90 Gallon MIXED REEF Build Thread

[hworner]

Really struggling to choose my lights. Torn between a few options...if anyone wants to chime in feel free! Order below is my most likely to buy, to least likely to buy - unless otherwise convinced lol.

2 x Radion XR15 G5 Pro's
4 x AI Prime 16's
1 x Kessil AP9X
2 x AI Hydra 32's

I have a ai prime 16 on my nano tank and when i first got it i loved it it’s a awesome light but then i upgraded to a larger tank and went with a xr30 blue and am already thinking of buying a xr15 for my nano am very impressed with the light and how much it covers a tank, can’t go a wrong with the xr15s and I’ve never owned kessil but have only heard good things about them! Good luck with the build!

 

[strawberry_reef]

I have a ai prime 16 on my nano tank and when i first got it i loved it it’s a awesome light but then i upgraded to a larger tank and went with a xr30 blue and am already thinking of buying a xr15 for my nano am very impressed with the light and how much it covers a tank, can’t go a wrong with the xr15s and I’ve never owned kessil but have only heard good things about them! Good luck with the build!

It’s funny you say that, I’m actually picking up two XR30 Pros (gen 4) tomorrow as long as they don’t sell (at my local LFS). I’m thinking it’s better to just bite the bullet now, rather than later.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Passed the leak test. Quick test fit…SHOOT that’s tight LOL

 

[strawberry_reef]

Started to mock up the plumbing a bit more. Still need another 1” ball valve and 2 bull heads for the sump. Hoping I also left enough room for the UV when I add it, lol. Obviously painters tape is for temporary purposes. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[strawberry_reef]

Had a bunch of stuff come in the mail yesterday (and a few things arriving today as well). RODI unit, 3 bags of sand, salt mix, 2 AI Nero 5 pumps (selling and going another direction though).

Also managed to snag a set of 2 Radion XR30 Pros (Gen4) with RMS tank mount for a steal off FB marketplace yesterday as well. Going to try and get them cleaned up and programed tonight.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Another update! Finally got the tank moved into its place, got some plumbing glued, and finished the aquascape. Also picked up a return pump today (reef octopus), some sand, 2 x 150 watt heaters, and some materials to make a screen. Slowwww and steadyyyy!

 

[strawberry_reef]

Finally got the tank wet! This is all I could make in my “mixing station” in our laundry room. Will be making more over the weekend Also got the plumbing all glued in, sump set up for the most part, started to wire up the Hydros unit but need another drill bit to run the cords (didn’t have a 1.5” hole bit). Tons of wire management do to the next few days!

 

[strawberry_reef]

Water cleared up nice. Have another 30 gallons mixing as I type this. Hoping to have it completely filled by Tuesday evening to leak test the plumbing.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Small update! Finally started to get the Hydros set up today. Got the pH probe and temp probe calibrated, as well as setting up the power strip. Still need to get working on the ATO.

Also got the AI Nero 5’s programmed and running. Started to do some “cable management” LOL on the inside, have alottttt more to go.

Tank is almost full, still needs probably another 25-30 gallons.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Did a little more wire management, also got the tank fully filled and running. Hydros is about 90% set up so far.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Another small update: cleaned up some more wires, added a second Hydros water level sensor, set up my ATO, and added Turbo Start to begin my cycle. Still waiting for my Radion replacement fan to come in lol.

 

[Avengerx77]

Looking good, keep it up

 

[strawberry_reef]

Looking good, keep it up

Thanks! I appreciate it

 

[strawberry_reef]

Hydros is up and running fully. Going to get another accurate thermometer to see how accurate this temp probe is before I rely on it for livestock. Also thought about adding a second temp probe (the magnetic style), but that’ll require another control unit since I’m out of sense probes - which I may do anyways so I can add another leak sensor and the skimmer level sensor.

Anyone have any suggestions on a good quality thermometer for spot readings?

 

[strawberry_reef]

Finally got the replacement fan in for my 2nd Radion. Need to work on the wire management for those, but I’m excited to finally have both lights running. Also started to break in the skimmer (no cup) and just allowing it to overflow.

ATO has been working flawlessly as well. Once everything seems to be running smoothly for another couple weeks, I’ll start to skin it and build the stand for the ATO container.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Nothing really to update besides waiting for my cycle to complete. Ammonia came down to 0 on Wednesday, so I’ll be taking a water sample to get tested today or tomorrow for nitrates. Skimmer is slowly breaking in. That’s about it for now!

 

[Avengerx77]

What method did you use for cycling?

 

[strawberry_reef]

What method did you use for cycling?

Fishless. Just 2 bags of live sand & one small bottle of turbo-start.

Nitrates were at 35 yesterday, so going to wait for those to come down. Hopefully should be ready for fish in the next week or so.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Well, nitrites finally came down to undetectable along with ammonia to zero. Nitrates were below 10. So I finally decided to go get myself some fish. Introducing my two new frostbite clowns!

 

[Tacticool-Reefer]

I like it!
Simple, not over-done, makes it easy to maintain and with any luck, flourish!