rhitee93
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Midwest Reefer
Build Thread Contributor
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2023
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- West Central Indiana, USA
Latest Pics:
It seems to be proper protocol to update build threads with the latest pics. Since the first couple of pages of this thread are nothing more than mental wandering and ramblings, I figured I'd play along. As you can see, I am still very early into the process!
I have a pile of stuff waiting for my 48"x24"x24" tank to arrive:
...and a vague idea of how to plumb it up:
How this thread started:
I’m in the process of returning to the hobby after about 20 years of being away. My last tank was in my office, and I’ve been wanting another one at work for a while now. The only things stopping me are fear and common sense, and I’ve never had much of either of those. I’ve posted some of my thought process in an intro post, and have been coaxed to continue that thought process as a build thread, so here we are
In terms of goals:
I’m much more interested in invertebrates than fish.
I’m equally drawn to LPS, SPS, and Soft corals, so I’d like this to be a bit of a mix
I also like anemones
I’d love to work up to where I could keep a clam as they are a lifelong fascination of mine. I stopped short of these before because I never felt I had the right setup.
Random things I think I want:
I definitely want to do a system with a sump in the stand
Internal overflow(s)
I’ll run a skimmer as I am familiar with them but I want to leave open the possibility of adding a reef mat down the road. (I have read that may be too much filtration?)
I’d like to have a go at a refugium this time around
I am an engineer and a data junkie. Long term, I’d like some real-time data coming from my tank
Size:
This is up for debate. There are a few possible locations in my office. I’ve attached a couple of pics and a crude floor plan to show what I am juggling.
The coolest option would be something along the lines of a 125 to the right of my desk where the credenza is. (I’d get rid of the credenza) The window is a concern, but I was pretty committed to this idea yesterday. Then I realized that the stand my LFS has with the 125 won’t allow me to put in much of a sump. This has sent me off looking for higher quality stands, which has launched me off into higher quality tanks.
I could put a 6’x2’ tank along the angled wall, but it will crowd my table a bit. Something 60" long would be an easier fit.
I could also put a smaller tank in a variety of places in the little alcove.
I’ve really gotten into a tailspin today looking at tank options. I’d like to buy local if I can, but I’m not sure what my LFS can get yet. The Waterbox Frag 165 and 145 systems have caught my eye. I’m also a bit drawn to the Red Sea REEFER line, but am aware of the controversy around them.
Anyone care to suggest some other systems? Other ideas?
It seems to be proper protocol to update build threads with the latest pics. Since the first couple of pages of this thread are nothing more than mental wandering and ramblings, I figured I'd play along. As you can see, I am still very early into the process!
I have a pile of stuff waiting for my 48"x24"x24" tank to arrive:
...and a vague idea of how to plumb it up:
How this thread started:
I’m in the process of returning to the hobby after about 20 years of being away. My last tank was in my office, and I’ve been wanting another one at work for a while now. The only things stopping me are fear and common sense, and I’ve never had much of either of those. I’ve posted some of my thought process in an intro post, and have been coaxed to continue that thought process as a build thread, so here we are
In terms of goals:
I’m much more interested in invertebrates than fish.
I’m equally drawn to LPS, SPS, and Soft corals, so I’d like this to be a bit of a mix
I also like anemones
I’d love to work up to where I could keep a clam as they are a lifelong fascination of mine. I stopped short of these before because I never felt I had the right setup.
Random things I think I want:
I definitely want to do a system with a sump in the stand
Internal overflow(s)
I’ll run a skimmer as I am familiar with them but I want to leave open the possibility of adding a reef mat down the road. (I have read that may be too much filtration?)
I’d like to have a go at a refugium this time around
I am an engineer and a data junkie. Long term, I’d like some real-time data coming from my tank
Size:
This is up for debate. There are a few possible locations in my office. I’ve attached a couple of pics and a crude floor plan to show what I am juggling.
The coolest option would be something along the lines of a 125 to the right of my desk where the credenza is. (I’d get rid of the credenza) The window is a concern, but I was pretty committed to this idea yesterday. Then I realized that the stand my LFS has with the 125 won’t allow me to put in much of a sump. This has sent me off looking for higher quality stands, which has launched me off into higher quality tanks.
I could put a 6’x2’ tank along the angled wall, but it will crowd my table a bit. Something 60" long would be an easier fit.
I could also put a smaller tank in a variety of places in the little alcove.
I’ve really gotten into a tailspin today looking at tank options. I’d like to buy local if I can, but I’m not sure what my LFS can get yet. The Waterbox Frag 165 and 145 systems have caught my eye. I’m also a bit drawn to the Red Sea REEFER line, but am aware of the controversy around them.
Anyone care to suggest some other systems? Other ideas?
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