AlexKintner
Active Member
Well, the plan for my upcoming build is beginning to take shape, so I thought I’d start a pre-build thread. I won’t be making any purchases until early 2020, but wanted to put something out there and hopefully get some early feedback before draining the bank account. This will be my second saltwater aquarium, with the first FOWLR setup being broken down in 1998. I loved the hobby back then, but I was uneducated in reef keeping, poor, and too busy with work travel to have any real long-term success.
Today… with a little more time on my hands, a budget, and having studied up for the past several months, I think I’m arriving at a strategy for what will hopefully evolve into a successful SPS dominant reef aquarium. I thought I’d breakdown the different decision points regarding equipment and offer up some of my reasoning. I’d also like to thank the folks on this forum for the incredible knowledge base that you have built over the years. Without the lessons learned here, and about 400 videos of Ryan and Randy at BRS, I couldn’t have developed this plan and wouldn’t even know what questions to ask. So, with apologies up front for a really verbose thread, here goes:
Aquarium System – Red Sea Reefer 425
I really think the Reefer system hits that sweet spot for hobbyists who enjoy customizing their work, but don’t necessarily have the time, desire or ability to do a complete build from scratch. I think I’ve settled on the 425, but I’ve spec’d out everything from a 170 to a 625. Ultimately the decision comes down to budget and having a suitable place in the house for the tank to live.
Lighting - Red Sea ReefLED 90 (x2)
This one is subject to change given that I don’t think anyone has reviewed these things yet. If they review well, I’d like to keep it simple and just order the Reefer Deluxe. If not, I would probably spend a few more $ and get another LED option from Ecotech or Kessil.
Based on some conversations with my LFS, and some great educational stuff on BRS, I’d ultimately like to upgrade the lighting to an LED/T5 hybrid… but don’t think this will be in the budget up front.
Return Pump – Ecotech Vectra M2
Won’t be running a manifold, so I think this will provide ample flow. I might do some custom plumbing down the road, but thought I should experience the suckiness of stock plumbing so I have a good understanding of exactly what it is I’m trying to improve upon.
Powerhead – Maxspect Gyre XF330
Considering MP40 as well, but really like the gyre concept. I think I’ll have just one initially but could add a second as a future upgrade. I guess Red Sea has a gyre ‘coming soon’… so will consider those as well.
Skimmer – Red Sea 600
Noticing a theme here? I think there are a lot of good options here, but I like the price point here along with positive review from BRS. I was originally thinking I had to go DC here to keep it quiet, but the Red Sea skimmers seem to have some effective noise dampening features.
Fuge Light – Kessil H380
This one is really important to me. Upon returning to the hobby I had never heard the term ‘refugium’ before. Having a better understanding today I think this is one of the coolest things in the hobby. I’ve always loved the concept of putting the right pieces in place for an entire ecosystem to thrive. The aquarium refugium really brings that idea to the next level. I know that none of the Reefer systems have a massive sump, but I want to maximize the available space with a powerful algae growing light source. I have an aspirational goal to achieve all necessary nutrient export through fuge, skimmer and water change with no additional equipment or dosing. Hoping to find a light source that could help make it happen.
Heating/Cooling
Will probably run a Neotherm 300w heater and Tunze Aquawind for cooling. I live in central Florida and the ambient temperature in the house is a very consistent 76-77°. Even winter the house seldom dips below 70°. I may use a simple temp controller like Inkbird for redundancy. Also, we have a generator for any long term power issues.
Controller - None
Other than temperature I won’t have a controller initially, but fully expect to add one as a future upgrade. Similar to custom plumbing… I’d like to run without for a while so I know exactly what I’m hoping to achieve.
Rock – MarcoRock ReefSaver (90ish lbs)
This was actually a tough call. Living in the Tampa area, the idea of a local pickup of TBS live rock is very appealing. I think in the end it comes down to better aquascaping options and critter control with dry. My LFS has some pretty cool branch and shelf liverock that I might add to the mix to help seed some coralline and jazz up the display.
ATO – Tunze 3155
There seems to be near universal agreement that stock ATOs suck, and Tunze works pretty well.
RO/DI – BRS 6-Stage Deluxe 100gpd
Our water supply is sanitized with chloramine. I think 6-stage is the way to go.
That’s pretty much it. I want to start off with the bare minimum pieces of equipment, and only add stuff (reactors, sterilizers, dosers etc) when… a) It becomes needed… or B) I come to learn that it was needed all along, but I was too dimwitted to understand.
I greatly appreciate everything I’ve learned here so far, and looking forward to any feedback on my plan.
Thanks!
Today… with a little more time on my hands, a budget, and having studied up for the past several months, I think I’m arriving at a strategy for what will hopefully evolve into a successful SPS dominant reef aquarium. I thought I’d breakdown the different decision points regarding equipment and offer up some of my reasoning. I’d also like to thank the folks on this forum for the incredible knowledge base that you have built over the years. Without the lessons learned here, and about 400 videos of Ryan and Randy at BRS, I couldn’t have developed this plan and wouldn’t even know what questions to ask. So, with apologies up front for a really verbose thread, here goes:
Aquarium System – Red Sea Reefer 425
I really think the Reefer system hits that sweet spot for hobbyists who enjoy customizing their work, but don’t necessarily have the time, desire or ability to do a complete build from scratch. I think I’ve settled on the 425, but I’ve spec’d out everything from a 170 to a 625. Ultimately the decision comes down to budget and having a suitable place in the house for the tank to live.
Lighting - Red Sea ReefLED 90 (x2)
This one is subject to change given that I don’t think anyone has reviewed these things yet. If they review well, I’d like to keep it simple and just order the Reefer Deluxe. If not, I would probably spend a few more $ and get another LED option from Ecotech or Kessil.
Based on some conversations with my LFS, and some great educational stuff on BRS, I’d ultimately like to upgrade the lighting to an LED/T5 hybrid… but don’t think this will be in the budget up front.
Return Pump – Ecotech Vectra M2
Won’t be running a manifold, so I think this will provide ample flow. I might do some custom plumbing down the road, but thought I should experience the suckiness of stock plumbing so I have a good understanding of exactly what it is I’m trying to improve upon.
Powerhead – Maxspect Gyre XF330
Considering MP40 as well, but really like the gyre concept. I think I’ll have just one initially but could add a second as a future upgrade. I guess Red Sea has a gyre ‘coming soon’… so will consider those as well.
Skimmer – Red Sea 600
Noticing a theme here? I think there are a lot of good options here, but I like the price point here along with positive review from BRS. I was originally thinking I had to go DC here to keep it quiet, but the Red Sea skimmers seem to have some effective noise dampening features.
Fuge Light – Kessil H380
This one is really important to me. Upon returning to the hobby I had never heard the term ‘refugium’ before. Having a better understanding today I think this is one of the coolest things in the hobby. I’ve always loved the concept of putting the right pieces in place for an entire ecosystem to thrive. The aquarium refugium really brings that idea to the next level. I know that none of the Reefer systems have a massive sump, but I want to maximize the available space with a powerful algae growing light source. I have an aspirational goal to achieve all necessary nutrient export through fuge, skimmer and water change with no additional equipment or dosing. Hoping to find a light source that could help make it happen.
Heating/Cooling
Will probably run a Neotherm 300w heater and Tunze Aquawind for cooling. I live in central Florida and the ambient temperature in the house is a very consistent 76-77°. Even winter the house seldom dips below 70°. I may use a simple temp controller like Inkbird for redundancy. Also, we have a generator for any long term power issues.
Controller - None
Other than temperature I won’t have a controller initially, but fully expect to add one as a future upgrade. Similar to custom plumbing… I’d like to run without for a while so I know exactly what I’m hoping to achieve.
Rock – MarcoRock ReefSaver (90ish lbs)
This was actually a tough call. Living in the Tampa area, the idea of a local pickup of TBS live rock is very appealing. I think in the end it comes down to better aquascaping options and critter control with dry. My LFS has some pretty cool branch and shelf liverock that I might add to the mix to help seed some coralline and jazz up the display.
ATO – Tunze 3155
There seems to be near universal agreement that stock ATOs suck, and Tunze works pretty well.
RO/DI – BRS 6-Stage Deluxe 100gpd
Our water supply is sanitized with chloramine. I think 6-stage is the way to go.
That’s pretty much it. I want to start off with the bare minimum pieces of equipment, and only add stuff (reactors, sterilizers, dosers etc) when… a) It becomes needed… or B) I come to learn that it was needed all along, but I was too dimwitted to understand.
I greatly appreciate everything I’ve learned here so far, and looking forward to any feedback on my plan.
Thanks!
