CoralGardens
New Member
Hello all! My name is Chad and I live in Southern Florida.
I finally did it. I jumped head first into the reef tank hobby. This has been a dream of mine for many years
My Past Experience
Since I started this hobby I've mostly stuck with freshwater aquariums, with the exception of one 6-gallon saltwater tank. I only had it for a couple months because it was extremely hard to keep the water parameters stable with such a small water volume.
The Tank Build
This part excites me just as much as the corals and fish. The thought of these different technologies working in sync to allow a mini reef to grow in my home is truly fascinating... Or I am just a geek. After much research and hours of watching youtube videos, I have decided on the following list of components and equipment to start off with.
Tank
Red Sea's Reefer XL 525 (Black)
Powerheads
EcoTech Marine's VorTech MP40wQD (x2)
Return Pump
Neptune Systems' COR-20 Intelligent Return Pump
Skimmer
Vertex Omega 180i
Lighting
EcoTech Marine's Radion XR30w G4 Pro (x2)
Heating
Eheim Jager 300W heater (x2)
Sand
160lbs Aragonite Special Grade Dry Sand (for a 2-3" sand bed)
Rock
210lbs Real Reef Rock (realreefrock.com)
Controller
Neptune Systems' Apex Controller System
Everything except for the lights has been purchased.
Definite Live Stock Plans:
Rose Bubble Tip Anemone
2 Clown Fish
Yellow Tang
Mandarin Fish (Once I have a stable colony of copepods)
I haven’t decided on anything else yet. I know that I want a variety of soft and hard corals.
Any comments or recommendations are appreciated!
[/IMG]
I finally did it. I jumped head first into the reef tank hobby. This has been a dream of mine for many years
My Past Experience
Since I started this hobby I've mostly stuck with freshwater aquariums, with the exception of one 6-gallon saltwater tank. I only had it for a couple months because it was extremely hard to keep the water parameters stable with such a small water volume.
The Tank Build
This part excites me just as much as the corals and fish. The thought of these different technologies working in sync to allow a mini reef to grow in my home is truly fascinating... Or I am just a geek. After much research and hours of watching youtube videos, I have decided on the following list of components and equipment to start off with.
Tank
Red Sea's Reefer XL 525 (Black)
Powerheads
EcoTech Marine's VorTech MP40wQD (x2)
Return Pump
Neptune Systems' COR-20 Intelligent Return Pump
Skimmer
Vertex Omega 180i
Lighting
EcoTech Marine's Radion XR30w G4 Pro (x2)
Heating
Eheim Jager 300W heater (x2)
Sand
160lbs Aragonite Special Grade Dry Sand (for a 2-3" sand bed)
Rock
210lbs Real Reef Rock (realreefrock.com)
Controller
Neptune Systems' Apex Controller System
Everything except for the lights has been purchased.
Definite Live Stock Plans:
Rose Bubble Tip Anemone
2 Clown Fish
Yellow Tang
Mandarin Fish (Once I have a stable colony of copepods)
I haven’t decided on anything else yet. I know that I want a variety of soft and hard corals.
Any comments or recommendations are appreciated!
