Adding equipment...what order?

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by Recliner, Feb 21, 2013.

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  1. Recliner

    Recliner Flamingo Tongue

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    I've had my tall 150 gal tank running since late august. I think I'm at the point where im ready to start adding more equipment. My water parameters are all great except phosphate has always seemed to stay around .25
    I have had to add calcium every once in a while to get it up around 480. I currently have 3 anemone and an assortment of all kinds of coral but would like to transition to mostly sps in the future.
    Current equipment:
    My return pump is 635 Gph and I have 4 750gph power heads. 18watt turbo twist uv sterilizer, bursa skimmer (300 gal rated), trigger ruby36 fuge, tautronics led light and a 36" light with 250mh and a couple t5s.
    I have a calcium reactor and a couple empty co2 tanks that's not hooked up
    Future equip:
    Vortech mp10 and mp40, Controller of some type, Gfo of some type, 2 reef breeder led with 60 degree optics

    What order should I start adding this stuff? I'm planning on holding off on adding the calcium reactor until I have a controller to monitor it but beyond that I'm not sure.
     
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  3. Recliner

    Recliner Flamingo Tongue

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    I do have an external 800 Gph pump laying around too. Any advantage to switching to it from my submersible 635 Gph pump?
     
  4. DevinH

    DevinH Montipora Capricornis

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    It's honestly up to you. And no advantage, if it works fine leave it.

    IMO, since you don't need much automation it appears for dosing, then go with the GFO, Vortech, lights, controller in that order.
     
  5. Recliner

    Recliner Flamingo Tongue

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    Is the bulk reef supply a good way to go for the gfo?
     
  6. DevinH

    DevinH Montipora Capricornis

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    Yep.
     
  7. Recliner

    Recliner Flamingo Tongue

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    I have a maxi jet 1200 (295 Gph) for my uv sterilizer. Would I be able to use it for both the BRS jumbo reactor and the uv sterilizer? The recommend pump for the reactor is a mag drive 3 (350gph) so this would be slightly below that. The uv sterilizer needs 200-400 Gph so I'm not worried about that.
     
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  9. DevinH

    DevinH Montipora Capricornis

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    I'd go with manufacturer recommendation. I know there are other people reading this thread, chime in and throw your opinions in too! I'm not an expert and opinions vary.
     
  10. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

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    I wouldn't do 60 degree optics on that fixture. Go with 90's and you will be fine. I personally have a 24" deep tank and I'm lighting it without optics at all.
     
  11. Recliner

    Recliner Flamingo Tongue

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    My tank's 30" deep and I may be having sps near the bottom. Could 90 degree still make it to the bottom?
     
  12. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

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    I think so...... I'm growing Monti like a about 20 inches. I would talk to Logan