New Reefer.... Sort of!

Dinkin's Aquatic Gardens
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Welcome to the salty side. Sounds like you're getting some good advice already. You should consider starting a build thread in the members tanks section. It's a great way to document your progress and get some valuable feedback along the way.
 
Going All In!

Welcome to R2R

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Seanybaggs123 said:
Thanks for the input!
It's funny... I was leaning towards the EV180 because the technology looked like it would call for much less maintenance and I couldn't find any negative reviews. I'll be looking for them now though since I've heard your experience.

Bubble Magus was actually my second choice. How often do you have to clean the collection cup? How often do you have to tear it apart?

I'm inclined to take a more cost effective approach to lighting too, I just can decide which light would be right. I know the Kessils will get the job done. I have a big "?" on literally everything else I've looked into. Whether it be based on price, UL designation, or effective coral growth.... ugghhhhh
Click to expand...

The EV 180 was awesome back about 10-13 years ago I think, and it was really expensive (I think it was $500+), so when I found one used for $80 i jumped on it. I had a AquaC Urchin around 2010 and it was awesome so I was happy to score the EV180. Unfortunately it just didn't live up to my expectations. I paired it with a pump that was the same specs as the recommended Mag 7, but was much quieter. It's very likely that I just didn't have it set up properly, and you could have a much better experience. The pros were that the majority of the unit is blacked out acrylic, so if you have it near the fuge light it won't grow algae as bad as a clear skimmer. But a big con was the footprint, plus the pump is external so it takes up that much more space. Also the body doesn't open up at all, you need a lot of pressurized water to clean it out.

I actually removed my fuge from my sump area because of how much algae was growing inside the skimmer. If I was to do it over, or spend the time modifying my setup, I would buy some sheets of black opaque acrylic and isolate the fuge and light. Before removing the fuge light it would only last a couple weeks before the body had a bunch of algae in it and I would tear it apart. Good thing is it comes apart very easily and is just as easy to put back together. The cup comes off with no effort, no issue when it's time to empty it. Or you can use the nub and connect it to an external jug.

Lol, I feel your pain when it comes to lighting choices. If I was to start a new tank now I would look in to Noopsyche (sp), Chinese black boxes, or just save up for an aquatic life T5 hybrid fixture and a couple Radions. I just wasnt happy with the light penetration on the Kessil 360, I actually have it running on my fluval 7.5 now lol.
 
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Rjukan said:
The EV 180 was awesome back about 10-13 years ago I think, and it was really expensive (I think it was $500+), so when I found one used for $80 i jumped on it. I had a AquaC Urchin around 2010 and it was awesome so I was happy to score the EV180. Unfortunately it just didn't live up to my expectations. I paired it with a pump that was the same specs as the recommended Mag 7, but was much quieter. It's very likely that I just didn't have it set up properly, and you could have a much better experience. The pros were that the majority of the unit is blacked out acrylic, so if you have it near the fuge light it won't grow algae as bad as a clear skimmer. But a big con was the footprint, plus the pump is external so it takes up that much more space. Also the body doesn't open up at all, you need a lot of pressurized water to clean it out.

I actually removed my fuge from my sump area because of how much algae was growing inside the skimmer. If I was to do it over, or spend the time modifying my setup, I would buy some sheets of black opaque acrylic and isolate the fuge and light. Before removing the fuge light it would only last a couple weeks before the body had a bunch of algae in it and I would tear it apart. Good thing is it comes apart very easily and is just as easy to put back together. The cup comes off with no effort, no issue when it's time to empty it. Or you can use the nub and connect it to an external jug.

Lol, I feel your pain when it comes to lighting choices. If I was to start a new tank now I would look in to Noopsyche (sp), Chinese black boxes, or just save up for an aquatic life T5 hybrid fixture and a couple Radions. I just wasnt happy with the light penetration on the Kessil 360, I actually have it running on my fluval 7.5 now lol.
Click to expand...
Those are all super helpful insights! Thank you

The more time goes by the more interested I am in cheap black box lighting. Hoping to find something that is UL approved though... So, I am willing to spend a bit more.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
Nice sized tank
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Top Shelf Aquatics
Huge change of plans!

I found an amazing, complete 75 gallon setup that a guy is selling for 600 bucks because he was pushed in to early retirement and he wants to travel with his wife.

So, guess I'm jumping into this with both feet.

He is willing to help me move it and we are going to conserve 50 gallons of his water, transport the fish in buckets, and then setup both the RO system and tank when we get back to my house.

Big concerns and questions I have:
  • Do I need to keep the live rock wet?
  • After we get to my house and I put a heater and air stone in the bucket with the fish... how long can they stay there?
  • after I get the RO running and working I'll have to wait for it to produce at least 50 gallons, and then I assume mix with salt (tank plus 33 gallon sump), so the fish should just stay in the 5 gallon buckets during that time??
  • What else am I missing or not thinking of?

Thank you so much in advance for your help
 
Dinkin's Aquatic Gardens

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%

  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%

  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%

  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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