Hey all!!
Jumping over to the saltwater side of things after several years of freshwater hobby-ing, followed by a several year break. I appreciate all the posts that I’ve extracted info from and look forward to being a part of the community (but assuming I’ll be needing a few months of advice before I’m ready to start offering advice in return).
Here is my proposed setup which is being shipped and expected to start showing up any day. Hoping I’ve thought it out and looking forward to constructive feedback if there are critical issues with my plans!
My plans are a moderately stocked mixed reef with beginner fish/inverts/corals as I learn.
UNS R75 (55 total gal)
Simplicity 1000DC Return
AI Nero 3 power head
AI Hydra Edge 44 (phased in later)
Icecap 200w titanium heater on a Inkbird WiFi controller
Icecap 160 Protein skimmer (hoping to avoid by phasing in livestock/refugium efficiency).
My plan is to take my time installing everything (full disclosure that patience is not a virtue I hold), leak testing, getting familiar with the system, tweaking, aquascaping, filling, cycling, adding fish slowly, then adding various beginner corals (and likely cursing at the setbacks) once stability is achieved.
Also looking forward to some recommendations of the better LFS in the East Bay/Central Valley (CA) area, and online distributors of quality livestock/info.
I’m excited to get back into my next chapter of the hobby and hopefully I spend more time enjoying the colorful display more than I am fiddling with water parameters!
Looking forward to your comments on my info seeking posts!
Jumping over to the saltwater side of things after several years of freshwater hobby-ing, followed by a several year break. I appreciate all the posts that I’ve extracted info from and look forward to being a part of the community (but assuming I’ll be needing a few months of advice before I’m ready to start offering advice in return).
Here is my proposed setup which is being shipped and expected to start showing up any day. Hoping I’ve thought it out and looking forward to constructive feedback if there are critical issues with my plans!
My plans are a moderately stocked mixed reef with beginner fish/inverts/corals as I learn.
UNS R75 (55 total gal)
Simplicity 1000DC Return
AI Nero 3 power head
AI Hydra Edge 44 (phased in later)
Icecap 200w titanium heater on a Inkbird WiFi controller
Icecap 160 Protein skimmer (hoping to avoid by phasing in livestock/refugium efficiency).
My plan is to take my time installing everything (full disclosure that patience is not a virtue I hold), leak testing, getting familiar with the system, tweaking, aquascaping, filling, cycling, adding fish slowly, then adding various beginner corals (and likely cursing at the setbacks) once stability is achieved.
Also looking forward to some recommendations of the better LFS in the East Bay/Central Valley (CA) area, and online distributors of quality livestock/info.
I’m excited to get back into my next chapter of the hobby and hopefully I spend more time enjoying the colorful display more than I am fiddling with water parameters!
Looking forward to your comments on my info seeking posts!


