Return pump, lights and flow makers?

[Seregus]

Hello everyone!

I used to be in a hobby from 2012 till 2020 and now getting back.
Ordered UNS R150 and now choosing equipment.

Before I would blindly go with Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon properly sized for tank as a return pump. Selected required MP40/60 from Ecotech and placed desired amount of Radion XR30 or XR15, however based on my initial research it's not the case anymore?

What would be ideal setup for the lights, return and flow makers today?

For me reliability is a key, before my setup of Vortech and Royal Exclusiv worked like 8 years non stop without any issues with tank been moved twice and I barely needed to clean Red Dragon, with some proper cleaning for Vortech...

Also would love to control and monitor everything remotely.

So if anyone could give me advise on which way to go?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[mfinn]

Royal Exclusiv pumps are bullet proof. They have come out with a new generation model with separate power supply and separate controller. Not sure if the new RD5 is available in all flow models.
While there is a lot of criticism of ETM products they are still a great choice. My biggest knock against them is the control app. Mobius IMO is difficult to use, has much less options than ESL. And can only be used on a smart phone.
There are cheaper options.
But I'm still using my Vectras, MP40's, and Radions. If it works, why change?

 

[Kooma]

I went through this recently and honestly got tired of the comparison for marginal difference. I ended up with ration XR15s, MP40s and I bought jebao dcp10000 return pumps (pair I run in redundancy). I don’t need fancy return pumps, set them at their flow and walk away. Redundancy provides me with a failure path, and the ecotech stuff just works.

Buy some quality heaters, and inkbird controller and if you have budget, an apex.

 

[kevinf]

Hydros for automation
Jebao for pumps off aliexpress.
Im running hybrid setup of t5's and kessil leds. Although, I wouldn't say its the thing to do, but works for me.

 

[Seregus]

Ok, understood the suggestions, seems like if I stick to my ‘old’ way I’ll be fine. Thank you

Automation for me is GHL Profilux, people say its difficult, but its actually just very old way/style of programming, i’d say original and for me its no problem.

 

[X-37B]

Hello everyone!

I used to be in a hobby from 2012 till 2020 and now getting back.
Ordered UNS R150 and now choosing equipment.

Before I would blindly go with Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon properly sized for tank as a return pump. Selected required MP40/60 from Ecotech and placed desired amount of Radion XR30 or XR15, however based on my initial research it's not the case anymore?

What would be ideal setup for the lights, return and flow makers today?

For me reliability is a key, before my setup of Vortech and Royal Exclusiv worked like 8 years non stop without any issues with tank been moved twice and I barely needed to clean Red Dragon, with some proper cleaning for Vortech...

Also would love to control and monitor everything remotely.

So if anyone could give me advise on which way to go?

Thank you so much in advance!

I have a similar system, 59×30×21.
Look into the Tunze ORCA. 2 6105's is all you need for the entire system.
I run 2 sweeps with Tunze 6255's, ORCA was not out yet.
Lighting I like ReefBreeders.
The Meridian would be a good choice, I run Photons, Meridian were not out yet.
I run radions on 2 other systems, nice lights.
Return pumps I have ran Tunze forever.
I'm running my first DC return on my 112 a mightyjet that came with the system.
Skimmers I run Tunze 9410dc's and 9430dc's.
I also run a Lifereef and it's a beast.
Current 150 @ 1.5 years.

 

[mfinn]

Ok, understood the suggestions, seems like if I stick to my ‘old’ way I’ll be fine. Thank you

Automation for me is GHL Profilux, people say its difficult, but its actually just very old way/style of programming, i’d say original and for me its no problem.

Sticking with what you know and already have is not a bad thing.

 

[Seregus]

Just an update at the end its GHL Lightbar 3 (5x) and full GHL setup for dosing, return pump, measuring. Vortech for flow pumps and Royal Exclusiv for reactors and Skimmer. Also some TMC UV and Reef Factory filter roller… but its all minor

 

[Austinchao98]

I'm switching to a t5/LED hybrid because I'm sick of shadowing. Worth a consideration if you can stomach the price and availability of t5's

 

[Seregus]

Well, this was a reason why I decided to go with Lightbars x5 because they will cover almost all tank footprint.

For some reason I do not like T5 - maybe its something from childhood or some other reason, but I simply can not see them over my tank, even with knowlege its super success for many reefers.

 

[kevinf]

I'm switching to a t5/LED hybrid because I'm sick of shadowing. Worth a consideration if you can stomach the price and availability of t5's

Availability is the biggest factor. Im lucky I have backups because the 48" is mostly out of stock everywhere