The Pre-Build Build Thread

[KadeSirin]

So I'm finally getting back into salt water and this time, instead of a fish only tank, I'm doing a proper mixed reef. Its the first time posting a build here, I'll probably change the title when I start building, but this should document my journey from the start. Lots of interesting inverts, minimal fish. Hopefully it'll be as much fun as I imagine it to be, though rest assured, I'm also very aware of the maintenance that will come with it. This will be a bit of a wall of text, but soon there will be pictures!

So, step one, the location:
This tank is going to go in the house's "center" the one room with no windows, away enough from windows, but is also the place that everyone walks by on a daily basis. At night, its where I read/play piano/relax.

Unfortunately, this part of the house was built in the 50s, and I don't have any access to the subfloor to add support underneath the tank. Bright side? The trusses below the house are massive, 2x6 or something like that and spans the entire length with a bit of support in the middle. Its also really hard wood that actually measures 2" x 6". The previous owners had a large Bridgeport CnC machine in there, so weight isn't going to be a concern.

I'm running two extra 20a circuits, dedicated to the tank. If I can manage it, I'm going to plumb the ATO into the storage tank, but not sure if I can. Worst case, I'll put a 25 gal tall water tank inside of a cabinet and refill it when it gets low, but I'm rambling. I'm also running a wireless access point to the ceiling above the tank and two cat6 jacks for data, just in case.

Step two, stocking.
How I'm going to stock the tank. This should determine how large the tank is going to need to be and should help me narrow it down.
Fish? This is the planned list that's still up for discussion and is not an order of introduction into the system

• 2x Zebra Barred Dartfish
• 3-5x Chromis (these will be first fish in the tank, not sure on colors)
• Royal Basslet
• Firefish

Maybe:

• Damsel
• Watchman Goby, Clown Goby
• Yellow Tang

Inverts? This is a longer, but also a planned list. Like the fish, this list is still being revised. I'm also doing research into the cleanup crew, which some of these will fit into. The list still feels a little long...

• Tropical Abalone
• Arrow Crab (Panamic or Decorator or Fuzzy)
• Decorator Crab
• Emerald Porcelain Crab
• Braniac Sponge Crab
• Cleaner Shrimp
• Sexy Shrimp
• Urchins (Black Rock, Pincushion, Tuxedo, or Royal)
  
• Lettuce Nudibranch
• Fighting Conch
• Squamosa Clam / Maxima Clam

Corals - I'm looking at softer corals and maybe some LPS, probably zoas as well. However I'm not sure I'll be ready or "skilled enough" to try SPS until a little later on.
Regardless, here's a basic list:

• Pom Pom Xenia
• Spotted or Lavendar Mushroom
• Florida Mushroom
• Finger Leather
• Doughnut Coral?
• Frogspawn
• Christmas Tree
• Waving Hand
• Starburst
• Purple Gorgonian

So based upon the requirements of the fish and the location the tank's going in, I've made a decision that it has to be at least 50 gallons. Looking at the Red Sea and Waterbox offerings, I've moved the size up to 70+, not including a sump. If I decide on a tang, based on some I've read online, we're looking at a 125gal minimum, 4' long right? That then brings us to the present, me trying to figure out the right size of tank for the space and for what I'm stocking. I was 50/50 on whether I should do an AIO tank, but since I have the space, I might as well go all-in and do a full sump. Unless there's benefits of going AIO.

Hmm, tank is going to have a refugium, depending on the size of the tank and sump, I may put the fuge in its own 10 or 20 gal tank bulk-headed into the sump. I'm going to be running AI Hydra HDs for tank lighting, mounted from ceiling. Fuge lit by a AI Prime HD Fuge (hah).
Sump Return will be a pair of COR20, waterflow in-tank is still TBD, I like the Wav for apex integration, but since I already have AI Lights, the AI Nero 5 seems good. Gyres also seem good, but might be overkill.
Heating will be through a pair of neo-therms, again, on a controller.
I will skim, probably run carbon as needed through a reactor.
I know I will be using Red Sea Reef Crystals to start, Red Sea Reef Pro for future water changes.
I don't think I'll run UV, but with controllers based pumps, maybe I should.
Sand bottom, maybe 2-3" deep, dry, dead cured rock to start with, maybe some live rock in the future.
7-stage RO system - Vegas water is hard, filled with stuff. I may just get my initial salt from a LFS.

Apologies for the ramble! There'll be more soon.

EDIT: Hit post too soon, I was meaning to change the title. Oh well! Should probably have it be Kade'S Pre-Build to Build Thread

 

[Mastiffsrule]

WELCOME to our home. make your self comfortable.

looks like a thought out plan to start. I say go as big as you can, after room and budget are addressed. All here love pix so take some and post thru the build. Ask lots of questions along the way if needed.

AND WELCOME

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Let’s see if mods can move this to build thread if you would like, also do a meet and greet if you have not to get to know us.