Old Man Sauce
Community Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2025
- Messages
- 78
- Reaction score
- 115
- Location
- Upstate NY
- What state or country do you live in
- New York
Just over a year ago, after an over 15 year break, I decided to get back into the hobby. I wanted to keep things small, simple, and affordable. After not nearly enough research, I decided on a 40g Aquatop AIO, and began making purchases. So many things had changed over the years. Too many things. Mistakes were made. Consequences were suffered.
Shortly after we set up that 40g, I stumbled onto a post here on R2R. That post mentioned the UNS line of reef ready systems. I was intrigued, so I googled.... Now I'm not going to say this was "love at first sight" but DAYYUUMM... It was almost like someone had read my mind on what I truly wanted out of a reef tank. I remember thinking to myself "these guys thought of EVERYTHING". I really wish I had found these systems sooner. But then I wouldn't have gained the experience of the many hurdles I've faced with the AIO.
I spend the next year researching, dreaming, and saving all while navigating the hurdles of a system that I absolutely despised. This April, I finally made the leap. I purchased the UNS R90 from BucePlant and a ReefOcto 150SSS and SICCE SDC6 from SaltwaterAquariums.com. Both were fantastic to deal with. I tried to get everything from TopShelf, but their salesperson seemed less than interested in my money. I was able to use my existing Lighting, Powerheads, ATO and dosing system though I may look at upgrading the powerheads in the future. For now, they'll suffice.
I'd love to say that the tank swap went flawlessly, but it ended up being a far bigger job than I remembered (I had moved twice with my old 90g reef). In the end, we got it done. More hurdles, more lessons, but we got it done. No losses either, so I'm very happy about that. My only gripe with the UNS system is the lack of a Durso style standpipe which in my experience is handy for keeping the water level in the overflow high enough to eliminate the cascading water noise, unless you want to play the delicate balancing act of getting the return flow to match the drain flow closely enough to keep the water level in the overflow just right (which I don't). But The Wife doesn't mind the noise, and since the tank sits right by her workspace, if shes ok with it, then I'll call that a very minor issue on a nearly perfect setup. So without further ado, here's where we're at....
LPS dominated Mixed Reef
UNS R90 system
ReefOcto Regal 150SSS
Sicce Syncra SDC 6
AI Hydra 32
(2) AI Nero 3 powerheads
200w Eheim Jager
Red Sea ATO+
Red Sea Reef Dose 4
Aqua Worx SOL LED puck light (for fuge).
Pic's incoming!
Shortly after we set up that 40g, I stumbled onto a post here on R2R. That post mentioned the UNS line of reef ready systems. I was intrigued, so I googled.... Now I'm not going to say this was "love at first sight" but DAYYUUMM... It was almost like someone had read my mind on what I truly wanted out of a reef tank. I remember thinking to myself "these guys thought of EVERYTHING". I really wish I had found these systems sooner. But then I wouldn't have gained the experience of the many hurdles I've faced with the AIO.
I spend the next year researching, dreaming, and saving all while navigating the hurdles of a system that I absolutely despised. This April, I finally made the leap. I purchased the UNS R90 from BucePlant and a ReefOcto 150SSS and SICCE SDC6 from SaltwaterAquariums.com. Both were fantastic to deal with. I tried to get everything from TopShelf, but their salesperson seemed less than interested in my money. I was able to use my existing Lighting, Powerheads, ATO and dosing system though I may look at upgrading the powerheads in the future. For now, they'll suffice.
I'd love to say that the tank swap went flawlessly, but it ended up being a far bigger job than I remembered (I had moved twice with my old 90g reef). In the end, we got it done. More hurdles, more lessons, but we got it done. No losses either, so I'm very happy about that. My only gripe with the UNS system is the lack of a Durso style standpipe which in my experience is handy for keeping the water level in the overflow high enough to eliminate the cascading water noise, unless you want to play the delicate balancing act of getting the return flow to match the drain flow closely enough to keep the water level in the overflow just right (which I don't). But The Wife doesn't mind the noise, and since the tank sits right by her workspace, if shes ok with it, then I'll call that a very minor issue on a nearly perfect setup. So without further ado, here's where we're at....
LPS dominated Mixed Reef
UNS R90 system
ReefOcto Regal 150SSS
Sicce Syncra SDC 6
AI Hydra 32
(2) AI Nero 3 powerheads
200w Eheim Jager
Red Sea ATO+
Red Sea Reef Dose 4
Aqua Worx SOL LED puck light (for fuge).
Pic's incoming!
