Need insight on setup!

[Dmat21]

So I guess what I’m wanting to know is if this NEW set up that I want to run is going to be a balanced system to grow and thrive anything
without having to do much. I’m a quadriplegic and have my family help me with my tanks so the more maintenance free the better. I also don’t have money to spend on fancy equipment.

Zetlight qmaven ll 6600 led fixture
thin custom lid
65 gallon tall tank Drilled
Blue background
zacro automatic fish feeder
caribsea Hawaiian black sand
filter floss

Life Rock?? Do I need this? Cheaper route?
wave maker?? Can’t find an affordable one yet that I like. Any recommendations?
water heater? do I even need one? I live in Florida and in the man room stays around 77 78 79°F

20 gallon Aqueon sump with socks

Refugium?? Or??
if I go refugium i found the matching Aqueon sump Led light, And do the whole filter media?sand?live rock? Chaeto.

Simplicity 120 DC protein skimmer. Do I need a protein skimmer with this setup?
DC 800 GPH return pump
Jebao ds3 dosing pump
dosing calcium, ALK, and magnesium

I want to say that’s all I got so far LOL. If there’s anything else that anybody thinks I may need please let me know.
Thanks in advance for anybody answering and helping me out! Much appreciated

 

[joseserrano]

Wouldn’t use filter floss. It will need to be changed every fews days or so, black sand shows ugly stuff faster than white, as well as absorbed light instead of reflects light.

if you are trying to automate/make your tank maintenance friendly, you also need to look into higher quality equipment. You’ll find out you get what you pay for in this hobby

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Welcome from Nashville!

Suggest Tunze 3155 Auto Top Off system and an Eheim Automatic Feeder. Also, you will need an RO DI system. I just purchased one from AirWaterIce but there are several companies.. Bulk Reef Supply, Buckeye Hydro, etc. You will also need a TDS meter to check the water.
Jax Racks has inexpensive parts to create your sump. I plan to buy one from them for my Aqueon 20 gal. You may not need a water heater. Add #reefsquard to your thread to get the real expert help.
Bulk Reef Supply's website has tons of videos on reefing. See also the articles here.

There is a new to Reef to Reef Thread but I don't know if you can move your posting there. Everyone needs to welcome you!

 

[BighohoReef]

So I guess what I’m wanting to know is if this NEW set up that I want to run is going to be a balanced system to grow and thrive anything
without having to do much. I’m a quadriplegic and have my family help me with my tanks so the more maintenance free the better. I also don’t have money to spend on fancy equipment.

Zetlight qmaven ll 6600 led fixture
thin custom lid
65 gallon tall tank Drilled
Blue background
zacro automatic fish feeder
caribsea Hawaiian black sand
filter floss

Life Rock?? Do I need this? Cheaper route?
wavemaker?? Can’t find an affordable one yet that I like. Any recommendations?
water heater? do I even need one? I live in Florida and in the man room stays around 77 78 79°F

20 gallon Aqueon sump with socks

Refugium?? Or??
if I go refugium i found the matching Aqueon sump Led light, And do the whole filter media?sand?live rock? Chaeto.

Simplicity 120 DC protein skimmer. Do I need a protein skimmer with this setup?
DC 800 GPH return pump
Jebao ds3 dosing pump
dosing calcium, ALK, and magnesium

I want to say that’s all I got so far LOL. If there’s anything else that anybody thinks I may need please let me know.
Thanks in advance for anybody answering and helping me out! Much appreciated

Lots in your post I'll try and answer as much as I can.

First off welcome to R2R! You definitely are in the right place to get you started! So I'm going to start by saying and it's not to scare you or push you away from the saltwater hobby. A saltwater tank is time-consuming especially upfront with getting all the equipment setup, cycling, and then tuning your equipment for good flow, lighting, skimming, and what not and last but not least water quality, testing and water changes sometimes weekly depending on your parameters/situation...

Again not to scare you just trying to inform you of what's ahead... Okay done with the disclaimers. The good news, try and get plugged into your local reefing community. If you don't mind share your city/state location in your thread, what I've found is that reefers love to help other reefers. I've met some amazing people that will now be life long friends because of this hobby. I'm helping a guy this week move a Reefer 450 with my truck, what I'm trying to say is folks will help a reefer in need... not to mention you might get some free or discounted coral

From an equipment perspective, you have what you need to get started up except for a wavemaker. You don't have to spend a lot of money for a decent one, I would recommend that you start with jaebo (not known for the quality or customer service) they do a good job for the price.

For life rock do you mean live rock? This will depend on how you plan on starting/"cycling" your tank. True live rock basically helps to kickstart your tanks cycling process it provides healthy bacteria your tank will need to maintain the reef environment. The other option I started with dry rock which I got at my local fish store (LFS) but you can find it online as well (like at BRS). This is a big topic and there are quite a few options and community opinions as to how to cycle your tank and in the quickest way possible.

Refugium isn't required and more of a nice to have if you can afford it, have space for it I'd do it. You don't have to use sand and I would probably recommend media blocks or live rock, and chaeto.

Yes for the heater and you might want to think about a chiller as well, you want to maintain constant temp in that range for your fish and corals. Higher temps, especially for corals they will bleach when you get into the lower 80's.

That's my two cents... I would also recommend reading this for all new reefers The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium it'll help prepare you for your tank endeavor and maybe future ones.

Let me know if you have more questions, happy to help!

 

[Dmat21]

So I guess what I’m wanting to know is if this NEW set up that I want to run is going to be a balanced system to grow and thrive anything
without having to do much. I’m a quadriplegic and have my family help me with my tanks so the more maintenance free the better. I also don’t have money to spend on fancy equipment.

Zetlight qmaven ll 6600 led fixture
thin custom lid
65 gallon tall tank Drilled
Blue background
zacro automatic fish feeder
caribsea Hawaiian black sand
filter floss

Life Rock?? Do I need this? Cheaper route?
wave maker?? Can’t find an affordable one yet that I like. Any recommendations?
water heater? do I even need one? I live in Florida and in the man room stays around 77 78 79°F

20 gallon Aqueon sump with socks

Refugium?? Or??
if I go refugium i found the matching Aqueon sump Led light, And do the whole filter media?sand?live rock? Chaeto.

Simplicity 120 DC protein skimmer. Do I need a protein skimmer with this setup?
DC 800 GPH return pump
Jebao ds3 dosing pump
dosing calcium, ALK, and magnesium

I want to say that’s all I got so far LOL. If there’s anything else that anybody thinks I may need please let me know.
Thanks in advance for anybody answering and helping me out! Much appreciated

#reefsquard

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Hi! You want to automate your system as much as possible. I am fairly new and don't have the knowledge and experience. I will email Crabs McJones to see if he can assist.

These may be helpful:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/question-can-i-have-a-tank-and-travel.723961/#post-7527005

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-to-do-on-vacation.680997/

Good luck! Elaine

 

[jda]

Live rock is more than bacteria. It also will bring in microfauna, all kinds of pods, starfish, regular sponges, cryptic sponges and all kinds of other things that will add to the biodiversity. I would save some money and order some from the Pacific or Gulf, even if it is farmed rock. Nothing else you could buy is more beneficial, IMO.