Been on R2R and in the salt game for a little over a year so still a rookie for the most part! Started with a 60 cube. Build thread here:
60 gallon reef cube build
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/60-gallon-reef-cube-build.241742/
Decided I wanted to go with a longer tank for more coral and fish real estate and I like the dimensions of the 75 gallon tanks so doing a slight upgrade. Going from 60 up to 75 gallons plus a larger sump so getting a little more water volume but not a massive increase. Unfortunately, as far as ease of upgrade, the new tank has to go where the old one sits now. So I will have to break down old tank, place its inhabitants into totes, set up new tank, then transfer rocks, fish, and coral into new tank. I will eventually be posting some goodies from the old tank for sale. I'm re-using a few things from it but also splurged on some upgrades I certainly could have done without.
Tank is a Deep Blue RR Edge 75. Top is rimless but bottom has a rim. Regretting this choice a tiny bit due to the size of the overflow on these tanks but not enough to switch it up. I bought a Tunze rock magnetic frag rack to stick to the overflow so going to try to take advantage of that lost space.
Custom built stand. Made by the same local woodworker who made my 60 cube stand. He does awesome work and he has tanks so he knows what is required from a weight bearing standpoint.
Trigger Emerald 34 sump. Really excited about some of the added features compared to my current Ruby Cube 20 sump.
Trigger Emerald 3.5L dosing container.
Trigger Ruby 5 gallon ATO reservoir (off old build).
Icecap K2-120 protein skimmer (off old build. Going to see if it's big enough for new system and upgrade if needed. It's rated for 75 gallon with heavy load so hopefully it'll do the job).
2 - Vortech MP40 wireless QD.
Ecotech Vectra M1 return pump. (Upgrading from current Reef Octopus 3500 DC. I like the idea of being able to hook the Vectra up to battery backup and now I have a really nice backup with the Reef Octopus).
2 - Radion XR15w Pro G4 w/ RMS mounts.
Ecotech Reeflink and Battery backup. (off old build).
Tunze Osmolator ATO (off old build).
Emperor Aquatics Smart UV Lite 25W UV w/ Sicce silent 3.0 pump. (off old build).
Neptune Systems Apex Controller new model with FMK.
Finnex Titanium hmo-200 heater. (off old build).
BRS mini media reactor. (off old build. Debating getting an Avast Marine Spyglass media reactor to use instead if I have room in the sump).
I think that sums up most of the equipment. A couple of small changes for new tank that I regretted doing or not doing on old one:
Using all new sand but not going with a DSB on new tank. Should only be 1" to 1 1/2". I haven't had any issues with my current DSB and it seems to be working as they are intended. I just don't want to be limited on what fish or critters I can put in the tank that might disturb the DSB. Also the new tank is 20" tall instead of 24" so don't want to give up that real estate.
Also going to paint the back of this tank black. Old tank was left clear.
I'm going to use Marine Pure blocks and spheres in new sump versus sand in the old sump refugium. Thought long and hard about this due to seeing possible aluminum leeching from Marine Pure but I see too many beautiful tanks utilizing it and I like the benefits it adds.
60 gallon reef cube build
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/60-gallon-reef-cube-build.241742/
Decided I wanted to go with a longer tank for more coral and fish real estate and I like the dimensions of the 75 gallon tanks so doing a slight upgrade. Going from 60 up to 75 gallons plus a larger sump so getting a little more water volume but not a massive increase. Unfortunately, as far as ease of upgrade, the new tank has to go where the old one sits now. So I will have to break down old tank, place its inhabitants into totes, set up new tank, then transfer rocks, fish, and coral into new tank. I will eventually be posting some goodies from the old tank for sale. I'm re-using a few things from it but also splurged on some upgrades I certainly could have done without.
Tank is a Deep Blue RR Edge 75. Top is rimless but bottom has a rim. Regretting this choice a tiny bit due to the size of the overflow on these tanks but not enough to switch it up. I bought a Tunze rock magnetic frag rack to stick to the overflow so going to try to take advantage of that lost space.
Custom built stand. Made by the same local woodworker who made my 60 cube stand. He does awesome work and he has tanks so he knows what is required from a weight bearing standpoint.
Trigger Emerald 34 sump. Really excited about some of the added features compared to my current Ruby Cube 20 sump.
Trigger Emerald 3.5L dosing container.
Trigger Ruby 5 gallon ATO reservoir (off old build).
Icecap K2-120 protein skimmer (off old build. Going to see if it's big enough for new system and upgrade if needed. It's rated for 75 gallon with heavy load so hopefully it'll do the job).
2 - Vortech MP40 wireless QD.
Ecotech Vectra M1 return pump. (Upgrading from current Reef Octopus 3500 DC. I like the idea of being able to hook the Vectra up to battery backup and now I have a really nice backup with the Reef Octopus).
2 - Radion XR15w Pro G4 w/ RMS mounts.
Ecotech Reeflink and Battery backup. (off old build).
Tunze Osmolator ATO (off old build).
Emperor Aquatics Smart UV Lite 25W UV w/ Sicce silent 3.0 pump. (off old build).
Neptune Systems Apex Controller new model with FMK.
Finnex Titanium hmo-200 heater. (off old build).
BRS mini media reactor. (off old build. Debating getting an Avast Marine Spyglass media reactor to use instead if I have room in the sump).
I think that sums up most of the equipment. A couple of small changes for new tank that I regretted doing or not doing on old one:
Using all new sand but not going with a DSB on new tank. Should only be 1" to 1 1/2". I haven't had any issues with my current DSB and it seems to be working as they are intended. I just don't want to be limited on what fish or critters I can put in the tank that might disturb the DSB. Also the new tank is 20" tall instead of 24" so don't want to give up that real estate.
Also going to paint the back of this tank black. Old tank was left clear.
I'm going to use Marine Pure blocks and spheres in new sump versus sand in the old sump refugium. Thought long and hard about this due to seeing possible aluminum leeching from Marine Pure but I see too many beautiful tanks utilizing it and I like the benefits it adds.
