Alright, so my dad and I are thinking of getting a nice reef set up. The guy at the store which we may purchase the kit says it'll cost us $4600, this will include a 90gallon tank, a stand, a sump and protein skimmer, return pump, a 4' MH (metal halide) light fixture, the salt, the reef master test kit, 100-120lbs of liv rock, sand, 6-8 pieces of corals of various types, 6 fish (yellow, blue, sailfin tangs and clownfish), some invertebres, hydrometer, and 2 powerheads.
The guy said he'll set everything up and maintain it for the first month. Now, I've worked out that I can get a 120gallon tank, with stand, 5' MH light fixture, 140lbs of live rock, 2 powerheads, salt, test kit, the sand, hydrometer, canaster filter and 2 power heads for about $3700.
My questions are firstly, is a protein skimmer actually required inorder to have a reef? Secondly, if it is, then is there a type of protein skimmer out there that functions the same way as a canaster filter as in it stays under the stand and has the tubes lead up the back? and thirdly, is the sump really the best way to go?
I'm trying to tell my dad that regardless of everything that we could probably set up the entire tank ourselves for cheaper than what the guy will sell it to us. But would it be best to go with his deal? Or would it be better to get a sump ourselves, have the same guy drill the holes and set the entire tank up without him?
The guy said he'll set everything up and maintain it for the first month. Now, I've worked out that I can get a 120gallon tank, with stand, 5' MH light fixture, 140lbs of live rock, 2 powerheads, salt, test kit, the sand, hydrometer, canaster filter and 2 power heads for about $3700.
My questions are firstly, is a protein skimmer actually required inorder to have a reef? Secondly, if it is, then is there a type of protein skimmer out there that functions the same way as a canaster filter as in it stays under the stand and has the tubes lead up the back? and thirdly, is the sump really the best way to go?
I'm trying to tell my dad that regardless of everything that we could probably set up the entire tank ourselves for cheaper than what the guy will sell it to us. But would it be best to go with his deal? Or would it be better to get a sump ourselves, have the same guy drill the holes and set the entire tank up without him?