Hello all,
It's been a while since I had an aquarium due to life events. I ended up moving to Centennial this past winter to top it all off. Sold my old house in June. I am in a larger home than before and doing great so I decided it's time for another build! I love the hobby and missed it immensely so of course I crave getting wet again. Life has simmered down for the time being and I have a great spot for a new tank so why not?!
I plan on being active again with the club, same old DBTC stuff and attending meetings. I can never do Saturday meetings unfortunately but if it's a Sunday count me in!
I started ordering parts and I did order an aquarium through Aquatic Arts, thanks Cris! It should be here in a month. I went with the newly released Red Sea Reefer XXL 625 deluxe, as per the title lol. I wanted the larger 750 but it was just too long for the space. I hired a structural engineer to make sure I can have this and I can. The tank will be right above a steel beam so I should be fine. I went with the deluxe because it has the lights included, 3 AI Hydra 26 HD and at a price point that basically gives you the third light free. I may add a 4th if I feel like it's lacking but Red Sea knows their stuff so I'm guessing 3 will be enough. Plus the sump they come with is amazing! The reefers are in high demand right now so it takes a bit to get one, Chris thinks about 3-4 weeks. This gives me ample time to get all my ducks in a row, plus I am still needing floor repairs due to ripping out some built ins.
Equipment I've ordered so far and actually I think I'm about done but let me know if I missed anything.
Red Sea Reefer XXL 625
3 AI Hydra 26 HD with mounts
MP40WQD x2
Syncra Silent 5.0 for the return
Flipper glass cleaner
300w Jager heater x2
Reef Octopus classic 6" (not sure if this is permanent, feedback appreciated)
GHL ProfiLux 4 Mega-set controller(comes with probes and junk)
130lbs Marco Rock
60lbs special grade Caribsea Sand (may add more)
Kessil H80 Tuna Flora fuge light with gooseneck
30 gallon QT/hospital tank set up thanks to Petco $1 gallon sale
several supplements and reactor media though I plan on using the filter socks in the sump for media for now as Red Sea claims this is enough, if I have issues I will order reactors.
and that's it for what I've ordered.
I plan on getting some dosing pumps, likely the GHL one to go with the controller. Also the mounts that the lights come with are not really what i want, i will likely order the new rail system soon since it's very versatile. I still have my RO unit from my last build so all kosher there. Salt, I think I will be using the red sea stuff this time around. Anyone have suggestions? I haven't gotten any yet but I will be setting up my QT tonight to get that cycling and will start getting fish. Looking at clowns initially.
I'm super excited about the build. I will likely do a couple of videos for set up. Cris has graciously offered to build my aquarium stand and deliver it for a small fee which I am truly grateful for. So no videos of the actual building of the stand. You guys seriously, Cris Capp at Aquatic Arts is an amazing vendor and super easy to work with. His prices are fair and quality is top notch! I will always recommend his services.
One of the things I hated about this hobby, still do, is the freakin aiptasia. I will be super picky going forward as far as frags and equipment. I wish I could have bought some items used as this was ultra expensive but this guarantees lowest possible exposure to aiptasia and other reef herpes. I will use the heck out of my QT for frags and even scrape frags and replug them. Coral dip, bayer dip, whatever it takes. I plan on buying a pod and chaeto kit form AlgaeBarn once I'm cycled enough as it seems like a super clean set up. I'm pretty sure I got aiptasia from my last chaeto lol...
I am posting this thread because I love this club, many of you I call friends and I missed doing things with you guys/gals. I look forward to being involved again. I will also be open to hosting an occasional meeting now that I have the space for it once I'm up and running.
Anyway that's it for now. Feel free to recommend or comment on this thread. I will post pics/videos as things progress.
Thanks!
Gabe
It's been a while since I had an aquarium due to life events. I ended up moving to Centennial this past winter to top it all off. Sold my old house in June. I am in a larger home than before and doing great so I decided it's time for another build! I love the hobby and missed it immensely so of course I crave getting wet again. Life has simmered down for the time being and I have a great spot for a new tank so why not?!
I plan on being active again with the club, same old DBTC stuff and attending meetings. I can never do Saturday meetings unfortunately but if it's a Sunday count me in!
I started ordering parts and I did order an aquarium through Aquatic Arts, thanks Cris! It should be here in a month. I went with the newly released Red Sea Reefer XXL 625 deluxe, as per the title lol. I wanted the larger 750 but it was just too long for the space. I hired a structural engineer to make sure I can have this and I can. The tank will be right above a steel beam so I should be fine. I went with the deluxe because it has the lights included, 3 AI Hydra 26 HD and at a price point that basically gives you the third light free. I may add a 4th if I feel like it's lacking but Red Sea knows their stuff so I'm guessing 3 will be enough. Plus the sump they come with is amazing! The reefers are in high demand right now so it takes a bit to get one, Chris thinks about 3-4 weeks. This gives me ample time to get all my ducks in a row, plus I am still needing floor repairs due to ripping out some built ins.
Equipment I've ordered so far and actually I think I'm about done but let me know if I missed anything.
Red Sea Reefer XXL 625
3 AI Hydra 26 HD with mounts
MP40WQD x2
Syncra Silent 5.0 for the return
Flipper glass cleaner
300w Jager heater x2
Reef Octopus classic 6" (not sure if this is permanent, feedback appreciated)
GHL ProfiLux 4 Mega-set controller(comes with probes and junk)
130lbs Marco Rock
60lbs special grade Caribsea Sand (may add more)
Kessil H80 Tuna Flora fuge light with gooseneck
30 gallon QT/hospital tank set up thanks to Petco $1 gallon sale
several supplements and reactor media though I plan on using the filter socks in the sump for media for now as Red Sea claims this is enough, if I have issues I will order reactors.
and that's it for what I've ordered.
I plan on getting some dosing pumps, likely the GHL one to go with the controller. Also the mounts that the lights come with are not really what i want, i will likely order the new rail system soon since it's very versatile. I still have my RO unit from my last build so all kosher there. Salt, I think I will be using the red sea stuff this time around. Anyone have suggestions? I haven't gotten any yet but I will be setting up my QT tonight to get that cycling and will start getting fish. Looking at clowns initially.
I'm super excited about the build. I will likely do a couple of videos for set up. Cris has graciously offered to build my aquarium stand and deliver it for a small fee which I am truly grateful for. So no videos of the actual building of the stand. You guys seriously, Cris Capp at Aquatic Arts is an amazing vendor and super easy to work with. His prices are fair and quality is top notch! I will always recommend his services.
One of the things I hated about this hobby, still do, is the freakin aiptasia. I will be super picky going forward as far as frags and equipment. I wish I could have bought some items used as this was ultra expensive but this guarantees lowest possible exposure to aiptasia and other reef herpes. I will use the heck out of my QT for frags and even scrape frags and replug them. Coral dip, bayer dip, whatever it takes. I plan on buying a pod and chaeto kit form AlgaeBarn once I'm cycled enough as it seems like a super clean set up. I'm pretty sure I got aiptasia from my last chaeto lol...
I am posting this thread because I love this club, many of you I call friends and I missed doing things with you guys/gals. I look forward to being involved again. I will also be open to hosting an occasional meeting now that I have the space for it once I'm up and running.
Anyway that's it for now. Feel free to recommend or comment on this thread. I will post pics/videos as things progress.
Thanks!
Gabe