[30131]

Hello Michigan Reefers:

I just ordered a Cadlight's 178G so will be needing a lot of advice in the coming months.
I have not had a marine aquarium in about 20 years. Used to have a 55 gallon mixed tank with wet dry filter and florescent lights. A lot has changed since then!

This tank is a a beast at 6 feet long, but I wanted something where I could get some decent size fish that swim freely and are comfortable and happy. If I said I wasn't intimidated by this purchase, I'd be lying. But Im excited too.
I plan on setting this tank up as a FOWLR but want to start if off by making good decisions now that won't prohibit me from growing the tank into something more intricate later.

I hope to get some advice from people on my next steps for setup. The 178G will ship with a sump, return pump and skimmer. I already believe these are under spec'd for a true reef, but I hope to not have to replace them right off the bat.

I know I'll need lights. I don't need top end reef lights though, since if I am not planning on delicate corals (for now). just some fish, rocks, inverts, and maybe a few soft corals.

I know I'll need a good ATO unit, and I'll need some rocks and sand and testing kit. I live in the country, and have a well. Not sure if I will need a RODI unit to start with. I can buy water. thoughts?

I think I'll need some inexpensive in tank circulation pumps too.

 

[on the spot]

I'd have your water tested. Country living and well water isn't what we thought it was anymore. Thank you Wolverine.

Turf scrubbers have once again become a thing. A thought out plan of nutrient export will help squeeze every bit of usefulness out of your new gear.

With just fish on the menu a simple gravity to float valve will do fine for top-off.

I'd look to less expensive LED modules for lighting. Unless you are handy. Then I'd build some T-5 fixtures.

 

[fishnerd1]

I'm on a well myself and had problems 25 years ago with my system that slowly died out. When I dove back in I had already purchaded an RO unit for drinking water and added the DI double chamber, simple rotation of the second canister to the first when the first was exhausted and a fresh refill back to the second when I first started. The BRS dual system works well. To reduce ongoing expense of DI resin I started regenerating my own, buy the color changing resin. Save the spent resin, it's cheap and easy to regenerate, just be very careful. After regenerating resin I keep cationic in one cartridge and anionic in the second. This makes regenerating resin after the first time simple. Search on line for how to regenerate, lots of instructions. Weekly checks of my tds and color tells me if I need to replace resin. This type system eliminates the risk of low level contamination from your well.

 

[fishnerd1]

If you can afford it I'd get the booster pump and a 150 gph membrane right away in the order listed. Makes a huge difference in output. Be sure to read up on membranes there are big differences in rejection rates that will effect di resin life. For a FOWLR an RO is enough to start, add the DI if you move into corals.

 

[30131]

ok, thanks for the RO tips. I know the well water here is not good enough quality to use right from the tap. So will need to get something in place eventually.

For lighting, I am looking at the a few chinese black boxes (maybe 3) which would be enough to span the length of this aquarium. Or an Orbit IC strip. I like the Orbit better but there isn't a length that would work perfect for this cad light, which is 71 inches. The Orbit has a fixture that support 48-60 inches, and then the next highest up is 72 inches. this cacdlights will be 71 inches. uggg. so I think i'd ether get bleedover of light on the sides, or dark spots.

 

[jlschweda1971]

I have lots of dry rock if interested

 

[30131]

For lights: I just ordered the Current USA IC Pro 72" (two LED strips and an IR controller). From what I read that should be sufficient for FOWL and dabbling in some of the easier corals if I want.

came this close --><--- to ordering 2 DSuny LED panels for about 75 dollars less, but changed my mind. it seemed too risky.