Hi, All!
Haven't kept a marine tank in more than a couple of years - since trickle filters with rotating spraybars were the exciting front line of captive reefs - though I've almost never not had freshwater aquaria during the interim. My last marine tank was a 55 gallon reef with just such a filter, and ended up housing one tomato clownfish and a single purple (not orchid) dottyback, which I only saw when it dashed out to destroy any new fish I added to the tank. The temptation is strong though, and I've finally given in; there's a shiny new 65 gallon tank on a stand in the kitchen. (Love the height and depth on this one!)
There's a 300 watt Mars-Aqua LED light sitting in it, which arrived Friday night with one diode gone dark. (I've launched a query to MarsHydro, but haven't heard back yet - it's the weekend, so I'm OK with that!)
Although it wasn't planned, it's beginning to seem as though the "black Friday" timeframe isn't going to be a horrible one for bringing in the equipment I'll need (or want, as the case may be . . . ) to do reefing right.
So, since everything is new, I thought I'd bounce my prospective equipment list off the experienced minds here, and see just how many ways I'm planning to "do it wrong":
Tank & stand are a Petsmart set. Standard 65 gallon, 36x18x30" or so. Stand isn't perfect - there's a shelf in it, which cuts across the main compartment at 18"; that's going to limit sump options, probably to a 20 long. I fear it'll also restrict protien skimming to a HOB.
Skimmer: Reef Octopus Classic 2000
CPR HOB Refugium, 25" (Can you ever have too many 'pods?)
MaxSpect Gyre for water movement
Carib-Sea's "Ocean Direct" oolite sand ... opinions on depth are welcome! ... this would go in the display, the refugium and the 20-long sump, which I'll have a go at DIY-ing. (And will such a small sump be able to handle a power outage?) and could be shallow (maybe deep enough for a fairy or flasher wrasse? I like wrasses...) in the display, but deeper in the 'fuge, the sump or both. Might consider adding a bit of "Miracle Mud" to either 'fuge or sump.
Thinking in terms of an Eheim 600gph or so return from the sump.
After getting things cranked up, I'm considering about 80-90# of liverock, and a mixed group of corals, from zoas & mushrooms to LPS and SPS. (Fortunately, I've got some time to research compatibility and other potential issues while the tank cycles!)
Fish on my list would include fire-gobies, zebra dartfish, yellowtail damsels, Banggai cardinals, neon/sharknose gobies, _maybe_ a young kole tang, and the aforementioned wrasse. Looking to create a tiny habitat to explore, come to know, and get a little bit lost in.
With apologies for such a long first post, and my thanks to all those who've made it this far, any experienced input from the assembled minds would be welcome!
~Bruce
Haven't kept a marine tank in more than a couple of years - since trickle filters with rotating spraybars were the exciting front line of captive reefs - though I've almost never not had freshwater aquaria during the interim. My last marine tank was a 55 gallon reef with just such a filter, and ended up housing one tomato clownfish and a single purple (not orchid) dottyback, which I only saw when it dashed out to destroy any new fish I added to the tank. The temptation is strong though, and I've finally given in; there's a shiny new 65 gallon tank on a stand in the kitchen. (Love the height and depth on this one!)
There's a 300 watt Mars-Aqua LED light sitting in it, which arrived Friday night with one diode gone dark. (I've launched a query to MarsHydro, but haven't heard back yet - it's the weekend, so I'm OK with that!)
Although it wasn't planned, it's beginning to seem as though the "black Friday" timeframe isn't going to be a horrible one for bringing in the equipment I'll need (or want, as the case may be . . . ) to do reefing right.
So, since everything is new, I thought I'd bounce my prospective equipment list off the experienced minds here, and see just how many ways I'm planning to "do it wrong":
Tank & stand are a Petsmart set. Standard 65 gallon, 36x18x30" or so. Stand isn't perfect - there's a shelf in it, which cuts across the main compartment at 18"; that's going to limit sump options, probably to a 20 long. I fear it'll also restrict protien skimming to a HOB.
Skimmer: Reef Octopus Classic 2000
CPR HOB Refugium, 25" (Can you ever have too many 'pods?)
MaxSpect Gyre for water movement
Carib-Sea's "Ocean Direct" oolite sand ... opinions on depth are welcome! ... this would go in the display, the refugium and the 20-long sump, which I'll have a go at DIY-ing. (And will such a small sump be able to handle a power outage?) and could be shallow (maybe deep enough for a fairy or flasher wrasse? I like wrasses...) in the display, but deeper in the 'fuge, the sump or both. Might consider adding a bit of "Miracle Mud" to either 'fuge or sump.
Thinking in terms of an Eheim 600gph or so return from the sump.
After getting things cranked up, I'm considering about 80-90# of liverock, and a mixed group of corals, from zoas & mushrooms to LPS and SPS. (Fortunately, I've got some time to research compatibility and other potential issues while the tank cycles!)
Fish on my list would include fire-gobies, zebra dartfish, yellowtail damsels, Banggai cardinals, neon/sharknose gobies, _maybe_ a young kole tang, and the aforementioned wrasse. Looking to create a tiny habitat to explore, come to know, and get a little bit lost in.
With apologies for such a long first post, and my thanks to all those who've made it this far, any experienced input from the assembled minds would be welcome!
~Bruce
