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new to reef keeping starting new 70G

P

pitogo

Hi All,

I just wanted to say hi and get some advise for starting a new 70G. I have broken down my current tank and keeping the critters in a 20G long and some buckets. My first tank was running for about 2 years, 37G with 17G sump (filled to 10G). I just purchased a new Tech series Oceanic 70 with the Aquapro Lighting. I am also looking to go bare bottom and use the 20G long as my sump. To start I'll be keeping some of the equipment from the 2 year old 37.

They are:
mag 7: return pump is fairly quiet but probably needs an upgrade, around 4ft head, looking for something that doesn't have too high of a heat load and efficient
MJ900: for flow I have two MJ-mod medium prop mod good for now, should I upgrade to the tunze?
EuroReef RS-80: with a lightly stocked 70 I think it should be fine, but it needs a good cleaning, how do you folks clean the skimmer body?
30lbs: live rock, I need about 80-100lbs more, have any good places to go?

That's its for now.

Thank you in advance.

Mike
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

welcome to njrc!

I've heard a lot of nice things about the tech series- you'll have to post pics when you get a chance.

In terms of cleaning skimmers - I think most folks will use a vinegar based water solution to soak it.

In terms of LR - check out our sponsors - we have quite a few that carry LR. One sponsor (Marco) is pretty heavily recommended. There may even be some other members selling LR.

If you upgrade the PH to a tunze - what were you thinking - a single controller with a 6100 series? or a 6060? or one of those nano streams? I'm partial to tunze so I think any of these choices would do. That stated the mod'd maxi and or koralias will also work in a pinch. Or I guess a vortech could be considered.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Welcome to NJRC!

One overflow can handle 600gph, typically so the Mag7 makes a good choice. Can be a bit loud, and tends to heat the water in the summer (like any water cooled model would in sump or out).

As for the powerheads, I'd sooner stir the water with my hand than use a mod'd maxijet. Even the mod kit you can buy makes a terrible vibration. We just pulled 2 of those out and replaced them with hydors. I'm done with any sort of mod'd maxijet for good now.
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Hi Mike and welcome NJRC!

I'm a huge fan of Marco rock and would recommend it to anyone. The only downside to it is that it isn't LR. It's very dead rock . . . . but incredibly AWESOME looking!
 
P

pitogo

Thank you!

I live in Bergen County, NJ so I try to get most things local, supporting LFS.

Cleaning the skimmer, vinegar, yes I heard of this and will try it.

OK so Mag 7 should be fine. (I'm blessed with a quiet one)

The MJmod, the mods are hand built by me and are quiet. The Sedra 3500 pump from the skimmer make more droning noise, shockingly. But either way, I think I'll go with a new set of powerheads since the mjmods have never been turned off for more than a day in 2 years and its still going in the 20G long holding tank.

marcorocks I'll check them out.

Some other questions:

Controllers: Reefkeeper 2 or aquaJr
 
S

sinkingbeach

Hey Mike welcome :) I'm currently using the ACJR., it is more than adequate for my 175, I have lights, kalk, auto TO, pumps, etc...just about every piece of equipment I own running off it and have had no issue what so ever. I like the DC 8 and you can add a second one if you wish. I don't have experience with the reefkeeper and therefor can't comment on it.
 
P

pitogo

With the 70G starting new I wanted to make sure its focused on simplicity and doing things right. The 37G was good and life was good for the dwellers but I'm looking to make it a bit better. I have these items taken care of, Water, Filtration, Circulation, Lighting,Testing.

What are the benefits of going with other advanced features, ORP, phosphate reactor, CO2, ozone etc.
 
J

Jabis96

i have all marco's rock and it is great rock!!! i'd try and find marco's rock from someone getting out of the hobby.
 
P

pitogo

jabis,

Thanks but I can't post on the fs forum yet. Not enough posts. I've been looking at craigslist, there seem to be some good leads there. With the marco's rocks, his website says he's not going to receive a shipment until april. Do you know if they are live? With the dry rock do I have to cook them? Or will they be fine with a good rinse and seed with my current LR?

Jabis96 said:
i have all marco's rock and it is great rock!!! i'd try and find marco's rock from someone getting out of the hobby.
Click to expand...
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Marco rock is not live rock. It is dry. And just to be clear, you can respond to purchase from folks, just not start your own WTB thread.
 
P

pitogo

Phyl, Thanks for the info I haven't found a seller with available rocks yet.

The last items to pick up for now are more rocks. I also went with the Neptune Systems AquaController Jr since it has the X10 module and I can have it kick of the AC if it gets too hot for the tank during the summers. I did a through cleaning of the tank insides.

I just ordered the following:
• 2x Hydor Koralia 4 Circulation Pump/Powerhead UL 1200 gph
• HM Digital In-line Dual TDS Meter
• Neptune Systems AquaController Jr with Serial Port + Temperature Probe + DC8
• Neptune Control Interface Hardware for X10

These items are for the return, I measured the tank return and the inside diameter is 3/4" theses should work right?
• 3/4 inch Black Flexible Vinyl Tubing 4ft
• Bushing Fitting - 3/4 inch MPT x 1/2 inch FPT (adaptor for mag7)
• Insert Fitting - 3/4 inch FPT x 3/4 inch Insert
• Plastic Hose Clamp 3/4 inch

These are for the tank drain, I measured the tank return with a caliper but I couldn't find tubing large enough to fit the barbed end of the drain. It actually measures larger than 1 in inside diameter, I think it was 1 3/16". I hope that tubing will work.
•1 inch Black Flexible Vinyl Tubing 4ft
• Plastic Hose Clamp 1 inch
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Welcome to the club, Mike. Just be sure to send your app in so that we can process your account!
 
P

pitogo

I wasn't able to find anyone selling LR, so I just ordered 40# of each Kaelini Tonga Ultra Show Live Rock - Uncured and Premium Fiji UN-Cured Live Rock from Premium Aquatics. Asked for big rox and hoping for the best. I also went to hd to pickup 24G tubs filled with water and salt getting the vat ready for curing. I'll post some pics soon.
 
P

pitogo

Here are some photos http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=9086.0

One issue I have to solve is heat. With both the Mag7 and the Sedra3500 I don't need a heater in the winters but in the summer... I'll need either big fan or chiller. I can drill the side of the 20G but I've only got 4" of clearance for an external Iwaki. Anyone have suggestions for an external pump in 4" of space? The Oceanic stand has full side access.

The 1" return can handle 600GPH max right? I have 4' of head and a single 1" return which is better? Iwaki MD 20RLXT - 540gph or Iwaki MD 30RLT - 510gph
 
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