What would your PERFECT Reef build include?

[ps2cho]

I'm not necessarily talking purely size...
What "Features" would you have if you could start over? Want to get some thoughts from everybody on what their "perfect" build would need as MUST-have's!

I'll start:

-ATO Float valve attached to top-off tubing, it acts as a near foolproof backup to the electronic/float switches that requires no wires etc.
-Some sort of drain valve so I can do 5-10g water changes with the turn of a valve.

 

[ScubaShane]

I currently have Neptunes controller. If I could star over I would go with GHL. I like their new products and their reviews to back up the quality.

 

[muzikalmatt]

Other than a bigger tank, I'd love to have a controller with automated testing, automatic dosing, and auto water changes. I don't particularly mind doing those things by hand, but I'd have more time to just sit and enjoy the tank if I didn't have to do them.

 

[ps2cho]

Other than a bigger tank, I'd love to have a controller with automated testing, automatic dosing, and auto water changes. I don't particularly mind doing those things by hand, but I'd have more time to just sit and enjoy the tank if I didn't have to do them.

Does automatic water changes and potential failure points for flooding just add additional concerns and complexity?

 

[muzikalmatt]

Does automatic water changes and potential failure points for flooding just add additional concerns and complexity?

I don't see auto water changes as being any more risky than using an auto top off. In fact, I'm more likely to spill water on my floor doing water changes manually than with an AWC system. And there are many redundancies and safety mechanisms you can add to limit the chance of issues if something malfunctions (solenoids, leak detectors, etc).

 

[andrewkw]

Armored seems, holes drilled in the eurobrace wherever there is a chance I'd want to run a cord. Even a closed loop which didn't have to be used, just to have that option. Automatic transfer to backup power for everything in the event of power failure. Backups for backups on site. Own fridge / freezer. Furniture grade stand / hood. Appropriately sized and distanced QT system. High quality flooring that can take any and all spills.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head and I should mention I have none of these things yet I am still very happy with my main display system so obviously they are not needed but if it was to be a perfect system I'd have all of these and then some.

 

[ps2cho]

Armored seems, holes drilled in the eurobrace wherever there is a chance I'd want to run a cord. Even a closed loop which didn't have to be used, just to have that option. Automatic transfer to backup power for everything in the event of power failure. Backups for backups on site. Own fridge / freezer. Furniture grade stand / hood. Appropriately sized and distanced QT system. High quality flooring that can take any and all spills.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head and I should mention I have none of these things yet I am still very happy with my main display system so obviously they are not needed but if it was to be a perfect system I'd have all of these and then some.

Thanks I wrote down holes drilled in eurobrace on my "perfect list"! never even considered that but makes total sense!
I'm hoping this thread gets traction, and there will be 100's of ideas that people can shift through when designing a tank.

My "large" tank is still a few years away, but theres never a better time to start planning than now so I can think of exactly what I want since the next tank will be at a new house and probably will be a 10-20 year tank.