Neo Jeo
Valuable Member
Hello R2R!
I first want to say I really enjoy everyone on this form. Lots of help, quick responses! I have used other forms in the past but by far very happy with you all R2R members!
Around two months ago I decided what the heck let’s start a saltwater aquarium! I first started salt water when I was 16 and then got another tank when I was around 19 and then finally around 23. I got a 75 gallon that was my largest tank in the past. I have three tanks up to that point. I ran into many issues but obviously I did my best to learn from them. In my 20s I would work around 50 to 60 hours a week and now in my 30s I have switch careers to have more “me time”. That being said I wanted to get back into the salt water hobby as it was very demanding but also extremely rewarding !
I ordered a 90 gallon right off the bat but after doing more research and already noticing I was getting into it way too fast I slow down , stepped back and really did more research . I figured I wanted a 120, I really wanted a 180 but I just did not have the space .
I had a few goals :
1. I wanted a energy-efficient tank.
2. I want a tank free of nuisance algae and pests
3. I want maintenance as easy as possible like water changes , ATO.
So, I did just that. I purchased a photon v2 LED lighting system that uses under 200 W . I purchased DC pumps , reef octopus v4 for return, my protein skimmer as energy-efficient pump , my powerheads I’m still on the fence about . But they will be energy-efficient
I purchased 160 pounds of dry wafrom natural oceans . Same stuff as Marco rock . It turned out to be fantastic rock . I cleaned it, cured it which you don’t have to but I wanted to get the bacteria growing so my tank cycle was a lot shorter . I also added Coralline algae by Purple Hex to get the rocks going and beneficial bacteria .I purchased Bayer pest advance to dip all my corals . And I will do my best to keep nuisance pests out of my tank. My tub that I had the rock and started leaking after about a month only a few days before I was putting it in your tank that was a hick up . Kinda silly lol
I painted the back black and I water proofed the bottom and sides inside the stand.
Now for the maintenance I most proud about . I ran an 1 1/4” PVC flex line to my basements to a 44 gallon brute trashcan I hooked to a RO system that is connected to the trash can with float valves . I installed a laundry water catch that’s plumbed my drain pipe just in case if there is a overflow my finished basement it’s not ruined . I have a large pump that I can pump freshly made salt water up to my tank super easy and wireless turn on with the power . Then hooked up a siphon system upstairs that runs downstairs in to the basement drain so I can siphon out 25 gallons of water into the drain within a few minutes . Then my freshly made salt water will be pumped back up to the tank within minutes . I Remember in the past doing water changes was extremely taxing this time is very very easy and will allow me to have a well rounded maintenance system . Also I dis not enjoy topping off the water and in the past I would get lazy about it and then my salt level would rise now I purchased a barrel tender 2 I have a RO line ran upstairs into an auto shut off system if it detects any leaks it’s will shut the RO line. then into the auto top off bucket that is connected to a cylinder that will turn on and off when empty or full . That way I don’t have RO creep happen. Then I have it connected to a Tunze that’s connected to my sump keeping fresh water always full in my tank ! No worries and happy reefing
Here are some more specs:
120 Gallon Marineland 1 Overflow
Heater : Cobalt 200w and 150w back up only hooked into a inkbird for safety.
Sump/Refug: Eshoppp R-200
Skimmer: Eshopp X-160 "Updated" Bubble Mag 5 "Much better"
Additives: 2 Part Eshopp pump and 2 section container "Updated" Got a Coral Box Wifi with 3 part container
GFO/Carbon: BRS Dule with pump
Power Head "Updated" Jabo RW-8 Just 1
Glass Canopy "Updated" DYI BRS Screen top 1/4" holes.
Custom Oak Stand made by local carpender
1- 1/2” Sand bed
Hard/Soft Plumbing
Refug: Mineral mud dry rock marine pure block . Cheto and pods on order. With LED Refug light.
Lights are on a stand now but I’ll be install L brackets to hang them.
Here is the grand pic! The LED lighting really throws off the picture as you all know doing the Aqua scape took five hours really happy how it turned out I have a lot room for fish swim behind and through the rocks I also epoxied most The Rock just because I don’t wanted to fall hopefully epoxied it won’t hurt me down the road
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!
I first want to say I really enjoy everyone on this form. Lots of help, quick responses! I have used other forms in the past but by far very happy with you all R2R members!
Around two months ago I decided what the heck let’s start a saltwater aquarium! I first started salt water when I was 16 and then got another tank when I was around 19 and then finally around 23. I got a 75 gallon that was my largest tank in the past. I have three tanks up to that point. I ran into many issues but obviously I did my best to learn from them. In my 20s I would work around 50 to 60 hours a week and now in my 30s I have switch careers to have more “me time”. That being said I wanted to get back into the salt water hobby as it was very demanding but also extremely rewarding !
I ordered a 90 gallon right off the bat but after doing more research and already noticing I was getting into it way too fast I slow down , stepped back and really did more research . I figured I wanted a 120, I really wanted a 180 but I just did not have the space .
I had a few goals :
1. I wanted a energy-efficient tank.
2. I want a tank free of nuisance algae and pests
3. I want maintenance as easy as possible like water changes , ATO.
So, I did just that. I purchased a photon v2 LED lighting system that uses under 200 W . I purchased DC pumps , reef octopus v4 for return, my protein skimmer as energy-efficient pump , my powerheads I’m still on the fence about . But they will be energy-efficient
I purchased 160 pounds of dry wafrom natural oceans . Same stuff as Marco rock . It turned out to be fantastic rock . I cleaned it, cured it which you don’t have to but I wanted to get the bacteria growing so my tank cycle was a lot shorter . I also added Coralline algae by Purple Hex to get the rocks going and beneficial bacteria .I purchased Bayer pest advance to dip all my corals . And I will do my best to keep nuisance pests out of my tank. My tub that I had the rock and started leaking after about a month only a few days before I was putting it in your tank that was a hick up . Kinda silly lol
I painted the back black and I water proofed the bottom and sides inside the stand.
Now for the maintenance I most proud about . I ran an 1 1/4” PVC flex line to my basements to a 44 gallon brute trashcan I hooked to a RO system that is connected to the trash can with float valves . I installed a laundry water catch that’s plumbed my drain pipe just in case if there is a overflow my finished basement it’s not ruined . I have a large pump that I can pump freshly made salt water up to my tank super easy and wireless turn on with the power . Then hooked up a siphon system upstairs that runs downstairs in to the basement drain so I can siphon out 25 gallons of water into the drain within a few minutes . Then my freshly made salt water will be pumped back up to the tank within minutes . I Remember in the past doing water changes was extremely taxing this time is very very easy and will allow me to have a well rounded maintenance system . Also I dis not enjoy topping off the water and in the past I would get lazy about it and then my salt level would rise now I purchased a barrel tender 2 I have a RO line ran upstairs into an auto shut off system if it detects any leaks it’s will shut the RO line. then into the auto top off bucket that is connected to a cylinder that will turn on and off when empty or full . That way I don’t have RO creep happen. Then I have it connected to a Tunze that’s connected to my sump keeping fresh water always full in my tank ! No worries and happy reefing
Here are some more specs:
120 Gallon Marineland 1 Overflow
Heater : Cobalt 200w and 150w back up only hooked into a inkbird for safety.
Sump/Refug: Eshoppp R-200
Skimmer: Eshopp X-160 "Updated" Bubble Mag 5 "Much better"
Additives: 2 Part Eshopp pump and 2 section container "Updated" Got a Coral Box Wifi with 3 part container
GFO/Carbon: BRS Dule with pump
Power Head "Updated" Jabo RW-8 Just 1
Glass Canopy "Updated" DYI BRS Screen top 1/4" holes.
Custom Oak Stand made by local carpender
1- 1/2” Sand bed
Hard/Soft Plumbing
Refug: Mineral mud dry rock marine pure block . Cheto and pods on order. With LED Refug light.
Lights are on a stand now but I’ll be install L brackets to hang them.
Here is the grand pic! The LED lighting really throws off the picture as you all know
doing the Aqua scape took five hours really happy how it turned out I have a lot room for fish swim behind and through the rocks I also epoxied most The Rock just because I don’t wanted to fall hopefully epoxied it won’t hurt me down the roadThanks for reading! Let me know what you think!
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