New build after 5 years

Letterkenny · Sep 12, 2019

I got my wife onboard the hobby so major hurdle crossed there. We are avid scuba divers (me being a dive master) so want to bring some of this into our new home. My goal is ULM and automation and am planning on making my own water for the first time with this. That said, mainly looking for advice on the parting out the new build:

Tank - leaning towards a JBJ 45 flat panel rimless that I can get from my LFS for $650 with stand. Any reasons why I shouldn’t get this tank? Hard for me to justify the extra premium going to a Waterbox or Red Sea reefer.
Lighting - assuming the above tank, what should I get? Been thinking 1) AI Prime (and getting a second down the road if needed) 2) 2x AI Prime from the beginning or 3) 1x Hydra 26
Skimmer - any recommendations? Maybe a tunze 9001/9004?
ATO - again any recommendations? Preferably no float and thinking one of the micro ATOs
Pumps - was thinking an MP10 purely to get the battery backup down the road. I would also like to replace the rear pumps from the start with 1 larger and a Y valve. Any recommendations and do I need anything further? Will be getting the IM nozzle spinners for the flow.
Filtration - will run what I am used to - chemipure elite, purigen. Thoughts on a media reactor/Fuge? Never had either and am trying to go ULM.
Dosing - I’m planning on only LPS and softies. Not a fan of SPS personally. Never did I dose but is it needed?

Peace River · Sep 12, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!! Others will jump in soon with recommendations, but in the mean time I wanted to let you know that we are glad you're here!

#WelcometoR2R #reefsquad

saltyhog · Sep 12, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

Sounds like you've thought it out well!

1. I like the tank choice, lots of bang for your buck. If space and budget allow I would think about the 65 gallon JBJ. With the 36 inch length it introduces more fish choices and easier aquascaping.

2. On the lighting I think I would go with the two AI Primes or consider one of the Chinese black boxes?

3. Skimmer...no recs on a tank that size and an AIO. I have a 10 gallon IM Fusion with LPS/zoas and no skimmer.

4.ATO. I have an Aqua gadget on mine but I think I would go with the Tunze 3155 if there is room in the return chamber. Built in fail safe and a primary optic sensor that cant get clogged with debris or by a snail.

5. MP 10 is a great powerhead but a gyre would work well too. I love all of my Sicce return pumps. Very quiet and compact. I have tried the IM spin nozzle and I much prefer the random flow generators. Much more reliable/low maintenance and better random flow IME.

Letterkenny · Sep 13, 2019

saltyhog said:
Welcome to R2R!

Sounds like you've thought it out well!

1. I like the tank choice, lots of bang for your buck. If space and budget allow I would think about the 65 gallon JBJ. With the 36 inch length it introduces more fish choices and easier aquascaping.

2. On the lighting I think I would go with the two AI Primes or consider one of the Chinese black boxes?

3. Skimmer...no recs on a tank that size and an AIO. I have a 10 gallon IM Fusion with LPS/zoas and no skimmer.

4.ATO. I have an Aqua gadget on mine but I think I would go with the Tunze 3155 if there is room in the return chamber. Built in fail safe and a primary optic sensor that cant get clogged with debris or by a snail.

5. MP 10 is a great powerhead but a gyre would work well too. I love all of my Sicce return pumps. Very quiet and compact. I have tried the IM spin nozzle and I much prefer the random flow generators. Much more reliable/low maintenance and better random flow IME.

Thanks for the reply. I’ve considered the 65 but am leaning against it mainly due to overall cost creep from the larger tank. My current plan is to really only stock it with a pair of clowns and maybe a goby so I can keep the bioload low. My wife and I travel and have a pet sitter already but I don’t want to count on them doing water changes so need to plan for the tank to be stable for that period of time.

I’m not familiar with the Black Box, the random flow nozzle, or a gyre but will check it out. The Sicce was the return pump I am thinking of but couldn’t remember the name off the top of my head when making the post. I guess it’s tike to make a couple part lists here and see what the total damage will be.

ProfessorAronnax · Sep 13, 2019

Letterkenny said:
I got my wife onboard the hobby so major hurdle crossed there. We are avid scuba divers (me being a dive master) so want to bring some of this into our new home. My goal is ULM and automation and am planning on making my own water for the first time with this. That said, mainly looking for advice on the parting out the new build:

Tank - leaning towards a JBJ 45 flat panel rimless that I can get from my LFS for $650 with stand. Any reasons why I shouldn’t get this tank? Hard for me to justify the extra premium going to a Waterbox or Red Sea reefer.

Lighting - assuming the above tank, what should I get? Been thinking 1) AI Prime (and getting a second down the road if needed) 2) 2x AI Prime from the beginning or 3) 1x Hydra 26

Skimmer - any recommendations? Maybe a tunze 9001/9004?

ATO - again any recommendations? Preferably no float and thinking one of the micro ATOs

Pumps - was thinking an MP10 purely to get the battery backup down the road. I would also like to replace the rear pumps from the start with 1 larger and a Y valve. Any recommendations and do I need anything further? Will be getting the IM nozzle spinners for the flow.

Filtration - will run what I am used to - chemipure elite, purigen. Thoughts on a media reactor/Fuge? Never had either and am trying to go ULM.

Dosing - I’m planning on only LPS and softies. Not a fan of SPS personally. Never did I dose but is it needed?

Welcome to R2R!

JBJ has been around for a long time and make one heck of a tank. I know you are having a hard time justifying it, but hear me out:
1) I run a Redsea MaxE170. Wasnt going to originally, but it came fully loaded. Brand new lighting system and profile (Reef 90 LED) that is 10x easier to use than any other lighting interface on the market. Comes with a skimmer for the rear sump section. Not a skimmer like those IM towers, but a big ole honker that skims as well as anything I've ever used. That craftsman ship is second to none on the tank design. The cabinet is super sleek and comes with a killer control panel for everything in the tank. The price may be higher on the sytem,however, this is one serious dude and truly a piece of furniture. You would not be disappointed.

2) Lighting for me is he RedSea Reef90 LED. The programming is literally plug and play. The spectrums come in preset- all you have to do is adjust for intensity.

I think you can get this light for around 300.

3)My ATO is a Tunze 3155. I love it. Adds a few layers of redundancy such as a 10 minute auto shut off feature, control over head pressure height, pump works well in a kalk solution, has a small round backup float that sounds an alarm in case of overfill. I'm glad I made this purchase.

4) Never ran a fuge or media reactor on an AIO tank before, but you very well could! I generally have always stuck with media bags for aesthetic reasons though. I do have a bag of Marinepure gems in the back of mytank for extra nutrient break down.

5) My power head is an MP10 QD. The little dude really pushes water. Plus I can change it from constant to tidal surge to random or to a standing wave. The price is high but these pumps are proven!!! I probably wouldn't use the battery backup that Ecotech has for them though. I have read 3 or 4 good reviews out of 100. When m power goes out- I run a generator. Harbor Freight sells a generator for 100 dollars that works a million times better than a battery back up.

I'm like you-love my softies and lps. The movement is what really relaxes me. Across don sway...honestly the colors are sick but they're kinda boring. Anyway- those are my thoughts and opinions! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Reesj · Sep 13, 2019

Letterkenny · Sep 13, 2019

ProfessorAronnax said:
Welcome to R2R!

JBJ has been around for a long time and make one heck of a tank. I know you are having a hard time justifying it, but hear me out:
1) I run a Redsea MaxE170. Wasnt going to originally, but it came fully loaded. Brand new lighting system and profile (Reef 90 LED) that is 10x easier to use than any other lighting interface on the market. Comes with a skimmer for the rear sump section. Not a skimmer like those IM towers, but a big ole honker that skims as well as anything I've ever used. That craftsman ship is second to none on the tank design. The cabinet is super sleek and comes with a killer control panel for everything in the tank. The price may be higher on the sytem,however, this is one serious dude and truly a piece of furniture. You would not be disappointed.

2) Lighting for me is he RedSea Reef90 LED. The programming is literally plug and play. The spectrums come in preset- all you have to do is adjust for intensity.

I think you can get this light for around 300.

3)My ATO is a Tunze 3155. I love it. Adds a few layers of redundancy such as a 10 minute auto shut off feature, control over head pressure height, pump works well in a kalk solution, has a small round backup float that sounds an alarm in case of overfill. I'm glad I made this purchase.

4) Never ran a fuge or media reactor on an AIO tank before, but you very well could! I generally have always stuck with media bags for aesthetic reasons though. I do have a bag of Marinepure gems in the back of mytank for extra nutrient break down.

5) My power head is an MP10 QD. The little dude really pushes water. Plus I can change it from constant to tidal surge to random or to a standing wave. The price is high but these pumps are proven!!! I probably wouldn't use the battery backup that Ecotech has for them though. I have read 3 or 4 good reviews out of 100. When m power goes out- I run a generator. Harbor Freight sells a generator for 100 dollars that works a million times better than a battery back up.

I'm like you-love my softies and lps. The movement is what really relaxes me. Across don sway...honestly the colors are sick but they're kinda boring. Anyway- those are my thoughts and opinions! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Thanks for this. I’ll take a look at Red Sea if any of my LFS has it. I was looking for an IM originally but the price point of the JBJ 45 of $650 with stand at my LFS really is the driving factor. On the Red Sea, what has me somewhat put off is the sump (no experience there) and that it comes with an ATO but that is a float switch which I would replace for my own peace of mind.

ProfessorAronnax · Sep 13, 2019

Letterkenny said:
Thanks for this. I’ll take a look at Red Sea if any of my LFS has it. I was looking for an IM originally but the price point of the JBJ 45 of $650 with stand at my LFS really is the driving factor. On the Red Sea, what has me somewhat put off is the sump (no experience there) and that it comes with an ATO but that is a float switch which I would replace for my own peace of mind.

I see what you're saying. The models you looked at are the Reefer series. Those do come with sumps. The MaxE series are all-in-one tanks like the JBJ. All the filtration is in the back of the tank with the option to upgrade to a sump at a later time. The only one that comes with an ATO in this line is the MaxNano.

Letterkenny · Sep 14, 2019

I took my wife down to the LFS and she is on board. I was recommended a couple changes in my plan hardware list that I would like someone’s take on.

2x AI Prime -> 1x AI Hydra 26
Tunze 9004 skimmer -> Tunze 9004 DC skimmer
Auto Aqua smart ATO Micro -> Tunze 3155

All of these represents price increases (with the exception of the light) so curious as to everyone’s thoughts. Luckily, my LFS prices = MD or BRS so plan on buying everything there.