Edit to add tank info and updated Pics before the "Journey Begins"
January 2023
Red Sea Reefer 3xl900 | 240 gallons | Display 192 | Dual Sump 48 g | ATO 20g in garage
Okay, here I go. Again. This will be my 3rd tank since 2016 when the bug bit and 4th build thread! Started with a 60g AIO, then a 125g, and then the same 125 reboot and now (drumroll...) onto a 320 Dream build.
My current tank is and has been a disappointment and all my own fault for buying hasty. I went from a Red Sea AIO with beautiful glass to a plain, used glass tank. I should have held out! Also have had issues ever since a strong primer paint fumes wiped out a lot of my fish and corals in both tanks (with doors shut to the room being painted). The 60g had been thriving and was beautiful with lots of coral growth. After that, it never recovered. I took it down and put survivors in the 125 which was finally stable and starting to do well. It too has never recovered.
So with that, I'm going to do my dream tank: a Waterbox Reef LX 320.7 Tank is approx 86x30x24. Display 231g, sump 69g, ATO 18g. It's early yet but this way I can journal the journey. Plan to get white as black shows water streaks too easy.
I picked this tank for several reasons:
-I like the look of it
-I like that the plumbing and love the sump which are included and has nice clean lines
-As I'm short, this is the biggest I ever dare to go!
-I like the glass overflow and a glass sump for easier cleaning
I plan to put it in my office which is small--10x10 as the 125 is in the living room and I don't want to do a rushed transfer. I want to take my time with this one and do it right from the beginning. I'll be going slow and taking my time. I miss having a tank in here when I'm writing and we never use the living room except when the kids come to visit.
During this planning, research, and budgeting time, I'm working on fixing the 125 which is just getting worse and worse even though my numbers are all mostly in range. Even if the rocks have issues, there are 2-3 rocks that will have to be moved over as they are covered with corals and I need to get rid of the algae.
Right now I'm researching equipment and planning my budget. Some items can wait, most cannot. Right now I'm looking at 14k (7500 for the tank alone). My hubby actually didn't squawk or yell when I told him the tank price lol's. I pretty much know what I need and how much. Now to start a time table and To Do list.
I got a good start today:
-Called Code Enforcement to be sure I can add water storage containers in the side yard (have neighbor who calls code on us). Answer is yes, so now to plan that and see how much to get a new window screen with framed cut out for the hoses.
-Called a fish store to see about them ordering the tank and delivering it and setting it up (stand and tank and sump). Or have it delivered here and hire them to bring it in. No way hubby and I alone can do it and I'd rather for this cost have experts handle it (hubby used an engine hoist to put the 125 on the stand--nerve wracking)
-Got a quote from an electrician to add a 20amp dedicated breaker for the tank. Ouch!!!
Next is to find out how long before more waterbox aquariums are ready and when they recommend I try to put my order in.
Also going to get rock scape ideas. Going for a blend of minimalist and enough fish havens. lots of negative space but not spartan. Will use a blend of Real Reef and Caribsea rock. Will order rock way early to start playing so I can make some of my scapes.
Also need to redo my office. I'd like to blue tape the aquarium size on wall and floor. Major furniture moving and organizing to do.
Will continue to watch youtube/BRS videos and others. Research, research, research! And will pick brain of son in law who inspired me way back at the beginning with his perfect and beautiful tanks. Current tank is at least 500 gal, no algae in side with Real Reef rock.
So this is my plan and my start. My baby steps lol's.
Set Up October 2021
October 2022 I year oldJanuary 2023
Red Sea Reefer 3xl900 | 240 gallons | Display 192 | Dual Sump 48 g | ATO 20g in garage
RS 900 Skimmer | 4 RS 160s Led Lights | 2 RS Reefwave 45's gyres | 2 Mp 40's | 2 Echotech Battery Bkups
2 Neptune Cor-20 Return Pumps | 36w UV Sterilizer & DC Pump | 1 reactor for media | BRS CO2 Scrubber
2 Helio Heaters w/controller plus 1 backup | Caribsea rock/arches | Real Reef Rock | Neptune Apex ATO
Neptune DOS for AWC | 2 EB832 Energy Bars | lots of other apex bundle deal
Remote Monitoring: Apex/Echotech/Red Sea Reef Beat
Mixed Reef: Some Soft-LPS-SPS | Corals: 64+ | Fish: 26 | Cleanup Crew: Sea Cucumber-Emerald crabs-snails
*****
click here for Coral & Fish List
click here for Additives,/supplements/dosing/testing/parameters
click here for feeding
(Links coming soon)
************************************************************************************************2 Neptune Cor-20 Return Pumps | 36w UV Sterilizer & DC Pump | 1 reactor for media | BRS CO2 Scrubber
2 Helio Heaters w/controller plus 1 backup | Caribsea rock/arches | Real Reef Rock | Neptune Apex ATO
Neptune DOS for AWC | 2 EB832 Energy Bars | lots of other apex bundle deal
Remote Monitoring: Apex/Echotech/Red Sea Reef Beat
Mixed Reef: Some Soft-LPS-SPS | Corals: 64+ | Fish: 26 | Cleanup Crew: Sea Cucumber-Emerald crabs-snails
*****
click here for Coral & Fish List
click here for Additives,/supplements/dosing/testing/parameters
click here for feeding
(Links coming soon)
Okay, here I go. Again. This will be my 3rd tank since 2016 when the bug bit and 4th build thread! Started with a 60g AIO, then a 125g, and then the same 125 reboot and now (drumroll...) onto a 320 Dream build.
My current tank is and has been a disappointment and all my own fault for buying hasty. I went from a Red Sea AIO with beautiful glass to a plain, used glass tank. I should have held out! Also have had issues ever since a strong primer paint fumes wiped out a lot of my fish and corals in both tanks (with doors shut to the room being painted). The 60g had been thriving and was beautiful with lots of coral growth. After that, it never recovered. I took it down and put survivors in the 125 which was finally stable and starting to do well. It too has never recovered.
So with that, I'm going to do my dream tank: a Waterbox Reef LX 320.7 Tank is approx 86x30x24. Display 231g, sump 69g, ATO 18g. It's early yet but this way I can journal the journey. Plan to get white as black shows water streaks too easy.
I picked this tank for several reasons:
-I like the look of it
-I like that the plumbing and love the sump which are included and has nice clean lines
-As I'm short, this is the biggest I ever dare to go!
-I like the glass overflow and a glass sump for easier cleaning
I plan to put it in my office which is small--10x10 as the 125 is in the living room and I don't want to do a rushed transfer. I want to take my time with this one and do it right from the beginning. I'll be going slow and taking my time. I miss having a tank in here when I'm writing and we never use the living room except when the kids come to visit.
During this planning, research, and budgeting time, I'm working on fixing the 125 which is just getting worse and worse even though my numbers are all mostly in range. Even if the rocks have issues, there are 2-3 rocks that will have to be moved over as they are covered with corals and I need to get rid of the algae.
Right now I'm researching equipment and planning my budget. Some items can wait, most cannot. Right now I'm looking at 14k (7500 for the tank alone). My hubby actually didn't squawk or yell when I told him the tank price lol's. I pretty much know what I need and how much. Now to start a time table and To Do list.
I got a good start today:
-Called Code Enforcement to be sure I can add water storage containers in the side yard (have neighbor who calls code on us). Answer is yes, so now to plan that and see how much to get a new window screen with framed cut out for the hoses.
-Called a fish store to see about them ordering the tank and delivering it and setting it up (stand and tank and sump). Or have it delivered here and hire them to bring it in. No way hubby and I alone can do it and I'd rather for this cost have experts handle it (hubby used an engine hoist to put the 125 on the stand--nerve wracking)
-Got a quote from an electrician to add a 20amp dedicated breaker for the tank. Ouch!!!
Next is to find out how long before more waterbox aquariums are ready and when they recommend I try to put my order in.
Also going to get rock scape ideas. Going for a blend of minimalist and enough fish havens. lots of negative space but not spartan. Will use a blend of Real Reef and Caribsea rock. Will order rock way early to start playing so I can make some of my scapes.
Also need to redo my office. I'd like to blue tape the aquarium size on wall and floor. Major furniture moving and organizing to do.
Will continue to watch youtube/BRS videos and others. Research, research, research! And will pick brain of son in law who inspired me way back at the beginning with his perfect and beautiful tanks. Current tank is at least 500 gal, no algae in side with Real Reef rock.
So this is my plan and my start. My baby steps lol's.
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