Thoughts on initial setup

[Jekyl]

This is the list of things I've put together for starting my reef tank. Will be geared toward lps, softies and fish. Maybe some sps down the road. Any feedback would be appreciated. I know there are more expensive and better options but I have a watchful wife and telling her it all only cost $10 won't cut it lol.
USA current orbit LED 48" $190.00

Reef octopus 6" classic $300

Maxspect gyre xf230 $290

Current USA eFlux 6009 DC Flow Pump - 1050GPH. $180.00

120lbs live rock Craigslist $150

90 gallon 48x18x24 display Craigslist $100

55 gallon sump/fuge Craigslist $50
*building my own setup

80lbs play sand home Depot $6.00

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome aboard and it looks like you're off to a great start!

However, play sand nor pool sand are not the best choices for our tanks.

 

[Jekyl]

Forgot to include 2 250w eheim jager heaters. One set a degree under the other

 

[Jekyl]

I know live sand is best. I've heard that as long and I wash it well that normal sand is an OK substitute. Trying to shave costs where I can

 

[MSB123]

I know live sand is best. I've heard that as long and I wash it well that normal sand is an OK substitute. Trying to shave costs where I can

I would get Carib sea dry sand.
https://www.marinedepot.com/Dry_Sand_for_Saltwater_Reef_Aquariums-FISSDS-ct.html

 

[PatW]

You want aragonite sand. It is sand that is made of calcium carbonate. I think it comes from parrot fish munching down coral and pooping it out. Play sand can be any number of things and can release toxic metals. Reef safe sand is pretty cheap. And there are a pot load of options.

I would advise you to get an RODI system and also an auto top off. You will also need a refractometer.

 

[Jekyl]

My updated list after input. Keep the suggestions coming as they are a lot of help

USA current orbit LED 48" $190.00

Reef octopus 6" classic $300

Maxspect gyre xf230 $290

Current USA eFlux 6009 DC Flow Pump - 1050GPH. $180.00

120lbs live rock Craigslist $150

90 gallon display Craigslist $100

55 gallon sump/fuge Craigslist $50

80lbs caribsea live sand $80.00

2 eheim jagger 250w $60

Instant ocean reef salt 200gal $62.00

Red Sea refractometer $60.00

4 stage RO/DI $150

1500gph overflow glass-holes.com $100

 

[sharpimage]

I wouldn't get the current lights. They are not very powerful.

 

[Jekyl]

I've heard the same. I was already thinking of running additional t5 to compensate. Can't really afford the $700 LED lights along with everything else

 

[MSB123]

I've heard the same. I was already thinking of running additional t5 to compensate. Can't really afford the $700 LED lights along with everything else

I would just run a t5 fixture. You can find them on amazon for cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...+lights&sprefix=T5,aps,199&crid=2PDQDLR90BH0W

 

[Jekyl]

I like the way the led lights make everything look. Was hoping they would be functional also but I keep getting negative feedback on their ability to be stand alone lighting

 

[ADAM]

If I were looking the same set up I would use the following thats comparable money wise to your list;
2 "Black Box" WiFi LED Fixtures- $250-300
Jebao DCT6000- up to 1500gph- $81
2 Jeboa- Powerhead OW-10 $54 each and/ or RW8 $70 each- total $125
Total about $100 less than yours listed and the lighting IMO is way better than the Current (which Ive owned) and multiple powerheads vs one gyre in a 4ft x 18" tank would be way better to me personally as well.

Take the extra $70 and put towards an upgrade on the RO/DI especially if your on city water! Which there's also normally a few RO/DI systems for sale on the forum, then all you need is water connections and new media, if no extra comes with used purchase.
-------------
Reef Octo 150int 6" Classic is only $239 @ Bulkreefsupply.com also the used equipment forum has some good deals on skimmers and not really a necessity during the initial cycle.

 

[Jekyl]

Exactly the info I was fishing for. Thank you very much

 

[PDR]

USA current orbit LED 48" $190.00
I would not recommend these lights for this tank. They are great for shallow tanks, but that's about it. Cheap T5's or black box would be better for a similar price

Reef octopus 6" classic $300
Honestly, I went years without a skimmer, you could get away with not having one right away and definaetly could get a used one and save money

Maxspect gyre xf230 $290
I would go with two of the Jebao OW-25's and save some money

Current USA eFlux 6009 DC Flow Pump - 1050GPH. $180.00
I don't have any experience with these pumps, but I prefer something super reliable for my return pump like an AC Sicce pump

120lbs live rock Craigslist $150
Will this be wet live rock or dry rock?

90 gallon display Craigslist $100

55 gallon sump/fuge Craigslist $50

80lbs caribsea live sand $80.00
I really like the "special grade" caribsea dry sand

2 eheim jagger 250w $60
Those are good heaters, but I personally would not trust them without a controller. Without a controller, I would spend the extra money on the Cobalt neotherm heaters - FWIW, always buy heaters new

Instant ocean reef salt 200gal $62.00
I prefer regular IO salt and you can usually find it on sale for around $40~ for a 200 gallon box

Red Sea refractometer $60.00
The BRS one is cheaper and just as good

4 stage RO/DI $150

1500gph overflow glass-holes.com $100

 

[reeflife3]

I would be careful with buying live rock off Craigslist, you never know what was in the tank. They could have used copper or other medicines with, I would go with dry rock

 

[Jekyl]

My updated list from all the good feedback I got. Still some sticker shock going on but no where near like it was. Thank you everyone for the input

2 viparspectra 165w $260

Used eschopps skimmer s-150 $150

Jebao ow10 and rw8 $125

Jebao dct6000. $88

120lbs dry live rock Craigslist $150

90 gallon display Craigslist $100

55 gallon sump/fuge Craigslist $50

80lbs caribsea live sand $80.00

2 eheim jagger 250w $60

Instant ocean salt 200gal $42.00

BRS refractometer $35.00

4 stage RO/DI $150

1500gph overflow glass-holes.com $100

 

[davocean]

Personally I'd save money on return by getting an AC pump, tunze, sicce, fluval.

I'd prefer a T5 fixture and maybe add LED strips later when budget allows, I'm partial to reefbrites.

I would save money and use dry sand over live, it will become live fast enough, and no dieoff that could actually slow down cycle.

I would prefer a 40g breeder for sump.

Jebeao can be hit or miss, not a fan.

Finnex would be my heater choice, and I would use 2, both a little more than half the watts I think I need.

If going used skimmer I'd prefer a reefoctopus.

 

[Jekyl]

Why

Personally I'd save money on return by getting an AC pump, tunze, sicce, fluval.

I'd prefer a T5 fixture and maybe add LED strips later when budget allows, I'm partial to reefbrites.

I would save money and use dry sand over live, it will become live fast enough, and no dieoff that could actually slow down cycle.

I would prefer a 40g breeder for sump.

Jebeao can be hit or miss, not a fan.

Finnex would be my heater choice, and I would use 2, both a little more than half the watts I think I need.

If going used skimmer I'd prefer a reefoctopus.

Why a smaller sump? I figured as much area as possible for the fuge would be best

 

[davocean]

Why


Why a smaller sump? I figured as much area as possible for the fuge would be best

Well, we do often suggest as big as fits, but it's nice to have some gear space, you might want an ATO resivoir, and I like the dims on a 40b

40b is what I have on my 120g, I have plenty of room and good size fuge.

Typically a sump is 1/3 volume of tank on most under stand sumps, it should be plenty big enough.

I like to catch the petco dollar a gallon sales for those

 

[davocean]

Mine is a super simple and basic sump, 40b, and you can see I have plenty of fuge.

Return chamber and skimmer/drain chamber are just a few inches bigger than footprint needed for gear, enough to make easy enough to pull and maintain skimmer and pump, and then I made rest of space fuge.

I plan to put an ATO resivoir on right side where I have easy access to fill.