So, this is my first reef tank. I don't have a catchy name for it yet. This is something I've been thinking about doing for 20 years or so, having bought books about reef tanks, before the days of high speed internet. I came very close to pulling the trigger several times. I have been moving across state lines every few years my entire adult life, which was one of the many reasons I never set up a tank. I'm the type that wants to do it really well, or not at all. So I've basically gone all-in on a CADE. The decision to go with CADE I feel has already paid off, as I received some non-standard plumbing with the tank, I made a confused post about it to the FB group, and Adam from CADE has already reached out along with @AlgaeBarn. I don't have the solution in-hand yet, but the response from Adam is certainly a very positive sign.
Priorities: Quiet, minimal light spillage, good automation, end-on peninsula view will be a priority (trying to keep zero equipment mounted on that end pane), planning LPS/softies mostly, may venture into SPS eventually
Categories in bold below have yet to be purchased/finalized/completed
Tank: CADE 1200 S2/P Peninsula (47"x27.5"x24")
Sump: included CADE sump
Stand: included CADE stand, black fit my decor the best, but the new white color sure does look great in the right situation
Lighting: ?? I'm thinking ReeFi Uno 2 Pro x 2 with the 90 degree reeflectors to minimize light spillage; floating mount with extruded aluminum (I've posted questions about this in the DIY forum)
Control/monitoring: Hydros
Flow: Maxspect XF350 gyres x 2 directly controlled by Hydros WaveEngine, I plan to mount these vertically on each side of the weir; VCA RFGs on the returns, no additional powerheads yet, but I anticipate that I'll have to add one or two to the weir box side of the tank, would prioritize controllability with Hydros WaveEngine
Mechanical Filtration: Clarisea SK-3000 gen. 3; going to have to modify the sump to accommodate this, will be removing socks
Skimmer: DALUA GW-7
Return: DALUA GW 1500gph
ATO: Undecided, might just go with the Hydros ATO package setup to keep things streamlined in the Hydros ecosystem
Rock: I wanted to take my time on the aquascape, so I went dry rock, but I don't care for the sterile look of something like Marco. After watching a Reefbuilders video with Jake Adams talking about dry rock that looks like live rock, I went with Tropic Eden Morocca from @premiumaquatics . I have to say that PremiumAquatics did a fantastic job of packaging the rock. I got some where around 80 pounds of rock (WAYYYY too much I'm afraid), and there was NO breakage at all. I think I am going to add a few small pieces of live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater when I cycle just to diversify the microbiome. Oh, I actually need to complete the aquascape, I've already done about 53 iterations in the last 2 days. This has been a struggle, I'm looking for inspiration from other peninsula tanks.
Livestock: As mentioned above LPS and softies, maybe SPS in the future. I don't really have any particular holy grail fish. I would tend to prioritize fish that have a 'job' in the aquarium, such as a Bristletooth tang. I do want at least a couple wrasses. Have always thought a pistol shrimp/goby pair would be cool, but I'm afraid might get 'lost' in a large tank, almost feel like these guys deserve their own nano tank where they can be the main characters.
I guess that's it for now. I'm always open to advice, recommendations, etc.
Priorities: Quiet, minimal light spillage, good automation, end-on peninsula view will be a priority (trying to keep zero equipment mounted on that end pane), planning LPS/softies mostly, may venture into SPS eventually
Categories in bold below have yet to be purchased/finalized/completed
Tank: CADE 1200 S2/P Peninsula (47"x27.5"x24")
Sump: included CADE sump
Stand: included CADE stand, black fit my decor the best, but the new white color sure does look great in the right situation
Lighting: ?? I'm thinking ReeFi Uno 2 Pro x 2 with the 90 degree reeflectors to minimize light spillage; floating mount with extruded aluminum (I've posted questions about this in the DIY forum)
Control/monitoring: Hydros
Flow: Maxspect XF350 gyres x 2 directly controlled by Hydros WaveEngine, I plan to mount these vertically on each side of the weir; VCA RFGs on the returns, no additional powerheads yet, but I anticipate that I'll have to add one or two to the weir box side of the tank, would prioritize controllability with Hydros WaveEngine
Mechanical Filtration: Clarisea SK-3000 gen. 3; going to have to modify the sump to accommodate this, will be removing socks
Skimmer: DALUA GW-7
Return: DALUA GW 1500gph
ATO: Undecided, might just go with the Hydros ATO package setup to keep things streamlined in the Hydros ecosystem
Rock: I wanted to take my time on the aquascape, so I went dry rock, but I don't care for the sterile look of something like Marco. After watching a Reefbuilders video with Jake Adams talking about dry rock that looks like live rock, I went with Tropic Eden Morocca from @premiumaquatics . I have to say that PremiumAquatics did a fantastic job of packaging the rock. I got some where around 80 pounds of rock (WAYYYY too much I'm afraid), and there was NO breakage at all. I think I am going to add a few small pieces of live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater when I cycle just to diversify the microbiome. Oh, I actually need to complete the aquascape, I've already done about 53 iterations in the last 2 days. This has been a struggle, I'm looking for inspiration from other peninsula tanks.
Livestock: As mentioned above LPS and softies, maybe SPS in the future. I don't really have any particular holy grail fish. I would tend to prioritize fish that have a 'job' in the aquarium, such as a Bristletooth tang. I do want at least a couple wrasses. Have always thought a pistol shrimp/goby pair would be cool, but I'm afraid might get 'lost' in a large tank, almost feel like these guys deserve their own nano tank where they can be the main characters.
I guess that's it for now. I'm always open to advice, recommendations, etc.