Dream Tank

[Sam Pirozzolo]

Hello to all. I am sorry to report that due to a house fire, my reef tank of 15+ years is GONE!
The good news is that now I will be able to rebuild and design a new set up. After 15 years I had collected some equipment that I felt was very helpful to my sucess. These were a homemade light with 2-250W HQI and 4-2ft VHO's, a water chiller a good protien skimmer and lots od pumps. I also have a RO/DI unit.

The hobby has changed alot in the last 10 years, so I would like different opinions as to what other equipment may make it easier to keep a reef. (controllers,reactors...) My new tank will be at least as big as the old which was 120 gal- maybe bigger. This is my chance to do it ALL from the start.

Any suggestions or advice would be helpful.

 

[reefinmike]

sorry to hear about the fire... atleast youre ok! (i think)

first we'd need to know what you would like to keep

sps
lps
softies
mix
fake plastic corals?

 

[McCrary]

Heres a list of stuff that you might like for your new tank.

Skimmer- H&S 200-1260

Metal Halides- 2x250w Ushio 10K SE in Lumenarc III reflectors

Actinics- 2x54w T5 Giesseman 420nm using Sunlight Supply retro with individual reflectors

Powerheads- 2x Tunze 6100 with Tunze 7095 controller

Calcium Reactor- GEO 618 or 624 (or if you have a little extra cash) Deltec PF501 or PF601

Contoller- Neptune Aquacontroller Jr.

Return Pump- Eheim 1260 or 1262

 

[Sam Pirozzolo]

My family is fine. It happened durning the day. Small fire, huge damage.

I would like to keep a mix.

 

[scrmbld33]

sorry to hear about the fire , glad everyones ok!! all i can say is fishroom if you didnt have one already. i dont have one.........yet

 

[Andrew]

Sorry to hear about the fire and loosing the tank. Good luck with the tank rebuild.

 

[FishMachine]

good luck

 

[BigBadBlenny]

sorry to hear about the fire. thats the kind of thing that can suck the life out of a person. please keep us up to date on your tank. i hope its everything you ever wanted

 

[Sam Pirozzolo]

Thank you for all the good thoughts!

Let explain a little more. My last tank was 15 years old. I had soft corals, fish, shrimp, crabs and whatever life came with live rock. Most of the improvements or success came several years ago after I added the protein skimmer and then the water chiller. I would have to say that the chiller seemed to make the biggest difference. Once the water temp was regulated I noticed an improvement in the health and longevity of the fish and corals. I had plate and leather corals that had started to propagate. Look at some of my photos.

To restate my question, what equipment could I use that would not only make it easier for me to care for the tank but would also benefit what is in the tank? What could help me take a marginal tank to a fantastic tank?

I would like to keep soft and hard corals and fish. I intend to have a DSB. The light will most likely be 2-250 watt with a combination of CF’s. I will again have the water chiller and a protein skimmer. I had at least 3 Hagen power heads in the tank for water movement. I use RO/DI water.

I will keep ypu informed as to my progress. I can't start the project until the house is rebuiltv - 4-5 months.