Heyooo all, I’m pretty new here, so a little background with experience (also please excuse any formatting I am have a bit of work to do in that department!). I was first introduced to saltwater when I was like 18 through l coworkers, working in the fish department at Petsmart. Over the years I have set up a few different setups but they’ve always been budget builds, and always second or third hand gear, and always like a nano with McGrubered solutions. After the crash to a 30 gallon nano I put a lot of effort into and had running about 3 years, I packed it up and wanted to wait until I was a bit more settled down and rooted up a bit to really commit to the hobby the way I’ve wanted to. Moved into that place about 18 months ago, grabbed a little countertop 9 gallon to house a Yasha goby and pistol friend. That’s been up for about 14 months and doing just fine.
That tank was just to light a fire under my butt, and it’s worked. Saturday I put in my order for a Cade 1200 S2, and will be setting up hopefully as advanced as I can take it. Knee jerk would say “ mixed reef” but we’re gonna just see how everything plays out, I’m not committing myself to goals I know will change. The tank is supposed to ship pretty quick so it will be in my hands before end of June, allowing a week or so for shipping delays since supply chain is a nightmare right now. Im not in a huge rush to have in hands though, because I am starting from scratch here so there’s a lot to buy and prep for. I’ve got a bit of a to do list getting ready for it, and would love any suggestions, as I plan to navigate through this process pretty humble, as one of my problems with past experiences was thinking I knew some of the simpler details that could have led to some unnecessary problems.
So far the list of current plans before I can set up are:
-Build out Mixing Station in garage, this will include adding couple tanks, ro/di filtration, utility sink, and all plumbing/pumps ect. Pics of space included because pictures are always more fun. Yesterday I tore apart a shelf in the garage where I plan to build this out.
- Select/Procure equipment. I haven’t decided on even as much as a heater yet but am rabbit holing constantly and pretty much working through brstv’s entire video library. Lol holy cow there so much info out there. Lighting wise, I am leaning towards just starting with the Aquatic Life T5 hybrid, with maybe scoring a couple deals on some led’s from the marketplace here to lessen the cost of this whole thing all at once a schooch, but I’m certainly open to suggestions, and would love some feedback. Still looking for all pumps, skimmer, modifications to stock sump
- Select tank location! It’s down to two locations, one the fiancé approves of and one she’s not so much very excited about. The spot I sold her on i initially for tank placement was in the little nook next to the fireplace. This space is 5’ so it wouldn’t leave a lot of room on the sides, but the space is deep enough to pull off the wall enough for access and still maybe look okay. Would be a tight squeeze. Second spot is outside the coat closet next to the stairs. This would give full access and viewing and glee to each side of the tank, so getting to look through some of that glass I paid for being low iron would get utilized, plus the Cades have a hinged side panel so you can open as a door to get to a second either side for electrical needs and accessing a second side of the sump for cleaning. This location would also allow me to easily run utilities through the wall into the coat closet be it controllers or plumbing for water changes. The other spot would all have to be done in the furthest corner of the crawler(boo), along with the 6” space on either side, or complete loss of side panel access with only a foot on the other, I prefer the one she’s iffy about
-run dedicated circuit/s for power. Either 1 or 2 20 amp circuits to be added to one tank location. there is space on my panel for the circuits but I need to add up the maths and make sure it’ll handle. Will confer with a sparky to verify.
-plan an Aquasacpe! Super stoked for this and would love to hear and see your builds you are proud of for some inspiration. Like I said ultimate goal is mixed reef but not going to hold myself to hard I have much learning to do still but I plan on getting lighting and up and running to run LPS/SPS with some zoos and a couple other softies probly.
That’s all I’ve got time to throw out right now but I should be busy with this so I’ll keep coming back as I progress. Cheers and look forward to getting this going and getting involved around here, You guys all seem like a great group with tons of knowledge!
That tank was just to light a fire under my butt, and it’s worked. Saturday I put in my order for a Cade 1200 S2, and will be setting up hopefully as advanced as I can take it. Knee jerk would say “ mixed reef” but we’re gonna just see how everything plays out, I’m not committing myself to goals I know will change. The tank is supposed to ship pretty quick so it will be in my hands before end of June, allowing a week or so for shipping delays since supply chain is a nightmare right now. Im not in a huge rush to have in hands though, because I am starting from scratch here so there’s a lot to buy and prep for. I’ve got a bit of a to do list getting ready for it, and would love any suggestions, as I plan to navigate through this process pretty humble, as one of my problems with past experiences was thinking I knew some of the simpler details that could have led to some unnecessary problems.
So far the list of current plans before I can set up are:
-Build out Mixing Station in garage, this will include adding couple tanks, ro/di filtration, utility sink, and all plumbing/pumps ect. Pics of space included because pictures are always more fun. Yesterday I tore apart a shelf in the garage where I plan to build this out.
- Select/Procure equipment. I haven’t decided on even as much as a heater yet but am rabbit holing constantly and pretty much working through brstv’s entire video library. Lol holy cow there so much info out there. Lighting wise, I am leaning towards just starting with the Aquatic Life T5 hybrid, with maybe scoring a couple deals on some led’s from the marketplace here to lessen the cost of this whole thing all at once a schooch, but I’m certainly open to suggestions, and would love some feedback. Still looking for all pumps, skimmer, modifications to stock sump
- Select tank location! It’s down to two locations, one the fiancé approves of and one she’s not so much very excited about. The spot I sold her on i initially for tank placement was in the little nook next to the fireplace. This space is 5’ so it wouldn’t leave a lot of room on the sides, but the space is deep enough to pull off the wall enough for access and still maybe look okay. Would be a tight squeeze. Second spot is outside the coat closet next to the stairs. This would give full access and viewing and glee to each side of the tank, so getting to look through some of that glass I paid for being low iron would get utilized, plus the Cades have a hinged side panel so you can open as a door to get to a second either side for electrical needs and accessing a second side of the sump for cleaning. This location would also allow me to easily run utilities through the wall into the coat closet be it controllers or plumbing for water changes. The other spot would all have to be done in the furthest corner of the crawler(boo), along with the 6” space on either side, or complete loss of side panel access with only a foot on the other, I prefer the one she’s iffy about
-run dedicated circuit/s for power. Either 1 or 2 20 amp circuits to be added to one tank location. there is space on my panel for the circuits but I need to add up the maths and make sure it’ll handle. Will confer with a sparky to verify.
-plan an Aquasacpe! Super stoked for this and would love to hear and see your builds you are proud of for some inspiration. Like I said ultimate goal is mixed reef but not going to hold myself to hard I have much learning to do still but I plan on getting lighting and up and running to run LPS/SPS with some zoos and a couple other softies probly.
That’s all I’ve got time to throw out right now but I should be busy with this so I’ll keep coming back as I progress. Cheers and look forward to getting this going and getting involved around here, You guys all seem like a great group with tons of knowledge!
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