Hi. My name is Jim and I am a reefaholic. I suspect this confession is sort of similar to standing up in front of a group of like-afflicted individuals (minus the commercial entities) at any (insert name here)-Anonymous.
I don't mean to make light of situations involving folks dealing with life altering addictions, other than to draw attention to my plight as a truly addicted-to-the-hobby reefer. I do want to point out that my son is way, WAY more addicted than me....and a primary enabler - in a good way.
I have only been in this hobby for 5 or 6 years but I love it. I don't know of any single hobby that allows one person to willingly and lovingly combine a passion for water sports (i.e. snorkeling), photography, biology, chemistry, physics/architecture/carpentry, computer programming, animal husbandry, reading, research and raw, unadulterated manual labor into a single (for most of us), relatively small, confined space that is capable of dominating not only that physical space, but the conversation of anyone and everyone that happens to cast a curious eye in that direction.
Like most everyone else, I started small (16G nano) and progressed up the scale .... 75 to 120 to the current monster. My bride of 40 years has patiently but firmly let me know that this is IT. She loves it but she wants to travel and does not want this to be a limiter.....translation = automation and computerization.
After a year or two of planning and research, I settled on a 200G tank from DSA. Partly because my lfs-of-choice had one in stock and was willing to deliver, but mostly because of the center overflow, 27" height and great reputation of DSA. DSA being right up the road in Dallas didn't hurt either
.
As is the case for many of us, I owe a major bit of recognition to several RC members, and, of course, to RC itself. Rocket Engineer (stand) and PSXerholic (canopy and stand) in particular, but there are numerous others who provided tidbits of design, execution ideas and advice that were incorporated into this build.
For the technicians out there, here is the list:
200G DSA tank (72x24x27)
Stand Skeleton - DIY with substantial direction from Rocket Engineer - point of emphasis = completely open front for easy access to everything
Canopy and Stand Cover - DIY, based largely on the design detailed by PSXerholic...incorporated some of my own ideas as well. Teaser - the stand cover is on wheels and is removable, allowing wide open access to any and all equipment.
Sump - DIY based on 40L acquired from Craigslist
Skimmer - Reef Octopus XP 3000 Int
Filtration - Dual NextReef MR1, Carbon and GFO
Return Pumps - Dual Pumps for redundancy, Pan World PX100 & Iwaki 40 (gives me about 2000 gph)
Powerheads - Jebao WP-60 (two), possibly additional ones later
Lights - four (4) 165W LEDs hung in DIY light bracket in the DIY canopy (you are gonna love it....if I do say so myself). BTW - I have been using these same lights on my 120 and everything (lps, sps, softies) loves them.
Calc Rx - Korallin - Craigslist special (reefer breaking down a 370G)
Control - APEX 8+4, probes, etc.
ATO control by JBJ - water stored in a 10G next to sump
Filtered water courtesy of SpectraPure RODI unit.
Water Change station - DIY - again, design courtesy of numerous RC members
Salt mix - Instant Ocean Reef Crystals - been using it for six months and very, very happy with results.
Rock, fish, CUC and corals will all be moved from the 120 and supplemented as it makes sense. I have no intention of dealing with algae blooms or any afflictions common to a "total-new" startup. Water changes and aggressive filtration (carbon and gfo) will take care of any water quality variations.
That is all for now. Quite a few pictures will follow, as soon as I get some time and figure out how to post pix.
I don't mean to make light of situations involving folks dealing with life altering addictions, other than to draw attention to my plight as a truly addicted-to-the-hobby reefer. I do want to point out that my son is way, WAY more addicted than me....and a primary enabler - in a good way.
I have only been in this hobby for 5 or 6 years but I love it. I don't know of any single hobby that allows one person to willingly and lovingly combine a passion for water sports (i.e. snorkeling), photography, biology, chemistry, physics/architecture/carpentry, computer programming, animal husbandry, reading, research and raw, unadulterated manual labor into a single (for most of us), relatively small, confined space that is capable of dominating not only that physical space, but the conversation of anyone and everyone that happens to cast a curious eye in that direction.
Like most everyone else, I started small (16G nano) and progressed up the scale .... 75 to 120 to the current monster. My bride of 40 years has patiently but firmly let me know that this is IT. She loves it but she wants to travel and does not want this to be a limiter.....translation = automation and computerization.
After a year or two of planning and research, I settled on a 200G tank from DSA. Partly because my lfs-of-choice had one in stock and was willing to deliver, but mostly because of the center overflow, 27" height and great reputation of DSA. DSA being right up the road in Dallas didn't hurt either
. As is the case for many of us, I owe a major bit of recognition to several RC members, and, of course, to RC itself. Rocket Engineer (stand) and PSXerholic (canopy and stand) in particular, but there are numerous others who provided tidbits of design, execution ideas and advice that were incorporated into this build.
For the technicians out there, here is the list:
200G DSA tank (72x24x27)
Stand Skeleton - DIY with substantial direction from Rocket Engineer - point of emphasis = completely open front for easy access to everything
Canopy and Stand Cover - DIY, based largely on the design detailed by PSXerholic...incorporated some of my own ideas as well. Teaser - the stand cover is on wheels and is removable, allowing wide open access to any and all equipment.
Sump - DIY based on 40L acquired from Craigslist
Skimmer - Reef Octopus XP 3000 Int
Filtration - Dual NextReef MR1, Carbon and GFO
Return Pumps - Dual Pumps for redundancy, Pan World PX100 & Iwaki 40 (gives me about 2000 gph)
Powerheads - Jebao WP-60 (two), possibly additional ones later
Lights - four (4) 165W LEDs hung in DIY light bracket in the DIY canopy (you are gonna love it....if I do say so myself). BTW - I have been using these same lights on my 120 and everything (lps, sps, softies) loves them.
Calc Rx - Korallin - Craigslist special (reefer breaking down a 370G)
Control - APEX 8+4, probes, etc.
ATO control by JBJ - water stored in a 10G next to sump
Filtered water courtesy of SpectraPure RODI unit.
Water Change station - DIY - again, design courtesy of numerous RC members
Salt mix - Instant Ocean Reef Crystals - been using it for six months and very, very happy with results.
Rock, fish, CUC and corals will all be moved from the 120 and supplemented as it makes sense. I have no intention of dealing with algae blooms or any afflictions common to a "total-new" startup. Water changes and aggressive filtration (carbon and gfo) will take care of any water quality variations.
That is all for now. Quite a few pictures will follow, as soon as I get some time and figure out how to post pix.
