First Reef Setup - Any Advice?

[starf1shpr1me]

Thanks again for the responses! I've been uber busy, but I thought I would go ahead and lay out my set-up thus far.

Here we go

Tank and stand: Deep Sea Aquatics Model 70

Lighting: Sunlight Supply Maristar 36" dual 250w MH w/T5

Ballast: Sunlight Supply Galaxy Dual 250w Electronic

Light mount: Sunlight Supply Maristar Tank Bracket Kit

RO/DI: SpectraPure MaxCap 90gpd with 2 TDS meters

Powerhead: Tunze Turbelle Stream Pump 6101

Sump Return Pump: Eheim 1260

Protein Skimmer: Euro-Reef RS135

All the above is ordered and on its way

I still haven't decided on the following:

Salt Mix

Test Kits

Controllers (If any - Maybe a Neptune or an Aquatronica)

Refractometer

Heating and cooling (I like the Peltec Ocean GEOTronic 400 for many reasons)

Auto top off

Anyway, I'm excited... hopefully the stuff I've picked so far is quality equipment. I've done a lot of homework and I've tried to avoid cheapy stuff that would be prone to break.

Criticism and insight welcome!

[olsaltybastard]

Looks like a pretty decent selection on your equipment. Let's move forward to some other stuff.

Test kits: I prefer Elos. They are high in quality, and customer service is unmatched.

Refractometer: I have the black Sybon model. It's a bit higher in quality than the blue model (which I used to own.)

Heater: I use a Finnex Titanium and an Ebo Jager. I REALLY should be using a temp controller with this. Maybe I will upgrade in the future.

ATO: I use a setup from auto top off dot com. I don't know if they are still in business or not, but it has worked without incident for over two years.

Salt Mix: I use Marine Environment, but I have grown notoriously lazy in my reef keeping. Adding this, checking that, dosing whatever; I have put that phase behind me and have learned that I enjoy reef keeping when viewing the tank rather than putzing with the water. Premium Aquatics is pretty local to me, so I get it from them and save a bundle on shipping.


The Tunze controller is nice, but not necessary (in case you were thinking of one.) I have found the Sure Grip magnets to be lower in price, but smaller in size than Tunze magnets. I am not sure about the SLS Maristar tank bracket kit; I hope it can keep the fixture at least 8 inches off the water.

[ricosuave]

Originally Posted by olsaltybastard

ATO: I use a setup from auto top off dot com. I don't know if they are still in business or not, but it has worked without incident for over two years.

Do you use the one with a single switch or with double switches(second for backup in case first fails)?

[olsaltybastard]

I have the single switch one. Since I use a peristaltic pump for topping off, if the switch failed, it would take several days before anything overfilled.

[2manyhobbies]

I cannot tell you what is good or not so good, as I am a newbie also. but I will tell you that Aquarium Arts is great. I live in California and was able to purchase my LR from them. I drove down and they are a reputable firm with great LR full of calcerous algae. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.

[jwilson]

OSB - what kind of peristaltic pump do you have? I like that idea much more than a float switch or float valve but they seem to be pretty pricey?
Thanks,
Jim

[olsaltybastard]

Jim,

I have an Aquamedic SP3000:


AquaMedic SP - 3000 Dosing Pump: Premium Aquatics

Seems like it doesn't get many good reviews on that site. Mine has been in operation for over two years (I keep the tubing well greased and change it every six months.) I'm sure there are better pumps out there; some may be much cheaper.

[starf1shpr1me]

-2manyhobbies

Thanks for letting me know about your experiences with AquariumArts. I was hoping somebody on here would have some info about AA. From what I can tell they look to have very good live rock. After all my equipment arrives and I decide on a couple more things, I'll probably place an order with them!