Reef tank for living room

[aic]

We were recently given a nano reef tank and had help setting it up and all is going pretty smooth. I recently started cycling a 40g tank in our rec room and have really liked the possibilities of having something larger.

My wife has really been enjoying the nano, but we both agree that we'd like something larger as it opens up possibilities for stocking and also makes for a more stable system.

From what I see, if your wife says buy a bigger tank you do it ASAP :lmao:

The nano is currently in our living room and we'd be swapping out a new tank in that spot. I'm looking for some insight on options for a new tank.

I came across the 70g cadlights artisan. I liked the fact that stand looked nice and would not look out of place in a living room and the system aspect of it looked appealing. But read some reviews about the customer service and the build quality on the stand to be lacking.

Targeting approximately 70g tank that would look in our living room. From what I see the custom makers are making beautiful pieces, but charging a lot more $$ than the cadlights. Any other makers in that price range? Thoughts?
Has anyone ever experienced issues with having a rimless tank (in regards to smell or noise) in a living area?

 

[oseymour]

I have the red sea reefer 350 which is about 73 ish gallons in the display. Looks great and is a couple of hundred dollars more.

 

[Flaring Afro]

Will you have a sump? If so, I highly suggest going the beananimal drain route if noise is your concern. I'm more of a DIY guy and always go with canopies so I can't help with your other questions.

 

[aic]

Will you have a sump? If so, I highly suggest going the beananimal drain route if noise is your concern. I'm more of a DIY guy and always go with canopies so I can't help with your other questions.

Yes, will definitely have a sump.

 

[Mark9]

I have the red sea reefer 350 which is about 73 ish gallons in the display. Looks great and is a couple of hundred dollars more.

I concur, that would be a good choice.

And off topic, aseymour, your tank looks great, I would like to see a color corrected picture though.

 

[boshk]

Reefer 350 as stated above is nice, I have a reefer 170 which is 24in long. The 350 would be 4ft.

Things you might want to know though, the cabinet is very nice but it's split by a divider so if you intend to get something like a trigger system sump just short of your DT length, you can't.
I don't think you can remove or 'just not install the partition' think it might be there as a support beam.

Reefer sump doesn't have a chamber for refugium, u have to diy it or use the ATO reservoir.

Rimless reefer tank I is very nice, glass is crystal clear.
Overflow is great when it's dialled in.....small adjustment and wait.

 

[aic]

Reefer 350 as stated above is nice, I have a reefer 170 which is 24in long. The 350 would be 4ft.

Things you might want to know though, the cabinet is very nice but it's split by a divider so if you intend to get something like a trigger system sump just short of your DT length, you can't.
I don't think you can remove or 'just not install the partition' think it might be there as a support beam.

Reefer sump doesn't have a chamber for refugium, u have to diy it or use the ATO reservoir.

Rimless reefer tank I is very nice, glass is crystal clear.
Overflow is great when it's dialled in.....small adjustment and wait.

Do you have the dimensions? Also any pictures of the inside of the stand?

 

[njcastillo86]

I also second the Reefer. I set up a 425xl about 2 months ago, looks great, super simple to set up and is dead quite for a living room. Also if you are looking for something with a fuge you can place a smaller tank in the side cabinet and plumb your return to feed it or simply throw in a smaller pump in the sump. I thought about doing that with mine I just didn't want to take on the extra project since its already set up.

 

[75mixedreef]

I like 75 gallon tanks, 90s are good too. They are a decent size and that 48" really helps for fish to have space to swim. Its not difficult to light them and they are not oversized. Ultimately you have to get one that works for you, but there is no reason you have to go with a special tank. The standard size ones are good enough to hold water. Just dill them or buy a reef ready.

 

[boshk]

Do you have the dimensions? Also any pictures of the inside of the stand?

I don't, I'm still debating whether to upgrade from 170 to 350.

If you google reefer 350 cabinet, there are quite a few, some really nicely setup, but as I stated, I highly doubt you can remove the partition if you want a sump same length as your tank.

Maybe message the Red Sea representative on their sponsor channel.

(There is one annoying thing about Reefer tank though, maybe its just the 170 model, but the single filter sock holder.....leaks...
so there is a constant 'drip drip drip' noise.

MAYBE the flow is too much, so there is too much water down flowing into sump, so the sock can't cope?? Default 225 felt sock, and even the nylon red sea sock is similar. I only have a Jebao DCT4000 set at 5th LED out of 10, rated at 4000L/Hr ...roughly 1056G/hr....so I assume 5th LED means I'm pumping roughly 500G+)

 

[boshk]

I also second the Reefer. I set up a 425xl about 2 months ago, looks great, super simple to set up and is dead quite for a living room. Also if you are looking for something with a fuge you can place a smaller tank in the side cabinet and plumb your return to feed it or simply throw in a smaller pump in the sump. I thought about doing that with mine I just didn't want to take on the extra project since its already set up.

I've seen a few post on people doing that, drill two 1+ inch holes in partition, put a tank on a stand in side cabinet and use it as a refugium. Refug light cant get into sump area to create algae and water volume increased, gravity draws the refug water back into sump.

bottom part for misc stuff.

 

[CafeReef]

Reefer's are great looking tanks. If budget is something to consider, and you are a fan of cadlights, look at SCAquariums. Steve is a great guy and (unless this is wrong) used to be part of Cadlights before they split. Customer service from SCA is top notch. Lots of people on this forum have SCA tanks including myself, great tanks, great value and include sump, return pumps, stand, tank etc.