Equipment Input

MartyMcFly · Jan 17, 2017

I am planning to start my first mixed reef tank and I have a few questions regarding equipment for the tank. The tank is a 40 gallon breeder that I just picked up and plan to drill. I plan to start making purchases soon and spread them out over the next couple months. During these couple months I plan to continue researching and reading as much as I can about reef keeping. So without being too longwinded I would greatly appreciate any input on the following equipment that I am considering buying.

Sump:
Eshopps RS 100/200 3rd Gen or Trigger Systems Saphire 26 gallon

Skimmer:
Eshopps Premier S120 or Bubble Magus Curve 5

Lighting:
Pair of Kessil A160WE or a Single Radion XR30W Gen. 4

Overflow:
Synergy 16" Shadow (not sure if this would be too much for my size tank?)

I know these are just a couple of items that I will need however they are "big" ticket items so I am looking for any insight. Aside from these items I will be purchasing either a BRS 6 Stage or MaxCap 2:1 RO/DI unit. Any input is welcome and I greatly appreciate the advice.

Thanks

Joeganja · Jan 18, 2017

I would highly suggest aquamaxx in sump skimmers because they work amazing and have barely any break in period. I have the r-100 Eshopps sump and they are super quiet but very basic when it comes to features. I would recommend the synergy reef sumps or trigger systems. And lighting. I've had the a160we tuna blue and personally didn't like them. I would recommend aqua illumination hydra 26HD. Better than kessil. But cheaper than radion.

Tokash23 · Jan 18, 2017

I am doing the same thing 40 gal breeder and spacing it out cuz this stuff is pricey lol so ill give my 2 cents

-Used the glass holes setup to drill my tank (went smooth for a first timer)
-Build the stand myself still working on getting it finished
-Just ordered a Mag 7 return pump (probably overkill but rather too much than not enough)
-Have a Reef Octopus classic 110 from an older tank and it ran great about 5 years ago so worth a shot
-I am building my own sump out of a 20g high i ordered the baffles off ebay they should be in tomorrow
-I am going a cheaper route with lights and ordering one of the chinese black boxes from amazon. I would love to go with something a little more proven but i cant justify it as much as i am getting sucked into the hobby

Have you thought of the powerheads/wavemakers you are going to be using? Someone here through out the rossmount wavemovers they look intriguing but i havent pulled the trigger on anything yet myself. Ill follow along maybe we can bounce some ideas off each other down the road.

MartyMcFly · Jan 18, 2017

Joeganja said:
I would highly suggest aquamaxx in sump skimmers because they work amazing and have barely any break in period. I have the r-100 Eshopps sump and they are super quiet but very basic when it comes to features. I would recommend the synergy reef sumps or trigger systems. And lighting. I've had the a160we tuna blue and personally didn't like them. I would recommend aqua illumination hydra 26HD. Better than kessil. But cheaper than radion.

Thanks for the suggestions. What was it that you didn't like about the kessil?

Tokash23 said:
I am doing the same thing 40 gal breeder and spacing it out cuz this stuff is pricey lol so ill give my 2 cents

-Used the glass holes setup to drill my tank (went smooth for a first timer)
-Build the stand myself still working on getting it finished
-Just ordered a Mag 7 return pump (probably overkill but rather too much than not enough)
-Have a Reef Octopus classic 110 from an older tank and it ran great about 5 years ago so worth a shot
-I am building my own sump out of a 20g high i ordered the baffles off ebay they should be in tomorrow
-I am going a cheaper route with lights and ordering one of the chinese black boxes from amazon. I would love to go with something a little more proven but i cant justify it as much as i am getting sucked into the hobby

Have you thought of the powerheads/wavemakers you are going to be using? Someone here through out the rossmount wavemovers they look intriguing but i havent pulled the trigger on anything yet myself. Ill follow along maybe we can bounce some ideas off each other down the road.

Glad to hear good things about glass holes as I am considering going through them. I too plan on making my own stand and will start it hopefully sometime next week. In terms of power heads I was looking into VorTech because I like the idea of not having any cords in my tank and I like the different programable modes. I'm not sure if i can get away with just one MP10 and they are pretty pricey tho

Tokash23 · Jan 18, 2017

MartyMcFly said:
Thanks for the suggestions. What was it that you didn't like about the kessil?

Glad to hear good things about glass holes as I am considering going through them. I too plan on making my own stand and will start it hopefully sometime next week. In terms of power heads I was looking into VorTech because I like the idea of not having any cords in my tank and I like the different programable modes. I'm not sure if i can get away with just one MP10 and they are pretty pricey tho

the only thing about the glass holes setup is that there is no "emergency drain" and not really a way to add one, however it does seem relatively fail safe. It would take some doin to get it clogged though with how the box is setup.

Joeganja · Jan 18, 2017

MartyMcFly said:
Thanks for the suggestions. What was it that you didn't like about the kessil?

Glad to hear good things about glass holes as I am considering going through them. I too plan on making my own stand and will start it hopefully sometime next week. In terms of power heads I was looking into VorTech because I like the idea of not having any cords in my tank and I like the different programable modes. I'm not sure if i can get away with just one MP10 and they are pretty pricey tho

For the price they don't come with controllability of different colors just blue and white or scheduling out of the box. You would have to buy a separate controller that's an extra $80. Compared to Hydra 26 HD that gives you white, red, green, violet, UV, deep blue, and royal blue, as well as built in wifi so you can control it from your phone you can't really go wrong. The light itself if you don't have enough will give shadowing and they just grow as well as other lights do.

MaddyP · Jan 18, 2017

Go with the 16" Synergy Reef Overflow, I have one on my 40 and it's perfect. I don't think you'll be disappointed. ;)

MartyMcFly · Jan 20, 2017

MaddyP said:
Go with the 16" Synergy Reef Overflow, I have one on my 40 and it's perfect. I don't think you'll be disappointed. ;)

great thanks

MaiReef · Jan 20, 2017

The Bubble Magus Curve 5 is great, but it needs to in about 7" of water. A stand works well.

MartyMcFly · Jan 21, 2017

MaiReef said:
The Bubble Magus Curve 5 is great, but it needs to in about 7" of water. A stand works well.

Still haven't decided on the skimmer yet. I have heard good things including your post about the Bubble Magus Curve 5, but I also like Eshopps Premier S-120 and I like how it comes with a Sicce pump