Introducing myself, back in the game!

[Seth401]

What's up guys? Just wanted to introduce myself and tell you my plans. My name is Seth and I will be getting back into the reef game soon. I tore down my 75 SPS dominated about 4 years ago and have been missing it ever since. I'm hoping this time around I can do a little more trading to stalk the tank(wife will be happier haha). Here are my plans for the next tank...please let me know if you have any suggestions and also where to get the best prices on this stuff!

-60 gallon rimless reef ready cube- Maybe deep blue or Marineland? Will be SPS dominated
-Flat white stand- Anyone enjoy building these?
-Skimz 123 mini monster, not sure of sump yet
-ATI led powermodule 24", ATI Sirius, or Gen 3 Radion Pro. Haven't decided yet. Any help would be great here. Last tank was T5 and had great results. I hate the price but the T5/LED mix I think might be the best.
-Vortech MP40 quiet drive-Shouldn't this be enough for a 60 cube when you include the return?
-Aragalive Special grand live sand
-Maybe Tonga dry rock from BRS?

Anyway look forward to keeping you guys in the loop. I'm hoping to begin making purchases by the end of the month. Won't be super fast, have to be crafty about how much my wife thinks these items cost. Haha

 

[Oscaror]

Welcome to the forum! For water flow in a 60 cube I'd recommend a maxpect gyre. Put it sideways in a corner and it'll make a a cyclone around the rocks, giving them equal flow (no dead spots). Hope it all goes well for you

 

[Tahoe61]

Welcome!

Sounds like an excellent set up. The ATI T5/LED is my preference, wish I could afford the fixture.

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Hi Seth. Welcome to the birmingham group. Where do you live?

Thanks
Randy

 

[Seth401]

Thanks Randy. I live in Hoover. Ordered my cube today!

 

[Fieryfrog]

Welcome home Seth. There is a good local community here. I have met some good people. And have gotten some great advice and coral.

 

[Seth401]

Thanks Fieryfrog. Just ordered my skimmer and the Maxspect Gyre(thanks Oscaror).

 

[hawkinsrgk]

I absolutely love my Maxspect. Such a great powerhead. I was able to replace 4 Sicce 1600GPH with it.

Where at in Hoover. I'm in Hoover as well. I am next to Simmons Middle School on Patton Chapel Road.

 

[Seth401]

Nice!!! I'm around the corner in the Preserve

 

[dorky]

Oh u def gonna love the Gyre I brought two of em and they work way better than the vortech esp for the price

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Nice!!! I'm around the corner in the Preserve

Awesome. That is really close. You are more than welcome to come over and check out my tank or as my wife calls it my "money pit"

 

[Seth401]

I will for sure soon. Yeah the Mrs. Isnt terribly excited about about the new tank. That ATI led won't be my favorite conversation

 

[Chameleon]

Hi Seth,
Welcome back. Your tank thoughts sound great! I'm running T'5s and leds at the moment and gotta say I love the combination. The ATI hybrid would be my preference on your list, but the radions have been proven to be good stand alone led units. I'm a fan of the MP40s and have two on my 58 gallon display. I'm in Hoover as well, on Chapel Rd. in Bluff Park. Feel free to come by sometime and I'm sure you will leave with some frags
-Tyler

 

[Seth401]

Awesome! Appreciate it Chameleon. I pick up my tank Tuesday and the build begins...Went with the ATI. Should have all of my equipment here by Saturday.

 

[Seth401]

Equipment starting to roll in...

 

[Seth401]

Equipment starting to roll in...

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Your setup made me think about something when I was a kid. Thought I would share.

The maxspect will be really strong in a 60G cube. It will not be a problem because you will be able to turn it down, put on its side, etc. Anyway when I was around 5 or 6, my parents got me a goldfish and a goldfish bowl. I realized the goldfish needed some exercise so I thought I would help him out so I took a pencil and stirred the water in the goldfish bowl so he could swim against the current. That incident worked out. What didn't work out was when I thought he was cold.

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Oh one other thing. Not sure how you plan to start your cycle process. Once you get everything going if you need a cup of sand, a small rock or some water from a water change to kick start things let me know. I will be more than happy to help.

Thanks
Randy

 

[Seth401]

Randy,

I might take you up on one of those, thanks. By the way guys... Anyone have strong opinions about baffles or no baffles in the sump? I bought a 20 H and am trying to decide if I should add baffles. Or maybe just do auto top off?

 

[hawkinsrgk]

I have had both and I like the baffles better. The main reason is being able to keep the water level in the skimmer consistent. With the new tipoff I'm not sure how much of an issue it would be