Need your knowledge in finishing up my equipment buying.

[Scuba Dan]

Getting close to the end of the purchasing part....I hope. Im about broke...Here is what I have as now. Need some info on what I will still need.

1. AGA 120 gal. RR tank.
2. Stand with tall canopy (Will be here in a week or so.)
3. ASM G-3 Skimmer
4. IceCap VHO Ballast X1 Model #430
5. IceCap MH Ballast X2 Model #250mh
6. 10,000k MH bulbs X2
7. 50 gal refugium
8. 130 watt FC lighting for refugium
9. Mag 18 return pump
10. 5 Stage Reef Keeper RO/DI

Items Im researching on now are: (You may have seen my posts.)
1. Plumbing
2. VHO lamps
3. End Caps
4. The overflow plumbing, either AGA Megaflow accessory kit or a DIY set up.
5. Wave makers


Now this is where I need the help. What else should I check into to finish up the set up? Im sure there is alot more I need, but hope the expesive part is done...
Thanks......

[motorslave]

With MH lightin temp may be an issue. A chiller may be in your future. BUT, a fan placed on the sump can drop temp by a few degrees. This will increase your daily evap rate so in order to keep salinity etc. stable an auto top off system would be a good idea. Check out our sponsors and look for top off.
For wave makers what are you thinking about, power heads on a timer strip? A CLS would be a great way to add lots of flow, use one pump and cut down on clutter in the tank. You would have to drill the tank though (not as hard as it sounds)
Do you have heaters? Most will use two, one for back up.
Plumbing can be done with PVC, flexable tubing or flexable PVC or a combination. The best way in my opinion is PVC with Flexable in line from each pump to cut down on vibration. Clear tubing will get algae build up in it.

Robert

[motorslave]

Also timers for the lights, any kind no need for expensive. On for the MH and one for the VHO's. You can get some at HD that will run two ballasts. Rubbermaid trash cans for water storage/mixing, extra salt and test kits. Salifert is the widely recognized brand for test kits. Live rock will be a big purchase if you go with all live to start, You can purchase base rock for most of your rock and get a small amount of live rock to start the initial cycle. It will be slower for the bacteria to colonize this way but you will have less chance of getting bad hitch hikers this way. Lots of people like to buy addatives to "boost" the cycle. Not needed at all, the bacteria nad die off on the live rock will take care of all of that.
Also get ALOT of patience!!!! That is the key, once you get set up and water n rock in, let it go for a couple of months with some water changes in there. The longer you let a new tank cycle the better off youll be!

Robert

[Scuba Dan]

Thanks for your reply Robert. I was thinking about using a couple of these on the return lines back into the tank.
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...bic.asp?CartId=
What do you think about them wavemakers? I will be adding a couple fans to the canopy, do you think I should still add one at the sump?

[Scuba Dan]

I have the Rubbermaid trash cans for water storage/mixing, I have a 150 gal tank with just a Snowflake eel in it. I picked up 580 lbs of Baserock for both tanks. I wiil check at HD on the timers.
Thanks...

[motorslave]

Ive heard good and bad about those hydros. Problem is that salt water has alot of minerals in it and over time it can build up and cause things like that to freeze up.
As for the fan on the sump, get a cheap small fan with a clip on it (maybe a 6" or 8") and have it ready in case the canopy fans dont do enough. Dont forget to look for a top off set up. Its a real plus to keep the water stable and it makes life easier so you dont have to add a bucket of water every day. Believe me it gets old!

robert

[motorslave]

A simple top off set up will just a resovoir for fresh water and what ever switch you get and a maxijet power head to trandfer the water.

Robert

[motorslave]

What kind of rock is that? Thats a nice little pile you got there!!!!

Robert

[theplatypus]

I couldn't imagine trying to plumb a tank without flex pvc. My local stores don't carry it so I picked it up from savco.com.

[motorslave]

Home Depot has it, usually in the same aisle as the coper and gas pipe and its sold by the foot. I learned after my first system and i hard plumbed the whole thing...talk about loud reverberating noise from vibration....
Now I hard plumb manifolds and use sections of flex before and after each pump.

Robert

[Scuba Dan]

Robert, I picked up the rock down in Port Charlotte, Fl from a tip from a fellow member. He also help me hand pick the rock....Thanks Tim. The rock is called Rip Rap. If you take a look a post 16, Tim has posted a few pics of the rock after its been in his take for a bit, and its doing GREAT. Here is the link:
http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74486

[motorslave]

Cool! Yeah his tank is coming along nicely!! Hes really done a good job.

Robert

[Tim224DT]

Thanks Robert!! Yeah Clint you are moving along there cant wait to see it all setup.


Tim

[Scuba Dan]

Thanks for everyones reply, keep them coming. Im heading off to a few of the LPS to see what they have and check out some prices. Untill later.....
Clint

[Scuba Dan]

**Picked up a couple of URI VHO Super ACT 110wt X2** Paid $24.97 each from the LPS.