210g equipment check before I buy?

The original questions I posted were answered with many informative replies. Thank You. I think I am ready to pull the trigger. If I start with a 210g tank drilled, dead base rock (with possible seeding), proclear protein skimmer 250, mag drive 1800 pump, proclear 200 wet/dry filter, heaters, 72" lunar aqualight, and crushed coral for the base of the tank am I in good shape to develop a stable system for fish only. Your comments are appreciated. Thanks Again.

Kevin

 

I wouldn't use a wet dry if I were going to go with a reef tank but that's just me

 

Wow, A 210 You need lots of planning if you want everything to come out right.

You say you want fish only now, but when you are 1 year into this you might get bored of fish only and decide you want a reef so I would try to plan ahead. I would first do a search for the equipment you described to try and find review from fellow reefers (you dont want to spend double the money by buying something poorly made).


1.Drilled tank is a good choice if not the only practical choice.
2.Dead base rock is an excellent choice, definitely seed with some live rock.
3.I don't know much about that protein skimmer, so do search for review.(your going to need a good one)
4.You might want to consider external pump instead of internal.
5. Wet/Dry is ok if fish only and ok if reef as well you just have to maintain it. (Might want to look into refugium as well.)
6. I would definitely opt for Metal Halides as your lighting fixture. Gives you more flexibility in the future and looks nice.
7.Crushed coral is fine.

My last advice is that this hobby is expensive,not just to setup but to maintain as well, so make sure you have that in mind.

 

the combination of a wet/dry with a refugium is extremely beneficial for a reef tank that houses corals. skimmers dont aerate the water as much as you think, but a wet/dry does. and that also oxygenates the water.

 

Thanks. I am planning on using MH lights, but I forgot to change that. Can you give me an idea of what you think your 90 gallon costs to maintain monthly.

 

There are costs in $ and costs in "time" --- esp. with a tank this size.

Be prepared to invest much in each. :-/

 

I would recommend a DIY refugium and a AquaC EV-240 protein skimmer.

 

I would second the EV-240--a spray injection skimmer with the ease of calcium reactor/ozone integral hook-up is well worth the additional cost IMO. I would steer clear of wet-dry. If you really want to add addition biological filtartion, consider a fludized bed filter (well-maintained obvioulsy).

You're going to have fun with this tank! Keep us posted.

 

Live rock will provide plenty of biological filtration.

 

I dont know why ppl dont like wet/drys. I've had a wet/dry/sump on my 90g for yrs without any problems. They are not NO3 factories, in fact, what is a NO3 factory are the filter pads and sponges. If you clean them once a week, you'll be fine. Im sorry, but I would have to disagree with that statement.