How would you stock a 72 Gallon Bowfront tank?

Here is a pretty good deal on spectrapure - RO/DI dual TDS with pressure gauge.

90 GPD Dual TDS and Pressure Gauge - $149 (thanks AZdesertRat for this one)

This one hooks up to a standard hose (like a garden hose) and you make up batches as you need it. T5HO will be good lighting and I would recommend at least the 6 bulb fixture. There are plenty of LPS and soft corals you could do that have a lot of color.

When designing the flow, you want to place powerheads that will help create random flow. For a mixed reef, I would say you would want some high flow spots, medium and low flow - but it's very important to try to avoid dead spots where things don't move.

The vortechs may seem expensive at first look, but they are REALLY good at creating strong random flow.

 

ok there seems to be alot of talk about RO systems, could anyone briefly explain the process of an RO/DI or direct me to any good threads they know? Cuz I am confused. Is the RO/DI something that only needs to be used occasionally? or something that needs to be used constantly cuz I dont see myself running a line from my sink to my bedroom for my tank lmao. I have a feeling I sound really dumb but I just want to clear the air.

 

Sure - check out this thread:

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/great-threads-help-you-get-started-75664.html

RO/DI water is basically water that has everything stripped out of it so it is "pure" with no checmicals or dissolved solids. This should be used for all water in the aquarium. Initial setup, water changes, top off...

 

Thanks

 

Nobody so far has addressed the stocking and powerheads. I am in my 3rd year of keeping my 72 bowfront so hopefully you can learn from my mistakes. For my powerheads I just went with two hydor Koralia evolution 1050's. As for stocking I would limit it to around 6-8 fish depending on sizes. I currently have:

2 ocelluris clownfish
1 yellow tang
1 flame angel
1 orchid dottyback
1 blue-green chromi
1 six line wrasse

 

Dude no offense to other advice but the last thing you have to worry about right now is an RO System. You can fill your tank with RO water from the grocery store for .29 a gallon. If you want an Ro system down the line you can get it. In the meantime spend your start up money on Needs not wants. Get your lighting, Make sure you have 100Ibs or so off live rock, live sand, powerheads,Heaters,Hydrometer,tests kits,salt mix,filters,maintenance supplies,sump/fuge supplies,Skimmer,Filter media...the list goes on and on for things you need. Then after that you will still need money for live stock. Get an idea first of how much this hobby will run you first!!... but if its anything out of everything that can wait its an RO system. IMO

 

and what were some mistakes that you made in which you would be able to enlighten me with knowldge of

My intentions for livestock fish wise is the nemo theme a marlin and nemo, dory, scar etc. i love the bubble guy yellow fish.

 

well put..

 

The advice on the RO is good AS LONG AS you are planning on getting RO water (or at the VERY least) distilled water and using it.

I do agree that there are a lot of other things you need to be looking at as well, and if you are already planning on lugging 100 gallons of water home to get the tank of and have some top off and your first water change then OK.

Personally, I did not get an RO/DI unit until last month and lugging the water (even for a 20 gallon) was a pain.

100 Gallons of startup water $29 (if you can find RO for that) and then remember probably 25 gallons a week of water for top off and water change. 6 months of paying for water and you could have already purchased the RO unit.

Just my 2 cents... Way I figure it is start with primarily 4 things to get started - Water Quality, Live Rock Quality, Flow and Lights.

 

Here's my 72 bow. http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/my-72-mixed-no-sps-83196.html