Hey from Chicago

[Charris]

Hey everyone. I have been creeping on here for just about a month now and finally decided to introduce myself. I've been a reefer for a few years now but am currently dry. I have a move coming up and I didn't want to move everything. I live in the Chicago area and am working on an Elos mini build. These are my plans:
Elos mini with white stand
Kessil 160we with kessil controller
JNS skimmer
Jebao dc3000 return pump
Custom sump made by a fellow reefer
AI sol blue for my refugium with controller
Alex Jr with eb8, pm2 with salinity probe
Tunze nano ato

I think that's all the major equipment. I am piecing together a few pieces but won't be setting the tank up until January, so I have some time. I want this tank to be a showpiece for a living room, so I am working concealing as much as I can. Here are a few current pics, excuse the mess it's stored in the basement

 

[kschweer]

Welcome to R2R!!! Looks Like a great start.

 

[melypr1985]

Welcome! I look forward to seeing it up and going!

 

[jsker]

Chicago was were I had my first Reef Tank. Can not wait to see the progress

 

[Charris]

Thanks guys! I will get to see the design of my sump this weekend, original talks had it with white acrylic sides, back, and baffles with a clear front, which will be the refuge section and all baffles will be adjustable. Once the sump is in my hands I will start a build to show the progress. Tentative livestock plans are two lightning clowns and a mixed selection of corals.

 

[chris31759]

Welcome to the forum. I'm out in the north west suburbs. I look forward to seeing your build thread. There are a few good stores in our area. I highly recommend Don at Sea Escapes in south Elgin, Julian Heccavaria at Seven Seas in Mt Prospect and Brian at Reef Wise in Lisle. All three owners are great people and very helpful.

 

[Charris]

Thanks Chris! I have been out to reefwise and the livestock looked great. I frequent AquaPros, it's about 10 minutes from me, and they have good stuff too. Seven seas I have heard good things about and may check it out. The Chicago area has awesome reefers and I tend to get a lot from peers.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[steelheader.262]

Welcome!!!

 

[mike007]

WELCOME TO R2R

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R

 

[4FordFamily]

Welcome home! You'll love it here! Neat setup!!

 

[chris31759]

Sorry I forgot about Aqua Pros. They do usually have some very nice coral selection. Very helpful and knowlegable guys there. You are right we are spoiled in Chicagoland. This is a great and friendly forum. Feel free to ask any questions. Everybody here will try to help. If you get a chance google Randy Holmes Farley and read everything he has to say about water chemistry. Good luck.

 

[kireek]

*Welcome to Reef2Reef @Charris !* Nice tank,good luck with the build in 2016.

 

[alin2]

Welcome! I'm in the western burbs and am also setting up my system.

I'm 20 minutes from Reefwise and that's the nicest livestock store I've ever been in in terms of healthy livestock.

 

[ethridge78]

WELCOME

 

[Charris]

Have an overdue update. Got moved, settled and set up. All hardware is the same except I am running the stock Elos pump, a wave point 10k refugium led, and a custom sump from Building An Obsession.

A few shots of the build so far. First pic is today about 1.5 weeks in.

 

[revhtree]

Looking good!

 

[Charris]

Got some coral and a flameback angel recently. Tank cycled for about 6 weeks, fish less cycle with bacteria added, ghost feeding, CUC added about 3 weeks in. Everything is doing well and parameters are on point.

 

[Diesel]