Balue
New Member
Hello!
I have been dreaming of a reef tank for as long as I've been keeping freshwater fish. I'm now in a place where I can finally start diving into the reef obsession in the next few months and have been researching for multiple weeks on how to start up a reef tank. I've debated AIO's vs. external sump systems, created a multi-page spreadsheet, read 100s of build threads. This is also a thread I'm hoping some Canadian reefkeepers come to, as I have come to know the struggle of equipment, fish, and medicine availability that comes with being a Canadian. These are the specs I'm looking at so far:
For the corals I am still in a research phase as they confuse me a little more than the fish (you wouldn't think they would be so violent). My preliminary plan is to go LPS dominant on one side as I adore the look of torches, hammers and frogspawn. I've seen some photosynthetic Gorgonians and blue Discosoma's that look lovely. Maybe a few Zoas to cover empty space and dip my toes into SPS with Montipora digitata and a Seriatopora. Trying my hardest to stay away from pulsing xenias and GSPs. Once I'm more clear on what my hardscape looks like, I plan to make a drawing so look forward to that!
Now, I plan to test everyday when I get water in, and I'm hoping with protein skimmers, chaeto and lots of biomedia and rock that I'll be able to pull off water changes every 2 weeks. I would like to automate as much as my budget allows, and just enjoy the reef at the end of the day. All drawings will be added as I make them and expect to see lots of photos as the progress ramps up.
Finally, I feel I should leave you with some of the incredibly helpful resources that I've been using:
- ReefCleaners Beginners Guide
- Reef Builders Starting A Reef Tank Guide
- R2R Supreme Guide to Setting up A Saltwater Reef
- Humble.Fish How to setup a QT
- Plus, a million thanks to all the R2R users who create the most wonderful in-depth build threads!
I have been dreaming of a reef tank for as long as I've been keeping freshwater fish. I'm now in a place where I can finally start diving into the reef obsession in the next few months and have been researching for multiple weeks on how to start up a reef tank. I've debated AIO's vs. external sump systems, created a multi-page spreadsheet, read 100s of build threads. This is also a thread I'm hoping some Canadian reefkeepers come to, as I have come to know the struggle of equipment, fish, and medicine availability that comes with being a Canadian. These are the specs I'm looking at so far:
To start getting fish and coral in:
- Aquarium: WaterBox 25 Peninsula AIO w/ Lid + WB Cabinet (**Acquired on sale**)
- Lights: Kessil A160we + Controller + Mounting Arm
- ATO: Tunze Osmolator Nano 3152 + Food Grade Bucket with Lid as reservoir
- Return Pump: Upgraded to Sicce Syncra Silent 1.0 (**Acquired on sale**)
- Powerhead(s): AI Nero 3 (**Acquired on sale**)
- RO/DI System: Aquatic Life RO Buddy with DI Resin Cartridge
- Rock: 30 - 35 lbs of EITHER CaribSea South Seas Base Rock OR Marco ReefSaver Rock + a couple pounds of live rock to seed with
- Sand: ~ 31 lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink (for approx. 1 - 1 1/2 inch depth)
- QT Setup: Aqueon 10 gallon + Eggcrate Lid + Sicce Voyager Nano Stream Pump (270gph) + Eheim Jager TruTemp 50W + AquaClear 20 Power Filter + Seachem Matrix + FritzZyme 9 Live Nitrifying Bacteria (Marine) + some PVC hidey holes
- Testing: WaterBox Refractometer (!) + Hanna Phosphate ULR + API Saltwater Master Test Kit (HR pH, NH3, NO2, NO3) + Salifert (Mg, Ca, KH)
Additional enhancements:
- Protein Skimmer: Tunze Comline DOC DC Protein Skimmer - 9001
- Refugium in Compartment: Might use a HOB like AquaMaxx
- Filter Sock Replacement: InTank Media Basket for WB 25 w/ filter floss + undecided on physical biomedia (recommendations welcome!)
- 2 x Designer Clowns (I like the look of Mocha Storms)
- 1 x Firefish OR Purple Firefish OR Royal Gramma
- 1 x Tailspot Blenny
- Maybe a Watchman Goby or Yellowhead Jawfish (not favouring due to sand bed requirement and pistol shrimp noises are not preferred in the bedroom)
- 1 x Banggai Cardinalfish if swim space left
- Possibly more if I can fit it?
For the corals I am still in a research phase as they confuse me a little more than the fish (you wouldn't think they would be so violent). My preliminary plan is to go LPS dominant on one side as I adore the look of torches, hammers and frogspawn. I've seen some photosynthetic Gorgonians and blue Discosoma's that look lovely. Maybe a few Zoas to cover empty space and dip my toes into SPS with Montipora digitata and a Seriatopora. Trying my hardest to stay away from pulsing xenias and GSPs. Once I'm more clear on what my hardscape looks like, I plan to make a drawing so look forward to that!
Now, I plan to test everyday when I get water in, and I'm hoping with protein skimmers, chaeto and lots of biomedia and rock that I'll be able to pull off water changes every 2 weeks. I would like to automate as much as my budget allows, and just enjoy the reef at the end of the day. All drawings will be added as I make them and expect to see lots of photos as the progress ramps up.
Finally, I feel I should leave you with some of the incredibly helpful resources that I've been using:
- ReefCleaners Beginners Guide
- Reef Builders Starting A Reef Tank Guide
- R2R Supreme Guide to Setting up A Saltwater Reef
- Humble.Fish How to setup a QT
- Plus, a million thanks to all the R2R users who create the most wonderful in-depth build threads!
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