120 mixed reef build

[ReefJCB]

Hello Folks!

I am returning to the hobby after a 10 year hiatus. I had a 75g mixed reef when I was in high school with varying levels of success. It has been so long, and I screwed so much up before that for all intents and purposes I consider myself a beginner.

I now have my own place, and considerably more funds available at my disposal. I am INCREDIBLY excited to get started again. I remember enjoying so many build threads, so my goal is to piece one together that is semi interesting and am hoping to get some help along the way.

So here is what we got so far:

Already Purchased
60” long x 18” wide x 25” tall tank

• 116.9 gallons
• Low-Iron glass front and sides
• Overflow

42” x 15” x 15” Refugium/Sump

• 40.9 gallons

Reef Octo classic 150-INT protein skimmer

• Rated for 211 gal tank

Reef Breeder Photon 50-V2 LED Light bar

• 220 Watts

LED 12W Sump light

• Royal Blue 450nm + Cold white 10000K + Actinic blue 425nm + Blue 470
• Adjustable gooseneck lightbulb holder for sump light

Finnex Deluxe Titanium Tube Heater

• TH-800S: 140-265 Gallon

2 KEDSUM Submersible wave maker

• 20 Watt
• 2642 GPH

Jacob/Jebao DCT Marine Controllable Return Water pump

• 42 Watt
• Up to 1585 GPH

Digital Aquarium Thermometer

RO water filtration

• TDS meter
• refractometer

Stand just came last night and I am exited to get the ball rolling. Just waiting for my sump to arrive and I can start piecing things together.

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R and welcome back to the hobby.

 

[Reafer]

Looking good, it should be a nice setup!

 

[ReefJCB]

After purchasing all the basics I'm starting to look at some of the non essentials.

I'm looking at the Tunze Osmolator for my ATO and am researching controllers now.

I'm having a real hard time justifying the $550 after dropping all this money on everything else. The Apex Jr is looking like a good way to get a controller for less than half the cost. I'm just worried that I might end up regretting it later.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences to help me decide?

 

[Reafer]

After purchasing all the basics I'm starting to look at some of the non essentials.

I'm looking at the Tunze Osmolator for my ATO and am researching controllers now.

I'm having a real hard time justifying the $550 after dropping all this money on everything else. The Apex Jr is looking like a good way to get a controller for less than half the cost. I'm just worried that I might end up regretting it later.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences to help me decide?

I would say there is no reason to go new if you don't want to spend all that $, it can get pretty expensive starting to get into this hobby. I would suggest looking on this site for some used controllers then upgrading down the road if you need to. I have seen multiple controller for reasonable prices on here lately, you just need to keep on eye on the for sale forum regularly and jump on a controller you like, they go pretty fast. Also, you can check around other sites, eBay maybe?

 

[DancingShark]

I love the stand.
I have been doing this for 9 months now.
Still no ato, controller or doser.
I do everything myself, just keeps me closer to the tank I guess. So to start you can hold off till you get a feel for your tank i guess.

 

[Bob3655]

If nothing else I would recommend grabbing the 3155 osmolator to keep your salinity stable and you wont have to be manually topping off every day. The controller and dosing pumps etc can wait IMO.

 

[ReefJCB]

The one thing thats making me want to jump the gun on the controller is the heater I have has to have a controller to run. I can buy a heater only controller for about $50, but I could also just put that money towards the Apex jr and be 1/5th of the way there on a new unit.

 

[ReefJCB]

I love the stand.
I have been doing this for 9 months now.
Still no ato, controller or doser.
I do everything myself, just keeps me closer to the tank I guess. So to start you can hold off till you get a feel for your tank i guess.

I love the stand too! We found a local carpenter that does amazing work. We had them build us a coffee table, kitchen table with bench, and the most amazing dog kennel.

 

[ReefJCB]

So I'm starting to piece together my wish list and this is what I've come up with:

Fish

• 2 Clownfish (looking at the Frostbite Ocellaris or Black Ice Ocellaris)
• Red Fin High Banded Goby (to be paired with Pistol Shrimp)
• Coral Beauty Angelfish
• 3 Sunburst Anthias
• Tailspot Blenny, Midas Blenny, scribble Blenny, eyelash Blenny (choices!?)
• Purple Firefish
• Flasher Wrasse
• Kole Tang

*Powderblue Tang* this is my dream fish that I've wanted since I was in middle school. It's more temperamental, aggressive, and susceptible to diseases than the Kole so I *may* add this later or just give up on "the dream"

Inverts

• Tiger Pistol Shrimp
• 2-3 Cleaner shrimp
• 5-7 Sexy Shrimp
• RBTA
• Clam(s)

Corals & Misc

• Zoanthids
• Acropora
• Montipora
• Chalice
• Brains
• Acans

I'd love some feedback for any incompatibilities that I've missed or warnings/advise.

 

[litenyaup]

Love the stand!

 

[deedubz]

Welcome to r2r! That stand is cool looking. I love the weathered look

 

[ReefJCB]

Thanks for the compliments on the stand, had the carpenter make us a dog kennel too ,which I love even more than the stand!