Experts - What Equipment For A 120g

[KMP]

OK, so i was going to upgrade from a 24g to a 65g. Most likely, still am; however everything I'm buying will be transferable to my final destination a 120g. I've been collecting all this stuff in my garage; think I have a good start but now need help w/other things to consider.

With a 120g AGA in mind; here's what I have so far:

Cleaning:

ASM G-3
23g Sump (need a larger one)

Chilling:

Aqualogic Delta Star 1/4 Chiller w/dual stage controller


Circulation:

(2) Sea Swirl 3/4" wave makers
(1) Oceanrunner 6500 pump (1700gph)
(2) Oceanrunner 2500 pumps (650gph)


Lighting:

442w (1x250MH and 2x96 PCs) Most likely I will be upgrading the lights as I don't think 1x250 in the center of a 48" tank will work - thoughts?

What I'm most interested in are what other components should be considered for a healthy reef? Dosers, calcium reactors, all that stuff I still have a lot to learn about. What ever you guys/gals list will also serve as a tool for me to do some searching/reading/learning on my own.

I mainly like LPS and right now the only SPS that I would really like to have is a pink birds nest.

Show me the way - and I'll try to find the money

[prow]

is this list what you have or thinking of getting??

i think it would be best to pick what type corals you want. i only say this because you say you like lps but really like a pink birds nest. a birds nest, is a high light demanding coral and loves high flow. not the best to mix with lps. the flow needed for the birds nest would rip the flesh off most lps and the lighting needed would bleach out most lps too.

but before you figure all that what are the dimension of your tank? need to know the hieght for the lighting and how long it is for the flow. a 48"x24"x24"H(like my friends) tank would need different equipment than say a tank with dimensions of 72"x18"x21"H(like my tank) both are about 120gals but require very different equipment to achieve the flow and lighting needs to make the same corals happy.

hope that makes sence

[prow]

for what it is worth i would go for a sps setup. its always easier to reduce things like light and flow than increase it later on.

[KMP]

I've been collecting all this stuff in my garage

120g AGA

48x24x24

mainly like LPS

what other components should be considered for a healthy reef? Dosers, calcium reactors, all that stuff I still have a lot to learn about

[mps9506]

Go with dual halides if you do go with metal halides. The single center light will not cover the full four feet. For an LPS dominated tank I think 2x250 will be sufficient, the type of bulbs is totally up to you.
Can you explain the circulation a bit? Are you using one OR pump for a return and the two smaller ones for powerheads or closed loop? I personally love seaswirls, just wish they were smaller

You are correct on the sump, I would suggest a larger one to help minimize issues of microbubbles, as well as give more water volume. I would suggest a 40 breeder tank as they fit nicely under that size tank and usually fit in the stand nicely.

I wouldn't say Ca reactor is something you have to have, a dosing and top offf system with kalkwasser might be sufficient for you.

[KMP]

thanks mike,

lights, i have my eye on the hamilton 250w reef star. i'm thinking 2 mounted to the top of the canopy w/14k bulbs.

circulation, the AGA megaflows allow 600gph, the 120g has two. my thoughts were to have one 2500 hooked to each overflow. the 6500 hundered is to power both sea swirls. i still am learning on how all this would be plumbed up also. i'm in no rush - plenty of time to read/learn.

[mps9506]

Are the seaswirls going to be on a closed loop or are they getting water from the sump?
The reason I ask is the that the OR6500 is not a pump I would recomend for an external closed loop purpose.

[KMP]

hmmm...my first thoughts were for a closed loop (6500 external running the sea swirls) as i would think all those pumps in the sump would be to much. the ORs are internal/external pumps - but i'm all ears - that's why i'm posting