Equipment Recommendations for IM INT 100

[TeeSquared1214]

Looking for equipment recommendations for the IM INT 100 I just bought. Should be coming in a few days so I’m looking at what equipment people recommend. The goal is to have a mixed reef tank. Likely only with soft corals at first, with potential for hard corals if I excel at these.

Currently looking at the following and would like feedback and opinions:

Heater - Helios PTC 350 Watt
Protein Skimmer - ?? Do I need this right away?
Lights - ?? Maybe Fluval SEA?
ATO - ??
ATO Reservoir - Hydrofill 5 gallon? Or is this too small?

Again, I don’t have much down in terms of brands since this is my first saltwater aquarium and there are plenty of options for each component with mixed reviews everywhere. Appreciate any help or insight!

 

[Morpheosz]

I have an IM 75 that is very mixed reef - softies on the bottom, LPS in the middle, SPS on top. I have an oversized sump in the basement so it's around 100G total volume.

I have the following and have been very happy (after much tuning and tweaking and trying different things):

Filtration, etc:
- Trigger Triton sump
- Red Sea Reefmat 500 in the first chamber
- Reef Octopus Essence S-130 Skimmer in the second chamber
- Coralife Turbo-twist 6x on a closed loop with a small sicce pump
- 2x BRS titanium 350w heaters + Inkbird controller (1 is enough, 1 is backup, backup is connected to neptune so I have 2 heaters and 2 controllers for extra assurance)

For mixed reef lighting I use:
- Kessil AP9X centered over the tank at about 25%
- Reefbrite 30" Actinic in front aiming back to fill / pop colors

Flow
- 2x Reef Octopus OctoPulse 2 (I like that they are easily aimable, I found this really critical in a shorter, packed tank

I also use Neptune Apex to control dosing (BRS 2 part) + control wave pumps, auto water change, monitor, etc, but that's of course all optional depending on how much you might want to automate things.

A recent pic to show you what's roughly in there:

 

[fishface NJ]

You do not need the skimmer right away. Some people don't use one at all.

tunze 3155 ATO

 

[Morpheosz]

With the reefmat and a big load of corals uptaking nutrients, my skimmer doesn't export a lot, but it is critical for gas exchange and the subsequent effect on pH. I run a line outside for the air intake and between that and the alk dosing, I keep a pH in the 8.3 range. You could potentially go without but you likely won't achieve very strong pH and related coral growth. When I turn my skimmer off for maintenance, the pH flatlines / drops pretty quickly.

 

[Aquaddictorbj4]

For ATO, I suggest autoaqua AWC duo, which AWC+ATO all in one.
very very convenience & user friendly, especially for a beginner.

 

[TeeSquared1214]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really like the Kessil lighting, however it’s a steep investment. Are there any other suggestions out there while I save toward a Kessil AP9X (seems to be the best coverage with the sleekest look). If you recommend a different light? I’d like to know which and why?

 

[UtahReefer]

I have a IM 100EXT. For a skimmer take a look at the Octo Elite 200INT. Very consistent and pulls a bunch of junk out.

 

[TeeSquared1214]

I have a IM 100EXT. For a skimmer take a look at the Octo Elite 200INT. Very consistent and pulls a bunch of junk out.

Thank you! Will definitely look into this. As this is my first saltwater tank/reef tank. At what point would you say a skimmer is necessary. Also looking for recommendations on media to fill out my sump as it is pretty bare at the moment? I have some live rock from a LFS in the tank now, and some from Tampa Bay Saltwater on the way within the week.