New but not new!

[Evolucion]

Hi all. 30 years after having my first reef tank, and the wife decides she now wants a reef tank . Last time i kept one it was 30 years ago, with metal halide lights, and my god how things have changed since then! Se we're starting again, we have ripped out a doorway between two rooms and the new aquarium will go in the wall to be viewed rom both sides, some challenge i know!. We've pretty much finished construction of the base and all the woodwork for the cuboards to enclose it is on order. The rockscape has all been built from new rock and is in salt water in the greenhouse hoping we can seed it a little in the next 4 weeks before the tank goes in to get it biologically started. We've added some 'Pure reef balance' to help this process along, but if any of you have any further suggestions, please let me know, such as adding ammonia or mysis etc.... The tank will be 2100 x 500 x 700 tall and hold around 800 litres with the sump. We've 4 x hydra 32's, a bubble magus filter roller, a curve 7 skimmer, 2 x maxpect gyre 4k's, a phosphate reactor, auto top up, dosing system, UV, but i just want to make sure we're not missing out on anything that we may regret later on. i'm still confused about whether we need an apex system or not, but we only have on chance to build this right, so i thought i would come on here and seek some expert advice before it's too late..... Please see some of the progress pictures attached, and positive criticism is welcome, please do note that the missing upright at the base of the cabinet will go in as soon as the sump arrives! comment away. and many thanks in advance... Scot 20220418_084928.jpg (348.83 kB, 1920x897 - viewed 6 times.) 20220402_105332.jpg (282.67 kB, 1080x1080 - viewed 6 times.) 20220403_191124.jpg (320.12 kB, 1080x1080 - viewed 6 times.) 20220415_191433.jpg (282.5 kB, 505x1080 - viewed 6 times.) 20220416_193155.jpg (689.85 kB, 1920x897 - viewed 6 times.) cabinet model.jpg (118.69 kB, 1456x852 - viewed 6 times.)

 

[blaxsun]

The fish got to pick out curtains?

 

[Evolucion]

I'm sure they would have been a heck of a lot cheaper if they had

 

[CoralB]

Welcome!!! And congrats !!! . I would add to make sure you have access into the top of the tank from both side for cleaning purposes. Not sure if you were thinking of closing off one side but having a removable or hinged panels on bothe sides will allow access and prevent headaches lol!!!

 

[fishguy242]

hi,welcome to the reef ...
nice work...

 

[Gtinnel]

An aquarium controller is not a necessity at all, but it is really nice to have. If the cost isn’t a concern then I would definitely get one. I’ve never used those lights, but assuming they have a fan on top make sure they’re not too close to the top that they’re isn’t proper circulation.

Otherwise it looks like you’re off to a great start towards a really nice tank.

You should start a build thread to track and share your progress

 

[Evolucion]

Welcome!!! And congrats !!! . I would add to make sure you have access into the top of the tank from both side for cleaning purposes. Not sure if you were thinking of closing off one side but having a removable or hinged panels on bothe sides will allow access and prevent headaches lol!!!

We will have a 500mm gap above the tank, and we were going to close in the other side, but valid point, it might make it rather difficult to access that side of the reef for coral placement and general maintenance........great advice, thank you!

 

[Evolucion]

hi,welcome to the reef ...
nice work...

Thank you! Looking forward to 6 months from now .....

 

[Gtinnel]

We will have a 500mm gap above the tank, and we were going to close in the other side, but valid point, it might make it rather difficult to access that side of the reef for coral placement and general maintenance........great advice, thank you!

You may be able to do a decorative valance that is on hinges so it covers the gap above the tank but can be opened up when needing access to the tank.

 

[Evolucion]

An aquarium controller is not a necessity at all, but it is really nice to have. If the cost isn’t a concern then I would definitely get one. I’ve never used those lights, but assuming they have a fan on top make sure they’re not too close to the top that they’re isn’t proper circulation.

Otherwise it looks like you’re off to a great start towards a really nice tank.

You should start a build thread to track and share your progress

Thank you for your valued advice, the lights are indeed inverter controlled with Cooling fan to the top of each unit, and are controlled by AI's app, really great functionality.

I think I'll invesy the Apex Neptune system for peace of mind.

I'll start that thread! Great idea

 

[Evolucion]

You may be able to do a decorative valance that is on hinges so it covers the gap above the tank but can be opened up when needing access to the tank.

Yeah, you've got me thinking now......, Off to the drawing board ....

 

[atoll]

Your reefscape looks right up against the glass or very close to it in places. You will have difficulty cleaning the glass in front of it and will look unsightly in a shirt period of time.

 

[Evolucion]

Your reefscape looks right up against the glass or very close to it in places. You will have difficulty cleaning the glass in front of it and will look unsightly in a shirt period of time.

Hi Atoll, that's just our spare curing tank. The actual tank is being delivered in 3 weeks and is 2100mm X 500mm X 700mm tall, so will be plenty of space all round. We've ensured there is plenty of space for water circulation, so as to avoid dead spots.

 

[atoll]

Hi Atoll, that's just our spare curing tank. The actual tank is being delivered in 3 weeks and is 2100mm X 500mm X 700mm tall, so will be plenty of space all round. We've ensured there is plenty of space for water circulation, so as to avoid dead spots.

Harrr right my bad, sorry.

 

[907_Reefer]

Great looking setup!! I'm in a similar boat, just getting back into the game after 10 years off - I share your excitement

 

[Sean Clark]

Looking very nice so far.

 

[Evolucion]

Great looking setup!! I'm in a similar boat, just getting back into the game after 10 years off - I share your excitement

its exciting but terrifying at the same time! so much to learn as it has all changed so much!

 

[atoll]

its exciting but terrifying at the same time! so much to learn as it has all changed so much!

I often think about how much things have changed. Sometimes I think not so much really as the basics remain the same. Technology has changed for sure but lots of technology is a want not a need.

Back in the day around 30 plus years ago we had available good skimmers by the likes of Tunze. We had metal halide lamps, some would say just as good as present day LEDs. We had ATOs or simply topped up manually each day.

Pumps now are controllable, we did managed fine without controllers, we had calcium reactors that did the job well and so on and so on. Some but not all equipment today is more reliable it's and efficent it's true. Controllers bring their own problems, I neither need nor want one. I have an ATO and my lights are programmed were my metal halides used simple on off timers.

Compared to many with their expensive computer controllers and multi channel dosers my tank is largely old school in so many ways. I guess my lighting is the biggest change in all.the years.

Yet I still have a very nice reef tank so I am told and of course I agree. So I say don't be taken in with all.the latest gizmos and potions. Of course if you want a high tech system then fine, you pays your money and takes your pick.

 

[bnord]

Great to have you back as a boomerang... and I have you beat by 12 years as a time away... had a metal frame tank and was trying to grow Aptasia as an accomplishment....

Great Frame and spectacular setting, and agree you may regret not having the space up top for cleaning - is there a means to raise the lights for maintenance?

Can't wait to see the evolution - excitement is palpable

Oh, and great wife for getting you back into the hobby...

 

[Evolucion]

I often think about how much things have changed. Sometimes I think not so much really as the basics remain the same. Technology has changed for sure but lots of technology is a want not a need.

Back in the day around 30 plus years ago we had available good skimmers by the likes of Tunze. We had metal halide lamps, some would say just as good as present day LEDs. We had ATOs or simply topped up manually each day.

Pumps now are controllable, we did managed fine without controllers, we had calcium reactors that did the job well and so on and so on. Some but not all equipment today is more reliable it's and efficent it's true. Controllers bring their own problems, I neither need nor want one. I have an ATO and my lights are programmed were my metal halides used simple on off timers.

Compared to many with their expensive computer controllers and multi channel dosers my tank is largely old school in so many ways. I guess my lighting is the biggest change in all.the years.

Yet I still have a very nice reef tank so I am told and of course I agree. So I say don't be taken in with all.the latest gizmos and potions. Of course if you want a high tech system then fine, you pays your money and takes your pick.

That tank is something else! OMG!!! I suppose the truth behind the science is still the same, it the fact that technology now introduces the fear factor - What if?. We go on holiday a lot and i dont want to come home to a dead reef especially at todays prices for inverts and livestock and corals, so i will tend to err on the side of caution and use as much monitoring and dosing technology that is now available to keep the beast alive! The hard part is trawling the forums for truth as to what is worth investing in and what is not. In the stores, people try to sell you anything and also on these forums there are also the 'wolfs in sheeps clothing' promoting brands that they are paid to do.

The main issue we all face is that when we decide to do something, we decide to do it now!, and not in 9 months, so it does not give lots of time for research, we are impulsive and this costs money! so after we have bought a **** load of equipment, we then hear that there are other items out there that suit our needs more, and so the cycle continues.....

God help me!