UNS R75 SPS Build

[cPr]

Started in 2002 when I was in 10th grade, and looking for a Job.

My dads buddy owned a fish store, and offered me a job….I thought it was great because I’d be making my own money, but little did I know, it would end up with me pouring every penny, plus more, into this hobby.

After being in an out of the hobby since then, getting married, 3 children, 20yr anniversary with my wife, I was sat on the couch with my wife and Kiddos, watching an ocean documentary and everyone was showing interest…..So it was time.

I setup a 25g AIO lagoon, and everyone is loving it, so after a few months, we are upgrading to a UNS R75…Placed the order with Top Shelf today.

Tank - UNS R75 - Order placed
Flow - 2 X MP40s - Arriving next week
Lighting - Will use Hydra 64HD for now, since I already own one, but thinking about adding another or switching it up - Any recommendations?
Skimmer - Undecided - Any recommendations?
Return - I have an M1 with spare parts, but not sure if I was to upgrade this - Need to see if Varios 4 fits, or S2 Vectra
Controller - Hydros XP8, X3 and Blenny - Already own
Heater - Helios 100w - Already own, and will add another heating element - another 100w element work for this?
Filter Roller - Reefmat 250 - Arriving next week. I need to get the adapter ordered - Can anyone confirm the adapter I need is the R60 adapter, right?


The plan is 99% SPS, since I have a couple torches in my 25g at the moment and my wife’s loves them, so I’m going to make the smart move and make sure they have a home in the tank.

Undecided on if I go thin layer of sand, or bare bottom.

I plan to use about 20lbs of live from the 25g, 10 was dry rock a few months ago, and 10 was pulled from a 20yr old system, and then the rest dry rock.

The fish choices I made for the 25g were a lot of what my wife and kiddos liked, and less of a utility - Flame Hawk, Clarkii clown, Orchid dotty back (Wife’s favorite), and a greedy, frozen eating, Mandarin.

I know build threads are not the best without pics, so I’ll make sure the second I get something worth taking a photo of, I’ll add it!

Excited to get this baby setup and see where I can take it.

I’ll be posting my ups, and my downs in here, so go easy on me.

 

[mmorrison55]

Congrats. Let us know how you like the UNS tank. they seem to have some nice features.

 

[cPr]

Congrats. Let us know how you like the UNS tank. they seem to have some nice features.

Thanks! Should be here next week, and I’ll make sure to snap some pics.

For skimmer and return for this tank, what are everyone’s thoughts? I don’t think there are a lot of options, and the option there are, I haven’t had any experience with.

Skimmers - Not sure what other options I have
Reef octopus 110 sss
Nyos 120

Return Pump -
Sicce 6
Vectra M2
Varios 4? Not sure is this fit, but if I does, this is what I’m leaning towards

 

[mmorrison55]

Do you plan to use any controllers, i.e. Neptune apex or hydros?

I ask because if you do that could play into which brands are more compatible with each controller.

 

[cPr]

I’ll be using Hydros for the controller, and really thinking about setting up an Apex just for the trident. Thinking my 12yr old might be graduated before the Maven comes out lol

 

[mmorrison55]

Reef octopus plays nice with Hydros to allow for variable control.

I have apex gear, and really like the trident ACM. I also have Ecotech pumps, vectra and Vortechs, but I don’t have the module to control them via apex, so I use the mobius app to adjust their flow rates except for power on and off which I use the Apex for.

 

[cPr]

Reef octopus plays nice with Hydros to allow for variable control.

I have apex gear, and really like the trident ACM. I also have Ecotech pumps, vectra and Vortechs, but I don’t have the module to control them via apex, so I use the mobius app to adjust their flow rates except for power on and off which I use the Apex for.

Do you think the return pump needs to variable control? I’ve really not thought about it before, but when I do, I can’t really think of a reason I would need to control my return, other than shutting it off and turning it on…Is there something I’m not thinking about?

Do you monitor the flow on your return with the Apex? Really considering the Apex brain and Trident for testing.

I appreciate the insight!

 

[mmorrison55]

I don’t worry about flow rate on my return pumps except the one feeding my uv. on that one, I have the FMM and flow rate sensor in line.

Hydrospace also has flow rate monitoring options.


Btw… I picked up most of my apex gear used. It’s all worked fine. Hydrospace seems to be harder to find used equipment. I think that because hydros is the more hot ticket these days.

If the maven was out and proven, I’d say go with hydros, but if you really want to monitor ALK, Ca, and Mg, the trident is hard to beat. Their nitrate and phosphate version is another story, but I hear it’s getting better. I can’t say though, as I have no experience with the NP.

 

[cPr]

The nano I have setup now has Hydros on there, all my previous were Apex, but ran into issues with dropping WiFi and then a couple issues with the EB832s, so I thought I’d try Hydros this time.

If I’m honest, it’s 6 of one and half a dozen of the other in my experience. They both do the same thing, and both seem to generally have the same capabilities, other than the trident.

I think setting up a trident is what I will end up doing, and then when the Maven is released; switch everything over to keep the same ecosystem.

I’ve never ran a UV, but seems that it’s something most people do these days. The return plumbing on the R75 already has the option to add a UV, what size would you think I would need?

The Nitrate and Phos would be great to have, but just like you said, I’ve heard a lot of inconsistencies with it. Would be great to have if it worked though.

I’ve been in and out of the hobby for 20+ years, and been with my wife for 20. This setup, she’s jumped in head first and wants to learn everything, so this build is going to be the one where I finally have approval and don’t need to pretend I picked up all these frags for $2 and a handshake lol

 

[UNS_Brandon]

I don't run my 6.0 at full speed so having the ability to adjust it via app is nice. Do not use the variable settings though. Over time you'll need to make small adjustments to the gate valve or your pump power (depending on your preference) due to natural buildup on the pump's intake or in the pipes, so more points of adjustment are nice.

 

[cPr]

Picked up a Varios 4 for the return after confirming it fits.

Ordered the Roller mat adapter for the Reefmat 250.

Order Tropic Eden dry rock - Ordered a mix of everything to play around with, and once the tanks wet, I’ll order the treasure box from Tampa bay to seed everything.

 

[cPr]

Question regarding powerhead placement - I would like to avoid having the MP40 on the right side glass, if possible. My kiddo has a tendency to be very interested in everything, and the temptation of grabbing it, might just be too much for him.

1. Do I put two MP40s on the back wall, either side of the overflow, one high, and one low?

2. Do I put one of the back wall on the right side of the overflow, and one of the left side glass?

3. 2 MP40s on the left side glass, and grab a gyre for the top right side?

4. One MP40 on each side of the glass, and watch my kiddos adventurous mind

 

[UNS_Brandon]

I have a gyre on the top left panel and a wave in in the bottom right corner of the back wall

 

[mmorrison55]

The nano I have setup now has Hydros on there, all my previous were Apex, but ran into issues with dropping WiFi and then a couple issues with the EB832s, so I thought I’d try Hydros this time.

If I’m honest, it’s 6 of one and half a dozen of the other in my experience. They both do the same thing, and both seem to generally have the same capabilities, other than the trident.

I think setting up a trident is what I will end up doing, and then when the Maven is released; switch everything over to keep the same ecosystem.

I’ve never ran a UV, but seems that it’s something most people do these days. The return plumbing on the R75 already has the option to add a UV, what size would you think I would need?

The Nitrate and Phos would be great to have, but just like you said, I’ve heard a lot of inconsistencies with it. Would be great to have if it worked though.

I’ve been in and out of the hobby for 20+ years, and been with my wife for 20. This setup, she’s jumped in head first and wants to learn everything, so this build is going to be the one where I finally have approval and don’t need to pretend I picked up all these frags for $2 and a handshake lol

Having the wife involved is a huge bonus. It definitely makes makes the hobby more enjoyable?

 

[cPr]

I have a gyre on the top left panel and a wave in in the bottom right corner of the back wall

This the route I’m taking. I’m going to go sps dominant, and with the tank in my living room, I’d rather not have to have the pumps running at 100%.

I’ve got MP40 and a Reefwave 25 coming. Thinking two MP40s on the left side, and a Reefwave on the top right side.

Having the wife involved is a huge bonus. It definitely makes makes the hobby more enjoyable?

It’s been a blessing. She’s really got into it too, learning, watching videos, it’s beautiful to see.

Really appreciate y’all’s input!

 

[cPr]

Debating on my light -

Can the Hydra 64 cover 30x20 for sps? Im not sure if it can, so I been looking and not 100% on which was to go.

The Radion gen 6 spread will cover, but will it get the par? Is this a side step, not an upgrade?

Add one more Hydra 64? Would like to cover it with one fixture, if possible.

Do I add a couple Blade grows to the Hydra I have?

What about the below lights?

Kessil AP9x
Dalua X4
Meridian 24

Which way you yall go?

 

[mmorrison55]

I personally love the Kessil shimmer, so I have 2 ap9x on my 5ft wide tank.

 

[cPr]

I personally love the Kessil shimmer, so I have 2 ap9x on my 5ft wide tank.

The Kessil shimmer is nice for sure! Give that halide look!


My wife must have hit her head lately. Looking at lights, and she asks to see how they look. After showing her the Straton X, she said it looks sleek and we should go with that one.

You don’t have to tell me twice, so I pre ordered one last night.

Looks like lighting will be the Straton X with tank mount!

 

[mmorrison55]

Wow… those are nice.

They were not on my radar at the time I set up my tank, and probably good that they were not as they are over twice as much as the ap9x.

A very nice light indeed. Congrats on your set up, should be very nice once all said and done.

 

[cPr]

They seem competitive, price wise. Similar to the Radion; but from what I’ve seen of them, more even par. Also helps they look great on the tank mount.

Got my rock in today, so will probably play around with that, this weekend.

I’ll throw up some pics after I’m attempted to create something