I have a 75G FW going for the family which sparked my interest into a reef - which I tried back around 1999 and failed due to the usual impatience, using tap water, etc.
I plan to go no smaller than 65G and probably no larger than 90G as I do have limited room.
The FIRST item on my to do list is a kitchen mounted RO/DI which will be around 10-13' from the tank. The tank is near no heat/air vents and no direct sunlight. With a 3 year old daughter there is really no low traffic area..so I AM stuck with my livestock getting scared.
I've been eyeballing the Kent Marine MAXXIMA 50 or MAXXIMA HI-S 60. Gladly will take advice there.
After doing a lot of reading here this evening I've decided a sump with ref is the way I want to go. Probably DIY unless I end up with a used setup that includes a sump. Plenty of used options around town right now.
I plan to, after the RO/DI is installed, test the tank for leaks and fix any leaks if used, if new have manufacturer take care of me, and then clean the setup. If I have to build a sump I'll do this and probably mock my proposed size with cardboard to test fit as I read in the sump beginner article here, and get that in place.
I plan to use as much LS as I can afford and try to stick to the 1lb of LR rule.
I'll do water and set base salinity then add sand and LR (after curing the LR if needed) and properly let the tank cycle.
It's at this point I'll begin planning livestock with the family.
Let me know if I'm on the right track - SO much good information to read here - but I definitely want to do this right the first time around.
-Richard
I plan to go no smaller than 65G and probably no larger than 90G as I do have limited room.
The FIRST item on my to do list is a kitchen mounted RO/DI which will be around 10-13' from the tank. The tank is near no heat/air vents and no direct sunlight. With a 3 year old daughter there is really no low traffic area..so I AM stuck with my livestock getting scared.
I've been eyeballing the Kent Marine MAXXIMA 50 or MAXXIMA HI-S 60. Gladly will take advice there.
After doing a lot of reading here this evening I've decided a sump with ref is the way I want to go. Probably DIY unless I end up with a used setup that includes a sump. Plenty of used options around town right now.
I plan to, after the RO/DI is installed, test the tank for leaks and fix any leaks if used, if new have manufacturer take care of me, and then clean the setup. If I have to build a sump I'll do this and probably mock my proposed size with cardboard to test fit as I read in the sump beginner article here, and get that in place.
I plan to use as much LS as I can afford and try to stick to the 1lb of LR rule.
I'll do water and set base salinity then add sand and LR (after curing the LR if needed) and properly let the tank cycle.
It's at this point I'll begin planning livestock with the family.
Let me know if I'm on the right track - SO much good information to read here - but I definitely want to do this right the first time around.
-Richard
