New to Reef Tanks Is this Good Equipment to Use?

[Chris H Reef]

Hey All,

I have a few fresh water tanks but this is by far my largest and will be my first reef tank. I made a list of the equipment I plan on buying. Is this good equipment to have a successful reef tank? Any additions or suggestions? I don't have a full list of what fish I want to keep but I will definitely have fish and beginner corals. Anyway, let me know what you think of this setup and equipment!

• Tank: 75 Gallon
• Sump Tank: 20 Gallon
• Heater: (2) 150W Finnex Titanium Heater
• Temperature Controller: Inkbird ITC-308S Temperature Controller
• Light: (2) NICREW 150W LED
• Flow Pump: (2) Hydor 1950GPH/6.3W
• 75LBS Dry Rock
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/af-rock-mixed-shapes-aquaforest.html
• 45LBS Live Sand
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fiji-pink-arag-alive-live-reef-sand.html
• RO System: 4 Stage Value 75GPD RO/DI
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/75gpd-4-stage-value-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html
• TDS Meter
• Salt
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pro-reef-salt-tropic-marin.html
• Protein Skimmer: Reef Octopus Classic
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-nwb110-4-pinwheel-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html
• Auto Top Off: Prism Auto Top Off
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/prism-auto-top-off-reefbreeders-1.html

 

[jda]

I strongly recommend using real live rock instead of any kind of dry rock. You will save your self a lot of headaches with nasty pests like dinos, hair algae and the like. You also will have an ecosystem with more breath and depth with real live rock almost instantly. It is worth the extra money.

I don't care for the failure rates of InkBird heater controllers. I would suggest looking at Ranco which are industrial grade.

Tunze Osmolator is the best-of-breed auto top off, IMO. At least consider them. Triple redundancy.

 

[KrisReef]

Is the 75 gallon a classic fish tank with a middle brace? Those tend to obscure light that the coral needs. Otherwise, your list is reasonable.

I would agree with the live rock and ranco controller suggestion by @jda

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey All,

I have a few fresh water tanks but this is by far my largest and will be my first reef tank. I made a list of the equipment I plan on buying. Is this good equipment to have a successful reef tank? Any additions or suggestions? I don't have a full list of what fish I want to keep but I will definitely have fish and beginner corals. Anyway, let me know what you think of this setup and equipment!

• Tank: 75 Gallon
• Sump Tank: 20 Gallon
• Heater: (2) 150W Finnex Titanium Heater
• Temperature Controller: Inkbird ITC-308S Temperature Controller
• Light: (2) NICREW 150W LED
• Flow Pump: (2) Hydor 1950GPH/6.3W
• 75LBS Dry Rock
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/af-rock-mixed-shapes-aquaforest.html
• 45LBS Live Sand
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fiji-pink-arag-alive-live-reef-sand.html
• RO System: 4 Stage Value 75GPD RO/DI
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/75gpd-4-stage-value-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html
• TDS Meter
• Salt
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pro-reef-salt-tropic-marin.html
• Protein Skimmer: Reef Octopus Classic
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-nwb110-4-pinwheel-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html
• Auto Top Off: Prism Auto Top Off
  • https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/prism-auto-top-off-reefbreeders-1.html

Use the dry rock but add live rock and liquid bacteria such as microbacter XLM to get tank bacteria and denitrifiers seeded. Equipment looks good and you will likely make equipment changes as your stocking and needs change

 

[Chris H Reef]

Is the 75 gallon a classic fish tank with a middle brace? Those tend to obscure light that the coral needs. Otherwise, your list is reasonable.

I would agree with the live rock and ranco controller suggestion by @jda

Yes it does have a middle brace! Do you think that will be an issue? Hoping with 2 lights it might not be as much of an issue. And thanks for the help!

 

[PeterErc]

Nothing is an issue, it is what it is.

New to reef tank, save your money, you are good on equipment

Use the dry rock and find a good piece of established rock with coralline algae growing on it. Scrape off the corraline and let it blow around the tank and settle where it may.

Buy some DIY supplements, Soda ash for Alkalinity, and Calcium Chloride for Calcium.

You can use inexpensive API KH and CA text kits. They are close enough for now. You just need to keep parameters stable.

If you don’t have a refractometer that would be a good purchase.

Keep it simple and go slow, if not sure about something ask.

People on here will tell you, you need this and that, to upgrade lights, get a more efficient skimmer or whatever.

There’s plenty of time down the road if you choose to upgrade.

Get your hands wet and enjoy your new reef

 

[VintageReefer]

Yes it does have a middle brace! Do you think that will be an issue? Hoping with 2 lights it might not be as much of an issue. And thanks for the help!

I have a 75 with a black middle brace. I don’t see any shading issues.
I also have a par meter, and while there is a measurable difference under the center bar, it’s negligible. Around 20 par. It’s not visible and it’s small enough where it won’t affect corals

I use this ato, there are tons of good ones out there that all will do the job. But this one is a little less money and also has numerous sensors and fail safes
Useek Auto Top Off for Saltwater Aquarium Water ATO System for Both Reef and Fresh Tank - Green https://a.co/d/gIZLAKS

 

[KrisReef]

Yes it does have a middle brace! Do you think that will be an issue? Hoping with 2 lights it might not be as much of an issue. And thanks for the help!

I got rid of my fish tanks but that was after a long time of running reefs in them. I agree that it is not an issue, but when you go to upgrade you probably want to look for more open tops tanks for access and unobstructed top viewing.

 

[tuscani]

I have four InkBird controllers for various reasons (even outside of reef) and none have ever failed me. Knock on wood. With that said, Ranco would prob be my first choice if I started over.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes it does have a middle brace! Do you think that will be an issue? Hoping with 2 lights it might not be as much of an issue. And thanks for the help!

Middle brace was implemented for support of tank/frame and will not be an issue, similar to eurobracing