I’m buying a house in the next three months and need to keep things on a budget; for the reef it’s $3,000 for the year (so all future stuff too). Almost everything is a compromise between maximizing value. I know everyone has their opinions, but what I’d really like to know is if this system will work or if I’m going to run into trouble down the road.
Goal: Mixed reef, *easier* SPS mid-top, LPS throughout, zoa’s here and there, and sea fans (think Caribbean Sea/Flower Garden Banks biotope tank). 4-8 small-medium fish with 1 medium herbivore. And a variety of invertebrates with emphasis on snails vs hermits – maybe 15-20 total depending on load.
Gear*
SCA 66 Gallon Starfire Rimless w/ SCA-302 Skimmer, Stand, & Sump ($1,400)
2x Red Sea LED 90 ($756)
2x Red Sea 90 Mounting Arm – 18.25”-21.25” ($139)
2x Kessil A150W Ocean Blue (On Hand) – Supplemental Lighting
3x Red Sea Pro Mix ($286)
1x ATO Unit ($180 Set Aside – still researching)
1x ATO Reservoir ($30 Set Aside – still researching)
2x Rubbermaid “Brute” Trash Cans ($75)
1x Red Sea Tank Maturation Program ($36)
4x CaribSea Arag-Alive 20lb Special Grade, Bahamas Oolite (~$160)
1x 40lb Caribsea Live Rock - Aquacultured ($178)
1x 15lb Caribsea Purple Rock In Current Tank (On Hand)
1x HMA-S 300 Watt Titanium Heater w/ Guard and Controller ($41)
1x Hygger Mini Wave Maker ($78) – Have 1 already
1x Refugium Starter Kit/Pods – Aquacultured ($25)
RODI System (On Hand)
Various Test Kits (On Hand)
Various Chemicals & Media (On Hand)
Refractometer (On Hand)
SeaChem Matrix (On Hand)
100w Heater for Mixing Bucket (On Hand)
SeaChem Reef Fusion 1 & 2 (On Hand) Manually Dose for first year to save $$$
Flipper (On Hand)
Various Powerheads (On Hand) Will Add As Required
$3385.00
-$400 (Credit Card Rewards and other discounts)
Total: $2985
*Taxes/Shipping Included
I know this is a lot of info – maybe I should just list these things one at a time – but seeing the “whole” package is probably better so people know the big picture. The lights are my biggest frustration. It doesn’t appear there’s a light combination that goes for much less than $900 if I want to keep SPS in my tank. I’ll try e-Bay every week for the next couple of months, but finding pairs is going to be rough I think.
Oh, I’m getting an Neptune controller next year so think evolution with devices if applicable.
Any help would be appreciated!
Goal: Mixed reef, *easier* SPS mid-top, LPS throughout, zoa’s here and there, and sea fans (think Caribbean Sea/Flower Garden Banks biotope tank). 4-8 small-medium fish with 1 medium herbivore. And a variety of invertebrates with emphasis on snails vs hermits – maybe 15-20 total depending on load.
Gear*
SCA 66 Gallon Starfire Rimless w/ SCA-302 Skimmer, Stand, & Sump ($1,400)
2x Red Sea LED 90 ($756)
2x Red Sea 90 Mounting Arm – 18.25”-21.25” ($139)
2x Kessil A150W Ocean Blue (On Hand) – Supplemental Lighting
3x Red Sea Pro Mix ($286)
1x ATO Unit ($180 Set Aside – still researching)
1x ATO Reservoir ($30 Set Aside – still researching)
2x Rubbermaid “Brute” Trash Cans ($75)
1x Red Sea Tank Maturation Program ($36)
4x CaribSea Arag-Alive 20lb Special Grade, Bahamas Oolite (~$160)
1x 40lb Caribsea Live Rock - Aquacultured ($178)
1x 15lb Caribsea Purple Rock In Current Tank (On Hand)
1x HMA-S 300 Watt Titanium Heater w/ Guard and Controller ($41)
1x Hygger Mini Wave Maker ($78) – Have 1 already
1x Refugium Starter Kit/Pods – Aquacultured ($25)
RODI System (On Hand)
Various Test Kits (On Hand)
Various Chemicals & Media (On Hand)
Refractometer (On Hand)
SeaChem Matrix (On Hand)
100w Heater for Mixing Bucket (On Hand)
SeaChem Reef Fusion 1 & 2 (On Hand) Manually Dose for first year to save $$$
Flipper (On Hand)
Various Powerheads (On Hand) Will Add As Required
$3385.00
-$400 (Credit Card Rewards and other discounts)
Total: $2985
*Taxes/Shipping Included
I know this is a lot of info – maybe I should just list these things one at a time – but seeing the “whole” package is probably better so people know the big picture. The lights are my biggest frustration. It doesn’t appear there’s a light combination that goes for much less than $900 if I want to keep SPS in my tank. I’ll try e-Bay every week for the next couple of months, but finding pairs is going to be rough I think.
Oh, I’m getting an Neptune controller next year so think evolution with devices if applicable.
Any help would be appreciated!
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