Starting 30 Gallon Reef! Questions???

[Hallowhead]

First off, I would like to introduce myself as I just joined the NJ Reefers club. I am 24 years old from northern NJ, born and raised. I frequently travel to a summer home on Toms River island side so if I ever need to give or pick up live stock etc it's know . My brother has had a 65 gallon reef tank for 5 years now hence my interest. I work in NYC & NJ in high rise construction. I graduated NJIT with a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. I am very tech savy. Anyways back to my questions.

I recently purchased an innovative marine 30GL NUVO tank. I know the repercussions of a smaller tank as maintaining my levels will be fairly difficult. However, I am determined to keep this tank running smooth by keeping good care of it and adding additional help.

Do you think it will be relatively easy to maintain a 30 gallon tank? What do you think my weekly maintenance looks like?

My main questions...

I need lights! I don't know what type of lights to get! I've been recommended kessil lights as well as AI primes. I want to grow all types of relatively easy corals for the time being. Nothing outrageously difficult. I would like to spend the least amount of money (obviously everyone's goal) but I want good lights.

I am looking into a protein skimmer, the Tunze DOC 9001 which will fit in the "sump" in the IM tank. I have read loads of good things about this skimmer and believe it's a good choice. However, someone might know of a better option?

Lastly, I want a ATO & a RO/DI system to have my tank always topped off to mitigate any salinity issues. I have read 6 stage RO/DI systems are what you should get but wanted to ask here before pulling the trigger. Also knowing everyone is from Jersey I might not need as strong of one. I feel the ATO system is pretty straight forward but I am wondering of recommendations.

Looking forward to getting involved.

Best,
Joe

 

[MadReefer]

Welcome Joe, plenty of members up north.
I have a 72g tank and use the RODI Buddy from Amazon for about $60 and works well for me.
Lights are always tough. Do you want LED, T5 Halide? I use the Blackbox LEDs from e-bay, two 165w full spectrum over my tank.
Cannot help with nano skimmers.
Good luck and start a Tale of the Tank build thread so we can see.

 

[Hallowhead]

I was looking at 200 dollar RO/DI systems that produced 200 gallons a day when I know that's way overkill... Do you pump into a drum or just keep a small resivour ? Did you ever test NJ tap water to really see how refined it had to be?

LED all the way!! Ill use the t5 / t8 on my seed starts

 

[Mark_C]

Hi Joe and welcome aboard.
Agreed with MadReefer. The RODI buddy works well. It'll crank out 10g a day if needed, and in a 30g tank with a 10% water change per week (just round it up to 5g) you'll be fine.
LED lighting has tons of options, 2-3w per gallon is the normal (with enough spread to cover the tank). The 'Black Boxes' (Chinese manufactured) on Amazon seem to have great reviews. I run a Mazarra Razor on one tank and an AI 26HD on another, both are excellent lights.
I'm also running a Tunze 9001 on a 40b. Small, low profile, and a workhorse. It was a pain to adjust at first but now runs like a freight train, it'll be more than adequate for your 30.

 

[Hallowhead]

I may have to get this buddy as it's MUCH cheaper than the 200 dollar systems I've seen. Do you get this:

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4dwICb3BJKFMB

and install the DI cartridge ?

I keep hearing these Chinese black boxes but idk something just doesn't feel right with those. I'll look into the mazzara.

Great I love freight trains. I would imagine it takes a bit to also get worked in.

 

[MadReefer]

I was looking at 200 dollar RO/DI systems that produced 200 gallons a day when I know that's way overkill... Do you pump into a drum or just keep a small resivour ? Did you ever test NJ tap water to really see how refined it had to be?

LED all the way!! Ill use the t5 / t8 on my seed starts

Joe, all depends where you live. Get a TDS meter and test your tap water. Before I moved my tap was 130-140 now its 180. I use 5 and 10 gallon containers for my RO with a 4g ATO reservoir.

 

[MadReefer]

I may have to get this buddy as it's MUCH cheaper than the 200 dollar systems I've seen. Do you get this:

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4dwICb3BJKFMB

and install the DI cartridge ?

I keep hearing these Chinese black boxes but idk something just doesn't feel right with those. I'll look into the mazzara.

Great I love freight trains. I would imagine it takes a bit to also get worked in.

This one has the DI resin just that name is not showing it.

https://www.amazon.com/Aquatic-Life...&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=rodi+,pets,287&sr=1-3

 

[Mark_C]

Joe,
Go look in Deals and steals.
Amado is selling some Kessils that I'm trying not to buy myself.
Never owned Kessils but heard great reviews and this seems like a great deal for $250.
2 x Kessil A80/ Kessil H80 and Kessil Spectral controller X $300

Marine Depot seems to be offering a finance special (never hurts to ask if they'd extend it a day)...
☀ Daylight Savings Special: 0% APR Financing on Lighting ☀

And, note in that thread Radiata may have a few spare Radions about (grats Rad!), might be worth a PM.

Oh, yeah, and go for the DI resin attachment with the RO buddy. You can actually buuy resin in bags and refill it yourself so your not a slave to manufactured cartridges.

 

[Hallowhead]

Joe,
Go look in Deals and steals.
Amado is selling some Kessils that I'm trying not to buy myself.
Never owned Kessils but heard great reviews and this seems like a great deal for $250.
2 x Kessil A80/ Kessil H80 and Kessil Spectral controller X $300

Marine Depot seems to be offering a finance special (never hurts to ask if they'd extend it a day)...
☀ Daylight Savings Special: 0% APR Financing on Lighting ☀

And, note in that thread Radiata may have a few spare Radions about (grats Rad!), might be worth a PM.

Oh, yeah, and go for the DI resin attachment with the RO buddy. You can actually buuy resin in bags and refill it yourself so your not a slave to manufactured cartridges.

So everyone uses the RO buddy as opposed to something like this..

5 Stage Premium RO/DI System - Bulk Reef Supply

I will take a look for the thread - you think buying second hand lights is okay?

 

[Mark_C]

I use this 4 Stage Value RO/DI System - Bulk Reef Supply with an inline meter.
I switched up when I began running multiple 40g+ tanks and was doing 20+ gallons of water changes a week.
The buddy system worked great for me with 60g worth of tanks.
I'd probably still use it if I hadn't snagged the 4 stage system from another member for a song and dance.

 

[amado]

Hello
I am selling the Kessil lights.
If you buy the lights I have a RO buddy that I can give you. Since you are new to the hobby as a Welcome gift.

 

[Trio91]

I use an Amazon brand rodi but what I did was change out all of the cartridges and use the BRS brand.

I have a 34g AIO unit and have used kessil with great success. You be ok with that 1 a80 as long as you raise it up and up the intensity. Its gonna give you a "cone ^" shape so you're gonna need to counter it.

The tunze 9001 is the skimmer I use. It serves it purpose for me.

 

[Trio91]

Hello
I am selling the Kessil lights.
If you buy the lights I have a RO buddy that I can give you. Since you are new to the hobby as a Welcome gift.

Very nice of you bud

 

[Hallowhead]

I use this 4 Stage Value RO/DI System - Bulk Reef Supply with an inline meter.
I switched up when I began running multiple 40g+ tanks and was doing 20+ gallons of water changes a week.
The buddy system worked great for me with 60g worth of tanks.
I'd probably still use it if I hadn't snagged the 4 stage system from another member for a song and dance.

Is there any major difference? I'd be doing at Max 5 gallons a week water changes and than daily top off. I think the buddy is sufficient just wanna make sure it's quality enough that it isn't producing water that isn't much better quality.

 

[Hallowhead]

Hello
I am selling the Kessil lights.
If you buy the lights I have a RO buddy that I can give you. Since you are new to the hobby as a Welcome gift.

Wow.. that's super nice of you ! Is it the same RO system that we are linking ? That has the DI resin chamber ?

 

[amado]

This one

Aquatic Life RO Buddie Three Stage Reverse Osmosis, 50-Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOG63OY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NIzICbPR1669Y

 

[Mark_C]

Great deal on lights, great RO system that suits your needs, and even if it doesn't have the DI its only a few bucks as an add on.
There ya go. I should quit my job and move into setting up power couples.

 

[amado]

Actually the one I have I believe has resin already

 

[MadReefer]

A

Very nice of you bud

Agree. Nice offer.

 

[Hallowhead]

I am just worried that the A80's won't cast enough light for all corals. It might be okay for zoa's and LPS but not SPS corals.