Countdown to startup....on the right path?

[AutoXFool]

Hello all. First time poster, and I'll try to make it a good one.

General rundown: Had success keeping various freshwater tanks. Used to own a 75 gal Saltwater that had to be taken down and sold to due unfortunate circumstances. Never ran into any real problems, but really didn't have the tank very long (maybe 6-9 mos). It has been 4+ years since I've had a tank of anykind.

Sooooo. I'm moving in a few months and am plotting my return back into the saltwater realm. I've been rereading some of the books I already own (The Reef Aquarium Vol. 1 by Sprung and Delbeek. being the best one) to regain the information I've not used in years. Then, I found here and let the games begin.

At the moment, the current plan is to get a 75gal tank. Aside from what I'll be using in the tank, lets start with the basic setup. I'd like to keep it as simplistic as possible. The prior tank (also a 75gal) basically rank on powerheads, lots of LR, and a skimmer. I never got around to setting up the sump and was having success with that setup. It contained a few fish, a few inverts, and a couple of lower light corals (only had the basic lights that came with the setup, which I know was not enough). I wish I recalled what additives I used but I no longer have my logbook (yes, I did keep one)

So to get to the one of my questions, can you run a successful, long-term reef tank without the sump setup?? Another reason I would like to run without one is kids....my boys are into everything and have broken child-locks off of cupboards and just envision 2 boys playing in the sump. I'm not against it, just would perfer without.

Here is how I have the basic plan laid out. Feel free to point out absolutely anything I've overlooked or that you have comments on.

75gal (model depended on if sump setup will be used)
100-125lbs various LR
Uncertain of substrate...still researching, but LS will be at least a part of the setup.
3-4 rotating powerheads controlled by a wavemaker. Flow and models undetermined.
Hang-on Skimmer. I know from prior reading that the SeaClone isn't highly thought off, but it worked very well for me before...but I am open to suggestions and haven't decided on skimmer since it may relate to the sump issue.
Lighting, leaning towards PCs of some sort.

Looking into the occupants list so that the setup can adequately satisfy them. This is not a complete list, nor final in anyway. Tank-raised fish will perferred when possible.

Blue-cheek gobies (had a pair in my last tank and loved em)
Clownfish
Brittle/serpent stars
Various snails
Cleaner Shrimp
Peppermint Shrimp
Feather Dusters
Fridman's Pseudochromis or Sunrise Pseudochromis
Green Mandarin (when tank is very well established..probably would be the last fish added)

Various soft corals, mushrooms, polyps. No hard corals, calms, or anemones.

Okay, enough of my babbling. Fire away.

 

[Len]

Sean,

You're off to a good start. Researching first is always a positive thing

A tank can be successful without a sump. A sump affords some extra flexibility, but it's not a must. I recommend either a Precision Marine HOT-1 or AquaC Remora Pro protein skimmer instead of the Seaclone. A Turboflotor multi is also a good performer, but it's a little large in size in my opinion (a lot of it overhangs into the tank, but it does perform very well).

Whatever sand you get choose, I recommend fine particulate sized aragonite-based sand.

As for additives, the best ones I've used are the two-part solutions such as B-ionic and C-balance. I'd start with those and add other ones only if tests indicate they're necessary. These two-part supplements are "complete" and balanced in proportion to natural seawater.

PC lighting works well and is the simpliest solution. 4x96W PCs is what is recommended for a 75 gallon and it will permit you to keep a wide range of photosynthetic inverts. 4x55W will be on the minimal side, even for softies, shrooms, and polyps. The more the merrier And trust me ... you'll want to keep hard corals, clams, and/or anemones sooner or later

One other note: all the rotating powerheads sold today are pretty unreliable. The rotating portions inevitably gets clogged, so I recommend simple powerheads on a wavemaker or perhaps a SCWD oscillating device (affordable and reliable). I have had good long-term success with Maxijet and Eheim powerheads.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[AutoXFool]

Thank you Len. That's exactly the sort of information I am looking for.

I do think I will go without the sump setup with a very good skimmer. I'll look into those you've recommended.

I currently have the other half saying that perhaps we should start with a smaller tank (perhaps a 29gal or 46 bowfront) to reduce startup costs (mostly associated with the LR and LS amounts & lighting), but still buy pretty much of the same equipment we'll need when we are able to get and want a larger tank.

For the 29-46gal, what amount of PC lighting would be good to cover just about anything I put in there? Also, any recommendation as to the fixture itself? Since I'm starting from nothing, would it be better to buy a reg. ole hood and get a retrofit kit or just get a PC fixture itself?

I've also noticed that is a recurring theme with the rotating powerheads, the clogging. I like that SCWD oscillating device. I'm guessing to have one with each powerhead? Also, does this take the place of the wavemaker itself?
And speaking over powerheads, how many and at what flow rates?

Thanks for the assistance.