[Scubamike]

I'm off to the lfs to purchase a new tank today. This will be a totally new setup, as well as a new thing for me. The only experience I've had is for the last two months in a 24g biocube. I'm looking to take a rather large plunge with this tank and was wanting some equipment recommendations from the board. The footprint are I have to use is going to be 72" long so I'm looking to go for a 180g thats at the shop
(72"x24"x24" rr with stand and canopy). I'm looking to create a mixed tank with corals, inverts, a few fish (the macro life and corals really do it for me while diving). So here's a list of questions I have about equipment:

What kind of main pump for the system?
What kind and how many power heads?
I'm wanting to light with T5's, does anyone know of a manufacturer of a 72"
setup or is this a DIY item?
How large or small of a refugium is needed? (and how to pipe this in and with how
much flow through it?)
How large of a sump is needed? Should I go with as large as can be fit or is
something smaller OK?
Is there any other hardware needed I haven't mentioned or thought of here?


I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future, but this is mainly just the equipment side question (which seems to be glazed over in the books I've read).

[Tonz of fun]

First off I would only purchase the tank and stand at the store. Buy everything else online. It will be way cheaper!!!

[Tonz of fun]

Also how much money do you have to spend on stuff not including your tank? Is money a problem?

[Scubamike]

Money is not really an issue. If need be the setup can sit empty until all the hardware is in place and back-up cash is ready for LR and LS. I'm trying to set an initial budget of 1.5k to 2k for hardware.

[Taras1]

Current makes T-5's in 72" lengths; I have a 90 gal w/the orbit Extreme (48" w/8 X 54w.)

With a 24" depth you might want to go w/HQI/MH lighting with T-5 actinics for color balance.

Take a look in the book "Reef Secrets." They have several different biotopes which might interest you. One really cool one is a "deep sea cavern" you wouldn't need a lot of light.

[Tonz of fun]

I recomend Current U.S.A. T5s as well. They are great lights. I would go with this fixture if money wasnt a issue. Current USA 72 inch Outer Orbit 3x150w 10K HQI-MH w/ 8x39W T5 HO & 24 Lunar Lights (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > Metal Halide > 72in Units > Double Ended MH > MH With T5 )

I have always been interested in this power head here. Anywhere from 150gph to 3000gph. It also doesnt add any heat to your tank. Ecotech Marine Vortech Propeller Powerhead/Pump
You will want anywhere from 10-20x gph in pumps and powerheads. Which means you want a 180g tank. So 1800-3600 gph total water movement. Thats pump and powerheads.

I would recomend building your own sump you can look around and see how people have done it. Order extra LR for your refuigium. originally you asked about sumps and refugiums...A sump is defined as excess water. It adds to your water volume and also covers your butt in the case of a power failure. Your Skimmer will also go into your sump. I have only used skimmers from AquaC so I cant give you any advice on that. Some good people to chat with would be Jvharding, rcline, and KrazyK, the new guy AGM or ASM knows his stuff too. 180g is no small task are you sure you are ready for 180g?

[Tonz of fun]

And if you act quick Sanjapwer is selling all his stuff. He as pretty much everything you need. The thread is in the trading section. PM him for details.

[Scubamike]

PM'd him tonight. It sounds like he's trying to do a package deal though. It's good to see what his setup had in it.

I originally wanted to go with a 90g or 125g, but there was a 180g at the shop. The upkeep difference between a 125 to a 180 shouldn't increase that much (I hope anyway).

[Tonz of fun]

I would imagine his set up ran him around 5-6k without inhabitants...he does have a chiller though...