Beginner setting up reef ready aquarium

[tangywickles]

Hey all! My friend recommended this forum, I am doing research into starting my first saltwater reef tank, I’m a go big or go home guy so I’m gonna do a 125gal. I found this reef ready one at my local pet store, I’m looking for advice/how to on how to get it set up (not substrate/rock I’ve already got that sorted) but more like pumps, heaters, filters, skimmers. What to use and where to put them? Thank you all in advance!

 

[Kooma]

Did you buy a stand and sump yet?

I like Sicce return pumps, aim for 10x turnover of water through the filter system 900-1500GPH would be plenty.
I like nero 5 wavemakers for their programability. others like Gyres or MP40s.
inkbird heater controller and a pair of 250 watt BRS titanium heaters is a good option for heater control. Ehiem makes good heaters too.
I always liked reef octopus skimmers. Size it for the total water volume you have.

I have always run my tanks without filter socks, floss, etc. Let the rock do the work. My sumps are usually pretty empty.

Youtube will be your friend here.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I would recommend a titanium heater for sure! Reef Octo makes a great skimmer. Tunze makes an awesome ATO.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Hey all! My friend recommended this forum, I am doing research into starting my first saltwater reef tank, I’m a go big or go home guy so I’m gonna do a 125gal. I found this reef ready one at my local pet store, I’m looking for advice/how to on how to get it set up (not substrate/rock I’ve already got that sorted) but more like pumps, heaters, filters, skimmers. What to use and where to put them? Thank you all in advance!

Will you be using live rock, or base rock, or a combo of the 2? I ask because BRS has some great advice for how to keep the uglies of a new tank syndrome at bay.

 

[Asm481]

If you haven't bought the tank yet you might want to rethink your choice. That 125 is nice but the 18 inch front to back bec9mes a problem. After you scape it there is little room for growth in the foreground. A 24 inch front to back is much nicer. Of course the 6 foot length is great for swimmers like tangs. Maybe look at a 180, 6 foot and 24 front to back! Just from my experience so make your choice and have a blast.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

There are a ton of options out there. And everyone will have opinions. Best advice I can give is

DO NOT SETTLE!

You will end up paying more because you now have bought what you settled for and possibly for what you wanted. Buy exactly what you want and if it's to much save. Newer stuff comes out all the time.

Your biggest purchase as far as equipment will probably be your lights. Do not take shortcut or settle here. If it doesn't do what you want, move on. This doesn't mean the most expensive lights are the best and cheap ones are bad. In fact at times this can be opposite. Look for one that has all the functions and features you want, has the color spectrums you want and like, and can grow everything you want. Also gives room for upgradability just in case.

Other equipment like dosers, atos, etc will be based on your maintenance methods and how you want and are able to maintain. But everything will need maintenance and cleaning at some point. There are few exceptions apparently around here lol.