Getting ready for 100gallon tank, looking for ideas!

[seshapir]

As some of you might have read in my other threads my husband and I currently have a 20gallon and are getting ready to upgrade to a 100gallon. We're looking to purchase it in about a month or so. I have a few question about our setup and would really like to use the wisdom and experience of you all to help us make some decisions.

We are planning on buying a 100gallon acrylic tank.

What kind of filtration is optimum for a 100 gallon tank. I've heard a lot of bad things about bio-balls and wet/dry filtration. I would like to know what you all think we're better off doing, a wet/dry system or a sump with a refugium?

What size and brand skimmer are best in your opinions?

What power head size and brand would be best?

What kind of lighting? We do want coral and most likely will get SPS.

We're the type of people that prefer to buy the best once instead of junk 4 times

[110galreef]

Well if plans for SPS--

-Sump, no refugium. Just lots of LR ~150# and great skimmer!
-Skimmer- ASM G4 or MRC-2 Up to you different styles and different opinions. What ever you like best. ASM a little cheaper. But within like ~$50
-Lighting. I'd say 2- 250w MH and 2 VHO's


Do you plan a CLS or not? I have got away thus far with a few SPS and about 12x's turnover in my 110. But I plan to add CLS with atleast another 10-15x's turnover for more flow as I add more SPS.

[seshapir]

Originally Posted by 110galreef

Do you plan a CLS or not?

What does this mean?? Sorry I don't know all the lingo yet

Why no refugium with SPS??

[dobejazz]

CLS is a closed loop system used for added flow without adding powerheads to the display.
This link should help alot with the acronyms
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/fa...m#faq_acronyms

[110galreef]

Originally Posted by seshapir

Why no refugium with SPS??

More will elaborate on this, but just seems one more thing not necassary and creates dirtier water and more cleaning.

Key is not needed and more maintenence.

This is one of those things that can be argued for or against. If you get good skimmer and lots of LR like mentioned you realy DON't need it!

[three90s&125sump]

If you have the room for a 48X24X24 I would recommend you get that. you'll really appreciate the depth of the tank in the long run. I just hooked up my first CLS on my new set up. click the link below to check it out theres some good input there as well.

The recipe for success is (like 110 said) Lots of live rock, lots of light, lots of flow and the biggest skimmer you can afford and fit. And follow that up with good husbandry practices.

[seshapir]

The more my husband and I look and research different corals I think we're more likely to get softies and possibly LPS, probably polyps as well.

I really appreciate it all the info on CLS (three90s&125sump WOW WOW kudos to you for all your work) I don't think a CLS is going to be something we can do. Neither of us are very "handy" when it comes to building and I don't think we have the room for it. Are there any other suggestions on how to get proper flow for our tank??

What brand skimmers would you all recomend?? I hear everyone say "get the biggest one you can afford" but is there too big?? We're most likely NOT paying for the tank or stand so we will have a good chunk of extra money to put into our equipment.

[dobejazz]

Look into Tunze pumps for flow!!!

[three90s&125sump]

Too big? Whats that? Nah just get the best most efficient skimmer you have room for. You'll probably be looking in the $300 to $400 range for skimmer. Here are some suggestions.

NEW ASM G-4 Aquarium Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra
5000 Pump

My Reef Creations MR-3 Protein Skimmer (MyReef MR3) NR!


ETSS 600 SKIMMER

I have an ASM (euro reef clone), The MRs are a favorite of TRT and the ETSS is pretty high end but hard to keep set to run optimally. I think all of those choices would serve you very well. There are some others out there that are great as well. stay away from anything that says it will work on a 100 gallon tank but only cost 40 bucks. Really don't pay any attention to rating just get the best one you can afford.

The tunzes are nice (from what it hear) and if you don't have the ability to do the CLS then they might actually be cheaper than paying for the instalation of a CLS.

[VWD]

I agree on the fact of getting acrylic, I will never get a glass tank again , they are good but acrylic is light and the view is the greatest.

[three90s&125sump]

Is your tank going to be acrylic?

[seshapir]

Originally Posted by three90s&125sump

Is your tank going to be acrylic?

If there's one thing we're 100% sure about it's that we're getting an acrylic tank.

I really appreciate all the info on skimmers three90s&125sump, and we will for sure look into a tunze (probably will end up being our best bet for flow)

Are there any other little tricks, secrets, or general advice you all can give for setting up a tank of this size??

[110galreef]

Take your time, cycle it properly and you should have very little issues!!