Started my journey with saltwater 4 months ago with my daughter in the form of a 32 gallon biocube knowing full well I would catch the bug and go for a bigger tank shortly thereafter.
I’m still in planning stages and want to go slow so starting this build thread prior to ordering the tank. Advice is greatly appreciated as I’m a newb and want to try avoid as many mistakes as possible. I’m realistic and know there will be bumps in the road but this part of what I enjoy about the hobby.
I’ve decided on reefer xxl 750 as I wanted a large volume tank mostly for length of tank which will give me room to create a really cool NSA scape. Was kicking tires in going with reefer 900 but tank is in basement and was concerned of issues getting it down there. Obviously weight not an issue with concrete flooring. Think it is feasible so could go that route if the pros outweigh the cons. Price isn’t the issue although staying married is a goal so that may change lol.
Equipment is as follows:
Reefer XXL 750 Deluxe
6 stage RO/DI system from BRS.
Red Sea Skimmer 900
Red Sea 45 wave makers x2
Sicce Syncra 9.0 WiFi x 2
1200watt titanium heater system BRS
Red Sea doser 4 head and 2 head units
Neptune Apex (down the road)
Marco rock +100 pounds fir NSA aqua scape
Marco mortar
Insta set spray and glue
medium grade sand
In terms of cycling, was considering Brightwell system given Marco rock scape. My other tank was live rock so haven’t used this before.
Tank will be up against a wall with shared wall with sizable closet on other side so thinking of mounting controller board and eventually apex system in there as this has to be a clean install as wife is very particular about optics as we entertain a lot in this space. On the other side of closet is a bar with sink so plan is to put RO/DI system in closet and pass tubing to sink on other side through under sink install. Will use sink faucet for pulling water out of tank for water changes. Photos to follow.
Plan is to set up RO/DI system in next week with photos to follow.
Also going to begin NSA with Marco rocks which I’m excited to start as my wife has a background in architecture which will help in creating a gravity defying scape which looks cool but is also stable. Going with BRS NSA method which is initial scape with glue/insta set. Once happy with structure will use Marco mortar with sand to add extra layer of stability. Any issues with this method? Anyone use baking soda/glue method with equal stability/better results?
Anyway, thanks for checking my thread. Hope to provide regular updates over next few weeks.
I’m still in planning stages and want to go slow so starting this build thread prior to ordering the tank. Advice is greatly appreciated as I’m a newb and want to try avoid as many mistakes as possible. I’m realistic and know there will be bumps in the road but this part of what I enjoy about the hobby.
I’ve decided on reefer xxl 750 as I wanted a large volume tank mostly for length of tank which will give me room to create a really cool NSA scape. Was kicking tires in going with reefer 900 but tank is in basement and was concerned of issues getting it down there. Obviously weight not an issue with concrete flooring. Think it is feasible so could go that route if the pros outweigh the cons. Price isn’t the issue although staying married is a goal so that may change lol.
Equipment is as follows:
Reefer XXL 750 Deluxe
6 stage RO/DI system from BRS.
Red Sea Skimmer 900
Red Sea 45 wave makers x2
Sicce Syncra 9.0 WiFi x 2
1200watt titanium heater system BRS
Red Sea doser 4 head and 2 head units
Neptune Apex (down the road)
Marco rock +100 pounds fir NSA aqua scape
Marco mortar
Insta set spray and glue
medium grade sand
In terms of cycling, was considering Brightwell system given Marco rock scape. My other tank was live rock so haven’t used this before.
Tank will be up against a wall with shared wall with sizable closet on other side so thinking of mounting controller board and eventually apex system in there as this has to be a clean install as wife is very particular about optics as we entertain a lot in this space. On the other side of closet is a bar with sink so plan is to put RO/DI system in closet and pass tubing to sink on other side through under sink install. Will use sink faucet for pulling water out of tank for water changes. Photos to follow.
Plan is to set up RO/DI system in next week with photos to follow.
Also going to begin NSA with Marco rocks which I’m excited to start as my wife has a background in architecture which will help in creating a gravity defying scape which looks cool but is also stable. Going with BRS NSA method which is initial scape with glue/insta set. Once happy with structure will use Marco mortar with sand to add extra layer of stability. Any issues with this method? Anyone use baking soda/glue method with equal stability/better results?
Anyway, thanks for checking my thread. Hope to provide regular updates over next few weeks.