Reef octopus equipment for first tank

[mjk42]

Hi everyone!

I am new to reef tanks making the jump over from planted freshwater tanks and and working to set up my first tank. I am planning to get the UNS R120 based on an excellent recommendation from a member in my first post (as opposed to IM or Waterbox) and am now on to the next stage of deciding on the equipment for the tank. From what I am reading it seems like reef octopus has a good reputation in general for quality equipment and I am thinking of making this brand my base for major equipment including protein skimmer (unsure of which specific one for system volume of 120g), return pump (VariouS 6), and powerheads (octo pulse 2 vs 4? with plan or one on each side of tank). I am also leaning towards the hydros controller which would link well with this equipment. Does this seem like reasonable plan with equipment that will be reliable and easy to use for a new guy bound to mess something up? For lights I think I am going to use radions but unsure of 15 vs 30 and how many (4x2ft tank). General idea of mixed LPS to start and maybe if something lives for awhile will try SPS.

Thank you for any and all advice!

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Sounds reasonable to me. I've gone in the Reef Octopus/Hydros direction myself. Just collecting equipment at the moment. For lights though I have gone with Nicrew Hyperreef Gen 2's. To me, they are just as good as the more expensive options. But to be fair, I have not tried the expensive options so going by pictures of other's tanks. lol

 

[Dr. D]

Pretty good bet. I’ve had good luck with a Varios 6, and while I went with an Italian-built Ultra Reef for a skimmer, plenty of people seem happy with Reef Octo. I’m very pleased with my Hydros system. I have a Kraken, Launch, XP8, and Wave Engine. For lights I have AI Hydra 32s, which are fine but I dislike their app.

 

[Dr. D]

Also, have the Octo 4s because they’re controllable by the Wave Engine. Happy with those too, though I would love to have the dry/wet side ability of the competition.

 

[mjk42]

Also, have the Octo 4s because they’re controllable by the Wave Engine. Happy with those too, though I would love to have the dry/wet side ability of the competition.

Thank you! For a 4ft tank, would two Octo 4s be to much flow? It sounds like they are really powerful. Two octo 2s a better option vs just running the 4s at low power?

 

[Freenow54]

Hi everyone!

I am new to reef tanks making the jump over from planted freshwater tanks and and working to set up my first tank. I am planning to get the UNS R120 based on an excellent recommendation from a member in my first post (as opposed to IM or Waterbox) and am now on to the next stage of deciding on the equipment for the tank. From what I am reading it seems like reef octopus has a good reputation in general for quality equipment and I am thinking of making this brand my base for major equipment including protein skimmer (unsure of which specific one for system volume of 120g), return pump (VariouS 6), and powerheads (octo pulse 2 vs 4? with plan or one on each side of tank). I am also leaning towards the hydros controller which would link well with this equipment. Does this seem like reasonable plan with equipment that will be reliable and easy to use for a new guy bound to mess something up? For lights I think I am going to use radions but unsure of 15 vs 30 and how many (4x2ft tank). General idea of mixed LPS to start and maybe if something lives for awhile will try SPS.

Thank you for any and all advice!

They rate them on the site I think the 120 is what that means I don't think you can do overkill but not sure. That being said I believe the 120 is a maximum gallon suggestion. I would go to the website

 

[Dr. D]

Thank you! For a 4ft tank, would two Octo 4s be to much flow? It sounds like they are really powerful. Two octo 2s a better option vs just running the 4s at low power?

I have a four foot tank and they're good. The flow is completely adjustable through the Wave Engine.