Aquavol
Community Member
Long time listener, first time caller.
I am embarking on a basement remodel, and have plans to build in my new reef tank. I need to make some decisions, at least with respect to tank dimensions, pretty quickly as it will affect cabinet requirements, etc.
I currently have a 29 gallon setup with an eshopps sump. The only thing automated is my top-off. I buy water for top off and water changes from my LFS. I have been in the hobby for just over a year.
Based on the space available, I want a 72” display, 24” tall, and either 24” or 30” deep. I want to add automation for basically everything I can, plus I want to purchase an RO system to cut down on water costs. At 29 gallons, it’s not that bad, but at 200-250 total system volume, that would get out of control.
I’m looking for advice on selecting the right equipment for this build. This will be visible from 3 sides in our basement bar area, with a 3 foot deep, 14 foot long closet behind the display and sump. I will be putting a utility sink in the closet, and the RO will run off the same water supply as the sink. The cabinetry hiding the sump and lighting will match the rest of the cabinetry for the bar.
I’m intrigued by Red Sea and Waterbox because both have the size display I want and both seem well respected. It’s an easy solution for the tank, sump, and potentially even the lighting, and surprisingly seems to be more cost effective than piecing this together. My hang up is that I don’t really need the cabinet. I am curious if the stand can be used if the cabinet door are removed and the rear cabinet panel is removed. I will want to access the sump from the front and back, so the panel would have to be removed. I will have my own cabinets in front of the sump and in front of the lights. Do the Red Sea/Watwrbox doors and rear paneling add structural stability? Or are the stands sturdy without them?
Thanks for reading. Any feedback is truly appreciated.
pictures attached of my current setup
I am embarking on a basement remodel, and have plans to build in my new reef tank. I need to make some decisions, at least with respect to tank dimensions, pretty quickly as it will affect cabinet requirements, etc.
I currently have a 29 gallon setup with an eshopps sump. The only thing automated is my top-off. I buy water for top off and water changes from my LFS. I have been in the hobby for just over a year.
Based on the space available, I want a 72” display, 24” tall, and either 24” or 30” deep. I want to add automation for basically everything I can, plus I want to purchase an RO system to cut down on water costs. At 29 gallons, it’s not that bad, but at 200-250 total system volume, that would get out of control.
I’m looking for advice on selecting the right equipment for this build. This will be visible from 3 sides in our basement bar area, with a 3 foot deep, 14 foot long closet behind the display and sump. I will be putting a utility sink in the closet, and the RO will run off the same water supply as the sink. The cabinetry hiding the sump and lighting will match the rest of the cabinetry for the bar.
I’m intrigued by Red Sea and Waterbox because both have the size display I want and both seem well respected. It’s an easy solution for the tank, sump, and potentially even the lighting, and surprisingly seems to be more cost effective than piecing this together. My hang up is that I don’t really need the cabinet. I am curious if the stand can be used if the cabinet door are removed and the rear cabinet panel is removed. I will want to access the sump from the front and back, so the panel would have to be removed. I will have my own cabinets in front of the sump and in front of the lights. Do the Red Sea/Watwrbox doors and rear paneling add structural stability? Or are the stands sturdy without them?
Thanks for reading. Any feedback is truly appreciated.
pictures attached of my current setup
