Hi All,
Today I am starting off my upgrade journey. My existing tank is a Red Sea Reefer 250 (65 Gallons). I will be upgrading to a Waterbox 180.5. My hope in all of this is be able to get some of the fish, corals and inverts I was never able to before whilst maintaining a stable mixed reef environment.
My 4 year old son has fairly severe autism and my hope is that this will be a source of calm for him and something we can do together as he gets a bit older and develops more (he is currently non verbal). Either way, with a stressfull job, lockdown and a 9 months baby in the house, reefing has been an amazing source of calm and mindfullnes for me this year. Despite the ups and downs that come with this hobby, it's been a real boon for my mental health this year. On top of that, being able to come to a forum where poeple are just helping each other out with reefing rather than moaning about the state of the world is a real escape. As such, it's great to be able to invest further into the hobby.
Kit List
The initial stocking will simply be the contents of my existing tank, these are:
The plan is to run the skimmer and fuge initially. If this becomes a problem however I will likely start carbon dosing, either with NoPox or vinegar.
Current Questions
Notably missing here is an aquarium controller. As a data scientist I remain amazed at myself for not having fallen down the data and automation rabbit hole just yet. I think over time this is something I will likely end up pursuing, I'm really just waiting to see how things develop in this space. My gut feeling is this is a space that will be quite heavily disrupted over the next 12 months. I am a big fan of the Reef Factory stack that seems to be developing. Based on how I get on with their pumps and the KH Keeper I will probably be better placed to make a call.
Today I am starting off my upgrade journey. My existing tank is a Red Sea Reefer 250 (65 Gallons). I will be upgrading to a Waterbox 180.5. My hope in all of this is be able to get some of the fish, corals and inverts I was never able to before whilst maintaining a stable mixed reef environment.
My 4 year old son has fairly severe autism and my hope is that this will be a source of calm for him and something we can do together as he gets a bit older and develops more (he is currently non verbal). Either way, with a stressfull job, lockdown and a 9 months baby in the house, reefing has been an amazing source of calm and mindfullnes for me this year. Despite the ups and downs that come with this hobby, it's been a real boon for my mental health this year. On top of that, being able to come to a forum where poeple are just helping each other out with reefing rather than moaning about the state of the world is a real escape. As such, it's great to be able to invest further into the hobby.
Kit List
Item | Specifics | Notes |
Tank | Waterbox 180.5 | |
Lights | 3 x Red Sea Reef LED 90 | Two of these coming off the old tank. I'm not convinced I'd have stuck with Red Sea otherwise |
Powerheads | 1 x VorTech MP40 2 x Tunze Turbelle Nanostream 6040 | The Tunze powerheads are from the old tank. I will likely replace with another MP40 over time |
Skimmer | Red Sea Skimmer 300 | This is probably a bit small now but is from the old tank. I will replace as and when the bio load changes much |
Pump | TMC Reef-Pump Connect 5000 | |
Heater | D-D Titanium Heater 500w + Controller | |
Dosing | 2 x Reef Factory Dosing Pumps | Plan is to add a KH Keeper at a later date |
UV | TMC V2 UV 600 | Not something I have used before but think it makes sense If I am going to have tangs etc |
Refugium Light | Tunze 8811 | Yes, I know this isn't the red fuge light, I realised too late on that one! |
Sand | 50kg Reeflowers Pearl White | I will not be moving any sand over. It looks like a bit of a risk for little benefit. |
Rock | 20kg Artificial Rock | I will also move all of the rock from my old tank. This includes some small rubble which I keep in the fuge and as a section in the display to grow pods and zoas |
The initial stocking will simply be the contents of my existing tank, these are:
- Engineer Goby (Almost a foot long)
- 2 x Picasso Clown
- 2 x White Belly Wrasse
- 2 x Bangai Cardinals
- Orchid Dottyback
- Purple Firefish
- Hippo Tang
- Powder Blue Tang
- Yellow Tang (seem to still be some around at reasonable rates here)
- Flame Hawkfish
- 3 x Anthias (Not quite sure on type)
The plan is to run the skimmer and fuge initially. If this becomes a problem however I will likely start carbon dosing, either with NoPox or vinegar.
Current Questions
- Does anyone have any thoughts on stocking? What would work nicely with my existing community?
- Are there any obvious switchs people would make on the equipment list?
- Can anyone point me at the best bit of reading on tank transfers? I'm aware there are lots of threads on this so happy just to be pointed at what people think the most valuable information is.
Notably missing here is an aquarium controller. As a data scientist I remain amazed at myself for not having fallen down the data and automation rabbit hole just yet. I think over time this is something I will likely end up pursuing, I'm really just waiting to see how things develop in this space. My gut feeling is this is a space that will be quite heavily disrupted over the next 12 months. I am a big fan of the Reef Factory stack that seems to be developing. Based on how I get on with their pumps and the KH Keeper I will probably be better placed to make a call.