Best reef ready tank deal of 2024 - whose looking for a new tank?

[VintageReefer]

Just throwing this out there...
One can use a kessel in the center for the intention of the shimmer it is well known for and actually light your tank with AI blades ( T-5 alt)...

One kessil in the center isn’t enough to light the entire tank

One blade in the front and one blade in the back isn’t enough either

So if we combine this, we have $500 on a kessil and $800+ on blades and the outcome is…$1300 for
- good shimmer in majority of the tank
- good par in the middle 50%
- poor par on the outer 25% on each side, as those areas are lit by the ends of one blade in the front and one blade in the rear

So what’s the answer? Probably another kessil with the blades primarily being used for supplement lighting / pop. And then we have $1800+ invested in lighting and would have a pretty good lighting setup.
Could also light the tank with the noops for $530 or a photon 48 for $900. Or 2 radion xr30 for $2000

Any of these would provide good coverage, and coverage for the tank.

Being that OP is asking about cheaper Chinese light suggestions I don’t think they want to spend over 1000$ on lights

Granted he already owns one kessil so he would be looking at s minimum of 800+ on blades, or 1300 on blades + another kessil

The noopsyche seems like a great option in this situation tbh

 

[JoJosReef]

One kessil in the center isn’t enough to light the entire tank

One blade in the front and one blade in the back isn’t enough either

So if we combine this, we have $500 on a kessil and $800+ on blades and the outcome is…$1300 for
- good shimmer in majority of the tank
- good par in the middle 50%
- poor par on the outer 25% on each side, as those areas are lit by the ends of one blade in the front and one blade in the rear

So what’s the answer? Probably another kessil with the blades primarily being used for supplement lighting / pop. And then we have $1800+ invested in lighting and would have a pretty good lighting setup.
Could also light the tank with the noops for $530 or a photon 48 for $900. Or 2 radion xr30 for $2000

Any of these would provide good coverage, and coverage for the tank.

Being that OP is asking about cheaper Chinese light suggestions I don’t think they want to spend over 1000$ on lights

Granted he already owns one kessil so he would be looking at s minimum of 800+ on blades, or 1300 on blades + another kessil

The noopsyche seems like a great option in this situation tbh

Sell the Kessil and buy the Noops or a Photon. Best bang for buck.

 

[JoJosReef]

Well, I got the overflow drain filter, but it doesn't fit.

No matter what angle, it's just a mm too wide or thereabouts. I don't want to go pushing it so hard I break the overflow--not worth it. Has anyone else had difficulty with this part?

 

[VintageReefer]

Mine slides in and out with a slight bit of resistance but not too much. I took it out and it looks like they slightly sanded it. These marks are circular and go all the way around

 

[JoJosReef]

Mine slides in and out with a slight bit of resistance but not too much. I took it out and it looks like they slightly sanded it. These marks are circular and go all the way around

Good thinking. Might try sanding mine a bit!

 

[fishface NJ]

Well, I got the overflow drain filter, but it doesn't fit.

No matter what angle, it's just a mm too wide or thereabouts. I don't want to go pushing it so hard I break the overflow--not worth it. Has anyone else had difficulty with this part?

Sorry but I have to ask....why would you want a strainer on your drain? It's going to clog. I have been running a bean animal since 1990.

 

[VintageReefer]

Sorry but I have to ask....why would you want a strainer on your drain? It's going to clog. I have been running a bean animal since 1990.

This is herbie not bean animal

But both recommended to have strainer to prevent a snail from blocking the pipe

Overflow Boxes and Drain Styles - Durso, Herbie, and Bean Animal

Decide which of the three most common types of drains and overflow boxes is right for you and your tank.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[JoJosReef]

Sorry but I have to ask....why would you want a strainer on your drain? It's going to clog. I have been running a bean animal since 1990.

Simple answer is I have no idea. First time with a non-AIO tank. I am imagining it prevents something large like a snail from going through, but I suppose that's what the weirs in the overflow are for as well.

This is a herbie, so would a strainer be even more problematic?

 

[fishface NJ]

.

 

[VintageReefer]

bean animal

First link you provided shows herbie with a strainer

Bean animal typically has a strainer or an upturned elbow

Silent & Fail-Safe Aquarium Overflow System | BeanAnimal's Reef

Build the world famous "Bean Animal" silent and fail-safe aquarium overflow system. No noise, no adjustment, no floods. A truly set and forget setup that makes the Durso and Stockman style of standpipes obsolete! Build your own today!

beananimal.com

 

[Reefstudent]

@vintage

Yes. 23 available.
They initially had some whack (but functional) return plumbing, they took my feedback, ordered parts, modified the design, water tested it, sent me photos and video of it

I didn’t post the old design because there’s no reason to. I gave them articles explaining how to do a proper herbie drain and they ordered pvc and the strainer and modified it perfectly to my spec and tested it

re

Yes. 23 available.
They initially had some whack (but functional) return plumbing, they took my feedback, ordered parts, modified the design, water tested it, sent me photos and video of it

I didn’t post the old design because there’s no reason to. I gave them articles explaining how to do a proper herbie drain and they ordered pvc and the strainer and modified it perfectly to my spec and tested it

@VintageReefer - I bought the original prototype from Dennis. He gave me a great deal and so I acquired the old design infrastructure.

I am very intrigued by your modification spec advice and wanted to see if you would be open to sharing with me what you shared to Currents so I can make the upgrades on the return flow infrastructure!

What a cool (tight knit) community that I came across this post. I do not have my tank set up yet i have my aquascape finished ( Marco rock) and going to kick the tank off after I get married 2nd week of OCT.

Let me know if you open to sharing the specs I can provide an email.

Cheers

 

[VintageReefer]

Original spec

Corrected

Went with strainer instead of upturned elbow

I believe I sent a link to brs article showing herbie setup

 

[JoJosReef]

@vintage


re

@VintageReefer - I bought the original prototype from Dennis. He gave me a great deal and so I acquired the old design infrastructure.

I am very intrigued by your modification spec advice and wanted to see if you would be open to sharing with me what you shared to Currents so I can make the upgrades on the return flow infrastructure!

What a cool (tight knit) community that I came across this post. I do not have my tank set up yet i have my aquascape finished ( Marco rock) and going to kick the tank off after I get married 2nd week of OCT.

Let me know if you open to sharing the specs I can provide an email.

Cheers

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

I also have my tank still in the warehouse and gradually getting more and more components for it. It was originally going to be just a tank! Now I've got all sorts of gadgets and thingamabobs going into it.

Can't wait to just have this new tank behind me (pun intended).

 

[Fish Fan]

I’ve been holding off on posting this but now I’m ready

I came across what I believe is the absolute best deal you’ll ever see on a reef ready system

Background - Current USA had a custom tank built for their marketing photos. It’s all over their website under the sections for r24 led reef bundles

They had the tank custom built and worked with a cabinet company in California to have the stand custom built

The setup came out very nice, and they dabbled with the idea of entering the tank market and selling it. They had a number of these systems built and then…current USA got bought out by saltwateraquarium.com

They no longer want to expand their product line into aquariums, and now have a bunch of these tanks and are selling them off at discount to the private market.

I’ve been in touch with the owner of current USA to discuss it, and they have 23 of these setups ready to ship

The tank is:
- 83 gallons rimless low iron glass
- 48x20x20
- Back panel is black
- Ghost overflow
- Ghost overflow has 3 drains, one drain is capped off.
- Sump and overflow are bean animal ready, but the plumbing kit included in the price is for herbie
- 26 gallon custom glass sump
- 9 gallon custom acrylic gravity ato with float
- custom made cabinet from marine grade plywood covered in faux wood grain laminate
- full herbie plumbing kit, return plumbing, and lockline nozzle
- return tubing is 1”
- if you plan to do bean animal they can customize the stand cutouts and plumbing for a small fee or you can do this yourself after delivery

Custom Tank, stand, sump, ato and plumbing kit…

They are asking $1399 and this INCLUDES nationwide freight shipping, lift gate truck, able to drop off at your door or garage in most situations.

And, if you are serious and going to buy this, and DM me, I can get you an extra 10% off - bringing the total price shipped down to $1259 plus tax

If you can pickup the setup yourself in San Diego the price is $999, I am not sure if I can get that price discounted any more

They will also discount any current USA reef products if you buy this system. I am getting their eflux 1900gph dc return pump for $140, it’s $200 on Amazon if bought separately.

This is a professional and custom build. They even put a bulkhead in the stand for the return pump plumbing to pass through. There are cutouts and notches for wires also.

If you’re serious about buying one add a numbered line and your r2r name to the list and I’ll send you an dm with the info to buy. This is not a “send paypal to Joe Schmoe” it’s a legit website with full guarantees and purchase protection.

Who wants to start 2024 with a beautiful 83 gallon tank build?

I make no money off this, nor do I receive any additional discount.

1) Vintage Reefer
2)

Out of curiosity, are there any of these left?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

I also have my tank still in the warehouse and gradually getting more and more components for it. It was originally going to be just a tank! Now I've got all sorts of gadgets and thingamabobs going into it.

Can't wait to just have this new tank behind me (pun intended).

You haven’t picked it up yet? Dude....

 

[Fish Fan]

You haven’t picked it up yet? Dude....

I've been thinking about it. It's not the dimensions I want, and I'd like to go just a little bigger. I also don't really need the stand, plumbing or sump, but I am looking for a new tank, and this is a screaming deal.

I noticed the link to the eBay page, and that page says there's more than 10 available. It's tempting.

For those that have made this purchase, how did it work out? Any complaints about the system?

 

[VintageReefer]

Out of curiosity, are there any of these left?

Yes I think approx 10 left

If anyone see this and wants one, make sure you tell the Etsy seller that you are referred from the R2R forum. This will get you the return plumbing upgrade at no cost. If you don’t mention the forum you don’t get the upgrade. It’s a minor thing but might as well get it

Also the closer you physically are to California, the more of a chance you have to save more money.

Part of the cost is shipping. Message them and say you are from the forum and your zip code is xxxxx and ask what the best price they can sell it for

Many people were able to save an extra 10% because the shipping quote came back less and the seller passes on the shipping savings

If you can pick it up yourself there is huge savings also

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

If you want a screaming deal @bakbay is selling a tank that I feel he is giving away... I think just to make his wife happy....

 

[Fish Fan]

If you want a screaming deal @bakbay is selling a tank that I feel he is giving away... I think just to make his wife happy....

I'm listening......

 

[VintageReefer]

I've been thinking about it. It's not the dimensions I want, and I'd like to go just a little bigger. I also don't really need the stand, plumbing or sump, but I am looking for a new tank, and this is a screaming deal.

I noticed the link to the eBay page, and that page says there's more than 10 available. It's tempting.

For those that have made this purchase, how did it work out? Any complaints about the system?

It wasn’t my ideal either, I also wanted a little bigger. But when I priced this vs a 6ft the difference was thousands of dollars and I happily settled.