- Joined
- Aug 27, 2017
- Messages
- 52
- Reaction score
- 29
So this is my first ever reef tank, or any tank for that matter, and I plan on housing fish, coral and maybe inverts.
Currently bought:
Deep Blue 80 Gallon Rimless tank - Non-Reef Ready. Got an awesome deal at the LFS on this.
Synergy Reef 16" Shadow Overflow Box + drill bit
Trigger Systems Marine Depot 36" Sump (Hey I got it while it was $100 off + free shipping!)
BRS 5 Stage RODI unit
Red Sea Test Kit
Glass-Holes 3/4" return kit + drill bit. Came with free gummy worms, so worth it!
In the Mail:
60lb Carib Sea Sand. I may have gone over board with 60lb, hahaha
Jager 200w heater (going to get a spare too)
Seachem Tidal 110 filter. Backup filtration in case gear dies.
On the shopping list:
Reef Octopus Varios 6 return pump + plumbing supplies
60-80 lbs of dry rock. I'll check out my LFS the next pay check to see what they've got
Bashsea or Reef Octopus skimmer. Looking for one with a DC pump, but I'm open to using one externally
Maxspec 230's with separate controllers. In case one completely fails. I'm also considering Ecotech MP40's but I'm a little worried they'll eat the fish.
Reef breeders Photon V2+ LED light, most likely the 4' model
Digital thermometers
Salt
20-30 gallon QT tank + heater + sponge filter or Seachem Tidal 55.
I ended up just buying lumber and a miter saw to build my own stand since most models seemed really high priced, with a lot of negative reviews about the quality and sturdiness. Apparently you can only get so far with mass produced stands. The stand I'm building will have a small 5" lip on the outer sides of the tank so I can set small items, or even a beer down. The weight is still being supported directly under the tank though. The stand is going to be just over 38" tall.
A few weeks ago I cut up a majority of the lumber, and today I started bolting it together. Here it is upside down:
And a bad shot of the tank:
Also when I was going through the sump trying to figure out how I would connect an external skimmer, I noticed I was missing a silencer plate! I'm going to call MD tomorrow and see if they can send me one. Maybe that's why they were on sale? Just kidding. Other than that, this thing looks great!
The rest of the weekend I'd like to get the rest of the frame completed, and get the tank drilled. For the stand bottom, I plan to have recessed and inch so it forms a tub. This should give me more wiggle room as far as placing and removing equipment and help prevent water from spilling out onto the floor.
Currently bought:
Deep Blue 80 Gallon Rimless tank - Non-Reef Ready. Got an awesome deal at the LFS on this.
Synergy Reef 16" Shadow Overflow Box + drill bit
Trigger Systems Marine Depot 36" Sump (Hey I got it while it was $100 off + free shipping!)
BRS 5 Stage RODI unit
Red Sea Test Kit
Glass-Holes 3/4" return kit + drill bit. Came with free gummy worms, so worth it!
In the Mail:
60lb Carib Sea Sand. I may have gone over board with 60lb, hahaha
Jager 200w heater (going to get a spare too)
Seachem Tidal 110 filter. Backup filtration in case gear dies.
On the shopping list:
Reef Octopus Varios 6 return pump + plumbing supplies
60-80 lbs of dry rock. I'll check out my LFS the next pay check to see what they've got
Bashsea or Reef Octopus skimmer. Looking for one with a DC pump, but I'm open to using one externally
Maxspec 230's with separate controllers. In case one completely fails. I'm also considering Ecotech MP40's but I'm a little worried they'll eat the fish.
Reef breeders Photon V2+ LED light, most likely the 4' model
Digital thermometers
Salt
20-30 gallon QT tank + heater + sponge filter or Seachem Tidal 55.
I ended up just buying lumber and a miter saw to build my own stand since most models seemed really high priced, with a lot of negative reviews about the quality and sturdiness. Apparently you can only get so far with mass produced stands. The stand I'm building will have a small 5" lip on the outer sides of the tank so I can set small items, or even a beer down. The weight is still being supported directly under the tank though. The stand is going to be just over 38" tall.
A few weeks ago I cut up a majority of the lumber, and today I started bolting it together. Here it is upside down:
And a bad shot of the tank:
Also when I was going through the sump trying to figure out how I would connect an external skimmer, I noticed I was missing a silencer plate! I'm going to call MD tomorrow and see if they can send me one. Maybe that's why they were on sale? Just kidding. Other than that, this thing looks great!
The rest of the weekend I'd like to get the rest of the frame completed, and get the tank drilled. For the stand bottom, I plan to have recessed and inch so it forms a tub. This should give me more wiggle room as far as placing and removing equipment and help prevent water from spilling out onto the floor.