Seahorseconservancy January 6, 2012 January 6, 2012 Hey everyone, I just bought a 150 gallon glass tank and a stand. I live in Nokesville, VA and kept marine aquariums for 20 years, but my last tank was 20 years ago. What size skimmer and brand of skimmer do you recommend for a reef tank that isn't heavily loaded. What size pump do you recommend given that the total head from floor to top of tank is about 4.5 feet. I'd like to get LED lights, what type do you recommend and how many watts? I've been helping Dave W on his 3,000 gallon tank and I worked one day with Rob (Fishman65) doing fiberglass. I look forward to having a lot of fun with this club.
wvreef January 6, 2012 January 6, 2012 Welcome to the community....glad to have u here as for the skimmer I would not skimp on this area, you say light load but what about down the road...no reason to buy two skimmers and pumps....avast makes some real nice one, reef octopus has real nice ones and I use a MRC on my 180 and like it, till I can afford a much better one....I will try and find my pump chart it tells you how big of a pump u need if you r doing single return or double return....
Origami January 6, 2012 January 6, 2012 Hi Walter and welcome! You've asked some questions whose answers really depend on what it is that you want to put in the tank. For example, a fish-only (aka FOWLR - fish only with live rock) would probably require the smallest investment. Tank, rock, fish, and ATO (auto top off) and maybe a canister filter along with some regular water changes. Lighting requirements would be minimal. The next stage up might be to add some mushrooms or other soft coral livestock with less stringent requirements on water parameters, and slightly greater lighting needs. At the top of the expenses would be a full-blown SPS type reef, requiring much tighter controls on water quality (and equipment to go along with it). Adequate skimmers really depend upon what water quality you need to maintain for your situation. So it really depends upon where you want to go. WAMAS is a great resource. If I may, let me suggest that your first $20 go to joining WAMAS in earnest. You'll make that back very, very quickly as it's the best bargain you'll find in this area and in this hobby. For details on "why WAMAS," click on the link in my signature. To join, click on the "Join WAMAS" button near the top of the page.
BowieReefer84 January 6, 2012 January 6, 2012 (edited) Welcome to the club. Edited January 6, 2012 by BowieReefer84
Coral Hind January 7, 2012 January 7, 2012 Welcome to the club! We need a little more info before recommending a pump. Will you have in-tank circulation with power heads or will you rely on the return pump? What size and how many overflow pipes does the tank have? Will you be running reactors or any future frag tanks off the return pump?
Chad January 7, 2012 January 7, 2012 Welcome! I recommend an Avast CS-1 as well. Great skimmer for an inexpensive cost and manufactured locally. On both your return pump and lighting question, it really depends on what you want to keep. What do you plan on keeping?
epleeds January 7, 2012 January 7, 2012 Welcome Walter. I live in nokesville too. Your more than welcome to come by and view my set up
dave w January 7, 2012 January 7, 2012 Walter, welcome. It is good to have an old friend on WAMAS. Walter's 55 gallon marine tank in 1983 or so was the first saltwater tank I had ever seen. Boy were we a lot younger in 1983.
davelin315 January 8, 2012 January 8, 2012 Walter, welcome to the club! I'm surprised you were able to "settle" for a 150 after working on Dave's system! That brings bigger tank syndrome to a whole new level! I agree with the above sentiments that it all depends on what you're planning on doing.
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