New reef project

[Elze]

Hello everyone,

Since a couple of year I’ve been dreaming about a reef (I’m a discus breeder).

Question by number:

1 - Maybe hard to answer but should I get a Red Sea Max G2 XL or turn my 24 x 24 x 24 rimless cube ( about 10 years old but good condition and new silicon)?

I would have to drill a bigger hole over the one that I already got for a drop in water change and drill a new hole for the return.

2 - I don’t know why but I bought as a gift for myself 10 years ago, a Maxspect R420R 160 watts that I always used at low setting. Would it be ok to start the process with this light?

3 - I’m thinking about a Eshopps Rs-75 that would fit on the cabinet (I already have a strong enough Sicce return pump. What do you think?

4- Aqua forest rocks 18 kg enough ?

And enough for my first post

Thank you in advance for your help!!!!

 

[Subsea]

@Elze
Welcome to the hobby. I have been addicted for 55 years and it never gets old at 77 years young.

Not sure about the differrent size drilled holes and for what purpose.

Reefs come in all shape, sizes and colors.

If I sized your equipment correctly, you presently have a 75G cube with a 160W LED light fixture. That combination would work for low light soft coral tank.


To be blunt, the equipment does not operate the reef. I have used Rubbermaid tubs. I briefly looked at the other systems that you mentioned. You would spend $1000 to $4000 on the equipment and still need to add the reef livestock.

Before you buy your aquarium systems you should know what type of reef you want. If you had told me you were coming from a fresh water planted aquarium, I would suggest a Caribbean lagoon with ornamental seaweeds & soft corals to start your reefing journey. Not knowing which direction to point you and not knowing your finances, I suggest you keep what you have and set up an economical system that allows your budget to focus on livestock instead of equipment.

Instead, get John Tullock’s book: Natural Reef Aquariums

Debunking the myth that reef aquariums need to be wildly expensive and technologically complex, John Tullock offers a new, radically simple approach to producing beautiful, captive microcosms.
Using live rock and live sand as part of a natural filtration system, the home aquarist can now create vibrant reef tanks that are biologically stable and simple to maintain.


With Tullocks suggestions, the reefkeeper can now mimic natural habitats such as a Florida Keys Lagoon, a Caribbean Turtle Grass Flat, an Indo-Pacific Deep Cave, or a Red Sea Patch Reef. With more than 200 color photographs and illustrations, Natural Reef Aquariums provides inspiration for both beginning and expert marine reef hobbyists.



Amazon product

These two display tanks are very easy to maintain: 75G at 25 years mature and 120G at 5 years.

Other in house grow out tanks add up to 300G.

PS. I noticed your location as Terrebonne. Is that in Canada or South Louisiana because that name is French in origin.