SeptorsReef
Community Member
Hello all, new reefer here, with a new build. Let's just say I hit the ground running on this. I posted this in another thread, but decided I need to move it here and learn the ways of R2R.
I've had small 10g and 40g tanks in the past, but no corals. I wasn't all that great at the hobby, but always loved it (no time and no knowledge of the hobby back then). Pretty much got out of the hobby in 2008, if I could even say that I was in the hobby to begin with. So, now in the ole year 2024, I decided to jump back in and boy oh boy, did I. I recently was in the middle of building our new house and decided that now would be a good time to install an aquarium under the staircase, in the wall, since it was "wasted room" in that area anyway. So, I went to the contractor, and we produced a halfass plan from the hip (wish I had planned this better, but that's life). Long story short, I was able to put a custom corner tank in the wall, so everyone could view the tank from two sides, and I could enter the "coat closet door" under the stairs to enter my new fish room and service the tank. The tank is 39" on each side, 10" sides, then 41" across the back and 32" high (the two 39" sides are all that can be seen). So, this corner tank idea has its pros and cons indeed (I wanted a square tank, but the tank builder talked me out of it and told me it was a bad idea). I slapped (4) MP40's on her, so the flow is fixed. I've watched every video (almost) from BRSTV and WWC. I installed an Apex Pro and am waiting to install my Trident. The tank is currently cycling, and now I'm scratching my head on the lights and need your help. The tank is pretty dang deep at 32" and I must snorkel to reach the bottom...
My little genius 'shoot from the hip' plan went from having an idea of a $7k to $10k investment, to now over $23k and I still haven't bought my lights... All I can do is laugh at myself at this point, but now I can say that I'm in this hobby for sure, whether my wife likes it or not, lol. I was able to have a sink installed in the room and I installed two 40g mixing containers in the room as well, so I'm happy to have everything in one spot, which was one perk to the build of the new home. I just wish I had planned a fish room off to the side and then made a bigger, rectangle tank down my living room wall, but I also wish I could win the lottery, so there's that (would've required new plans). I have two DOS, a K2 Kalk stirrer and Ozone reactor from Avast, Trigger 39g platinum sump with fleece roller and an Octo Elite 150 INT skimmer as well. Tunze ATO. 7 stage RO. SO, I think I'm ready once the tank is cycled. All of that to ask this... What lights and how many do I need to have a mixed reef tank? I was thinking about two Radion XR30 G6 lights, but I don't want to gamble on $2k. I just don't want to waste any more money, however, if that's what I need, then so be it. If I need bigger, then that's what I need to know. Different spectrum for depth or whatever, I don't know.
As far as the rest of the planning goes, once the Kalkwasser isn't enough, I plan to dose 2part, but all of that is way in the future to worry too much about it currently. Anyone see what I'm missing, or have any suggestions to what I've done? I CANNOT get this stupid skimmer to adjust, but it has only been running for a few days. I had the skimmer in 7" of water and tried to play with picking it up and down and its just plain kicking my butt. I have it dialed down to 1 and it sill pours over, regardless of water height... well, unless the bottom T is just out of the water.
I’ve attached pics of the ongoing setup. Still have to install Ozone reactor, Kalk stirrer, Trident and UV, but kinda waiting on the tank to age a little further along. All the tech is for automation, as I am away from the tank for extended periods of time, and I don't want to burden my wife with my hobby. Happy wife, happy life.
My Vectra M2 is only pushing about 675gph at 100%, so I guess the 1" pipes and 6' height is too much for it, which is another bummer of this build. Still must learn the ole (don't want to) quarantine side of things though. The tank has been started with all dry sand and rock, so I'm trying my best to keep crap out of it.
I am excited to be part of Reef2Reef! Thanks! I'm always up for any advice or criticisms, as that is how I will grow in this hobby.
I've had small 10g and 40g tanks in the past, but no corals. I wasn't all that great at the hobby, but always loved it (no time and no knowledge of the hobby back then). Pretty much got out of the hobby in 2008, if I could even say that I was in the hobby to begin with. So, now in the ole year 2024, I decided to jump back in and boy oh boy, did I. I recently was in the middle of building our new house and decided that now would be a good time to install an aquarium under the staircase, in the wall, since it was "wasted room" in that area anyway. So, I went to the contractor, and we produced a halfass plan from the hip (wish I had planned this better, but that's life). Long story short, I was able to put a custom corner tank in the wall, so everyone could view the tank from two sides, and I could enter the "coat closet door" under the stairs to enter my new fish room and service the tank. The tank is 39" on each side, 10" sides, then 41" across the back and 32" high (the two 39" sides are all that can be seen). So, this corner tank idea has its pros and cons indeed (I wanted a square tank, but the tank builder talked me out of it and told me it was a bad idea). I slapped (4) MP40's on her, so the flow is fixed. I've watched every video (almost) from BRSTV and WWC. I installed an Apex Pro and am waiting to install my Trident. The tank is currently cycling, and now I'm scratching my head on the lights and need your help. The tank is pretty dang deep at 32" and I must snorkel to reach the bottom...
My little genius 'shoot from the hip' plan went from having an idea of a $7k to $10k investment, to now over $23k and I still haven't bought my lights... All I can do is laugh at myself at this point, but now I can say that I'm in this hobby for sure, whether my wife likes it or not, lol. I was able to have a sink installed in the room and I installed two 40g mixing containers in the room as well, so I'm happy to have everything in one spot, which was one perk to the build of the new home. I just wish I had planned a fish room off to the side and then made a bigger, rectangle tank down my living room wall, but I also wish I could win the lottery, so there's that (would've required new plans). I have two DOS, a K2 Kalk stirrer and Ozone reactor from Avast, Trigger 39g platinum sump with fleece roller and an Octo Elite 150 INT skimmer as well. Tunze ATO. 7 stage RO. SO, I think I'm ready once the tank is cycled. All of that to ask this... What lights and how many do I need to have a mixed reef tank? I was thinking about two Radion XR30 G6 lights, but I don't want to gamble on $2k. I just don't want to waste any more money, however, if that's what I need, then so be it. If I need bigger, then that's what I need to know. Different spectrum for depth or whatever, I don't know.
As far as the rest of the planning goes, once the Kalkwasser isn't enough, I plan to dose 2part, but all of that is way in the future to worry too much about it currently. Anyone see what I'm missing, or have any suggestions to what I've done? I CANNOT get this stupid skimmer to adjust, but it has only been running for a few days. I had the skimmer in 7" of water and tried to play with picking it up and down and its just plain kicking my butt. I have it dialed down to 1 and it sill pours over, regardless of water height... well, unless the bottom T is just out of the water.
I’ve attached pics of the ongoing setup. Still have to install Ozone reactor, Kalk stirrer, Trident and UV, but kinda waiting on the tank to age a little further along. All the tech is for automation, as I am away from the tank for extended periods of time, and I don't want to burden my wife with my hobby. Happy wife, happy life.
My Vectra M2 is only pushing about 675gph at 100%, so I guess the 1" pipes and 6' height is too much for it, which is another bummer of this build. Still must learn the ole (don't want to) quarantine side of things though. The tank has been started with all dry sand and rock, so I'm trying my best to keep crap out of it.
I am excited to be part of Reef2Reef! Thanks! I'm always up for any advice or criticisms, as that is how I will grow in this hobby.
