New 2 Reef2Reef.

BreakdowN · Jan 25, 2015

So I'm fairly new to the hobby and I have many questions. I know some of the general knowledge behind building a Saltwater tank but there are still gray spots for me that I'm not understanding. So seeing as this was the perfect site to stumbleupon I decided to make an account and get apart of the crown and learn new things and pass on what I know. So basically I'll start with what I plan on building or what I'm stuck on building lol. I'm stuck between doing a Deep Blue Professional 60 Gallon Cube or the Deep Blue Professional 57 Gallon Rimless Edge. Both come with tank and stand but I've read mixed reviews on the stands. Seeing as there made out of particle board. So I might just buy either tank and build the stand. Also both are Predrilled and have plumbing with them. I'm leaning towards the cube and I believe I have a list of items that I plan to purchase but I'm curious to know what you guys think about what will work with my build.

Items for my build.

1. Tank: http://www.deepblueprofessional.com/rimless.html"]Deep Blue Professional 60 Gallon Rimless Cube Reef Ready.

2. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquarium-heaters-chillers/aquarium-heaters.html"]Heater: Not sure what to get click the link and let me know what would work best.

3. Skimmer:http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-110-4-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html"] Reef Octopus Classic 110INT 4" or should I go with http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-150int-6-internal-protein-skimmer.html"]Reef Octopus 150INT 6"?

4. Powerheads: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vortech-mp10-es-propeller-pump-ecotech-marine.html"]VorTech MP10's or should I go with http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vortech-mp40w-es-propeller-pump.html"]VorTech MP40's because of the thickness of the Cube glass.

5. Sump: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aqueon-modular-proflex-sump-filtration.html"]Aqueon Modular Proflex Sump Filtration Model 2.

6. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pumps-plumbing/submersible-aquarium-pumps.html"]Submersible Pump: I'm not sure on what to go with. If you click the link let me know what you think is a good pump.

7. Lighting: Going with Hanging LED's and not T5's. Not sure on which yet. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ecotech-radion-xr30w-g3-led-light-fixture.html"]EcoTech Radion XR30W or something else to just start then upgrade.

8. Dry Rock: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-pukani-dry-aquarium-live-rock-e1ff36b97044a1c7c73c73e4d27aeba4.html"]BRS Pukani or thehttp://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-reef-saver-dry-aquarium-live-rock.html"] BRS Reef Saver. I prefer not to do Live Rock because of the Hitch Hikers. I'll cure my rock for at least a month before I place it in my tank around 65lbs.

9. Live Sand: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/fiji-pink-arag-alive-live-reef-sand.html"]Carib Sea Fiji Pink or http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bahamas-oolite-arag-alive-live-reef-sand.html"]Carib Sea Bahamas Oolite Arag Alive going with about 4 inch deep sand bed.

10. Salt Mixtures: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-sea-coral-pro-salt.html"]Red Sea Coral Pro.

11. I'm going to invest into a RO/DI system because it will be cheaper in the long run.

Thats pretty much my dream build right now if anyone has anything to say or to help me improve on my build please post below and let me know. Like I said I'm new to this and I'm only taking the knowledge of the first tank I had and trying to put it back into a dream build. Mostly this will be a Reef tank with some Fish but mostly corals SPS with some LPS. Please comment and help me out guys thanks for having me apart of this amazing community.

SeahorseKeeper · Jan 25, 2015

Welcome to R2R!! I love your choice in tanks. I think either one would be great. I also think you are better off building the stand. Good luck with your build.

Rob.D · Jan 25, 2015

Welcome to R2R,

Both tanks are good choices but if you look at the overflow box on the 57, you will notice that the overflow extends towards the front glass, with the overflow design it takes away a lot of real estate.

I would go with the biggest option on both skimmer and powerhead, you can always turn them down but you can't make them go past their highest setting.

I am a die-hard fan of Synergy Reef Systems sumps.

You could do a mix of the dry rocks but the Pukani is the best for unique shape for awesome rockscapes.

Oolite is a very fine sand, you might regret getting it.