65galDT/20galST

[Sawyer Breslow]

So my tank has been cycling for a week and I just finalized my rockscape!What do you guys think?!?! About 55lbs of Marco Dry with 40lbs of Caribbean Fiji Pink Live sand. My tank is a planet aquarium 36x20x21 with a center overflow. Heres a list of the guts:

- Trigger Crystal 30 sump
- Reef Octopus Classic 110-S Skimmer
-Sicce Syncra 3.0 Return Pump
-Smart ATO Micro Auto
-5gal ATO reservoir(cool drawer filling design!)
-Aquatop 200W heater

Uptop:
-2 MP10 Echotechs
-haven’t gotten lights yet. Planning on 2 AI Primes

 

[NY_Caveman]

Looks like a great start!

 

[Eric Jensen]

I have a 65 with the same sump and I’m happy with it. You’ve got a great equipment list so far.

 

[Sawyer Breslow]

I have a 65 with the same sump and I’m happy with it. You’ve got a great equipment list so far.

Thoughts on the lights? Haven’t picked them up yet so I’m all ears.

 

[JMarble0407]

Thoughts on the lights? Haven’t picked them up yet so I’m all ears.

I really enjoy the AI Prime HD lights. Tons of control. Have had lots of luck with them. There are a ton of great LED companies out there though.

 

[Eric Jensen]

Thoughts on the lights? Haven’t picked them up yet so I’m all ears.

I’ve got 2 Radions xr15s which are great. 2 AI primes would be great as well. Can’t go wrong with those.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Love the scape! Looks like a great start

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome to R2R and your tank looks great as well as gear listed.

You asked about lighting and several great ones out there for sure as you are seeing by input so far.

On my 36-inch wide custom 65g, I use a Radion G-4 XR30 with great results, coverage and more than satisfied with it. I guess I use the Radion not because I think it is the best rather so used to using them since they were first introduced. Eh.

 

[Sawyer Breslow]

Okay, I’m now wondering about the heater that I have. Will the 200W be sufficient enough for a 85 gal total volume? I have the heater submerged in my sump. Also, my house currently can drop to 63deg during the day when I’m gone so about a 15 degree difference from my desired water temp at 78deg.

 

[JMarble0407]

I would get a second. What I did was connect the back up to an Ink Bird temp controller and set the controller to 76 (Ink Birds are cheap). If the main heater doesn't do the whole job or blows out on you for some reason, you have the back up from the Bird.
Cool scape!

 

[Mical]

Nice! +1 on a second heater, redundancy (especially heaters) is insurance.

 

[JMarble0407]

I would get a second. What I did was connect the back up to an Ink Bird temp controller and set the controller to 76 (Ink Birds are cheap). If the main heater doesn't do the whole job or blows out on you for some reason, you have the back up from the Bird.
Cool scape!

My Tank. Planning on moving from my house within 5 years so i'm on a Reefer 170. When I do get long term housing, going big!

 

[Mical]

Nice sump and control setup

 

[JMarble0407]

Nice sump and control setup

Thanks. My controller cabinet is on the side. Trying to keep everything dry!

 

[Mical]

Yea, I just did the same - controls in separate cabinet (not to hijack thread)

 

[JMarble0407]

Yea, I just did the same - controls in separate cabinet (not to hijack thread)

Haha, I was just thinking that. Sorry to main dude.
Yeah, that's very nice. Super clean. Awesome man

 

[Sawyer Breslow]

I would get a second. What I did was connect the back up to an Ink Bird temp controller and set the controller to 76 (Ink Birds are cheap). If the main heater doesn't do the whole job or blows out on you for some reason, you have the back up from the Bird.
Cool scape!

Should I keep both heaters in the sump?

 

[JMarble0407]

Should I keep both heaters in the sump?

Yes. Keep them both in sump.

 

[Sawyer Breslow]

Haha, I was just thinking that. Sorry to main dude.
Yeah, that's very nice. Super clean. Awesome man

No worries! Something to strive for someday. Probably a bit overkill for a tank my size and limited on space for second cabinet to house electrics and such.

I basically just mounted my power strip to a sheet of ply wood and I have it resting behind my cabinet. Kinda messy right now but getting some cable management soon

 

[Captain Quint]

Okay, I’m now wondering about the heater that I have. Will the 200W be sufficient enough for a 85 gal total volume? I have the heater submerged in my sump. Also, my house currently can drop to 63deg during the day when I’m gone so about a 15 degree difference from my desired water temp at 78deg.

I prefer running two 300w heaters with one set a little lower than the primary for my ~80 TUWV. (total usable water volume)