First Reef Tank - UNS 90

[AquaticDodger]

Just purchased a UNS R90, 60gal display and 20gal sump, and taking my firs steps into the world of reef tanks. I'm new to a lot of this so taking it slow, but read the guides on this site and have been going through the BRS series. My long term goal is to have this as a mixed reef tank with softies, LPS, maybe a clam, CUC, and assorted fish that I haven't quite decided on yet, but I do like symbiotic relationships between creatures. I'm swapping out my outlet to GFCI over the weekend and my RO/DI filter is being delivered today.

I plan on breaking up the purchases into stages so I'm not too overwhelmed by all the new things to learn.
Here is what I'm looking at in terms of equipment for "Phase 1":
Return Pump: EcoTech VectraM2 - Read about battery backups for this pump. I do get power shutoffs from the electric company during high wind events.
Powerhead: EcoTech MP10
Fleece Roller: Reefmat 500
Light: Kessil ap9x
Heater: Helio 2x200W for redundancy
Grounding Probe
Rock and sand: Unsure, but maybe the package from Tampa Bay Saltwater which is 60lbs sand, 60lb live rock, and 60lb premium rock. -> Is this too much rock? May also do the dry rock that I can take time to shape and order a smaller amount of live rock to put in the sump. Would love feedback on this topic.
Salt: Haven't decided and need to do more research

"Phase 2" after tank seems to have stabilized and some livestock has been introduced:
Protein Skimmer
Controller
Mesh Screen

I have no clue if I'm headed in the right direction, but this has been what I've mapped out for my plan. This weekend I'll be getting the RO/DI and Brute cans set up to begin testing. I still need to order a salinity tester and salt.

Thanks for reading and any feedback or advice would be appreciated

 

[Peace River]

Congratulations on the new adventure!

 

[Cheezeits]

Congrats, I've been looking at the UNS r120, the tanks and setup just look amazing from a starting point.

 

[UNS_Brandon]

Pics or it didn't happen!

 

[domtun]

Awesome! Just a heads up the reef mat 500 will not fit. The 250 fits perfectly with the adaptor.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[AquaticDodger]

Updating the build. It has been a busy couple of weeks with a lot of things learned.

I picked up the tank from my local LFS. It was still packaged in MDF and on two pallets. It was way heavier than I had anticipated, but when I got home I was able to unbox it in my truck and get out the stand and tank with my wife. I also set up my own RO/DI system. It's primitive, but accomplishes the goal and allows me to move it to the side of the house when not needed. Putting it together was extremely easy for a first time reef build.

I did change my part list slightly based on reviews and budgets.

Return pump: Simplicity 1600
Wavemaker: EcoTech MP10
Heater: IM Helio 2x200
Protein Skimmer: Reef Octo 150SSS
Dry Rock Rockscape: Reefscapedesign
Live Sand: ArgaLive Carib Sea special reef grade
Live rock: 20lbs from LFS in the sump

The tank has been filled and the water cleared up. I've started the cycle and am currently reading .5ppm ammonia and .008 nitrites with 0 nitrates at the moment. My PH is 7.8 and was told to turn on the protein skimmer without the cup to create more gas exchange so I have that running at the moment.

I haven't gone with the reef roller yet, but likely will switch from the socks once I add livestock.

That's it for now and happy to answer any questions. If ya'll see anything wrong or have advice please pass it on!

 

[UNS_Parker]

That's gonna make a sick LPS/softie tank man... Love the NSA style rockwork with some hammers and torches on it.

As mentioned above, you are gonna want to go with the Redsea 250 over the 500.

Are you still considering adding Tampa Bay rock/sand? Excited to see future updates!

 

[AquaticDodger]

That's gonna make a sick LPS/softie tank man... Love the NSA style rockwork with some hammers and torches on it.

As mentioned above, you are gonna want to go with the Redsea 250 over the 500.

Are you still considering adding Tampa Bay rock/sand? Excited to see future updates!

Thank you! I decided to do Arga alive for the sand and grabbed some live rock from my LFS and put it into the sump. I wanted to go with TBS, but spending $1.5k on it I just couldn’t justify.

 

[UNS_Parker]

Thats fair, I am considering just using a bit to seed my tank on top of my existing sand.

 

[AquaticDodger]

That's gonna make a sick LPS/softie tank man... Love the NSA style rockwork with some hammers and torches on it.

As mentioned above, you are gonna want to go with the Redsea 250 over the 500.

Are you still considering adding Tampa Bay rock/sand? Excited to see future updates!

Also, I heard a rumor that UNS is making their own reef roller. Do you know anything about this?

 

[Sharbuckles Reef]

congrats on your first reef tank, you picked an incredible system to start with.

As far as your rock question goes. I don’t think you’ll need more than 60 lbs MAX. Personally I’d use about 40. If I could, I would use ALL live rock, but your second option of using dry and adding some quality live rock to seed it is also a great choice

 

[UNS_Parker]

Also, I heard a rumor that UNS is making their own reef roller. Do you know anything about this?

Its something that we are working on, but it is far out still at the moment. If you are looking for a roller mat sooner rather than later, I would recommend looking at other options.

 

[AquaticDodger]

Update on tank status:

Well I’ve been thoroughly enjoying starting and watching my reef tank develop and get setup.



I have made a lot of updates since my first post so I’ll try to list them in order.

1. Tank cycled after about two weeks using Dr Tim’s.
2. Added 3 Chromis. One died after only a few hours, but the other two are thriving and growing.
3. Added the UNS refugium light and the algae barn ultimate refugium pack with Pom Pom macro.
4. The refugium runs 10 hours a day at 50% counter to the display lights.
5. Dosed the copepods, PNS probio, and phytoplankton. The phytoplankton is still being added daily. Copepods are on the glass at night and I see them in the refugium.
6. Diatoms have shown up so I added a CUC. 3 Cerith snails, 3 nerite snails, 2 nassarius snails, and 5 hermit crabs.
7. After about a month of the chromis being added I got a juvenile yellow tang from Biota. He started eating within a couple hours of being added. Picks at the rocks and is eating TDO and seaweed extreme.
8. Added a zoa plug that seems to be doing well after a week.
9. Someone gave me a small birdsnest frag that had RTN and aptasia. I broke the small healthy pieces off and wedged them in a crevice. Polyps are extending so I’m hopeful it’ll grow.

Params as of today:
Temp: 77F
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 6.3
Alk: 7.2
Phosphates: .03
Ph: 8.1

I’m waiting to receive my Mag and Calc testers so I can monitor those as well. The plan is to let the diatoms do their thing, maintain stability, and add a starry blenny in a month or so.

Watching everything interact has been really enjoyable. I catch myself zoning out watching the tank for far too long during my work days.

Thanks for reading

 

[Sharbuckles Reef]

Love the scape so much. Sounds like you’re off to a really great start. Good choice on the yellow tang, such a classic fish!

 

[AquaticDodger]

Love the scape so much. Sounds like you’re off to a really great start. Good choice on the yellow tang, such a classic fish!

Thanks for the kind words. I love watching the tang. In a few months I want to add some encrusting LPS and some hammers or torches for movement. The price of torches seems so high though.

 

[Sharbuckles Reef]

Thanks for the kind words. I love watching the tang. In a few months I want to add some encrusting LPS and some hammers or torches for movement. The price of torches seems so high though.

You’re not wrong. Problem is I don’t see the price ever going down. Hammers and some cyphastrea would be a really good start though!