Back in w/ a Reefer 350...

[governorg]

Good evening everyone!

After a long 5 years away from the hobby (a flood in my basement destroyed my 75G reef tank) I am excited to get back in. After doing some research online I have listed out below what my purchase order will look like. In addition, I will be running my new system with the Neptune APEX Controller. Any guidance or comments is greatly appreciated, as you will see I have other questions listed throughout. Thank you in advance for your advice.

1. Red Sea Reefer 350 - always loved the look and design
2. (2) Radion Blue XR-15-G5 lights - any feedback on these vs. others would be appreciated - my experience is with LPS not SPS, but possibly interested in SPS in the future
3. (2) AI Nero 5 Wave Pump OR (2) EcoTech MP40 - I previously had MP10s and loved them, but I hear the AI Nero are also excellent
4. Quantum 120 Nyos Skimmer - previously ran a Octopus 110 - any suggestions on the skimmer
5. Neptune COR 20 Pump
6. APEX Control system
7. Live Rock - in the past I always used live rock, from what I hear this is no longer the situation, any recommendations would be greatly appreciated regarding rock

Have a wonderful 2021 and I wish you all the best!
-GovernorG

 

[Phil D.]

For rock I would go with the Life Rock. I did and it worked out fine. I have the Red Sea Max E-260 and you will like the 350.

 

[SaltyT]

Welcome back to the hobby!

I love my Red Sea tank, you’ll love yours too. I went with 2 MP40s and am very happy with them. I would recommend using live rock if you can or at least adding some live rock if you go with dry rock. I‘m not familiar with the other equipment on your list but others will chime in.

Start a build thread so we can follow your progress. Best of luck!

 

[Jeffcb]

Welcome back to Reefing.

 

[WirelessMike]

Welcome to the reef!

 

[Zach B]

Welcome back sounds like a sweet setup!

 

[governorg]

For rock I would go with the Life Rock. I did and it worked out fine. I have the Red Sea Max E-260 and you will like the 350.

Great! Thank you I will look in that.

 

[governorg]

Welcome back to the hobby!

I love my Red Sea tank, you’ll love yours too. I went with 2 MP40s and am very happy with them. I would recommend using live rock if you can or at least adding some live rock if you go with dry rock. I‘m not familiar with the other equipment on your list but others will chime in.

Start a build thread so we can follow your progress. Best of luck!

Absolutely will build out a thread

 

[vetteguy53081]

Welcome back to the hobby and to the R2R community

 

[Mrod]

Welcome back to the hobby!

I love my Red Sea tank, you’ll love yours too. I went with 2 MP40s and am very happy with them. I would recommend using live rock if you can or at least adding some live rock if you go with dry rock. I‘m not familiar with the other equipment on your list but others will chime in.

Start a build thread so we can follow your progress. Best of luck!

Agree. In hindsight I regret not using all or partial live rock

 

[dblhelix]

Agree. In hindsight I regret not using all or partial live rock

Why do you regret not using all or partial live rock? I used to have a 90 gal reef back in the early to late 90s and used real live rock from all over the world that had feather dusters, christmas trees, sponges and all kinds of critters on it. But I don't think you can get high quality live rock like this any longer...maybe you can. But anyway, I am setting up a new 350 RS reefer and was going to built my scape out of dry rock and fill it up with corals so Im interested in knowing your answer.