90 Gallon Reef Tank Questions

N

Nirethell

New member
Hey Everyone

So the time is here. I have been gearing up for about 6 months and I want to start putting it all together. The first question I have is, have I thought of everything? (probably not)
The second question I have is I need to start looking into LED, I'm thinking either Kessil or Ecotech. I would need to save for both, and i have a current marine pro leg fixture just to get things started until then.

The breakdown of equipment:

BRS 3 Stage RODI (setup in my basement with two 32 gallon brute containers I have multiple heaters so one will stay here with the 32 gallon for mixing as well as an old powerhead i have)
Trigger Systems Ruby 36 Sump (I'm doing a full refugium with Chaeto with a deep sandbed/miracle mud)
Reef Octopus 110nw protein skimmer (is this big enough?)
BRS Carbon/Phosphate Reactor (I'm going to use chemipure Elite bags, so this reactor is just for Phosphate)
Hydor ATO
Digital Aquatics Reefkeeper lite
Hydor 1500 x2 powerheads with wave controller (I may ditch the way controller and use the wave controller in the reefkeeper)
Mag Drive 12 for return pump (should I plumb the phosphate reactor into this as well?)
MJ1200 (will use for phosphate if I don't plumb, if i do i will use it as a detritus deterrent I might get another one for the first and third stage of sump)
Current Marine Orbit Pro LED (Like I said I really want to upgrade this but I need to wait for the money to)
300 ehiem Heater (I will have this as well as a 200w heater running in the sump)

Some side notes that are added with my build

I created a windows 10 computer that will constantly be attached to my reefkeeper allowing me to remote into it from my phone and change settings if i need to (mimicking the apex system, i just didn't have the money
I just finished painting the inside of the system with leakseal, to combat the moisture.

When I finally pull the trigger on setting up I have opted to go with a deep sandbed 3-4inches with reef rock 2.0

I'm not moving fast on purpose, I want it set up correctly. I will be dosing alk and cal.

This is not going to be an overstocked system, I'm starting small and building up, I want it to be a mixed reef, maybe a few fish, trust me I will do research and make sure they are reef safe.

I have a 30 gallon tank I plan on using as a quarantine tank.

Lastly I will post some pictures when I get further along but for now I'm looking for some information from the reefing community.
 
You've got me thinking about hooking up a raspberry pi to my reefkeeper now so I can monitor it.


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Knighthawk said:
You've got me thinking about hooking up a raspberry pi to my reefkeeper now so I can monitor it.

I have two of them, I love those things to no end, But i had a thin client hanging around so it has windows 10 embedded specifically for this hahah.

Having a home network makes life so much easier doesn't it?

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It is nice! I wonder if there is a way to get myreef to work on raspbian. If not I think the new PI supports a version of windows 10


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Knighthawk said:
It is nice! I wonder if there is a way to get myreef to work on raspbian. If not I think the new PI supports a version of windows 10


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Click to expand...

Well I will be playing with them in the near future ill let you know what i come up with, honestly even if I could make a Ipad app that is installed in the stand somehow I would be happy. I think a touch screen interface would be wonderful and I'm sure its possible since the newer pi's are network enabled.

There are plenty of programs written out there already Someone somewhere had to do something like this. The real question is if we can get the software of reefkeeper to play nice with the pi's HAHA
 
The only thing I can think of is maybe go with a larger skimmer. I would suggest one of the eshopps skimmers but that's just based on feedback. Also would probably ditch the chemipure bags. You could mix carbon and GFO/phosguard in the reactor.

As for as the return pump you could build a manifold and run the reactor of that. You can also add a few more t's on the manifold in case you want to add more equipment later.

I would also recommend the AI lights.


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Knighthawk said:
The only thing I can think of is maybe go with a larger skimmer. I would suggest one of the eshopps skimmers but that's just based on feedback. Also would probably ditch the chemipure bags. You could mix carbon and GFO/phosguard in the reactor.

As for as the return pump you could build a manifold and run the reactor of that. You can also add a few more t's on the manifold in case you want to add more equipment later.

I would also recommend the AI lights.


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Click to expand...

Thanks! I definitely want to upgrade the skimmer but again that's a big expenditure that will have to wait. Hopefully this one will do to start the tank off until I can. (I got the tank stand rodi and skimmer in a deal from craigslist, don't worry i did a full vinegar breakdown cleaned everything completely
 
Knighthawk said:
The only thing I can think of is maybe go with a larger skimmer. I would suggest one of the eshopps skimmers but that's just based on feedback. Also would probably ditch the chemipure bags. You could mix carbon and GFO/phosguard in the reactor.

As for as the return pump you could build a manifold and run the reactor of that. You can also add a few more t's on the manifold in case you want to add more equipment later.

I would also recommend the AI lights.


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Click to expand...

Oh and yes I was looking at the Hydra's they are so nice! I did think about doing dual carbon/gfo. I suppose I could but I really want to see if the Chemipure bags do what i need them to. My sump has a fantastic spot for them, ill be doing three bags.
 
Nirethell said:
Oh and yes I was looking at the Hydra's they are so nice! I did think about doing dual carbon/gfo. I suppose I could but I really want to see if the Chemipure bags do what i need them to. My sump has a fantastic spot for them, ill be doing three bags.
Click to expand...



The only thing with the chemipure is you pay a premium for them.


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Knighthawk said:
The only thing with the chemipure is you pay a premium for them.


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This is true, I guess I just need to see if its worth paying the premium for them or use the carbon, I'm sure that once the system is going I can try both ways and make a decision then.
 
I mix the GFO and Carbon as well and it works out great. I also use the Hydra 52HD and have been happy with it. The built in wifi connection and app work great and I haven't encountered any issues. I have a 90 cube and plan on adding some T5 at a later point. Check out my build thread always good to look at other systems especially when you are planning something similar.
 
GfordQC said:
I mix the GFO and Carbon as well and it works out great. I also use the Hydra 52HD and have been happy with it. The built in wifi connection and app work great and I haven't encountered any issues. I have a 90 cube and plan on adding some T5 at a later point. Check out my build thread always good to look at other systems especially when you are planning something similar.
Click to expand...

Awesome! I think if I went with the hydra 52, I would have to go with two of them which hikes the price way up. I'm Certainly going to check out your build thread, I love looking at all of them some are absolutely inspiring. Ill post some pictures of mine when I start to put it all together.
 
Nirethell said:
Awesome! I think if I went with the hydra 52, I would have to go with two of them which hikes the price way up. I'm Certainly going to check out your build thread, I love looking at all of them some are absolutely inspiring. Ill post some pictures of mine when I start to put it all together.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm only 36" wide so I can get away with it. If I did a 48" long tank I was going to go with a T5 ATI fixture. Sounds good!
 
GfordQC said:
Yeah I'm only 36" wide so I can get away with it. If I did a 48" long tank I was going to go with a T5 ATI fixture. Sounds good!
Click to expand...

I really want to stay away from T5 and Metal halide mainly because I don't want to buy a chiller unless I have to. I lucked out the location of my tank is virtually right next to where my AC is in the summer time

I live in CT by the way
 
Yeah I'm interested on how my system deals with summer I have an open top so shouldn't be bad. Sometimes we have the windows open and it get to about 80 in the house so wondering what the tank would be at that point. I'm In Ohio
 
GfordQC said:
Yeah I'm interested on how my system deals with summer I have an open top so shouldn't be bad. Sometimes we have the windows open and it get to about 80 in the house so wondering what the tank would be at that point. I'm In Ohio
Click to expand...

I'm prepared to buy one if need be, I even know which one I'd want as well as which pump I would go with to feed it. I'm think that with the LED's I wont have much of a problem especially being that close to the air conditioner.

I checked out your tank, that is one fantastic build my friend, it looks great! I will soon have pictures. Honestly Ill need to wait for the next big expenditure. The rock I'm going with isn't cheap and the next part is rock, live sand, and salt, all will be at the same time.

I plan on starting my cycle either ghost feeding, or maybe a piece of shrimp. I don't want to do live rock at all. Ill be open to ideas when I get to that point I'm sure
 
Nirethell said:
I'm prepared to buy one if need be, I even know which one I'd want as well as which pump I would go with to feed it. I'm think that with the LED's I wont have much of a problem especially being that close to the air conditioner.



I checked out your tank, that is one fantastic build my friend, it looks great! I will soon have pictures. Honestly Ill need to wait for the next big expenditure. The rock I'm going with isn't cheap and the next part is rock, live sand, and salt, all will be at the same time.



I plan on starting my cycle either ghost feeding, or maybe a piece of shrimp. I don't want to do live rock at all. Ill be open to ideas when I get to that point I'm sure
Click to expand...



Reefcleaners.com has some nice dry rock!


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