- Joined
- Oct 17, 2018
- Messages
- 391
- Reaction score
- 554
Welcome to my first ever build thread!
I tend to get long winded, so I'll keep this first post brief, then write up a lot more in the next few posts.
Tank:
Red Sea Reefer XL 425, v3
Equipment:
Plumbing:
Stock sump
COR15 return pump
Loc Line output nozzle, Y, 1/2"
Lighting:
Hamilton Cebu Sun 48" MH + T5
Controller:
Apex Classic – with PM2 module, 2xEB8's, mounted display
Auto Water Changes / ATO:
Auto Aqua Smart AWC Touch
Storage tanks in fish room
RO/DI:
Vertex Puratek Deluxe 100 + DIY drinking water system
Refugium:
Stock refugium chamber loaded with
Dosing:
Cal / Alk / Trace via BRS Dosing pumps. 1.1mL
Magnesium by hand
Other Equipment:
Reef Octopus 150 INT SSS
BRS Deluxe Media Reactor
Tunze 6095 powerheads x2
More stuff in fish room (explained later)
My Background
I've been keeping saltwater tanks for 24 years. After 3 years of FOWLR, I set up my first proper reef tank about 21 years ago (started that one with Tampa Bay Saltwater rock). While that's a lot of time, there was a lot of off-and-on in there. I'd usually keep a tank up for 6-7 years then end up moving, and have to go tank-less for a few years.
Tank Goals
In the upcoming posts, I'll share some of my DIY projects, my thoughts on the new v3 Reefer setups, my reasons for particular purchases, future plans, and share a little about myself.
Oh yeah, and plenty of pics and video!
I tend to get long winded, so I'll keep this first post brief, then write up a lot more in the next few posts.
Tank:
Red Sea Reefer XL 425, v3
Equipment:
Plumbing:
Stock sump
COR15 return pump
Loc Line output nozzle, Y, 1/2"
Lighting:
Hamilton Cebu Sun 48" MH + T5
- 2x Radiums MH
- 2x Blue Plus T5
- 2x Purple Plus T5
Controller:
Apex Classic – with PM2 module, 2xEB8's, mounted display
Auto Water Changes / ATO:
Auto Aqua Smart AWC Touch
Storage tanks in fish room
RO/DI:
Vertex Puratek Deluxe 100 + DIY drinking water system
Refugium:
Stock refugium chamber loaded with
Dosing:
Cal / Alk / Trace via BRS Dosing pumps. 1.1mL
Magnesium by hand
Other Equipment:
Reef Octopus 150 INT SSS
BRS Deluxe Media Reactor
Tunze 6095 powerheads x2
More stuff in fish room (explained later)
My Background
I've been keeping saltwater tanks for 24 years. After 3 years of FOWLR, I set up my first proper reef tank about 21 years ago (started that one with Tampa Bay Saltwater rock). While that's a lot of time, there was a lot of off-and-on in there. I'd usually keep a tank up for 6-7 years then end up moving, and have to go tank-less for a few years.
Tank Goals
- Build the tank I've always dreamed of: I've always thought I was running a kickass tank while I was running it. But after many years, I feel like I've learned a lot about how I want to run the perfect tank. This is obviously different for everyone, but for me it means cutting no corners, automating as much maintenance as possible, and making it beautiful and healthy. Many people want the biggest tank they can fit in their space. This is a size I really like.
- Stability/automation: The system I've designed is almost entirely automated. I didn't do it for ULM reasons – I actually like doing maintenance. I did it because the more automated that things are, the more stability I expect. If I say I'm going to do manual water changes every 2 weeks, I'll do it every 5 weeks if I'm lucky.
- Make a dreamy place to live for the inhabitants: My favorite part of running a reef tank is the concept of being in charge of a little tiny ocean full of life. I think the hobby is beginning to realize that our reef tanks don't act like the ocean in a lot of ways. But ultimately, I want my corals and fish to have the best life possible. While I'm sure everyone wants this, I plan to accomplish this by understanding chemistry and individual critter needs better than I ever have before. Every purchase of an inhabitant (fish, coral, etc) will be well researched, with the end goal that I want to see that animal reach its full expected life span.
- Mixed reef: I'm not an absolute stick head. But I plan to keep some SPS happy, as well as other things I love like LPS and perhaps softies. Yes, this does bring up questions of water params, and a lot of long-standing notions of "clean" and "dirty" water, but I'm not afraid of focusing on a smart approach here.
- Be able to go on vacation: Going on vacation has always been stressful. My biggest tank crash happened during a winter trip to Costa Rica. I'm utilizing more monitoring and plan to build in more redundancies than every before. I also am building a network of reliable tank sitters.
In the upcoming posts, I'll share some of my DIY projects, my thoughts on the new v3 Reefer setups, my reasons for particular purchases, future plans, and share a little about myself.
Oh yeah, and plenty of pics and video!