Happy new year everyone!
I just placed the order for my first saltwater aquarium, and I am super excited!
With some negotiations with the boss lady, I was permitted space for a new 36" aquarium in the living room. This only cost me an Ikea bookcase, so I would say that is a win!
After much thought I decided to go with the RS Reefer XL 300 G2. I picked the deluxe edition for the bundled pair of ReefLed 90 lights.
This a 80g system with 65g display and 15g sump. Being my first reef tank the simple included plumbing is probably what won out. I was also considering the IM Int 75 as an alternative.
I plan to stock with mostly softies and LPS, but want the option of adding SPS in the future if I desire.
In terms of fish this is still to be finalized. I will add an initial pair of Ocellaris Clownfish once the cycle is complete. I would also like to add a pistol shrimp / Goby pair down the road, and probably a Wrasse and Firefish.
Feel freed to provide any recommendations.
Below is my full equipment list broken down into sections with some thoughts on each...
Water mixing station:
BRS 7 Stage RO/DI.
2 x 44g Brute Trashcans for RO/DI storage and saltwater mixing.
Sicce Ultra Zero utility pump.
Marineland Maxi-Jet 900 powerhead for mixing.
50ft Python for filling / water changes.
Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt.
BRS Refractometer
Aquatec Booster Pump kit
Booster Pump pre-filter
I have well water where I am and I am not sure if the water pressure will be sufficient for the RO/DI system. If not I will add an Aquatec booster pump and a pre-filter.
The reason for choosing the 7 stage RO/DI was because I ran a SafeHome lab test in Feb 2022 and the report found I have 15.4 mg/L of Silica in my water. I am hoping the DI resin will last a bit longer with the 7 stage. Incidentally the report also said my TDS out of the tap is only 35.7.
Tank and equipment:
Red Sea Reefer XL 300 G2
2 x ReefLED 90 lights with brackets.
RSK-300 Skimmer
ReefMat 500 Fleece Roller
Reef Octopus Varios 4 return pump
2 x Maxspect Gyre XF330 flow pumps
HYDROS WaveEngine v2 Pump Controller
HYDROS WE connector leads for the Maxspect and Varios
Red Sea Cabinet Slide-Out Mounting Panel - 60
Innovative Marine Helio PTC Smart Heater - 400 Watt
Up until the last minute I was debating on if to use the Red Sea ReefWave or the Maxspect Gyre flow pumps. The Maxspect combined with the Hydros wave engine controller won out in the end as it fits into the Hydros eco-system, which leads onto...
Monitoring / Control:
HYDROS Control X4 / XP8 PRO Pack
HYDROS Rope Leak Sensor
HYDROS Water Level Sensor
HYDROS Skimmer Sensor
Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit
I will add other test kits down the road once I have started to add corals. Probably this bundle is what I will get.
Hydros vs Apex, that is a debate that will last the ages with the pro's and con's of both. I went with the Hydos being the newer player, plus they can be mounted nicely and look good IMO.
Misc:
3 x CaribSea Aragalive Reef Sand - Special Grade
Marcorocks Shelf Scape 50 Kit
10 lbs - Marcorocks Reef Saver Shelf rock
25 lbs - Marcorocks Reef Saver rock
E-Marco-400 Aquascaping Mortar Complete Kit
8oz Dr. Tim's One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria
I have a bottle of ammonia chloride I use for cycling my freshwater tanks. There should be around 75lbs of rock in total which I hope with allow some flexibility for when I aquascape.
Updates with picture to follow once items start arriving.
UPDATES:
Update 1 - RO/DI and tank news
Update 2 - Long overdue
I just placed the order for my first saltwater aquarium, and I am super excited!
With some negotiations with the boss lady, I was permitted space for a new 36" aquarium in the living room. This only cost me an Ikea bookcase, so I would say that is a win!
After much thought I decided to go with the RS Reefer XL 300 G2. I picked the deluxe edition for the bundled pair of ReefLed 90 lights.
This a 80g system with 65g display and 15g sump. Being my first reef tank the simple included plumbing is probably what won out. I was also considering the IM Int 75 as an alternative.
I plan to stock with mostly softies and LPS, but want the option of adding SPS in the future if I desire.
In terms of fish this is still to be finalized. I will add an initial pair of Ocellaris Clownfish once the cycle is complete. I would also like to add a pistol shrimp / Goby pair down the road, and probably a Wrasse and Firefish.
Feel freed to provide any recommendations.
Below is my full equipment list broken down into sections with some thoughts on each...
Water mixing station:
BRS 7 Stage RO/DI.
2 x 44g Brute Trashcans for RO/DI storage and saltwater mixing.
Sicce Ultra Zero utility pump.
Marineland Maxi-Jet 900 powerhead for mixing.
50ft Python for filling / water changes.
Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt.
BRS Refractometer
Aquatec Booster Pump kit
Booster Pump pre-filter
I have well water where I am and I am not sure if the water pressure will be sufficient for the RO/DI system. If not I will add an Aquatec booster pump and a pre-filter.
The reason for choosing the 7 stage RO/DI was because I ran a SafeHome lab test in Feb 2022 and the report found I have 15.4 mg/L of Silica in my water. I am hoping the DI resin will last a bit longer with the 7 stage. Incidentally the report also said my TDS out of the tap is only 35.7.
Tank and equipment:
Red Sea Reefer XL 300 G2
2 x ReefLED 90 lights with brackets.
RSK-300 Skimmer
ReefMat 500 Fleece Roller
Reef Octopus Varios 4 return pump
2 x Maxspect Gyre XF330 flow pumps
HYDROS WaveEngine v2 Pump Controller
HYDROS WE connector leads for the Maxspect and Varios
Red Sea Cabinet Slide-Out Mounting Panel - 60
Innovative Marine Helio PTC Smart Heater - 400 Watt
Up until the last minute I was debating on if to use the Red Sea ReefWave or the Maxspect Gyre flow pumps. The Maxspect combined with the Hydros wave engine controller won out in the end as it fits into the Hydros eco-system, which leads onto...
Monitoring / Control:
HYDROS Control X4 / XP8 PRO Pack
HYDROS Rope Leak Sensor
HYDROS Water Level Sensor
HYDROS Skimmer Sensor
Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit
I will add other test kits down the road once I have started to add corals. Probably this bundle is what I will get.
Hydros vs Apex, that is a debate that will last the ages with the pro's and con's of both. I went with the Hydos being the newer player, plus they can be mounted nicely and look good IMO.
Misc:
3 x CaribSea Aragalive Reef Sand - Special Grade
Marcorocks Shelf Scape 50 Kit
10 lbs - Marcorocks Reef Saver Shelf rock
25 lbs - Marcorocks Reef Saver rock
E-Marco-400 Aquascaping Mortar Complete Kit
8oz Dr. Tim's One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria
I have a bottle of ammonia chloride I use for cycling my freshwater tanks. There should be around 75lbs of rock in total which I hope with allow some flexibility for when I aquascape.
Updates with picture to follow once items start arriving.
UPDATES:
Update 1 - RO/DI and tank news
Update 2 - Long overdue
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