New Setup advice

[Kilo]

Hi Fellow Reefers,
Planning on upgrading to a bigger tank (3ft x 2ft x 2ft) and need some advice on the equipment and setup. Setup will be mix reef. I want to make sure i setup a good system because i did bad on my first setup.

1) Lighting: narrowed down to 3 brands/make. Which will be the better one?
a) AI Hydra 52
b) EcoTech XR30WG3Pro with Wide Angle Lens
c) Kessil AP700

2) Wave maker: Maxspect Gyre XF130
3) Substrate: 1-1.5" Caribsea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink 0.5-1.5mm
4) Salt: Aquacraft Marine Environment Reef formula

Sump Setup
1) Skimmer: Reef Octopus 150 in-sump
2) Return & Backup pump: Jebao DC6000
3) Chiller: 1/4 hp one. not decided on the brand
4) ATO: Innovative Marine Hydrofill
5) TLF phos reactor

Aquascaping: live rock replica

Sump compartment 1: 100 micron filter socks and skimmer
Sump compartment 2: refugium with cheatos. not planning for any mud...any thought?
Sump compartment 3: both return and backup pump. backup pump feeds chiller and chiller back to sump. Should i add a UV between backup pump and chiller? is it necessary. there's alot of debate on this

Should i be a adding additional biological filteration media in the sump since i'm using live rock replica?

Any other thoughts on making my system an effective one?

Thanks in advance

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

b) EcoTech XR30WG3Pro with Wide Angle Lens

this

2) Wave maker: Maxspect Gyre XF130

too big. look at tunze variable or jebao

3) Substrate: 1-1.5" Caribsea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink 0.5-1.5mm

fine

1) Skimmer: Reef Octopus 150 in-sump

dont get one too big for water volume,

Sump compartment 2: refugium with cheatos. not planning for any mud...any thought?

maybe deep sand bed because

Should i be a adding additional biological filteration media in the sump since i'm using live rock replica?

yes. Deep Sand Bed DSB or bio pellet reactor. or live rock in sump. Make sure sum is easy to clean.

5) TLF phos reactor

dont need it if chato grows good. put a reactor in. maybe run carbon. or pellets. Phos if it gets very high.

UV no reason unless you want seahorses.:)

 

[Kilo]

too big. look at tunze variable or jebao

Didn't know Maxspect Gyre XF 130 is too big. Its rated to 100-400L (25-100 Gal). My main tank is about 300L.

dont get one too big for water volume,

Do you Reef Octopus 150 is too big for my volume? Any suggestion on alternative or how to size the skimmer?

 

[Kilo]

Another question on the overflow placement. Which will be better of the 4?

 

[Pruett-nc]

I have a 130 on my jbj 45 and it isn't to big. You can dial it down or only run one blade .

 

[Defiant Arms]

The Gyre isn't to big unless you run it on max... I've seen it on 45 gallon tanks as mentioned above and works just fine.

 

[Kilo]

So, going with gyre 130 looks ok. when you compare them, which will be a wiser choice of investment and effectiveness?

 

[Defiant Arms]

personally I prefer the Gyre because its streamlined, can set it up to reverse flow pattern, multiple adjustments can be made in regards to flow and flow pattern and great customer service.

also the only bad that i have heard is snails and such can get into the blade area but a quick search shows several very simple DIY fixes such as using screen and making socks of sorts.

 

[Kilo]

Sound like Gyre 130 will be on my list.

Can anyone suggest on the skimmer? Reef octopus 150 good enough for my setup or is there and sizing guide available?

Any suggestions on the overflow?

 

[Defiant Arms]

skimmers are debated a lot of personal preference and fitting ones own needs desires..

aslo budget plays into account.

for me I'm getting a SC Aquariums PNP tank that comes with one of their skimmers i want a Nyos but the tank comes with one so I'm going to wait until I see how the SCA one does from the reviews I've read/watched they are good so i may never upgrade well until i get a bigger tank haha