BostonFisher
Community Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2026
- Messages
- 37
- Reaction score
- 42
- Location
- North of Boston
- What state or country do you live in
- Massachusetts
After a 15 year hiatus, I decided it was time to set up another reef tank. In September I ordered an Innovative Marine EXT100 package, well aware it would be 4-6 months before it arrived. So what to do in the meantime? I haven't yet decided on what lights to install (though I am leaning towards AI HydraEdge 444 or Meridian 35), which skimmer to set up, which ATO, controller, etc.. I did pick up a brand new, old stock AI Orbit4 wavemaker from @CaptainBob's Reef that works great, but that has not satisfied my need to do something reef tank related.
So what to do in the meantime?
1. Set up an RO/DI system! Ordered the BRS 4-stage RO/DI system and the booster pump (my well puts out 35-40psi, with the booster pump I'm up to 80 psi). My house is a busy place, multi-gen family, so space is at a premium. I did manage to install this system in the half-bath, laundry room on the same floor as my pending reef tank. In order to keep things neat and compact, I installed a Red Sea 10 g ReefCan with a float switch. System works very well, put outs 10 g in 3 hours, about 80g per day if needed.
2. Set up a smaller tank! I had an old 20 g tank up in the attic, so I cleaned it up, purchased a SeaChem Tidal 55 HOB filter, heater and Nicrew 100 Gen2 light and filled it up. Added some CaribSea Arag-Alive sand and Liferock , 2 oz of Dr. Tims' One & Only bacteria, and some ammonia chloride drops. Tank is on Day 18 of cycle, 0 ammonia and Nitrite is finally dropping. Looking forward to adding a couple of clownfish soon and then the fun begins.
But now I'm waiting for my small tank to cycle and for my big tank to arrive, what to do?
3. Build a stand base to protect my hardwood floors! My 100g tank is going to be set up in the family room, against an exterior wall, sitting perpendicular to the 2x10 floor joists underneath hit, so I am not worried about the weight. But I am a bit worried about the nice hardwood floor I installed 2 years ago, so after some research, I decided to just build a plywood base with a lip to place under the APS stand. Had some 3/4" poplar plywood in the basement, picked up some 1/4 round trim, stain and polyurethane and went to work. Still needs another coat of stain then 3 coats of poly, but this should do the job and look half-decent.
While the stain & poly are drying, I am learning as much as I can about my options for equipment and livestock. I've visited the three LFS in my area and will be back to pick their brains and spend some money. My kids are thrilled I have a new hobby to obsess over and have asked for my reef tank Christmas List. I will keep you posted as I move forward, and don't worry, you will know when the tank arrives!
So what to do in the meantime?
1. Set up an RO/DI system! Ordered the BRS 4-stage RO/DI system and the booster pump (my well puts out 35-40psi, with the booster pump I'm up to 80 psi). My house is a busy place, multi-gen family, so space is at a premium. I did manage to install this system in the half-bath, laundry room on the same floor as my pending reef tank. In order to keep things neat and compact, I installed a Red Sea 10 g ReefCan with a float switch. System works very well, put outs 10 g in 3 hours, about 80g per day if needed.
2. Set up a smaller tank! I had an old 20 g tank up in the attic, so I cleaned it up, purchased a SeaChem Tidal 55 HOB filter, heater and Nicrew 100 Gen2 light and filled it up. Added some CaribSea Arag-Alive sand and Liferock , 2 oz of Dr. Tims' One & Only bacteria, and some ammonia chloride drops. Tank is on Day 18 of cycle, 0 ammonia and Nitrite is finally dropping. Looking forward to adding a couple of clownfish soon and then the fun begins.
But now I'm waiting for my small tank to cycle and for my big tank to arrive, what to do?
3. Build a stand base to protect my hardwood floors! My 100g tank is going to be set up in the family room, against an exterior wall, sitting perpendicular to the 2x10 floor joists underneath hit, so I am not worried about the weight. But I am a bit worried about the nice hardwood floor I installed 2 years ago, so after some research, I decided to just build a plywood base with a lip to place under the APS stand. Had some 3/4" poplar plywood in the basement, picked up some 1/4 round trim, stain and polyurethane and went to work. Still needs another coat of stain then 3 coats of poly, but this should do the job and look half-decent.
While the stain & poly are drying, I am learning as much as I can about my options for equipment and livestock. I've visited the three LFS in my area and will be back to pick their brains and spend some money. My kids are thrilled I have a new hobby to obsess over and have asked for my reef tank Christmas List. I will keep you posted as I move forward, and don't worry, you will know when the tank arrives!
