build thread

Hey everyone! I've been around Reef2Reef for a while but finally decided it was time to start documenting what will probably be my biggest reefing project yet. My girlfriend and I are currently building our first home in Michigan, and the entire unfinished basement has unofficially become my...

I’m documenting the transformation of a 900 square foot unfinished basement into a reefer's dream with plans for a 537-gallon fish-focused main display tank, hundreds of gallons of quarantine systems, a 200-gallon mixed reef, and all the equipment required to support it. Current Progress...

It’s time to start our mixed 120 gallon reef thread! My wife and I got into the hobby in about February of this year. We got hooked on reef systems after binge watching the show “Tanked” (cliche I know). But so far we love it. We recently found a steal on marketplace for a 120 gallon Aqueon...

Hey, i’m new to reefing, just bought my first tank (aqua one nano reef 80). I currently have a small red ribbon macroalgae and a 1 inch rhodactis mushroom frag from a friend. I used caribsea liferock and caribsea arag alive special grade live reef sand and red sea coral pro salt. It’s been...

Figured since I’ve spent so much time researching & looking at builds here it was my turn to contribute now that I’ve finally pulled the trigger! I’ve had high tech freshwater tanks for about 3 years now & it’s finally time to take the leap into salt. I ordered a Waterbox 20G cube six weeks ago...

Hi everyone, I’ve been in and out of the hobby since 2019. Last September we had our daughter, which was followed by a move that ended up with me selling my previous tank. My daughter is 8 months old now and already loves to watch the fish at my in-law’s house, so of course I told my wife we had...

Hey all Decided to jump feet first in to becoming a Saltwater Mixed Reef Aquarium with the following kit. Red Sea Reefer 250 G2+ Tank and Cabinet ReefRun G2 6000 ReefMat 250 Reefer Skimmer DC 2x ReefWave 25 2xReefLED 90 2 x 100w heaters controlled by InkBird ATO & reservoir Some Real Reef Rock...

Hello everyone, My tank is coming into its 4th year running, wanted to post a run down of my setup. Its a 800 Gallon Acrylic Tank, 200 Gallon Sump. Breakdown of equipment (2x) Kessil A500X LED lights Aqua Ultraviolet Classic 80W UV Sterilizer Reef Octopus Regal 300-S Protein Skimmer...

Greeting everyone, So after 5 years away from hobby and a few moves between the countries I decided to come back and pulled trigger on UNS R150, because I liked how everything is made, in particularly: - 45 degree edges - overflow intake not only from surface, but from the bottom as well -...

Hey y’all, I am looking to upgrade my current set up from a Redsea 300 G2. I am looking for a 4ft tank and want to hear what everyone’s take is on the most durable/best tank on the market. I am currently looking at brands like Redsea S Series, Waterbox, and glass cages. Would love some...

So I acquired this Fluval flex from a hobbyist who just wanted it out of the way. When I picked it up the tank was covered in hair algae and had 1 piece of live rock, a blue damselfish, and misc small inverts. I cleaned the tank, removed all the hair algae I could during the move, threw two...

So, tank number three is an 8 gallon AIO that I picked up used at the LFS. Current equipment includes stock pump, generic ATO switch and fountain pump, a generic heater, and a clip on NIcrew I had laying around. The sand was from an existing aquarium that I had in a bucket with water, and the...

Hey R2R — Long time no see. I kept a reef about 15 years ago and life got busy. A few weeks back I decided it was time to come back to the hobby — and this time I wanted to do it right. Not just throw fish and coral in a box and hope for the best. I wanted to actually understand what I was...

I am starting a new tank build to replace my aging 30 gallon tank. It was my very first tank, which currently houses 30 bubble tip anemones. This new tank was given to me because it did not fit where the previous owner wanted it. It is an 18" cube with a frame-less top and low iron glass. So...

On Jan 1 I started this little nano build to get back into the hobby. Tank - UNS 30a 7.5 gal Finished the cycle on January 8 and added a small clownfish. Didn’t turn on the lights until January 27th when I added my first corals. So far there’s GSP on the back wall, 4 zoa frags, cyphastrea and...

Hey everyone !! Starting my new reef build and wanted to document everything from cycle to full blown mixed reef. This will be a carefully planned mixed reef lagoon with strong flow, clean equipment layout, and room to grow Tank: Innovative Marine 25 Lagoon Dimensions: ~24” x 20” x 11.8”...

Hi everyone—John here. Figured I’d document this new build since it’s been a while since I’ve set up a tank. I’m 51, married, with four kids (20, 17, and 7-year-old twins—yes, life is busy and no apparently I'm not planning to ever retire LOL). I’m an engineer in SE Michigan and a lifelong tech...

Hey everyone! Been in the hobby since 2010 and had a lot of tanks, but life has it now where I want to do a nano. I've had a lot of success with Innovative Marine AIOs in the past and I've been eyeing this 25g lagoon for a while now. After spending a couple month fighting off the pull to go...

Hi everyone! I’ve been following Reef2Reef for quite some time and have learned a lot from the discussions here. Currently, the tank is in a good place overall, and this build thread is mainly about enjoying the process, sharing the journey, and continuing to learn along the way as I work toward...

Welcome to my Build, below is my Equipement + upcoming orders where I would like to as you advice :). It will be mixed reef with mostly sps and softies maybe few easy sps. Reef Assistant App (made by me :) - Praxis Reef Aquarium - Red Sea S400 (2017 model i think) bought used from LFS...

Alright fishy friends…. Here we go again. Yes, another build thread. I’m so sorry guys, hopefully this is the last one (said every reefer ever before they upgraded -_-). many years ago I acquired my dream tank by happenstance when someone was breaking down their custom setup. 200 gal display...

Been running a 32 AIO for about 7 months (build thread here) after a 10+ year hiatus from reefing and came across a deal i couldn't pass up on a used 120 gallon right before new years. Setup came with: Standard dimension 120 gallon drilled with an external overflow Custom built solid oak stand...

This is my first post and first build thread so go easy on me :-). If you have any feedback, advice or questions let me know! I picked up a UNS 90LA peninsula tank around a month ago but didn't have room to get setup until all the Christmas stuff was out of the way. I am downsizing from a 90 US...

Hey guys, first post here! Me and my old man used to have a tank 12+ years ago, life got in the way, you know the deal. Late 2025 we decided the time was right to get back into this amazing hobby and so began our next journey into the world of salty fish! I tell you what, the hobby has changed...

Thanks to a ripping seam on my 55 we added a few inches on width to a 75 upgrade. This will serve as new tank thread. Taken in blue half if photo period.