Alright, after lots of reading and research (still lots to do), I've decided to start a build thread to:
1) Get help from the community on choosing various parts of the system
2) Share my build as it progresses. Should be a long journey but like they say, slow and steady ....
Here is what I have done so far. Appreciate everyone's feedback on this and thoughts:
1) Purchased 2 Brute cans. Yes, that was the first thing I bought. One for RODI water, the other for salt mixing. Gotta start somewhere.
2) Purchased and installed BRS 7 STAGE PRO PLUS RO/DI SYSTEM (75g). I had a Culligan drinking water system but decided it was time to upgrade. Using the RO part to feed home drinking water and in the future the DI part will feed the brute can to store RODI water. I'm in Canada so the exchange rate and shipping were killers from BRS, but hey, gotta get the water right I'm sure there are places in Canada but will see if can at least get filters and membranes locally in the future.
3) Built a mixing station - more like a shelf for now to house the brute cans. Likely a future expansion project (i.e. when I get tired of lugging the brute cans)
4) Due to the intended location of the tank, I was restricted to a width of 36 inches. Anything large in a 36" size gets custom fast. Here in Toronto I got Miracle to quote me a 36x24x24 tank and it was almost $1500 CAD + tax just for the tank! I thought that was expensive. Then I looked at possibly getting a Red Sea 300XL but that was also over $2300 CAD + tax.
So, I figured I would build my own stand and canopy and try to match wood in my house. So far, I am leaning to get a Seapora (non-reef ready) tank that is 36x18x24 from Big Als, and it sells for $190 + tax CAD. Any thoughts on this?
5) I purchased a Modular Marine 1600pgh external overflow. Got it today!! I hate UPS charges for cross-border processing such a rip off - but not much choice in Canada. Plan is to drill the Seapora tank once I buy it. This overflow looks solid. Will need to see how I mount it against the trim on the aquarium as don't want to see the water line.
6) Likely will go with a custom sump. Either a Fiji 20 sump or a Trigger systems. Thought about getting a glass aquarium and baffles but not sure. I saw someone run a rubber maid ... Thoughts?
7) After lots of research will go with the CoralBox D300 DC skimmer or the D500 skimmer. Thoughts on which one is good for my system? Tank will be 65g plus likely 10-15g for the sump. Seem to be priced right with good reviews.
8) Likely will go with 2 AI HD16 lights. Reviews seem good. I plan to start with softies and then go mixed reef.
9) Likely go with Jebao or CoralBox return pump and wave makers.
10) Have not looked at heaters or heater controllers. Definitely will go with eheim heaters as they are awesome. My current one on my freshwater is like 7+ years and still going strong. My prior heater (I think it was Aqueon) shorted and boiled the water and killed the fish.
11) Will be building my own custom stand and canopy using oak plywood. Looking forward to this. So many creative ideas on this forum.
Let me know your thoughts and comments on the above.
1) Get help from the community on choosing various parts of the system
2) Share my build as it progresses. Should be a long journey but like they say, slow and steady ....
Here is what I have done so far. Appreciate everyone's feedback on this and thoughts:
1) Purchased 2 Brute cans. Yes, that was the first thing I bought. One for RODI water, the other for salt mixing. Gotta start somewhere.
2) Purchased and installed BRS 7 STAGE PRO PLUS RO/DI SYSTEM (75g). I had a Culligan drinking water system but decided it was time to upgrade. Using the RO part to feed home drinking water and in the future the DI part will feed the brute can to store RODI water. I'm in Canada so the exchange rate and shipping were killers from BRS, but hey, gotta get the water right I'm sure there are places in Canada but will see if can at least get filters and membranes locally in the future.
3) Built a mixing station - more like a shelf for now to house the brute cans. Likely a future expansion project (i.e. when I get tired of lugging the brute cans)
4) Due to the intended location of the tank, I was restricted to a width of 36 inches. Anything large in a 36" size gets custom fast. Here in Toronto I got Miracle to quote me a 36x24x24 tank and it was almost $1500 CAD + tax just for the tank! I thought that was expensive. Then I looked at possibly getting a Red Sea 300XL but that was also over $2300 CAD + tax.
So, I figured I would build my own stand and canopy and try to match wood in my house. So far, I am leaning to get a Seapora (non-reef ready) tank that is 36x18x24 from Big Als, and it sells for $190 + tax CAD. Any thoughts on this?
5) I purchased a Modular Marine 1600pgh external overflow. Got it today!! I hate UPS charges for cross-border processing such a rip off - but not much choice in Canada. Plan is to drill the Seapora tank once I buy it. This overflow looks solid. Will need to see how I mount it against the trim on the aquarium as don't want to see the water line.
6) Likely will go with a custom sump. Either a Fiji 20 sump or a Trigger systems. Thought about getting a glass aquarium and baffles but not sure. I saw someone run a rubber maid ... Thoughts?
7) After lots of research will go with the CoralBox D300 DC skimmer or the D500 skimmer. Thoughts on which one is good for my system? Tank will be 65g plus likely 10-15g for the sump. Seem to be priced right with good reviews.
8) Likely will go with 2 AI HD16 lights. Reviews seem good. I plan to start with softies and then go mixed reef.
9) Likely go with Jebao or CoralBox return pump and wave makers.
10) Have not looked at heaters or heater controllers. Definitely will go with eheim heaters as they are awesome. My current one on my freshwater is like 7+ years and still going strong. My prior heater (I think it was Aqueon) shorted and boiled the water and killed the fish.
11) Will be building my own custom stand and canopy using oak plywood. Looking forward to this. So many creative ideas on this forum.
Let me know your thoughts and comments on the above.
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