- Joined
- Dec 27, 2018
- Messages
- 102
- Reaction score
- 101
Hi everyone! My name is Sean and I am new to the forums. I have had a serious itch to get another reef tank going. I had a 90g/ 125g mixed reef tank (my first reef tanks) about 6-7 years ago at this point. Within that time away from the hobby, I bought my first house and completely renovated every square inch and I am very happy to say that I am finally completed and ready to restart the tank journey in the near future. I have been doing some research and have the following equipment list below in mind but I am completely open to any / all suggestions. I will be going for another mixed reef but definitely want to have some SPS in there. I do like fish as well mainly clowns, tangs and I will definitely want a blue-jaw trigger if possible (favorite fish).
Tank / Stand / Sump-Waterbox Platinum Reef 130.4g (96.3 display, 30.6 sump, 5.5 ATO)
Lighting - (2) Ecotech Radion XR30w Pro or (2) AI Hydra Fiftytwo
Main Return Pump - Ecotech S1 (1400 GPH). Open to suggestions. WB recommends min 1200 GPH. Thoughts?
Protein Skimmer - NYOS Quantum 160 - I've read about of a lot of people having problems with these skimmers when it comes to shutting down for feeding and restarting. Thoughts?
Powerheads - (2) Ecotech MP40QD Wireless
Heaters - Not sure yet. Open to suggestions.
Cheato / Algae Reactor - Aquamaxx XL Algae Reactor Package. Thinking about trying to modify the 5.5g ATO section into a refugium but if not was debating an Algae reactor like this. Thoughts?
Calcium Reactor or other reactors - Needed? Open to suggestions.
Controller / Accessories - Neptune Apex WIFI, Ecotech Wireless Module, Leak Detection Module
and ATO Kit
Questions / Concerns:
1. Equipment questions / concerns above.
2. First issue is picking a location. I have (2) main possible locations. Yellow room below is in the sunroom I am putting the finishing touches on now. I would place the tank between the two bookshelves and this would be the ideal location for viewing purposes but I have concerns about direct sunlight and this being an overhanging addition with outside below so there is no opportunity for a fish room for water change equipment below it or anywhere really close. Water changes, etc would be more cumbersome. The second option is in my man cave / media room in the basement. The tank would be placed on this wall which shares a wall with my mechanical room which has a water / drain source so it would be a great spot for a water change mixing set up and potentially a quarantine tank, etc.
3. I don't like the idea of not having a refugium and I've been reading about a few people converting their ATO section of the WB sump (5.5 gallons) to a refugium but I wasn't sure if this was large enough or I could be successful with a large algae reactor type application. Thoughts?
4. I had decent success without running a lot of reactors previously but I know I should have had them but didn't know enough at the time (still don't but I'm trying to learn haha...). What reactors and / or brand should I plan on running and account for in the design process?
Thank you in advance for your support! I greatly appreciate all input and will definitely take tons of photos and update progress as I start getting through the planning stage and move into the building stages.
Tank / Stand / Sump-Waterbox Platinum Reef 130.4g (96.3 display, 30.6 sump, 5.5 ATO)
Lighting - (2) Ecotech Radion XR30w Pro or (2) AI Hydra Fiftytwo
Main Return Pump - Ecotech S1 (1400 GPH). Open to suggestions. WB recommends min 1200 GPH. Thoughts?
Protein Skimmer - NYOS Quantum 160 - I've read about of a lot of people having problems with these skimmers when it comes to shutting down for feeding and restarting. Thoughts?
Powerheads - (2) Ecotech MP40QD Wireless
Heaters - Not sure yet. Open to suggestions.
Cheato / Algae Reactor - Aquamaxx XL Algae Reactor Package. Thinking about trying to modify the 5.5g ATO section into a refugium but if not was debating an Algae reactor like this. Thoughts?
Calcium Reactor or other reactors - Needed? Open to suggestions.
Controller / Accessories - Neptune Apex WIFI, Ecotech Wireless Module, Leak Detection Module
and ATO Kit
Questions / Concerns:
1. Equipment questions / concerns above.
2. First issue is picking a location. I have (2) main possible locations. Yellow room below is in the sunroom I am putting the finishing touches on now. I would place the tank between the two bookshelves and this would be the ideal location for viewing purposes but I have concerns about direct sunlight and this being an overhanging addition with outside below so there is no opportunity for a fish room for water change equipment below it or anywhere really close. Water changes, etc would be more cumbersome. The second option is in my man cave / media room in the basement. The tank would be placed on this wall which shares a wall with my mechanical room which has a water / drain source so it would be a great spot for a water change mixing set up and potentially a quarantine tank, etc.
3. I don't like the idea of not having a refugium and I've been reading about a few people converting their ATO section of the WB sump (5.5 gallons) to a refugium but I wasn't sure if this was large enough or I could be successful with a large algae reactor type application. Thoughts?
4. I had decent success without running a lot of reactors previously but I know I should have had them but didn't know enough at the time (still don't but I'm trying to learn haha...). What reactors and / or brand should I plan on running and account for in the design process?
Thank you in advance for your support! I greatly appreciate all input and will definitely take tons of photos and update progress as I start getting through the planning stage and move into the building stages.