New here!

[RJinPV]

My tank is medium stocked with coral. All softies and LPS. I dose about 15 to 20 ml per day of Brightwell's part A and B. Their part A has Mg too but recently my Mg was out of range high and calcium was where I wanted it, so I switched to Red Sea's calcium (no Mg) and it is more concentrated. I drove my Calcium up to 500 PPM before I realized it. You have to pick a brand and take some measurements as you go along. Then of course as the coral in the tank grows the dosing needs to change with it

 

[Toadstool92]

My tank is medium stocked with coral. All softies and LPS. I dose about 15 to 20 ml per day of Brightwell's part A and B. Their part A has Mg too but recently my Mg was out of range high and calcium was where I wanted it, so I switched to Red Sea's calcium (no Mg) and it is more concentrated. I drove my Calcium up to 500 PPM before I realized it. You have to pick a brand and take some measurements as you go along. Then of course as the coral in the tank grows the dosing needs to change with it

Thanks! Yeah, I'm leaning toward holding off on a dosing system for a while until after my tank cycles and I start getting livestock in there. I'll dose manually at that point and then get a dosing system once it needs it more consistently.

The Skimmer is pricey. Does anyone have any decent alternatives to the Quantum 120?

So update on a possible equipment list pending an alternate skimmer:

Red Sea Reef 250 - Comes with Sump and ATO I believe - $1350
2x Hydra 26 - $734 - Doesn't come with the tank so have to buy lights separate
2x Hydra Fixtures - $158
Quantum Nyos 120 Pro Skim - $400
Jebao DCP-5000 - $80
2x Jebao PP-8 - $120
BRS 4 Stage RO/DI - $150
Heater - Jager 150W, Jager 100W - Will these fit in the Reefer 250 sump?

API SW Test Kit - $25ish
Hannah Phos Tester - $50
Refractometer - $20-40
TDS Meter - Is this truly necessary to have?
Red Sea Reef Salt - Coral Pro -
Probably will use Two part for dosing when the time comes.


QT Setup - Cheap
20G Long - already have
PVC Pipe
AquaClear HOB
Aqueon Heater
Additional Jebao Powerhead


BRS Reef Saver Dry Rock
Sand - Either Fiji Pink or Special Grade from BRS. Does Live have high risks of hitchhikers?

Livestock options - Not definite, looking for input as well!

Fish:
2x Ocellaris clowns
1x Firefish
1x Yellow watchman goby
1-2x Pajama Cardinal
1x Midas Blenny

Inverts:
1x Pistol Shrimp
Tuxedo Urchin
Cleaner Shrimp
Nassarius Snail
Trochus Snail

Corals: No idea yet. So many amazing options to choose from. This will be the most difficult process haha. I just know I definitely want the Tyree Toadstool!

Also, how do you guys store your future saltwater? Do you keep it in a trash barrel covered with a heater and powerhead?

 

[ibondy]

I just mix the salt as needed. Store RO water in a 50g container and have 25g container for mixing the salt.

 

[Toadstool92]

I just mix the salt as needed. Store RO water in a 50g container and have 25g container for mixing the salt.

Nice thats a pretty solid setup! Mine will have to be more manually involved given I don't have water accessible in the basement. Kitchen sink only. That's probably good, it'll have me be more hands on with everything. I'm sure the convenience of this and others like dosing will be wanted in the future! Haha.

 

[Reeferguy365]

First off welcome to reef2reef!! So in the saying if you buy a cheap you buy twice that's not necessarily true on my 180 gallon i went with all more expensive stuff and on my 75 went with the cheaper stuff jebao well my expensive return pump ended up felling on me it was warrantied and replaced witch was nice but my jebao pump never stopped and it's still running strong haven't had one issue and it was hundreds less. Just something to think about.

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Toadstool92]

First off welcome to reef2reef!! So in the saying if you buy a cheap you buy twice that's not necessarily true on my 180 gallon i went with all more expensive stuff and on my 75 went with the cheaper stuff jebao well my expensive return pump ended up felling on me it was warrantied and replaced witch was nice but my jebao pump never stopped and it's still running strong haven't had one issue and it was hundreds less. Just something to think about.

Well put. I can always upgrade later if I desire!

 

[Gonebad395]

Hi

 

[ibondy]

Nice thats a pretty solid setup! Mine will have to be more manually involved given I don't have water accessible in the basement. Kitchen sink only. That's probably good, it'll have me be more hands on with everything. I'm sure the convenience of this and others like dosing will be wanted in the future! Haha.

Additional benefit is that my tank is right behind that wall and I have 3'' hole going to back of my right stand compartment. It is all about convenience for me and simplification for me. I learned hard way on my previous tanks. ;)

 

[Toadstool92]

What testers do you guys use to check Calcium, Magnesium, Alkalinity? Also Kh testers as well.

I'll use Hanna for Phosphates. API SW for pH, Ammonium, Nitrites, and Nitrates.

Edit: Also, I've just realized there may be a curing process for the Reef Saver Dry Rock. Any experience with doing this process? Sounds like a good way would be to put all the rock in a bucket/bin add saltwater, heater, and powerhead and just let it cure for several weeks. Checking phosphate levels weekly or so.

 

[ibondy]

What testers do you guys use to check Calcium, Magnesium, Alkalinity? Also Kh testers as well.

I'll use Hanna for Phosphates. API SW for pH, Ammonium, Nitrites, and Nitrates.

Edit: Also, I've just realized there may be a curing process for the Reef Saver Dry Rock. Any experience with doing this process? Sounds like a good way would be to put all the rock in a bucket/bin add saltwater, heater, and powerhead and just let it cure for several weeks. Checking phosphate levels weekly or so.

I am using Red Sea for all tests. So far happy with them. As far as the dry rock, have same and I am cycling for about 7 days now, used ATM bacteria and one frozen shrimp to jump start cycle and all looks good. Likely, one more week and will start transfering my clowns.

 

[Toadstool92]

Well I placed the order! Here is the official equipment list:

1x Reefer 250
2x Hydra 26
2x Hydra 26 Fixtures
1x Quantum Nyos 120
1x Jager 150W Heater
1x Jager 100W Heater
1x RO/DI 4 Stage 100 GPD
3x Jebao PP-8 Powerhead
1x Jebao DCP-5000

Also ordered these for my return output nozzle all Loc-Line: (Shout out to @Broadfield for his post)
1x 1/2" NPT Connector
1x 1/2" Y Fitting
2x 1/2" Modular Hose (6 segments)
2x 1/2" Round Nozzle

Testing:
1x Refractometer
1x Red Sea Reef Foundation Pro Test Kit
1x Hanna Phosphate Tester

Other:
200 G Sack Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
60 lbs of Reef Saver Dry Rock
50 lbs of Pink Fiji Sand
4 oz Aquastik Epoxy (Grey)

Can't wait! I feel like I just jumped into an abyss, haha. It'll be fine though.

 

[Toadstool92]

Well everything has arrived, well except the tank. That will be another week it sounds like. I'll be sure to post a build thread once I get it!