Skimmer and Lighting?

[Jason In The 561]

Hey everyone

I'm looking for advice on choosing the right equipment for my system. After talking with other living reef member I decided to go with a 72 gallon bow-front which I just purchased form my LFS. Now I was looking for some input on 1. a protein skimmer and 2. the light system. I want to start with a few fish and corals but I would ultimately like to fill the tank to full capacity. For filtration I planed on somewhere between 120-150 lb of live rock a few power heads and a skimmer. I'm open to any suggestions on a skimmer. I'm willing to buy quality but I'm also not trying to break the bank. For lighting Iv seen other reefers with my tank size use a 4' 6 bulb fixture and have great results. Iv been looking at this one in particular

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Tek-Light-T5-System-Bulb/dp/B002C08ATY]Amazon.com: Tek-Light T5 System - 4', 6 Bulb: Patio, Lawn & Garden[/ame]

I'm open to any advice and furthermore greatly appreciate some. Thanks guys.

 

[marcah]

congrats on the tank.. I think you will be fine with that light.. as far as flow goes shoot for around 40 times per hour.. 120 pounds or better will be fine for liverock. reef octopus makes a really good skimmer..
Protein Skimmer, Protein Skimmers, Aquarium Marine Reef Foam Fractionators

 

[x19]

The skimmer is one of the most important components to a system, probably second only to your lights. I'm on my third skimmer (upgrades) and should have just saved money and bought a higher end one to start. There are a lot of good brands out there, but a Cone skimmer is the highest tech right now.

Personally, I like the Vertex Brand, but there are a number of good high end brands.

 

[Jason In The 561]

Thanks marcah, any specific models you would recommend of the site you posted?

 

[marcah]

will depend on wether you are going to have a sump or not.. that will narrow your choices..

 

[Jason In The 561]

I didnt plan on sump at first so a HOB was what I was going for

 

[x19]

This is what I used until I added my sump, it worked well but I wanted something more powerful.

Reef Octopus BH 100 Hang on Back Protein Skimmer - AquaCave

I would go bigger, something like this:

Super Reef Octopus LX 1000S Hang-on-Back Protein Skimmer - AquaCave

 

[marcah]

if it were me and I was going with a hang on, I would go more with this one..
Super Reef Octopus XP 1000S CONE Hang-on-Back Protein Skimmer - AquaCave
for the 40 dollars more would be worth doing.. IMO

 

[x19]

Yeah, I agree but it requires a lot of space behind the tank