My first "reef capable" SW setup
My first "reef capable" SW setup
Hello all,
I am a freshwater aquarium veteran, over 20 years in hobby (with some breaks), I worked in pet stores in the fish department for 9 years when I was a teenager, I have done some volunteer aquaculture work, and even dabbled in professional aquarium servicing.
My favorite has always been African Cichlids and loaches, and although I have done fish-only saltwater a very long time ago (long enough ago that I was using undergravel filters, hehe) I have never done reef because it was always too expensive, too complicated, and I did not much like some of the habitat destruction either. My wife would often ask to set one up, and this is how I would talk her out of it, because she is a banker and a miser...
So, I was getting ready to build the mother-of-all African Cichlid tanks, when the wife finally said the magic words.... "I don't care how much it costs, I want saltwater fish"... you all probably felt a disturbance in the force...
Aside from that:
- Tech has improved, LEDs instead of halides for instance
- Tank-raised fish are a reality now
So, here I am, I am excited to finally try this, but I know I will really need advice and education to be successful. I am working with a pro in New Hampshire to help me build it, but he can only answer so many questions.
Here is what I have so far: (pictures in my profile)
- 135G Oceanic with overflows, starphire glass, and black back
- Matching solid oak Oceanic stand, which I bought used and refurbished
- Four Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue's, w/controller
- A Lifereef LF2 W/D filter
- Iwaki 55RLT main pump
- Lifeguard micron, chemical, and 25W UV modules
- 500W blue-line titanium heater with controller
- Titanium grounding rod
- I am having a plastic fabrication place make a custom ABS canopy to cut down on light wash in the room and improve aesthetics
Based on my research so far, this is my shopping / task list so far:
- Need help (why I am here), do lots of research
- Protein skimmer (I will post to the equipment forum on that)
- Two Ecotech VorTech MP40's for water movement
- Convert W/D to sump/refugium (going to work with Lifereef on that)
- Planning to get another Kessil for the refugium and do chaetomorpha
- Test kits (probably chemical and electronic), need to research
- A vat setup for preparing water for water changes
- My pro in NH is going to get me 135lbs of live rock / sand, and "cure" it for me, and remove bad stuff from it
These are things I am considering, but not sure:
- Automatic top-off system
- Automatic feeder
- Backup power, I have solar panels, so I could get a battery
- Apex or similar controller
- Calcium reactor (might wait on this)
- De-nitrator, need to research these (the one's fed with vodka)
- I have a Kinetico water softener and K5 RO for drinking water, not sure if I can use these for the aquarium or if I will need a separate RO/DI, going to get my tap tested for nitrates and phosphates and such to see
- A separate hospital tank setup, hoping to avoid this but may need it
- There are SO many plugs and wires, I may need to have a separate cabinet next to the tank to store it all, and could also store supplies
These are my goals:
- Going with fish-only w/live rock to start with, and will dabble in corals as my comfort level increases
- Mentor my children in the hobby (two boys, 5 and 7)
- Satisfy the wife - I know she will probably want some fish that will likely be off-limits, so I will have to deal with that. She and the kids are already asking for "Nemo and Dora".... This alone may delay going reef in favor of a tank that can be more flexible with fish species, unless I can talk my wife into two tanks or something
- Invest in the best equipment and automation that I can, I keep aquariums partially to reduce stress, so I am a little scared of how complicated this is at various levels, so let's say I have a healthy respect for this and will take it slow. I can run freshwater tanks in my sleep, but the more I read about reef tanks, my eyes start to bulge a little...
Some of my questions:
- Would appreciate pointing me to any beginners guides or other resources that people here may swear by...
- Specific advise on what I am doing so-far... especially on anything I can do to reduce work such as water changes
Thank you very much in advance
Regards
- Bodai
but eventually I had to give it all up cause I moved to the Philippines, but luckily I went back into the hobby and managed to get a IM Nuvo 16 gal that I now currently have and still running, kicking, etc....I actually think it's a disaster if I show my setup and livestock. 
