Unfortunately, I find myself in the unenviable position of not buying a big enough tank to do what I want to do. I spent a lot of time before purchasing and thought I had it right... but I didn't. My Waterbox 60.2 ain't gonna cut it. So, after 3.5 months of convincing myself I can live with it, I can't. I've made the executive decision to not prolong the pain and upgrade to a 65-75 gallon DT. I'm hoping I can transfer most of my equipment to the new build, along with adding an additional light and wavemaker. I'm fairly certain I will have to upgrade my return pump(I have a RO Varios 2).
I'm looking at 3 systems in the 65-75 gallon range:
1. The new Red Sea XL 300: https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/reefer-300-xl-80-gallon-black-aquarium-system-red-sea/. I love the idea of the PNP feature of this tank, but I swore I wouldn't buy another tank with a wood stand. I really don't see this as a possibility because of the wood stand, but I also wanted to keep an open mind and see what others had to say about it. And with my limited experience with plumbing, this is by far the easiest to deal with. Price $1649 black.
2. Mode Aquariums Infinity Series 75 gallon: https://www.modeaquariums.com/product/75g-infinity-series-aquariums/. Complete package with DT, aluminum stand, and sump is $1599.00 delivered. The plumbing is a little more involved, but everything is cut to size--All you have to do is glue it together. Unfortunately all plumbing is metric. Panels attach to the cabinet frame by magnets which makes the entire sump area easily accessible. The sump comes with a refugium, which may not be applicable to me, but it's there if I want to use it. I've been watching Eat-Sleep-Reef with his 50 gallon build. These tanks look really decent and are the best value.
3. Innovative Marine Nuvo 75 gallon: https://www.innovative-marine.com/nuvo-ext-75-gallon. Probably my favorite. DT and aluminum stand come in at $1500 and you have to supply your own sump. I've been looking at sumps from Trigger Systems (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sapphire-sump-26-trigger-systems.html), and Bashsea (https://premiumaquatics.com/products/bashsea-30x15x16-tuxedo-signature-series-sump-black-white.html). With the sump this is the most expensive of the 3, but I get the most flexibility. The plumbing is also going to be the most complex for me and I believe I have to provide the gate valve. I know for those who have dealt with plumbing a system before this may be academic, but I haven't and i'm a little intimidated. lol
If anyone has suggestions on other tank systems, I'm all ears.
My current equipment list:
-Return pump: RO Various 2
-Wavemaker: RO Octopulse 2. I'm planning on adding an additional one for this build
-Lights: I have 1 AI 16HD. I'll just add an additional. 2 of these should meet all of the lighting requirements. No SPS, only softies and LPS. And the 1 AI 16HD on my current system is working great.
-Heater: Finnex 300 watt with controller. Back-up Eheim 200 watt
-Protein Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite
-ATO: Tunze 3155
Thanks for any help in advance.
I'm looking at 3 systems in the 65-75 gallon range:
1. The new Red Sea XL 300: https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/reefer-300-xl-80-gallon-black-aquarium-system-red-sea/. I love the idea of the PNP feature of this tank, but I swore I wouldn't buy another tank with a wood stand. I really don't see this as a possibility because of the wood stand, but I also wanted to keep an open mind and see what others had to say about it. And with my limited experience with plumbing, this is by far the easiest to deal with. Price $1649 black.
2. Mode Aquariums Infinity Series 75 gallon: https://www.modeaquariums.com/product/75g-infinity-series-aquariums/. Complete package with DT, aluminum stand, and sump is $1599.00 delivered. The plumbing is a little more involved, but everything is cut to size--All you have to do is glue it together. Unfortunately all plumbing is metric. Panels attach to the cabinet frame by magnets which makes the entire sump area easily accessible. The sump comes with a refugium, which may not be applicable to me, but it's there if I want to use it. I've been watching Eat-Sleep-Reef with his 50 gallon build. These tanks look really decent and are the best value.
3. Innovative Marine Nuvo 75 gallon: https://www.innovative-marine.com/nuvo-ext-75-gallon. Probably my favorite. DT and aluminum stand come in at $1500 and you have to supply your own sump. I've been looking at sumps from Trigger Systems (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sapphire-sump-26-trigger-systems.html), and Bashsea (https://premiumaquatics.com/products/bashsea-30x15x16-tuxedo-signature-series-sump-black-white.html). With the sump this is the most expensive of the 3, but I get the most flexibility. The plumbing is also going to be the most complex for me and I believe I have to provide the gate valve. I know for those who have dealt with plumbing a system before this may be academic, but I haven't and i'm a little intimidated. lol
If anyone has suggestions on other tank systems, I'm all ears.
My current equipment list:
-Return pump: RO Various 2
-Wavemaker: RO Octopulse 2. I'm planning on adding an additional one for this build
-Lights: I have 1 AI 16HD. I'll just add an additional. 2 of these should meet all of the lighting requirements. No SPS, only softies and LPS. And the 1 AI 16HD on my current system is working great.
-Heater: Finnex 300 watt with controller. Back-up Eheim 200 watt
-Protein Skimmer: Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite
-ATO: Tunze 3155
Thanks for any help in advance.
