hikebikebrew
Active Member
After weeks of discussions, changing mindsets, new location, new vs used debate... I clicked the checkout button and now the planning begins.
Some background: this will be my third marine aquarium. About 2.5 years ago I finally jumped into saltwater with a used 120 that I set up as a FOWLER. Was a great learning experience. Had some sad and frustrating times, but learned a lot (obviously). About a year in, I got the coral itch and bought a WB Marine X 90.3. Love that aquarium, the build quality is amazing and have had great success with that tank.
My wife and I recently welcomed our first child into our family this past summer, which also correlated with a promotion and a new role at work. Without question, our daughter takes priority, and trying to care for two tanks has been difficult - especially with the more demanding coral tank on the second floor. So, what to do?
Not long after I purchased the WB, my wife said " you should have just bought one epic tank and consolidated". That montra has persisted and tanken hold. I've always admired larger tanks with the rockwork, flowing softies and euphillia and fish swimming in between. Could that be the better answer? Just one bigger tank to focus on and enjoy? I've continued to ponder and with the split personality maintenance, I had enough and started actively looking.
First thought was to take down the 120 and put something in its place. A nice 5'x2' spot in the family room where we've happily admired the current tank. But with space constraints, would I truly be happy? Would it be EPIC? Maybe, but then another idea / location.
With a growing family, our house will change. It needs to change. This is the reason the WB needs to go, we'll need that room as a bedroom. Likewise, our game room will loose it's pool table and become a playroom. Lots of space in there... Maybe a new aquarium would fit and look good. Tape measure confirms the volume requirements and the more we talk it seems like a great idea. Our daughter loves our tanks and trips to the LFS to watch fish swim and move. She'll like a big aquarium in her playroom, right!? I know I would!
Now to decide on an aquarium. I'm not one to pass up a good deal. There's always used aquariums on here, craigslist, FB, letgo etc. It's helpful to be outside a massive city like LA sometimes. We found some really good deals. One was really hard to walk away from - 8' 300 gal glass aquarium, with stand, sump and stand for $500! A lot of work needed, which in my pre parenting days I likely would have jumped at. But times are different and spending hours resurfacing a stand and cleaning and resealing a tank are hours not spent with my family.
Algae Barn has had the S2 2100 on sale for a few weeks now and I've had my eye on it for longer. Of course I looked at other options from Red Sea, Water box, Clear for Life... But I kept coming back to the Cade. As an engineer, I truly respect well thought out designs. Everything about the S2 oozes thoughtful decisions. The build materials, plumbing, weir design, hidden ATO reservoir.. everything. I liked the other builds, but there were things about each that I didn't like. The Cade kept rising to the top for me.
So after at least the third or fourth time walking away to rethink, I did it. I checked out, clock submit and now we wait. We chose the white build to go with our aesthetics, and of course those don't come in until January. So, we have two months to plan. Two months to figure out all the rest of the details and that's why I started this thread.
So I hope you'll follow. I've got questions, and I hope to get your input as we take this new journey. I promise I'll keep it shorter in the future.
Some background: this will be my third marine aquarium. About 2.5 years ago I finally jumped into saltwater with a used 120 that I set up as a FOWLER. Was a great learning experience. Had some sad and frustrating times, but learned a lot (obviously). About a year in, I got the coral itch and bought a WB Marine X 90.3. Love that aquarium, the build quality is amazing and have had great success with that tank.
My wife and I recently welcomed our first child into our family this past summer, which also correlated with a promotion and a new role at work. Without question, our daughter takes priority, and trying to care for two tanks has been difficult - especially with the more demanding coral tank on the second floor. So, what to do?
Not long after I purchased the WB, my wife said " you should have just bought one epic tank and consolidated". That montra has persisted and tanken hold. I've always admired larger tanks with the rockwork, flowing softies and euphillia and fish swimming in between. Could that be the better answer? Just one bigger tank to focus on and enjoy? I've continued to ponder and with the split personality maintenance, I had enough and started actively looking.
First thought was to take down the 120 and put something in its place. A nice 5'x2' spot in the family room where we've happily admired the current tank. But with space constraints, would I truly be happy? Would it be EPIC? Maybe, but then another idea / location.
With a growing family, our house will change. It needs to change. This is the reason the WB needs to go, we'll need that room as a bedroom. Likewise, our game room will loose it's pool table and become a playroom. Lots of space in there... Maybe a new aquarium would fit and look good. Tape measure confirms the volume requirements and the more we talk it seems like a great idea. Our daughter loves our tanks and trips to the LFS to watch fish swim and move. She'll like a big aquarium in her playroom, right!? I know I would!
Now to decide on an aquarium. I'm not one to pass up a good deal. There's always used aquariums on here, craigslist, FB, letgo etc. It's helpful to be outside a massive city like LA sometimes. We found some really good deals. One was really hard to walk away from - 8' 300 gal glass aquarium, with stand, sump and stand for $500! A lot of work needed, which in my pre parenting days I likely would have jumped at. But times are different and spending hours resurfacing a stand and cleaning and resealing a tank are hours not spent with my family.
Algae Barn has had the S2 2100 on sale for a few weeks now and I've had my eye on it for longer. Of course I looked at other options from Red Sea, Water box, Clear for Life... But I kept coming back to the Cade. As an engineer, I truly respect well thought out designs. Everything about the S2 oozes thoughtful decisions. The build materials, plumbing, weir design, hidden ATO reservoir.. everything. I liked the other builds, but there were things about each that I didn't like. The Cade kept rising to the top for me.
So after at least the third or fourth time walking away to rethink, I did it. I checked out, clock submit and now we wait. We chose the white build to go with our aesthetics, and of course those don't come in until January. So, we have two months to plan. Two months to figure out all the rest of the details and that's why I started this thread.
So I hope you'll follow. I've got questions, and I hope to get your input as we take this new journey. I promise I'll keep it shorter in the future.
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