Chiller/Protein Skimmer/Lighting/Powerhead | Decisions

Okay, things for the 55g NL reef are finally underway. I've got the funds now thanks to Dad (and my not receiving anything for Christmas from him). Looking at brands of the above mentioned products I find myself wondering what brands (exact product) actually do what they are supposed to. I can figure out the GPH and WPG myself. Just need to be sure on reliability. After all, this is expensive stuff.

Brent

PS: The skimmer will be in-sump, so please keep that in mind. (:

I really dont know anything about chillers, And sadly enough for anything bigger than 20 gallons im completely lost. Glad to hear you got your project going though.

Pacific Coast Imports has some nice small chillers. Octopus skimmers are good.

What does NL stand for? . Also in Canada do you guys go by US gallons? Chillers for larger tanks such as 55 USG tend to be very expensive. I would check doctors though. They seem to have good prices. However since i have never had a chiller i cannot speak from experience.

NL = Newfoundland.

Yeah, we go by US gallons.

Dad has missed both last Christmas and Easter with regards to a "present." This will also act as my birthday present from him. He will likely be able to help me out grandly.

Can I order from Doctors? I thought they were strictly US.

Possibly, i know that for liveaquaria it cost a lot more, but if you just want supplies check here - http://www.drsfostersmith.com/general.cfm?gid=313#7

I see. I could make a special order via an LFS in the area, but the selection would suck.

What are you looking for exactly?

I'm not totally sure, to be honest.

For a chiller I'd need something that could cool the tank down to at least 8 degrees C would be nice. I'm not going to go lower than that anyway. Temperatures in the summer here rarely go more than 28 degrees C or so, but we get the occasional 30/35 degree temp.

For powerheads, I'm not exactly sure. I'd like two of them, but I am not sure about how the currents would react to one another.

I'll probably go with 4 6600k metal halide bulbs with 2 actinics (come on 1hr before and stay on 1 hr after the bulbs) in a customized hood in order to have the fans in place (as well as other tweaks). The fans will be (or most likely will be) computer fans installed into one side of the hood, whilst the other side be just open, though covered by a screen to allow for maximum cooling. Other suggestions are welcomed with open arms. (:

For the protein skimmer, I'm at a total loss. There are so many different reviews on all of them that I can't get a decent idea of good and bad!

As for a refugium, it'll be DIY. I'll just screen off part of the sump and put some plant matter and likely mussels in there.

Still drawing out my plans for the sump, but I am making progress. More or less just concerned about the plumbing and stopping it overflowing if the power were to go out, which, by the way, happens monthly. ._.

So there's your update! =D

Thanks for that. I can't wait to see the NL Reef in its beginning stages of growth.