Opinions on new build equipment.

[ShawnSaucier]

Hello,
In the process of a new build and shopping for equipment at the moment. I have some left over gear from my last system that I may use as well.
Display is 48x30x30. 3/4” star fire euro-braced. External overflow with L/R returns. Mixed reef, possibly leaning SPS heavy..

Returns:
I was looking at the Varios 8 (x2) one for the return and one for reactors (UV, Pax Bellum). Starting to look at the Deltec E-Flow 8 as well. Was planning an Abyzz 200 originally, but seems overkill on price.

Skimmer:
I have used Reef Octo for ever and was leaning toward the Elite SSS as I’ve had great luck in the past with them. Also looking at the Deltec 1000ix. I will be using Ozone via Posiedon 200 generator. As I will be using a Pax Bellum N18 algae reactor, I think I can get away with a smaller skimmer as well.

In Tank Flow:
Here I’m flip flopping a lot. I have a few MP40’s from my old system. I really dislike having the pumps on the side panels and prefer a clean view. And Mobius is spotty. Not like the old Ecotech live.
Im considering using the MP40’s on the back wall behind the aquascape. I have been looking at various Tunze pumps for above also considering the Maxspect Gyre XF350 Ghost.
Looking for super quiet flow. MP40’s had a vibration issue at flows past 70% on my last system.

Lighting:
I am a Kessil fan and have 4x A360x Tuna Blues left from my last build. Considering adding 2x A500x as the main lights and using the A360x to highlight certain areas. Looking at the Illumagic X4 lights as well. I prefer the shimmer as I was a MH guy in the past and not a fan of the flat T5 look. 2x AI Blades are also in play.

Equipment already purchased:
Reef Mat 1200
Pax Bellum N18 with CARX injection
Geo Reef CARX 612x2
Posiedon Ozone Generator 200

Equipment from last tank:
AI Blades: 2x Grow 40”
Kessil A360x x 4
MP40QD x 2 ( not so quiet)

 

[DanP-SD]

Looks like a fun project. I started a similar one almost a year ago. 72”x28”x30” with considerable overlap in your gear choices.

For return pumps, consider Royal Exclusiv Eco5 130 watts. I set mine up with two of them and they provide a ton of flow with impeccable build quality and reliability. They fit between Varios and Abyzz in price. One advantage is that if you use a controller for your aquarium like Apex, the drivers on these pumps have a 1-10v input so you can dial them in with 1% specificity through the Apex.

For in tank flow, I’m not sure MP 40s will work well with 3/4” glass. I’d definitely research that. My tank is 1/2” and I had to remove the spacers entirely to get solid connection on my MP40s.

If the magnets will handle it, I’d add some gyres. On my tank, I have two Gyre XF350s and three MP 40s. None are at 100% but it took that much flow to avoid dead spots and create a good reef crest environment.

I light my tank with three Kessil a360xes plus two a500s. I also have T5s. It’s too much light and I’ve had to turn it down considerably to avoid frying acros. For a 4-foot tank, I would think to 500s and one 360 would cut it. I’d consider some T5s or an LED light bar at the edges to get coverage for when your corals start growing enough to create shadows.

I started my tank with a Reef Octo Regal 250 int. Great skimmer and I’d highly recommend it. I ended up replacing mine with a Lifereef recently but not because the OCTO wasn’t cutting it. I run the zeovit system and there’s enough anecdotal info about needlewheel skimmers removing some of what the system needs that I decided to switch to a Venturi skimmer. My reef octo is still pretty new and has a lot of upgrades you can see in my build thread. I haven’t listed it yet but will be selling it at a significant discount if you’re interested in saving some money.

Good luck and be sure to make a build thread.