Hi! I've been researching quite a bit and am getting ready to start my own 50g reef tank. I'm going to use the Innovative Marine Lagoon 50. I have a parts list set up and I'd really appreciate some thoughts around it. It's a little over my budget, so if I can save in a few areas that would be great (without compromising). I will be making the stand myself. Tank will have few fish but a good amount of soft corals and LPS. No SPS for now. Long term goal is to have a well enough established tank to have a huge anemone and a breeding pair of clownfish
Here's the list:
Tank: IM Lagoon 50 - $600
Lights: Viparspectra 165w - $130 (I will make a stand for it and yes I know it's black box but they have great reviews -- better than a lot of "official" aquarium brands)
Heaters: 2x 100 watt Jager TruTemp - $66 (I'd like to have 2 for redundancy -- it gets cold in CO)
Skimmer: Tunze Comline 9004 - $160
Return pump(s): Included in tank (can't tell if 1 or 2) - $0
Powerheads: 2x Koralia Evolution 600GPH - $80
ATO: Tunze Osmolator - $200 (I'll use a bucket with lid for now)
RODI: BRS 75GPH value unit - $140
Filter Media Basket - $40
Monitoring / temp controller: Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite - $130
Various test kits: $50
Salt: (undecided): $50
Live Rock: LFS sustainable - $300
Sand: CaribSea (undecided) 60LB - $50
Totals around $1900-$2000... I'd prefer closer to $1500 :/
Anything I'm missing?
If the tank only comes with 1 return pump should I purchase another? Or is there a skimmer option that has a return fitting? Also, should I get a second media basket? The tank has an overflow on either side. I'm not really sure what to stick back there; there's not a lot of info on the shape of the sump in the back.
Thanks in advance
Here's the list:
Tank: IM Lagoon 50 - $600
Lights: Viparspectra 165w - $130 (I will make a stand for it and yes I know it's black box but they have great reviews -- better than a lot of "official" aquarium brands)
Heaters: 2x 100 watt Jager TruTemp - $66 (I'd like to have 2 for redundancy -- it gets cold in CO)
Skimmer: Tunze Comline 9004 - $160
Return pump(s): Included in tank (can't tell if 1 or 2) - $0
Powerheads: 2x Koralia Evolution 600GPH - $80
ATO: Tunze Osmolator - $200 (I'll use a bucket with lid for now)
RODI: BRS 75GPH value unit - $140
Filter Media Basket - $40
Monitoring / temp controller: Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper Lite - $130
Various test kits: $50
Salt: (undecided): $50
Live Rock: LFS sustainable - $300
Sand: CaribSea (undecided) 60LB - $50
Totals around $1900-$2000... I'd prefer closer to $1500 :/
Anything I'm missing?
If the tank only comes with 1 return pump should I purchase another? Or is there a skimmer option that has a return fitting? Also, should I get a second media basket? The tank has an overflow on either side. I'm not really sure what to stick back there; there's not a lot of info on the shape of the sump in the back.
Thanks in advance