“I’m already over my budget” - 20L build

[Kimosobey]

I've been on a long break from this hobby (6 years) due to a change in careers and traveling for work. Finally settled down and able to be home everyday SOOO it's time to set up another tank. Been lurking on here the last few weeks and seeing what's new in the hobby. I'm using this build as a stepping stone for learning through trial and error before upgrading next year. Thank you for clicking on this and would love to hear any feedback or questions!

Display: 30" x 12" x 12"
Sump: 10 gal with eBay baffles
Biological Filtration: ~10lbs of live rock, 20lbs of live sand
Lighting: AI Prime 16HD
Protein Skimmer: SCA-301
Heater: 100W Eheim
Water Motion: AI Nero 3


Still have quiet aways too go, ATO, flirtation set up, might do a hybrid T5 setup, modifying/painting the stand with more and more to research.

 

[blaxsun]

Aren't we all... (over our budgets).

 

[Kimosobey]

Aren't we all... (over our budgets).

True true. This isn’t a budget friendly hobby.

 

[Kimosobey]

Update here on the tank this Sunday afternoon making some progress

 

[TnFishwater98]

Looking good

 

[Kimosobey]

Am I being too cheap?? I figured if it works it works. ATO systems are so hit and miss on the reviews. Either you get a lemon or one that lasts years.

This will be a T5 hybrid unit with the AI 16hd installed

 

[Kimosobey]

Another update! Plumbing turned out great, no leaks so far after 48 hours, tank is all cleared up. Clean up crew doin their thing. Adding fish possibly next week

 

[Kimosobey]

Update for anyone lurking on here. Should see some easy coral in here in about a week or so. Fish are happy, parameters are steady. Changed the lighting settings, much prefer the MH/T5 look

Still to go:
ATO
T5’s
Doser
organizing

Goal is for a 50% WC every two weeks.

 

[Kimosobey]

Sunday scaries are not so bad when you have new reef gadgets to play with

Kamoer X1
All For Reef - powder
Kasa Power Strip

The Kamoer app ain’t too bad to navigate. For what I’m using it for, it checks off all the boxes.

Kasa app easy to use, plus I plan on adding their strip lights and maybe a live camera so it will be nice having it all under one app.

Another thing is the T5 fixture should be here tomorrow and it’s non dimmable so using the Wi-Fi power strip is going to come in super handy for the lighting schedule.

 

[trevorhiller]

I need to get myself one of those smart power strips. What a great way to be able to do maintenance!

I love that Eshopps overflow- so sleek. I originally wanted to drill a tank and use that, but decided to get an all in one to save money. Haha! That didn’t work….

I’m planning on dosing all for reef too if I can get the tank stabilized to not need frequent water changes. Did you consider the Kamoer Pro version of that pump? I’ve heard the WiFi version doesn’t reset if there is a power outage and has some memory. Personally I don’t really care about being able to dose it from anywhere, Bluetooth would be fine, but I think it’s silly they don’t have the memory feature built into the Bluetooth version.