Wanted to use this thread to document my journey back into this hobby.
I once ran 7 separate tank systems, varying from a tiny bowfront nanoreef with clownfish and mushrooms at my desk at work, all the way up to a 300 gallon with aggressive fish and a rescued remora that I eventually donated to an aquarium in Florida.
But... that was 15 years ago. Looking through threads and seeing new systems from my friends makes me realize how much things have incredibly changed. Kalkwasser was novel and folks had just started getting into DIY LED fixtures when I shut down my last tank!
I've acquired a drilled 90 gallon (unfortunately the overflow is on the left side, but can't argue the price) that will need some cleanup. I'm in the process of designing the stand to match our built-in bookcases. So far my spend:
RODI cheapo unit from Amazon: $58
RO hose adapter: $7
Bucket of Instant Ocean: $36
80GPH pump to mix: $8
7Gal potable container: $15
Digital TDS Meter: $0
I hooked up the RODI unit and I'm getting readings <3ppm. Going to let it run some more until I get a little closer to 0.
I'm planning on using a 20gal long for the sump, and would like a refugium with DSB. My other planned purchases:
- Reef Octopus Skimmer 110-INT ($200)
- DC Sump Pump, somewhere around 1000GPH ($100)
- Reef Breeders 48" ($700)
- 60-80lbs of dry rock ($100)
- 100-150 lbs of aragonite ($50)
- 300W Fluval E heater ($50)
- Acrylic baffles (??)
Based on my design, I believe my base cabinet is going to cost around $80 to build, plus paint. The cabinet doors should be another $80.
Very excited, and can't wait for the next few months to be gone! :lol:
I once ran 7 separate tank systems, varying from a tiny bowfront nanoreef with clownfish and mushrooms at my desk at work, all the way up to a 300 gallon with aggressive fish and a rescued remora that I eventually donated to an aquarium in Florida.
But... that was 15 years ago. Looking through threads and seeing new systems from my friends makes me realize how much things have incredibly changed. Kalkwasser was novel and folks had just started getting into DIY LED fixtures when I shut down my last tank!
I've acquired a drilled 90 gallon (unfortunately the overflow is on the left side, but can't argue the price) that will need some cleanup. I'm in the process of designing the stand to match our built-in bookcases. So far my spend:
RODI cheapo unit from Amazon: $58
RO hose adapter: $7
Bucket of Instant Ocean: $36
80GPH pump to mix: $8
7Gal potable container: $15
Digital TDS Meter: $0
I hooked up the RODI unit and I'm getting readings <3ppm. Going to let it run some more until I get a little closer to 0.
I'm planning on using a 20gal long for the sump, and would like a refugium with DSB. My other planned purchases:
- Reef Octopus Skimmer 110-INT ($200)
- DC Sump Pump, somewhere around 1000GPH ($100)
- Reef Breeders 48" ($700)
- 60-80lbs of dry rock ($100)
- 100-150 lbs of aragonite ($50)
- 300W Fluval E heater ($50)
- Acrylic baffles (??)
Based on my design, I believe my base cabinet is going to cost around $80 to build, plus paint. The cabinet doors should be another $80.
Very excited, and can't wait for the next few months to be gone! :lol:
