Getting Back In! Help me critique please

[Nate82]

Hey guys,

Well after my much too long 2 year hiatus from this hobby, I'm back! I'm coming back bigger and better than ever and I can't freaking wait! I snagged a full set up off of craigslist for a good deal and I'm in the planning stage and figuring out which equipment, I'll end up using. Here's what I have so far.

- 45 cube DT 24 X 24 X 18
- 15 gallon sump
First time using a sump, I was wondering if you guys would keep this sponge in there or ditch it? It seems like it'll just collect nitrates and do more harm then good. That or I'd have to rinse it daily... I'll be running a filter sock, so not sure if I really need it. What do you think?
Pics of sump

- 10 gallon refugium
This will be hopefully by the skimmer return, but if not I'll just T off the overflow from the display and then overflow back into the sump. I plan on having two sections in here, one for chaeto and the other a DSB with various macros and mangroves.
Flow
- I have an mp10 es and the mag 7 as the return pump from the sump. I'm not too confident that that'll be enough flow though and plan on buying an mp40 and keeping it toned down as well(found a good deal on a 1st gen). I'm not sure if that will be too much as I've never used Vortech's before.
- SWC Xtreme 150 BMK Protein Skimmer
- Have an 8 bulb T5 fixture at the moment, but will be using a DIY LED fixture by July.
- Controller
I have two at the moment, a Reef Keeper Lite basic model. Just the temp probe, pc4 and head unit. I also have an Aquatronica Deluxe. This one's got tons of features, float switch, ph probe, temp probe, 8 outlet power supply, net capabilities, and more I'm forgetting. I'm not sure which I should go with, I've only ever used an AC Jr. What would you guys use if you had the choice? Is the Apex really that much better than the Aquatronica? Better enough to justify selling the one I already have for one?
- I plan on having a mixed reef, with a lot of LPS. Not quite sure what stocking plans are for fish. I have some ideas but this is my first tank bigger than 15g and kinda new to the fish game. I'm thinking this is not a total list rather all the fish I'm considering. Maybe a pair of clowns, a trained mandarin,
a jawfish, a pair or trio of Banggai Cardinals, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I love inverts so there will be plenty of them crawling around.
Please help me critique this as my knowledge is a little rusty:ooh:
Thanks!

 

[Sandy]

if running a filtersock, you shouldnt need anymore mech filtration. maybe the previous owner was using the sponge as a bubble trap

 

[FishLipz]

Pretty good beginning set up. Oh, and I hate sponges of any sort. As far as the trained mandarin, I'm not sold on them if you're looking at the ORA ones. I've heard mixed reviews on how "trained" they are.

 

[Nate82]

Thanks guys, I'm not quite sure about the sponge.. maybe I'll run it just to test it out. That's the least of my worries though. What do you guys think about the flow? Is an mp10 and a mag 7 on the return going to be enough? Any input on the controllers?

 

[Sandy]

mp10 should be ok with a mixed reef, maybe lagoon mode?. but it might be an idea to have a cheaper p/h,koralia, maxijet etc at the back of the tank(maybe hidden behind rockwork) so you dont get any deadspots

 

[Nate82]

mp10 should be ok with a mixed reef, maybe lagoon mode?. but it might be an idea to have a cheaper p/h,koralia, maxijet etc at the back of the tank(maybe hidden behind rockwork) so you dont get any deadspots

Yea that's my fear.. I was thinking of possibly Ting off the loc line return to solve this. What do you think? Or should I just get another vortech? I'm thinking about just getting a used mp40.

 

[soccerbag]

Great start thus far! And welcome back! lol. Nice tattoo by the way (assuming that is you in your avatar pic). I think you are off to a great start equipment wise. Here is my opinion on a few things:

1) Ditch the sponges in the sump. You are correct, it will be a nitrate trap and it is one more thing that will require maintenance every few days. Unless it is there for a GREAT reason, ditch it. As for a filter sock, it's not always necessary. If it helps with salt creep or bubbles, I get that. But if it's not necessary, I would use the skimmer and possibly a cheap pump in the sump to keep detritus suspended in the water column for the skimmer to handle.

2) As for the controller, you have 2 decent controllers. I would not spend money on an Apex if you have 2 others to choose from. I am the biggest fan of the Apex controllers (I run one and love it) but it's a lot to spend. And you already have 2 others. Save that cash and spend it on corals or fish instead.

3) The Mp10 will probably not be enough long term. You may want to find a deal on an MP40 and dial it back (then sell the MP10 to give yourself a price break on the MP40). One MP40 should be enough to create random flow (as mentioned above).

Other than that, I think it sounds like a great plan. Thanks for sharing everything with us here at R2R. We look forward to the progress. And please keep us posted on the DIY LED project down the road. There are a lot of members on here that have done DIY LED fixtures and they look incredible. You will find TONS of info on it. And some of our sponsors can really help with everything you need for that.

 

[Nate82]

Wow, Thanks Soccerbag! Yea that's me in my avatar ha, gotta get an updated picture with it finished. Like I said I've been out for a couple years. Thanks for the tips, I think I'm going to run the sponge and sock until everything gets settled in and then remove them. I'm planning on using a 10g fuge with an algae turf scrubber as well so I figure I'll be all set on filtration. I'll take biological filtration over mechanical any day.

So which of the two controllers would you keep? Would you keep the Aquatronica or upgrade to an RKE?

As for the vortech. if I added an mp40, I would do it so that I could have alternating flow patterns. I don't think I would get rid of the mp10 unless I really didn't need it. I'll try to keep you updated with the LEDs, TBH a friend of mine is going to make them for me. I don't really know much when it comes to electronics and want it to come out right.

Thanks for the help!