Hi! Three years ago I sold my 12g Aquapod because I was moving and traveling too much to take good care of it (plus a six month battle with GHA was driving me crazy). Now I have the time and space to come back into the hobby. I order a custom made 20 gallon tank with a 8-9 gallon sump. Below a list of the equipment that i am getting during the next few days.

skimmer: Euro reef nano skimmer (already ordered)
chiller: 1/13 Aqua euro
Vortech MP10 with battery backup

Please!!!!!!! I need some recommendations on the following:

Auto/top off (looking for reliability and easy to use)
controller (looking for quality and easy to use, maybe something that i can keep track in my computer!)
T5 lights (looking for the best in the industry)
phosphate reactor (it has to be relatively small and durable, also easy to clean)
UV light (easy to replace bulb and good water contact)
RO/DI 5 stage (a 25gpd unit will be enough, i need it to be very reliable and easy to install)

Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!!!! I am willing to spend some serious $$$ if it translates into having a better tank. Excuse any gramatical errors (english is not my first language). THANKS!!!!!!

What are the dimensions of the tank? Custom 20 could be anything. As for ATO, the industry standard is the Tunze Osmolator. I like my JBJ just fine though. Controller wise a Reefkeeper lite will do just fine and isn't awfully expensive. I don't know about if you can hook it up to your computer though. Might have to go for a Reefkeeper elite and that's some serious dough. For T5s, the industry standard is an ATI powermodule. Hands down, but if your tank isn't that tall it could very easily be overkill. Just get a two little fishes phosban reactor for the phosphate reactor, but is not essential. UV sterilizers aren't that useful. I wouldn't use one. And for RO/DI look into the spectrapure line.

Thanks for the advice!!!! The tank will be 30 inches long, 10 inches (shallow) tall, and like 12 inches wide. I want really good T5 as I will try to eventually keep some hardy SPS (metal halides tend raise the temperature of the water a lot and make the chiller work 24/7, i live in Puerto Rico and it can get very hot). So ATI would be the best now a days? What about Aquatic life? Once again thanks for the info!

Anybody out there that can give me info. on the reefkeeper lite?

ask gena. she has a post in here. she loves hers

thanks!!!! I will.... there are so many units out there and i would hate to end up buying the wrong one

ATI does make top of the line T5HO fixtures.
However, given how shallow your tank is, it might be too strong, even for SPS.
A TEK 4x24w T5HO might suit your needs better.
ReefGeek.com sells them.

Thanks for the info. I will check them out. Any other brand that you would recommend? What about a good auto top off?

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out aquahub.com for an inexpensive but simple ATO setup. You supply the pump and tubing and wire it yourself (super easy instructions). I bought a few items for my DIY ATO from them, should arrive tomorrow.

thanks...at the end i decided to go with the tunze osmolator and the tek t5!!! very soon i will be posting some pictures of the tank, sump and equipment....once again thanks for all the help!!!