Equipment recommendations please

[Mol_PMB]

I have bought myself an Evolution Aqua ReefPro 600RS tank for my new salty project.

The display tank is 200L cube with a 25L sump and 17L top-up reservoir.

This is the first sumped tank I have purchased.

I intend it to be an SPS dominated tank with a shoal of small fish.

From my previous, decommissioned salty tank I have a Kamoer 4-channel doser and a Gyre powerhead. I can probably find a spare heater. My old skimmer failed and my old lights are unsuitable for the new project.

So I need (I think):
Return pump
Auto-top-up setup
Skimmer
Lights
A decision on what to put in the middle sump chamber (reactors, refugium?).
Maybe a refugium light?

I would welcome recommendations for reliable, cost-effective equipment.
Sump dimensions are here:

[Stephen]

I have no idea about marine set up but sounds like an exciting project.
All the best Paul

[Mol_PMB]

I’m sure Marty will sing the praises of his old TMC equipment
The first thing I need to decide is the return pump, which is recommended to be at least 1000LPH.
There seems to be a huge variation in prices for what is surely a simple device. Why is a fancy controllable dc pump better than a £15 constant speed pump?

The biggest cost is likely to be the lighting...

[plankton]

I watch with bated breath to try and work out how much they're paying you......

[fr499y]

I used a eheim compactOn 2100 on my old Signature 900, perfect for the job, silent. You could always go for the 3000 instead and slow it down a tad? There nice and compact ( funny enough ) hose connection pressure side: 19/27 mm with the standard fittings.
I've always liked the bubble magus curve skimmers, used a C3.5 in mine with good results.
Lighting is more a personal thing. I used a Kelo light with controller ( like a kessil A360 with a tad less poke ), used 4x t5's with 2 zetlight panels ( for the sunrise and sunset ) Most people rave over the Radion's XR30's and Hydra HD's, so depending on your budget really. I had great results making my own hybrid unit though!
https://www.aquariumforums.co.uk/viewto ... 64&p=10966

Refugiums work if they are big enough. You really need one about 1/4 or more the volume of your display to make a serious impact.

[Mol_PMB]

Many thanks, that's really helpful. I trust Eheim products and the price of those pumps isn't too bad. It would also leave a lot of space in the pump chamber for other things like reactors.

I like the concept of a refugium, but I agree that my sump isn't really big enough for it to make much of a difference. On the other hand, if I've got a spare compartment it's fairly easy and low-cost to throw in some macroalgae and pods. Is there something else I should be using that compartment for? Should I fill it with filter media of some sort?

[fr499y]

Could do, siporax or biohome maxi. Even a small fuge purely for pods could work. Use Siporax in a media cage ( make one darice mesh and a few cable ties for a few quid ) and stack it so water flows through it.

[Mol_PMB]

Ok, next question.
Does anyone here have experience of Marco Rock or a preferred alternative?
In my old salty tank I used various bits of real reef rock, Aquaroche, live rock and various other odds and sods.
Decent live rock seems harder to find these days.

[fr499y]

Caribsea Life Rock is a good alternative to use. Or Real Reef Rock