DmitryB
Community Member
Hey all! I'm Dmitry, just joining the forum as I return to the hobby after a nearly 15 year absence. Once upon a time I had a 72 bow reef and a 25 gallon sump; broke it down when I had to move to a new place (Queens NY to Manhattan). Now I've moved from Manhattan to upstate NY (sandwiched between Hunter and Windham mountains, work at Hunter Mountain) and decided that with more room (Manhattan studio apartment vs. a big two bedroom), I had to get back in.
I just ordered an Innovative Marine 170 INT system, with a 74 gallon sump. (Crazy because the sump is bigger than my last main display.) It measures 60''x30''x21.07''. I do wish it was a little narrower and taller (just for spacing issues), but it is what it is! The goal is a peaceful set-up with corals, etc.
It will be a while before they ship it so I have time to acquire some needed equipment. I already ordered the RO/DI unit. Water up here is not super clean, so those filters will need to be replaced frequently.
Because of the long break, I'm discovering quite a few things have changed, especially with the equipment. Feels like the learning curve is going to be big. I'll be asking for a lot of advice. For now things like:
- Which protein skimmer? (Are Innovative Marine skimmers good? EDIT: Just noticed they don't make skimmers for a large tank.)
- Heater?
- Lighting system. (I used to have metal halides, which burned hotter than the Sun. The new LED set-ups I assume do not, and probably don't eat as much electricity either.)
- Wave-maker? (Things like wave-makers were not very common at the time, so which wave-maker to get?)
- There are now fake live rocks. Any downsides to those aside from not being seeded?
Aside from purchasing various equipment(s), what else can I be doing (oh yeah, I'll have to reinforce the floor!) Should I start acquiring fake rocks and such?
Thanks everyone and looking forward to this new adventure.
I just ordered an Innovative Marine 170 INT system, with a 74 gallon sump. (Crazy because the sump is bigger than my last main display.) It measures 60''x30''x21.07''. I do wish it was a little narrower and taller (just for spacing issues), but it is what it is! The goal is a peaceful set-up with corals, etc.
It will be a while before they ship it so I have time to acquire some needed equipment. I already ordered the RO/DI unit. Water up here is not super clean, so those filters will need to be replaced frequently.
Because of the long break, I'm discovering quite a few things have changed, especially with the equipment. Feels like the learning curve is going to be big. I'll be asking for a lot of advice. For now things like:
- Which protein skimmer? (Are Innovative Marine skimmers good? EDIT: Just noticed they don't make skimmers for a large tank.)
- Heater?
- Lighting system. (I used to have metal halides, which burned hotter than the Sun. The new LED set-ups I assume do not, and probably don't eat as much electricity either.)
- Wave-maker? (Things like wave-makers were not very common at the time, so which wave-maker to get?)
- There are now fake live rocks. Any downsides to those aside from not being seeded?
Aside from purchasing various equipment(s), what else can I be doing (oh yeah, I'll have to reinforce the floor!) Should I start acquiring fake rocks and such?
Thanks everyone and looking forward to this new adventure.
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