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Prospective new tank build


Manny Tavan

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with the cold weather coming in, I can't help but plan for a new SPS tank build. I started in the hobby one year ago with a red sea reefer 170 and I have learned so much from it (mostly by committing every single mistake there is). I've been planning this new build for a month now and because I'm still a newbie I would like some feedback if possible

my current set up includes red sea 170, hydra hd26 LED, bubble magus skimmer, jebao dosing pump and brs 2 part, custom sump with refugium and  kessil a80 refugium light, apex 2016, tunze ato, vectra S1 pump, mp10qd. 

 

Tank

- Peninsula tank. Either red sea 500, red sea 650, or a waterbox peninsula tank https://www.waterboxaquariums.com/crystal/crystal-peninsula/

 

Lighting

- Thinking about trying 3 or 4 of the new kessil A360x https://www.kessil.com/products/saltwater_A360X.php

- or Maxpect razor https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/razor-x-300w-led-fixture-maxspect.html

- or Maxspect recurve https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-razor-recurve-led-fixture-maxspect.html

 

Return

- neptune core 20 since I will be running apex again https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cor-20-intelligent-return-pump-neptune-systems.html

 

Skimmer

- bubble magus curve 7 https://www.amazon.com/Bubble-Magus-BM-Curve-Protein-Skimmer/dp/B00AAFVPEK

 

Flow 

- Thinking about having two of the new AI NERO 5 powerheads https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/nero-5-powerhead-3000-gph-aqua-illumination.html

- or going with a gyre pump maxspect 280 https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/xf280-gyre-pump-with-controller-6000-gph-maxspect.html

 

Support

- APEX 2016

 

Dosing

- DHL wifi dosing pumps https://www.marinedepot.com/GHL_Doser_2.1_SA_4_pumps_Black_Dosing_Pumps_Top_Off_for_Aquariums-GHL-0G4802-FIDP-vi.html

- Triton core 7 method https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/core7-base-elements-triton-method.html

 

Refugium light

- Kessil H380 https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/h380-spectral-halo-ii-led-algae-grow-light-kessil.html

 

Rock 

- Caribsea branch liferock https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/branch-liferock-dry-live-rock-caribsea.html

- Going to go for a floating reef aquascape

 

ATO

- I love the tunze https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-osmolator-universal-3155-auto-top-off.html

 

 

 

Anyway, I feel like planning is half the fun...

 

 

 

Edited by Manny Tavan
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Looks like a solid build.  Having just had the 'fuge light conversation with myself, I think the H380 is overkill.  The H80 might save you a few bucks and still works great.  That's what I went with on my P650.  I see you currently are using the A80 which I was curious about since that's the coral light and not the horticulture light.  Does it grow macro very well?  The reason I ask is because I have been trying unsuccessfully to use a AI Prime which is a similar coral-oriented LED.  I thought it would work great but it never did.  That's what finally pushed me over the edge.  

Lot to talk about here but that's what I've been thinking about lately so there's my two cents. 

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Long time no see Dr tavan! Sounds like big plans. Off the top of my head you might want to consider refugium dimensions on sumps for red seas if your gonna run triton. You need that 10% fuge. Unless swapping out sumps. I know the new waterbox ones have an adjustable panel or something. Also, why not just run a Neptune dos vs ghl since your running apex controller already? I know you would need to buy 2 dos’ but programming gonna be easier with the apex in the long run. Flow might be a prob with peninsula. Those new nero’s Look nice but i don’t know if it’ll get water to the other side of the tank. I think I’d just run that gyre instead. Or have it in addition. Anyways, that’s all I can think of from initially reading your list. Keep us updated! 

Edited by mrk13p
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33 minutes ago, youcallmenny said:

Looks like a solid build.  Having just had the 'fuge light conversation with myself, I think the H380 is overkill.  The H80 might save you a few bucks and still works great.  That's what I went with on my P650.  I see you currently are using the A80 which I was curious about since that's the coral light and not the horticulture light.  Does it grow macro very well?  The reason I ask is because I have been trying unsuccessfully to use a AI Prime which is a similar coral-oriented LED.  I thought it would work great but it never did.  That's what finally pushed me over the edge.  

Lot to talk about here but that's what I've been thinking about lately so there's my two cents. 

Sorry i meant h80. It does work well for me right now

33 minutes ago, mrk13p said:

Long time no see Dr tavan! Sounds like big plans. Off the top of my head you might want to consider refugium dimensions on sumps for red seas if your gonna run triton. You need that 10% fuge. Unless swapping out sumps. I know the new waterbox ones have an adjustable panel or something. Also, why not just run a Neptune dos vs ghl since your running apex controller already? I know you would need to buy 2 dos’ but programming gonna be easier with the apex in the long run. Flow might be a prob with peninsula. Those new nero’s Look nice but i don’t know if it’ll get water to the other side of the tank. I think I’d just run that gyre instead. Or have it in addition. Anyways, that’s all I can think of from initially reading your list. Keep us updated! 

Yes will most likely get a custom sump because i don’t use filter socks and I like a larger refugium

 

dos x 2 is definately an option if there is enough room in the cabinet

 

Those nero seem to move to a lot of water  it’s the same rating at the gyre (6000gph)

 

13 minutes ago, Flash21 said:

On the Waterbox note...I’ll let you know about quality next week or so.  Mine should be showing up soonish!  If you care...

 

Would love to know how the quality compares with the red sea. Gallong for gallon they seem more expensive than red sea. Not sure how CS compares to red sea which is the goal standard imo

Edited by Manny Tavan
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I just installed a water box 130.2 system a few weeks ago. Was really impressed with the quality of everything. A few quick things I noticed were...

Liked:

return flow - had two return returns not one. 

Soft closing doors

stand was slick 

quality of the tank seems on par with Red Sea 

plumbing parts were nicer

dislikes:

Didn’t come with a refugium chamber 

auto top off container was built into the sump and was pretty small

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4 hours ago, CuttleFishandCoral said:

I just installed a water box 130.2 system a few weeks ago. Was really impressed with the quality of everything. A few quick things I noticed were...

Liked:

return flow - had two return returns not one. 

Soft closing doors

stand was slick 

quality of the tank seems on par with Red Sea 

plumbing parts were nicer

dislikes:

Didn’t come with a refugium chamber 

auto top off container was built into the sump and was pretty small

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice feedback - thanks!  Need someone to come up with a slick add on for a refugium.  Seems like the ATO may be less of an issue since so many folk direct plumb those in these days.

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Seems like the WB sump varies a lot based on the model. Some have the ato reservoir combined and other separate. Larger sumps do have an adjustable divider between the refugium and skimmer sections. I do like their plumbling (larger systems have manifold and gate valve). I hate the RS diaphragm valve. The WB stand and tank seem high quality. I’m just wondering about customer support at this point...

Edited by Manny Tavan
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There support from what I have dealt with so far is excellent. My tank was delivered yesterday but delivery company never made the attempt to set up drop off times.  I literally got that I ordered the tank and tank was shipped air fright.  That was it.  So I guess I will wait to see what happens.  They did jack up the prices a little bit on selective models.  

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I vote 750 XXL!!  Do you have seating in that room with the wall?  I originally planned to put my tank in our entry way because it has a similar 7' wall, but I ended up putting it in our living room instead.  I'm really glad I did, because I can watch the tank from the couch or chairs while watching TV or in conversation.  

In your subfloor photo, is that a crawlspace or a basement?  Would you be able to set up a mixing station there below the tank?  I ran plumbing from my tank to my mixing station for auto water changes and ATO.  Best decision I've ever made.

Edited by SuncrestReef
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Underneath is just foundation. There is a ton of room down there but I suspect it gets really cold. I did consider putting a mixing station for auto water changes but the goal is to not do water changes with the trident method :)

i plan to keep the reefer 170 for the living room and have the large tank in the dining room which has been empty since we moved in 5 years ago

80968A57-0A72-41E6-AE73-1B83BD8A1E9B.jpeg

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sounds exciting! my 2 cents..

I hear a lot of complaints about the cor pumps. Seems like a waste of money as all you need a return pump to do is return water at one rate... and NOT break.

GHL makes a great doser. I have had zero problems with my bubble magus doser. Again, the DOS pumps are stupid expensive.. and have their shortcomings.. like air bubbles and noise.

I am using an AI prime light in my fuge.. grows just fine but i am looking to buy an led grow light from e bay to try instead. the kessils..well, they are just waaay to expensive for what they are. Just my opinion, they certainly work though.

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4 hours ago, pdxmonkeyboy said:

sounds exciting! my 2 cents..

I hear a lot of complaints about the cor pumps. Seems like a waste of money as all you need a return pump to do is return water at one rate... and NOT break.

GHL makes a great doser. I have had zero problems with my bubble magus doser. Again, the DOS pumps are stupid expensive.. and have their shortcomings.. like air bubbles and noise.

I am using an AI prime light in my fuge.. grows just fine but i am looking to buy an led grow light from e bay to try instead. the kessils..well, they are just waaay to expensive for what they are. Just my opinion, they certainly work though.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

 What schedule and spectrum are you using to grow macro on the prime?  I didn't have a lot of luck with it and I tried a lot of different settings.  Just curious what made yours work. 

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 What schedule and spectrum are you using to grow macro on the prime?  I didn't have a lot of luck with it and I tried a lot of different settings.  Just curious what made yours work. 
I saw a pretty big jump in growth when using this schedule. I run in like 12 or 14 hours each day. I do think an ebay led setup for VEG would be better just haven't got around to it.

f45a9ca923ce66abeb2a9ec9a8389b11.jpg

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