refugiums / sump both ?

the 150 gal tank i am looking at buying comes with a sump with protein skimmer and all juts wondering if i can leave all that runing like normal and add a refugiums to the tank as well or would that be harmful for some reason ? or do i even need both don't want to waste space and $ the tank is the Marineland Monterey Deep Dimension LED Super Systems $3,299.99 price at Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products i am thinking about a 55 gal refugium added to what that tank comes with would be best but want to make sure before waste my $ and if u see anything els i should get to set up a very nice reef tank let me know thanks
Marineland Monterey Deep Dimension LED Super Systems

Marineland Monterey Deep Dimension LED Super Systems

Marineland Monterey Deep Dimension LED Super Systems

welcome to reef-geeks!

we totally need more info - what is this 150 gallon you are talking about?? What skimmer equipment is there?? tell us more!!

it has the marineland marine series advanced in sump skimmer Marine pro 300 it is rated for a 300 gal tank the sump has dual 1" intake and does 1,400 gph any more info u need ?

ow and the tank is the marineland monterey deep dimension led super system 150gal

Here is the tank:

Marineland Monterey Deep Dimension LED Super Systems

Now for my opinions:

The tank and stand\canopy look great.

You could build your own sump for much less that would work better.

The heaters... well they are heaters, so that's ok.

For the skimmer, I would head over to reeffiltration.com and get a 160 cone skimmer. But I love my SWC skimmers.

The return pumps are OK, but there are many more to choose from out there.

As for the lighting.......... 1w LED are not enough for much of anything. They would be OK to start on, but would have to be replaced before you could add any light demanding things like some LPS, most SPS, and any clams.

Thanks for listening to my opinions, but remember they are only my opinions.

not enof light ? i noticed they where 1w led but i thoght since there where 36 white and 6 blue on each panal and 3 panals that together there would be enof ...hmm i will have to shop around see if there is a beter place to buy tank and stand if i can do all u say cheeper /beter why pay that much for not the best u know any good web pages for tanks / stands lights and how u mean build my own sump remeber i want to add a 55gal refugium to it as well thanks for all the help

shopping locally for a new tank is often a great idea - as shipping them in can be a major PITA!! If I was ordering a new tank tomorrow, I would go to my local fish store and have them order it in for me - just to take the headache out of shipping and receiving.

One of our sponsors here - GetPumpedSaltwater.com | Specializing In SPS Corals and Clams | 616-299-6513 builds custom tanks and stands too - Lance is a great resource, and would certainly guide you the right way on sumps, skimmers, and lighting that are appropriate for your tank wants

Plus - like Pat, we all have opinions! Often those complete setups chince on things here and there - I would always prefer to buy piecemeal like Pat suggests, you just have more control over the quality of each and every piece of equipment you put in your tank. Just 1 piece that is subpar puts address stress on you that you dont want to deal with!

As far as lighting goes, I am planning a DIY LED job for my 29 gal bowfront. I'm gonna use 24 3w LED for that small of a tank. I'm in the early planning to replace the T5s on my 180 and I want to use at least 36 3w LED per section, but I may use 48.

Remember for light you want to give your corals as much light energy as they would get in nature.

I would look local for a tank too. I have driven 2 of my tanks almost 50 miles each to get them home.

I have to agree with the above. All in one tanks are typically fine for freshwater, or even saltwater fish, but when it comes to reef invertebrates, especially the photosynthetic ones, you'll be much better off getting high quality stuff individually and putting it all together.

You can definitely use a 55 gallon for a sump or you can turn it into a sump/refugium by siliconing in a divider. Pretty simple project. I prefer to use plastic now because I've had glass sumps break around the bulkhead because I jostled attached plumbing around too much trying to move pumps, so if you are clumsy like me, acrylic or even a rubbermaid tub might be a safer option.

I agree with everything said- all in ones are usually more expensive for lesser quality parts.
However let me get to one thing I don't believe has been addressed. That refugium. The "true" purpose of a refugium, is to house critters that you will need for one reason or another, that are simply not safe in your DT (display tank). For example, if you plan on keeping mandarins, a fuge would be a good hide out for pods.

One reason for a fuge that has become very popular is that plants reduce nitrates. And that is true, but some things to consider are: if you have nitrates, you can easily find the source and eliminate it, and it takes a LOT of plants to make any difference. So while plants consume trates, the rate at which they do it is incredibly slow.

Nutrients and bacteria in some of the miracle muds are also an option, but with so many tanks without it (and doing fine) I don't see the need...

Anyway, I've hadf 3 of my own tanks, never a detectable nitrate (after cycling of course) and never a fuge.

And as Pat mentions, only my opinion.

mandarins yes i am geting one reason i wanted a fuge and i am geting a shrimp that eats starfish it called a Harlequin Shrimp i want 2 of them so fuge was going to be safe spot to have lots of little starfish lots of plants and a 6in sand bed with live rock in there as well was the idea and of corse lights on 24/7 so no night time nightrate prob and ya i see ur point about lights still looking for some ow and quick ? a uv sterilizer good idea for reef tank or bad i think my cleaning crew of crabs snails will be enof for the algy but should i get a uv sterilizer ?

I wouldn't bother with a uv sterilizer, really no point unless you are having problems with green water.

i found these lights Marineland Pro Lighting 24-Hour Lighting System on this link Metal Halide Lighting: Marineland Marine Series Pro Lighting at Foster & Smith Aquatics will these be an ok light for hard and soft corals ? i was thinking the 72 or should i get 4 of the 36 and cheeper tank i found thanks to u guys is 125 gal 72" x 18" x 22" high

Originally Posted by Pat B

Here is the tank:

Marineland Monterey Deep Dimension LED Super Systems

Now for my opinions:

The tank and stand\canopy look great.

You could build your own sump for much less that would work better.

The heaters... well they are heaters, so that's ok.

For the skimmer, I would head over to reeffiltration.com and get a 160 cone skimmer. But I love my SWC skimmers.

The return pumps are OK, but there are many more to choose from out there.

As for the lighting.......... 1w LED are not enough for much of anything. They would be OK to start on, but would have to be replaced before you could add any light demanding things like some LPS, most SPS, and any clams.

Thanks for listening to my opinions, but remember they are only my opinions.

and I agree with your opinions Pat! +1 for me!

Originally Posted by spinycheek

I wouldn't bother with a uv sterilizer, really no point unless you are having problems with green water.

+1 here too.....no need for this!

as far as lighting - - did you try Premium Aquatics yet? they're one of our sponsors and most of the time their prices can't be beat......if you do, don't forget to mention Reef-Geeks!

+1 on the replies here.

You need to set yourself on one of the tanks you mentioned above. I personally would say go with the used 125g tank. The marineland is nice, but your going to spend a ton of money on a system that you will have to upgrade/spend more money.

Assuming the price of the Marineland being $3300.00:

Average 125-150g used tank, stand and canopy: $300-$400
Custom sump (LFS installs baffles and refugium): $400
Mag 18 Return Pump: $165
SWC 160 skimmer: $250-$300
ATI T5 Lighting (6x80w): $700
100lbs of Sand: $100-$150
125-150lbs of Live Rock: $400-500 (You can use base rock also, which will drop this price drastically, just need to let it cycle).
Salt (200g box of Reef Crystals): $60-$70


The above numbers are just averages, and adding the high numbers comes to $2700. Figure in another $300 for misc items and your still ahead of the ballgame.

Going with the 125-150g, you can get some top notch equipment and have a pretty nice setup for the same money that you will spend on the Marineland setup itself.

Alec, did you pick the tank and lights yet?