Hey All,
I am about to get into the hobby for the first time and I would like some feedback on the equipment I am going to purchase. Here are the major pieces of equipment I am considering getting:
(1) Tank: Red Sea Reefer G2 350
(2) Return Pump: Sicce Syncra Silent 3.5
(3) Powerhead: EcoTech Marine Vortech MP40 x2
(4) Heater: Cobalt Aquatics Electronic Neo-Therm Pro Submersible Aquarium Heater
(5) RODI: LiquaGen New Super Flow Reverse Osmosis and Deionization RO/DI Water Filter System
(6) Lighting: AI Prime 16 HD x2
(7) Skimmer: Red Sea Reefer Skimmer 300
I am also considering adding some sort of ceramic media and the red sea filter sock as additional filtration. For clarification, I want to start off with a FOWLR tank and potentially move into coral later on, hence the lighting choice.
Some questions to start:
(a) Do I have enough filtration to start? I would like to eventually incorporate a refugium into the tank as well but am unsure if that is a good idea for a new tank.
(b) Is my return pump strong enough? I have done some research and haven't come to a clear understanding about what the ideal GPH should be.
(c) Do I have enough lighting? This is mostly for when I reach the point where I want to include corals, where I will start with some sort of combination of beginner corals.
(d) Do I have enough flow? I know this is partially dependent on the type of corals I will choose to keep, but are the MP40s powerful enough for a 72 gallon tank?
(e) I live in Southern California where it can get pretty hot and my AC is not the best, should I consider a chiller to keep my water temperature in check, and if I do need one, can I pair it with the heater and a temperature controller? Or is some sort of fan above the tank sufficient?
In terms of my budget, I don't mind spending more than I currently have estimated, which is about ~$5000 for everything, without livestock.
I am about to get into the hobby for the first time and I would like some feedback on the equipment I am going to purchase. Here are the major pieces of equipment I am considering getting:
(1) Tank: Red Sea Reefer G2 350
(2) Return Pump: Sicce Syncra Silent 3.5
(3) Powerhead: EcoTech Marine Vortech MP40 x2
(4) Heater: Cobalt Aquatics Electronic Neo-Therm Pro Submersible Aquarium Heater
(5) RODI: LiquaGen New Super Flow Reverse Osmosis and Deionization RO/DI Water Filter System
(6) Lighting: AI Prime 16 HD x2
(7) Skimmer: Red Sea Reefer Skimmer 300
I am also considering adding some sort of ceramic media and the red sea filter sock as additional filtration. For clarification, I want to start off with a FOWLR tank and potentially move into coral later on, hence the lighting choice.
Some questions to start:
(a) Do I have enough filtration to start? I would like to eventually incorporate a refugium into the tank as well but am unsure if that is a good idea for a new tank.
(b) Is my return pump strong enough? I have done some research and haven't come to a clear understanding about what the ideal GPH should be.
(c) Do I have enough lighting? This is mostly for when I reach the point where I want to include corals, where I will start with some sort of combination of beginner corals.
(d) Do I have enough flow? I know this is partially dependent on the type of corals I will choose to keep, but are the MP40s powerful enough for a 72 gallon tank?
(e) I live in Southern California where it can get pretty hot and my AC is not the best, should I consider a chiller to keep my water temperature in check, and if I do need one, can I pair it with the heater and a temperature controller? Or is some sort of fan above the tank sufficient?
In terms of my budget, I don't mind spending more than I currently have estimated, which is about ~$5000 for everything, without livestock.