Hey guys,
So, after being out of the hobby for 4 years, I have decided to jump back in. My son is almost 1, and I know he'll enjoy it as he gets bigger. I picked up a 40 breeder and a 29 for the sump during petco's dollar per gallon sale last month. I have framed out my stand using the rocketengineer plan, and that thing is solid! Still figuring out how I want to skin the stand. So, I'm thinking I'll be running LED lights, a protein skimmer, and a refugium, for sure. I guess I'm really just looking for any suggestions y'all might have and anything new in the past couple of years I need to know about. Also, I want a quiet setup, since it's going to be in our living room. As I mentioned, I do have a baby at home and will have to be budget minded. Controllers, vortechs, and all the fancy reef gadgets are not in the cards, lol. Specific questions I'd like some help with are:
1. What do you suggest for a quiet overflow/return? I have drilled tanks in the past with success and am not scared to do it again. My last tank was a 120 with a Herbie style overflow.
2.What's a good skimmer these days? I always liked my reef octopus. Is there something better that is not crazy expensive? Is there something better in the same price range or cheaper?
3. Any other tips for keeping things quiet?
4. Anybody have experience with the jebao cross flow powerheads? They look interesting and won't break the bank.
5. Any other general tips. I'm trying to take my time and really think this tank through.
Thanks in advance for the help! I hope I didn't ramble too much.
So, after being out of the hobby for 4 years, I have decided to jump back in. My son is almost 1, and I know he'll enjoy it as he gets bigger. I picked up a 40 breeder and a 29 for the sump during petco's dollar per gallon sale last month. I have framed out my stand using the rocketengineer plan, and that thing is solid! Still figuring out how I want to skin the stand. So, I'm thinking I'll be running LED lights, a protein skimmer, and a refugium, for sure. I guess I'm really just looking for any suggestions y'all might have and anything new in the past couple of years I need to know about. Also, I want a quiet setup, since it's going to be in our living room. As I mentioned, I do have a baby at home and will have to be budget minded. Controllers, vortechs, and all the fancy reef gadgets are not in the cards, lol. Specific questions I'd like some help with are:
1. What do you suggest for a quiet overflow/return? I have drilled tanks in the past with success and am not scared to do it again. My last tank was a 120 with a Herbie style overflow.
2.What's a good skimmer these days? I always liked my reef octopus. Is there something better that is not crazy expensive? Is there something better in the same price range or cheaper?
3. Any other tips for keeping things quiet?
4. Anybody have experience with the jebao cross flow powerheads? They look interesting and won't break the bank.
5. Any other general tips. I'm trying to take my time and really think this tank through.
Thanks in advance for the help! I hope I didn't ramble too much.