A little background, I started reefing back in 2000, and it was a lot of fun, meeting people, frag swaps, and basically trying to keep things alive. I think I started with like a 60 gallon acrylic bowfront. But I had limited funds, so everything was 2nd hand and not set up correctly. Over the years, I had to keep downsizing as my time and energy keeps shrinking. After my kids were born, I was down to a 6 gallon nano, and eventually got out of hobby completely for many years to focus on my kids and career. My oldest is now 13 years old, followed by the 11 years old. How time flies!
Right before the pandemic, I relocated to a new city and bought my forever home. Finally settled down, and after the kids showed interest in fishes, I wanted to get back into reefing. Now I get to have my final build and set up the tank how I really wanted to. Only caveat is my wife said it needs to look nice and clean clean. I also needed a lot of automation as I do travel up to 3 weeks at a time.
I was fortunate enough to get an used Crystal Dynamics Aquarium tank from a local hobbyist that was planning to upgrade in 2022. The stand was originally black, so had it repainted to white.
Tank and Stand
Right before the pandemic, I relocated to a new city and bought my forever home. Finally settled down, and after the kids showed interest in fishes, I wanted to get back into reefing. Now I get to have my final build and set up the tank how I really wanted to. Only caveat is my wife said it needs to look nice and clean clean. I also needed a lot of automation as I do travel up to 3 weeks at a time.
I was fortunate enough to get an used Crystal Dynamics Aquarium tank from a local hobbyist that was planning to upgrade in 2022. The stand was originally black, so had it repainted to white.
Tank and Stand
- Crystal Dynamic Aquarium (CDA) 72”L x 30”D x 27”H
- Euro-braced and armored seams
- 3-side 1/2" Starfire glass
- External Overflow: 36" Modular Marine Overflow Box (3x 1.5" drain)
- Return: 3x 0.75"
- White 36" tall steel stand with wood wrap (Built by CDA).
- 3x ATI Straton
- DIY T-Slot Mount (Hung from ceiling)
- Sump: Advanced Acrylic PVC/acrylic sump 48”x21"x18" (2x 7" socks holder)
- Denitrator: Advanced Acrylic PVC/Acrylic External Refugium Chamber
- Skimmer: Reef Octopus Regal 300SS skimmer
- Powerheads: 3x MP40QD
- Powerheads: 1x Redsea Reefwave 45
- Return pump #1 for DT: Ecotech Vectra L1 pump
- Return pump #2 for manifold: Ecotech Vectra M1 pump
- Controller: APEX Neptune (3x EB832; 1x AFS; 1x EB8)
- Feeder: Avast Plank Feeder
- Heater: Two 300W Eheim Jager heaters along with a Ranco controller
- Chiller: 1/4 hp Oceanic Chiller
- Calcium Reactor: Dastaco A2 calcium reactor
- Doser: GHL 2.1 Doser
- Doser: APEX DOS with DDR x2
- ATO: Tunze Osmolator 3155
- UV: Lifegard 3" Pro-MAX 90W HO UV
- Ozone: Ozonetech Poseidon 200
- RO/DI: Aquaticlife (Model 540087) RO100P with added DI and prefilter chambers
- Tester: APEX Trident
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