A Novice Marine X 110.4 Build

[RWReefer]

Well this is probably the best place to start and keep myself accountable. As of 3 weeks ago I had absolutely no knowledge of saltwater tanks, but after some spousal negotiation and some encouragement from my young children I am embarking on my journey in the saltwater tank hobby.

I think I want to grow all the corals, and my plan is to keep a moderately small amount of fish (8?). Either way, the tank has been delivered and nearly set up.

Known equipment list so far sits as follows (Updating as more items are decided and purchased):

DT/Sump: Marine X 110.4 tank package
ATO: Tunze 3155
Return Pump: VarioS-4
Skimmer: RO Regal 150 INT
Power heads: MP40QD
RO/DI: BRS 5 Stage PP 75 GPD
Rock: 80lb Marco Rock
Sand: 40lb Caribsea Special Grade
Lighting: (2) Ecotech Radion XR30 G6 Pro w/ RMS
Controller: Neptune A3 Apex Pro

This will be a fun endeavor to teach both myself and my children the lesson of patience. They’re ready to go to the fish store tomorrow.

 

[Peace River]

It looks like you are off to a good start! Congratulations on the new adventure!!!

 

[BetterJake]

Welcome to the best hobby in the world!

 

[RWReefer]

It looks like you are off to a good start! Congratulations on the new adventure!!!

Appreciate. All it took was a tank sale to jumpstart it.

 

[RWReefer]

Welcome to the best hobby in the world!

And I thought golf was an expensive hobby…

 

[BetterJake]

And I thought golf was an expensive hobby…

So true. Best advice I received when starting was to take whatever your budget is and expect to double it.

 

[RWReefer]

So true. Best advice I received when starting was to take whatever your budget is and expect to double it.

Take your doubled budget and double it. Got it.

 

[BetterJake]

Take your doubled budget and double it. Got it.

 

[RWReefer]

Progress made today. Son and I visited 3 LFS so I could both scout their stock/husbandry/prices and so he could get an idea of the types of fish out there and pick out the one he wanted. Of course it came down to a massive Angelfish and an eel, so will need to work on tempering his expectations.

Got the tank plumbed and the stand finished.

Have some glass cleanup to do to rid the fingerprints and well water. Kids were hounding me yesterday to get fish, so I let them know that they need to fill the tank before we can do any of that. Taking initiative, they dumped about 3 gallons of tap water into the tank, one cup at a time lol. Very happy they’re excited about helping, but need to work on my communication skills better, and teach them how to make the proper water for the tank.

As an appropriate segue, BRS RO/DI has been ordered to get a start on just such a thing.

Slowly coming together….

 

[RWReefer]

Light day on the tank front. Received my skimmer and return pump from @Dr. Jim (thank you).

Meandered my way into a thread with a new tank strategy of setting up a tank using a different order of operations than I have typically seen around here so far. Cycle, establish coral/invertebrate population first, then fallow, then introduce quarantined fish. Has me pondering taking that approach setting up as a first timer.

More research inbound.

 

[Dr. Jim]

Light day on the tank front. Received my skimmer and return pump from @Dr. Jim (thank you).

Meandered my way into a thread with a new tank strategy of setting up a tank using a different order of operations than I have typically seen around here so far. Establish coral/invertebrate population first, then fallow, then introduce quarantined fish. Has me pondering taking that approach setting up as a first timer.

More research inbound.

I've been doing this for over 50 years and the idea of inverts/corals first would worry me. I'd need to see more details on that though.
Good luck

 

[RWReefer]

I've been doing this for over 50 years and the idea of inverts/corals first would worry me. I'd need to see more details on that though.
Good luck

@Dr. Jim this is the thread that I pulled the idea from.

Coral/Invert

 

[RWReefer]

Eventful past few days in new/used equipment procurement. Additions as follows:

-80lbs Marco Rock
-Egg crate to separate marco rock from bottom glass
-40lbs Caribsea Special Grade Dry sand
-Aquaforest Reef Salt
-Tropic Marin Hydrometer
-Various other testing kits
-(2) Ecotech Radion XR30 G6 Pros
-1 RMS mount for light, still need to find a second
-Apex A3 Pro controller

Going to work on getting the RO/DI system set up in the basement this weekend and have the kids help me with setting up the aquascape. Going to enjoy being able to start getting everything all set up. Should be able to start the cycle sometime in December.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Eventful past few days in new/used equipment procurement. Additions as follows:

-80lbs Marco Rock
-Egg crate to separate marco rock from bottom glass
-40lbs Caribsea Special Grade Dry sand
-Aquaforest Reef Salt
-Tropic Marin Hydrometer
-Various other testing kits
-(2) Ecotech Radion XR30 G6 Pros
-1 RMS mount for light, still need to find a second
-Apex A3 Pro controller

Going to work on getting the RO/DI system set up in the basement this weekend and have the kids help me with setting up the aquascape. Going to enjoy being able to start getting everything all set up. Should be able to start the cycle sometime in December.

Lots of good equipment!

 

[RWReefer]

Lots of good equipment!

Yeah I am excited. Was able to find some pretty darn good deals on a lot of things which has helped ease the original sticker shock.

 

[RWReefer]

Christmas in November today!

 

[kevgib67]

Ooooooh, Santa came early! What’s in the boxes?

 

[RWReefer]

Ooooooh, Santa came early! What’s in the boxes?

Today was the Marco rock, sand, salt, powerheads, testing equipment, and a BRS freebie hat.

 

[kevgib67]

Today was the Marco rock, sand, salt, powerheads, testing equipment, and a BRS freebie hat.

You must have been very good this year! Happy reefing.

 

[RWReefer]

You must have been very good this year! Happy reefing.

That is entirely subjective. My wife would probably feel differently lol.