Hey everyone! I currently have a 29g up and running. However, this thread is not going to be about that tank.
I am upgrading!
I am in the market for a 4 foot tank and all the equipment that goes along with it. I prefer the wider tanks rather than taller skinnier ones. That is one of the few limiting factors.
Goal: Mixed reef, heavy on the LPS side. Also, fish.
I “currently” like the look of LPS a lot more than most SPS. With that being said, I do have a tester SPS (Rainbow Montipora) that I really, really like in my Nano.
I also will be rehoming my Black Photon Clownfish pair andMidas Blenny (sad day). They will need some peaceful friends since I absolutely do not want them eaten!
Here is the equipment that I need to purchase with options in each category. I will be removing / adding / deciding on what path to take in the coming weeks, hopefully.
Please feel free to comment on any of these options. Good, bad, etc.
Tank options:
Red Sea Reefer 350
Red Sea Reefer 425
Waterbox 130.4
NUVO-EXT 100 or INT 100
These are my current top picks inorder. The two Red Sea models are very close. Not sure if I gain anything getting the wider one other than a few gallons. The tank will be positioned to where the one side will be visible from one of the couches (in line with it), so the larger side COULD be appealing for that. I am open to looking at other tanks, but these seem to be the best looking with mostly full packages.
Flow:
All these tanks have only slightly different dimensions, but all pretty much 48". Should take the same flow requirements. Some things I have been looking at are:
MP40s, up to two
Red Sea Reefwave 45
Icecap 2k or 4k
AI Nero 5
(I would like as little as possible on the left side of the tank for the best possible view from that couch. That would be taken into consideration when placing powerheads. Also, not against mixing/matching these or other options)
Lighting:
Everyone has their preferences. I thought about diving into Kessil, but I felt like I was going to be spending a lot more money just for that Kessil shimmer. I have experience with AI and like the program. So, I am leaning that way. I have a couple possible set ups:
3 AI Prime 16 HDs
4 AI Prime 16 HD
2 AI Prime 16 HD + Hydra 32
Say F it and dump money into Kessil
Skimmer:
Red Sea RSK 300
Return Pump: (790 gph recommended for the 350. 1060gph recommended for 425)
SYNCRA SILENT 4.0 or 5.0 PUMP (951 GPH and 1321 GPH)
VECTRA S2 DC RETURN PUMP (1400 GPH)
Coming from the BRS website for the Red Sea products: We suggest either the Sicce Syncra Silent line of pumps or the Ecotech Vectra pumps.
Now, with that being said.. I have looked at multiple build threads of the 350 and have seen pumps from 1k all the way to 2k. Will need to do more research on pumps. I want a set up that isn’t loud due to bad equipment. It seems as both these options are high quality, but I am sure there are more that fulfil that.
ATO:
Tunze OSMOLATOR UNIVERSAL 3155 AUTO TOP OFF
Sump:
IF I do not go the Red Sea route, I will also need to research and find a sump that I will want. Considering my Nano does not have a sump, this is also an area that I don’t have first hand experience with. I have watched countless videos and looked at many build threads. With that, at least I have an idea. Going to hold out a little bit until I at least decide which tank. There is a high chance I won’t have to worry about this at all.
I am upgrading!
I am in the market for a 4 foot tank and all the equipment that goes along with it. I prefer the wider tanks rather than taller skinnier ones. That is one of the few limiting factors.
Goal: Mixed reef, heavy on the LPS side. Also, fish.
I “currently” like the look of LPS a lot more than most SPS. With that being said, I do have a tester SPS (Rainbow Montipora) that I really, really like in my Nano.
I also will be rehoming my Black Photon Clownfish pair and
Here is the equipment that I need to purchase with options in each category. I will be removing / adding / deciding on what path to take in the coming weeks, hopefully.
Please feel free to comment on any of these options. Good, bad, etc.
Tank options:
Red Sea Reefer 350
- 73g Display with 18g Sump. 91g total. ~$1,800
- 47 x 21h x 20w
- Stand, sump, ATO (replacing), plumbing
Red Sea Reefer 425
- 88g Display with 24g Sump. 112g total. ~$2,300
- 47 x 22h x 22.6w
- Stand, sump, ATO (replacing), plumbing
96g Display with 30g sump. 126 total. ~$2,70048 x 22h x 24wStand, sump, plumbing.
NUVO-EXT 100 or INT 100
- 100g Display only. ~$1,300
- 47 x 20h x 24w
- No stand, no sump, some plumbing?
- I can customize more, but that's somewhat scary.
- Has stand option for ~2,000
These are my current top picks in
Flow:
All these tanks have only slightly different dimensions, but all pretty much 48". Should take the same flow requirements. Some things I have been looking at are:
MP40s, up to two
- Seems to be the top dog. I would love to go ahead and get one now for my Nano, but too strong. An MP10 doesn't seem to be compatible with the Glass Thickness on the bigger tanks either.
Red Sea Reefwave 45
- Other than yet another phone app, these seem nice.
Icecap 2k or 4k
- Just keeping options open.
AI Nero 5
- I assume this would be controllable in the AI app I already use for the lights, which would be nice. I have heard a few bad reviews due to the open back and small fish... would require a back guard.
(I would like as little as possible on the left side of the tank for the best possible view from that couch. That would be taken into consideration when placing powerheads. Also, not against mixing/matching these or other options)
Lighting:
Everyone has their preferences. I thought about diving into Kessil, but I felt like I was going to be spending a lot more money just for that Kessil shimmer. I have experience with AI and like the program. So, I am leaning that way. I have a couple possible set ups:
3 AI Prime 16 HDs
- I have seen a couple successful tanks with this set up. SPS (if I dive deeper into that) would have to be put in a very strategic spot, probably.
4 AI Prime 16 HD
- I feel like this is the point where I don't have to save only the best of the best spots for any SPS I may put in. Only issue? 4 freaking lights mounted has to look silly and cluttered (I should find some pics before I blast that, actually).
2 AI Prime 16 HD + Hydra 32
- Since I already have two 16s, I want to use them rather than, say, two 32s only. Keeping this as an option. Hot spot in the center could feed the light hungry corals. May not look as clean having two 16s and a brick in the center. Also, unsure how the app controls two different lights.
Say F it and dump money into Kessil
- Shimmer. Probably NOT worth it. Haha
Skimmer:
Red Sea RSK 300
- Imma be straight. I don't know jack about skimmers. I heard this is good. Cool. Is the 300 large enough? Says rated for HEAVY bioload at 75g. I am in the 75-100g range (Display) so I assume?
Return Pump: (790 gph recommended for the 350. 1060gph recommended for 425)
SYNCRA SILENT 4.0 or 5.0 PUMP (951 GPH and 1321 GPH)
VECTRA S2 DC RETURN PUMP (1400 GPH)
Coming from the BRS website for the Red Sea products: We suggest either the Sicce Syncra Silent line of pumps or the Ecotech Vectra pumps.
Now, with that being said.. I have looked at multiple build threads of the 350 and have seen pumps from 1k all the way to 2k. Will need to do more research on pumps. I want a set up that isn’t loud due to bad equipment. It seems as both these options are high quality, but I am sure there are more that fulfil that.
ATO:
Tunze OSMOLATOR UNIVERSAL 3155 AUTO TOP OFF
- Even if I go with the Red Sea, the ATO will be replaced.
Sump:
IF I do not go the Red Sea route, I will also need to research and find a sump that I will want. Considering my Nano does not have a sump, this is also an area that I don’t have first hand experience with. I have watched countless videos and looked at many build threads. With that, at least I have an idea. Going to hold out a little bit until I at least decide which tank. There is a high chance I won’t have to worry about this at all.
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