New to the hobby and looking for feedback on my first build

Andramos

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Hello everyone,

Brand new to the hobby, but have been watching a ton of videos these last few weeks. Looking for some feedback on the tank setup I was planning on pulling the trigger on. Ultimately when my wife and I started looking into it, we started with what kind of things we'd want to stock in the tank and we know we at least want a few tangs and so started looking at larger tanks to eventually put in the things we want as well as hopefully avoid having to upgrade in a year or two. This would also be going on our second floor, so trying to find a local structural engineer I can consult to make sure this thing doesn't fall through the floor.

Tank: Cade Reef 1500 S2
Return Pump: Vectra M2
Filtration: ReefMat 1200 Fleece Roller Filter & Reef Octopus Elite 220SSS 9" Protein Skimmer
UV: Pentair Smart UV Sterilizer (40W)
Controller/Testing: Trident & A3 Apex Pro Controller System Bundle
Powerheads: 2x VorTech MP40mQD
Heating: 600W (2x 300W) Titanium Aquarium Heater w/ Helio Controller
Lighting: 2x Radion XR30 G6 Pro with 1x AI Blade Glow and 1x AI Blade Grow

Was also looking at potentially adding a PaxBellum N24 Macroalgae Reactor (I don't like the other sump areas for a refugium, and this seemed like a good alternative and would help to keep the sump cleaner) and a VarioS CR200 8" DC Calcium Reactor down the line once I start adding livestock / corals to the tank. Really looking to simplify and automate as much as possible. I think the ReefMat is going to require some modification to the stock sump in order to fit. Local LFS has recommended staying away from Clarisea. Open to feedback / suggestions though :)

If anyone has any feedback on whether or not the PaxBellum N24 will help promote copepods, would love to hear. Was having trouble finding any information on copepod populations with the use of this reactor.
 

1112-425XL

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vetteguy53081

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mrpontiac80

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Hello everyone,

Brand new to the hobby, but have been watching a ton of videos these last few weeks. Looking for some feedback on the tank setup I was planning on pulling the trigger on. Ultimately when my wife and I started looking into it, we started with what kind of things we'd want to stock in the tank and we know we at least want a few tangs and so started looking at larger tanks to eventually put in the things we want as well as hopefully avoid having to upgrade in a year or two. This would also be going on our second floor, so trying to find a local structural engineer I can consult to make sure this thing doesn't fall through the floor.

Tank: Cade Reef 1500 S2
Return Pump: Vectra M2
Filtration: ReefMat 1200 Fleece Roller Filter & Reef Octopus Elite 220SSS 9" Protein Skimmer
UV: Pentair Smart UV Sterilizer (40W)
Controller/Testing: Trident & A3 Apex Pro Controller System Bundle
Powerheads: 2x VorTech MP40mQD
Heating: 600W (2x 300W) Titanium Aquarium Heater w/ Helio Controller
Lighting: 2x Radion XR30 G6 Pro with 1x AI Blade Glow and 1x AI Blade Grow

Was also looking at potentially adding a PaxBellum N24 Macroalgae Reactor (I don't like the other sump areas for a refugium, and this seemed like a good alternative and would help to keep the sump cleaner) and a VarioS CR200 8" DC Calcium Reactor down the line once I start adding livestock / corals to the tank. Really looking to simplify and automate as much as possible. I think the ReefMat is going to require some modification to the stock sump in order to fit. Local LFS has recommended staying away from Clarisea. Open to feedback / suggestions though :)

If anyone has any feedback on whether or not the PaxBellum N24 will help promote copepods, would love to hear. Was having trouble finding any information on copepod populations with the use of this reactor.
Welcome!
As for Clarisea, I have been running a gen 2 sk5000 for 9-10 months now and I like it. I change out a roll every couple couple of months. I will say that a couple of times, the fleece wants to bunch up in the center of the spool on the motor. I feel like it’s probably an alignment issue when I load it. However, when it happens it stops the motor and an alarm goes off. I simply cut the old stuff off and reattach the remaining new stuff. Takes all of 5 min and I’ll take that over washing socks any day.
Napoleon Dynamite Hello GIF by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
 

Reefing threads: Do you wear gear from reef brands?

  • I wear reef gear everywhere.

    Votes: 20 13.7%
  • I wear reef gear primarily at fish events and my LFS.

    Votes: 10 6.8%
  • I wear reef gear primarily for water changes and tank maintenance.

    Votes: 1 0.7%
  • I wear reef gear primarily to relax where I live.

    Votes: 22 15.1%
  • I don’t wear gear from reef brands.

    Votes: 83 56.8%
  • Other.

    Votes: 10 6.8%
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