Folks-
I am about 6 weeks away from moving, and as part of the moving deal, my wife has agreed to the "new tank" rider. So.... It looks like I'll be getting a 5x2x2ish 150 g system (currently stalking the RS Max S 650).
I am planning for a mixed reef, with an elegant design that is visually appealing and easy for me to maintain. Automation is allowed!
It will be going along a 15 foot (give or take) wall with endcaps. I have already run a line from a closet where I will make RO/DI water, to this center of this wall so I can replace evaporation.
As I continue planning, I have a few questions that I'd like some ideas on.
1. Any structural things I can do to the new location to make life better? There will not be a "fish room" or large dedicated space. I am allocated part of the wall, and a closet- that's it. Install must be clean and professional and not look like a science project. I am thinking I'll probably replace the outlet, which will be behind the tank - with some sort of water proofed one.
I had the builder put a water line in the closet, and I will have a drain for the RO/DI waste water. I did not plan a real drain (mistake) :debi:for water changes. What am I missing?
2. I will be moving the contents of a 72g tank into this new tank. So the plan is to get the new tank up and running, and then move the livestock in with as much water as I can move. A few fish, corals, and liverock. Question - given this sequence - any thoughts on how I should handle adding new rock and sand? I will need a lot of new rock - large pieces particularly. Should I build the basic 'scape with dead base rock, and dry sand and then move my existing rock and some sand in to seed it? Or am I better off getting LR and dealing with time for a cycle? My main constraints are 1) need to move to tank swiftly, 2) cannot have buckets of rotting rock sitting in brand new house or the master bedroom will be closed to me, 3) am not in a rush to get new fish etc beyond the 3 I have - so low bio load at first while things stabilize.
I am about 6 weeks away from moving, and as part of the moving deal, my wife has agreed to the "new tank" rider. So.... It looks like I'll be getting a 5x2x2ish 150 g system (currently stalking the RS Max S 650).
I am planning for a mixed reef, with an elegant design that is visually appealing and easy for me to maintain. Automation is allowed!
It will be going along a 15 foot (give or take) wall with endcaps. I have already run a line from a closet where I will make RO/DI water, to this center of this wall so I can replace evaporation.
As I continue planning, I have a few questions that I'd like some ideas on.
1. Any structural things I can do to the new location to make life better? There will not be a "fish room" or large dedicated space. I am allocated part of the wall, and a closet- that's it. Install must be clean and professional and not look like a science project. I am thinking I'll probably replace the outlet, which will be behind the tank - with some sort of water proofed one.
I had the builder put a water line in the closet, and I will have a drain for the RO/DI waste water. I did not plan a real drain (mistake) :debi:for water changes. What am I missing?
2. I will be moving the contents of a 72g tank into this new tank. So the plan is to get the new tank up and running, and then move the livestock in with as much water as I can move. A few fish, corals, and liverock. Question - given this sequence - any thoughts on how I should handle adding new rock and sand? I will need a lot of new rock - large pieces particularly. Should I build the basic 'scape with dead base rock, and dry sand and then move my existing rock and some sand in to seed it? Or am I better off getting LR and dealing with time for a cycle? My main constraints are 1) need to move to tank swiftly, 2) cannot have buckets of rotting rock sitting in brand new house or the master bedroom will be closed to me, 3) am not in a rush to get new fish etc beyond the 3 I have - so low bio load at first while things stabilize.
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