would draw up some plans, but they are already on that site! lol...

[Ziggy953]

They really aren't as complicated as they may look. If you already have a 29g tank then you are half way there. My first sump I used acrylic from Home Depot cut to size and silly-coned in. Get your dad to help you out...this is a great father son project!!! Then you will have something you can both look at and say "we did this"!!

[Don424]

Originally Posted by blazeyreef

ya that, it is CONFUSEING! I would need help to build one ...?

yeah............and a lot of cash!!