The Saltiest Reef

Saltyreef · Jun 28, 2020

Hello to all!

I am in the process of building a new reef system.
Hopefully it will be complete before the arrival of our first child in February.

It will be somewhat of an upgrade from my 40breeder aqueon display and 20L aqueon DIY sump. Mainly in quality vs size. Some equipment will carry over from the current setup.

Heres what has been planned so far.

Tank: placed a custom order for a 36x18x18 1/2" starphire tank from CDA through neptunes in San Jose. Will be here sometime in July.
Fitted with a 16 " synergy shadow v2 overflow.

Stand: Self built custom fir stand (not finished)

Sump: Fiji cube 24
vectra S1 return pump
Bubble magus curve 5 skimmer
Hygger heaters

Lighting: 2x hydra 52 & 1x hydra 26 non HD fitted with some sweet diffuser kits from a member in the 3D printing forums.
Will be hung from a custom built copper mount with wires hidden inside.

Flow: 2x ecotech mp10wQD

Dosing: 3x brs 1.1ml/min peristaltic pumps feeding 2 part + mag

Aquascape: Marco dry rock cemented together in 2 structures (plan to seed with current 10 year old liverock) after cycle complete. Ive got lots of critters and sponges to share with the new rock.

Thats it so far.....
Photos and stories to follow

andrewey · Jun 28, 2020

"Will be hung from a custom built copper mount"

Just make sure this is sealed (clear coat is easiest and very effective). Otherwise, water will condense near the surface and drip back into the tank. I knew a reefer that had to learn this lesson (sealing) the hard way after a few years

.

Otherwise, exciting and can't wait to see it come together! Congratulations on your first born!

Saltyreef · Jun 28, 2020

andrewey said:
"Will be hung from a custom built copper mount"

Just make sure this is sealed (clear coat is easiest and very effective). Otherwise, water will condense near the surface and drip back into the tank. I knew a reefer that had to learn this lesson (sealing) the hard way after a few years .

Otherwise, exciting and can't wait to see it come together! Congratulations on your first born!

Thank you so much! We're very excited and scared

And thanks for the advice! I actually do coat them in clear before use. I almost learned the hard way myself on the first one I ever built. Luckly my room never gets humid (or cold) enough for the moisture to condense

Saltyreef · Jun 28, 2020

Preview of the lights

Fred2482 · Jun 28, 2020

Awesome, congrats on your new addition to your family!!

LRT · Jun 28, 2020

Along for the ride. And Congrats on the baby.
Let's see some livestock shots! I know your holding out lol

Saltyreef · Jun 29, 2020

^^ Thanks! Im sure yall seen these lol. Not much left in the tank right now, been downsizing lately.

Lost the entire stunner too

Saltyreef · Jun 29, 2020

Fred2482 said:
Awesome, congrats on your new addition to your family!!

Thank you much!

vetteguy53081 · Jun 29, 2020

This will be a nice one !!

Saltyreef · Jun 29, 2020

Some more livestock shots. Click on the photos to get better resolution.

Saltyreef · Jul 1, 2020

Stand preview. Still needs doors.....

Saltyreef · Aug 7, 2020

Recieved my tank on tuesday from CDA but theres chips all across the top starphire panel.

They quickly agreed to rebuild and pick up the chipped tank. Great customer service response.

LRT · Aug 7, 2020

What a bummer man

Saltyreef · Aug 7, 2020

LRT said:
What a bummer man

Ya i debated just keeping it until i was unboxing my synergy overflow and noticed the weir and or box is warped.
Urgggh.
Then i remembered how much i paid for this crap!

LRT · Aug 7, 2020

Saltyreef said:
Ya i debated just keeping it until i was unboxing my synergy overflow and noticed the weir and or box is warped.
Urgggh.
Then i remembered how much i paid for this crap!

Incredible man. Yeah the chips are one thing but that's just poor quality. Sure you spent a nice little chunk on it. Id be super upset just on the set back alone.
How long until you can get the replacement?

JustAnotherNanoTank · Aug 7, 2020

No bueno!!

Saltyreef · Aug 7, 2020

LRT said:
Incredible man. Yeah the chips are one thing but that's just poor quality. Sure you spent a nice little chunk on it. Id be super upset just on the set back alone.
How long until you can get the replacement?

I was told by the beginning of september but we will see. This was a 12week build lol.

Saltyreef · Aug 13, 2020

Update.
CDA is finishing my tank rebuild this week.
One week of silicone curing and then its shipping off to neptunes for me to swap out the problem child.

Super easy dealing with CDA and neptunes so far.

I went to neptunes swap out the overflow yesterday with a new one and while i was there, checked out a few of many CDA tanks they have on display and found beautiful beveled edges without any signs of chipping.
I sure hope the rebuild carries the same quality.

Will update once tank received

Saltyreef · Sep 25, 2020

small update. Swapped tanks at neptunes yesterday finally.
Everything looks good so far. No chips.
Stand is upstairs, ready for a coat of paint and going to start setting up for plumbing