NancyFish
Active Member
Welcome to starting slowest 65g tank build.
Besides waiting on the tank (that I have some nerves about drilling) and debating the stand build, it seems we have everything. Some Caribsea seeded rock that needs a build, some of their live Fiji pink sand, more turbo start.
Currently only a 10g QT with two little storms clowns! Just the copper power, and now Prazipro. And constant reminder we could have stopped here. Cycled with Fritz turbo 900. Already hating all the wires attached to it.
The QT started as a way for me not to rush building out the equipment list while making the kid happy. Their number one fish was a black storm, which we thought we found at the shoddiest LFS near us. As soon as we stepped out, she was clearly a mocha.
This fish name was declared to be “Tribute” because my kid was instantly ready to sacrifice it if we found a black storm in the future (please help me lol).
We have most everything BUT the tank. Was going to be a betta fish, then a 30ish gallon petco tank, then a 44 tank that fit our spot perfect.. Until I realized ordering a Seapora 65 was an option in similar footprint 36x18x24 — it’s literally been waiting on the LFS to fulfill a pallet for over a month now, so maybe we’ll just get the Marineland version.
This delay allowed me to fall into the following items I convinced myself I needed during a Memorial Day sale. Shout out to premium aquatics on new costumer discounts to top the sales and quick shipping.
Got the hydros on a BRS blowout as an introduction controller. Was tempted to get a MP10 for no wires, but settled for a nero3 and still felt like a splurge. The Hanna salinity checker because I hated reading the refractometer. Went big on the AP9x hoping it will last (was unsure if I should do that or the two 360s). The pump feels overkill but I guess we’ll see, went with the sdc 7.
The reefmat was high on my list, was going to do a 500 but the 250 fit without trimming the sump (and still looks huge). This sump also feels huge, but felt like a better use of space being a cube.
Totally underestimated how long heaters could be, I have two 150w eheim ones, they’re touching the sump too much and angled. I’m thinking I should look for something else but hate to second purchase.
I didn’t look into skimmers yet, I know everyone uses them kinda hope to not need it., Definitely want to run some chaeto next to the reefmat. Was also thinking about a mini carbon reactor to keep the scent down being in a bedroom. Feels like the rest we can figure out down the line?
My spare bathroom has been taken over, I am hoping to shove that bucket in the closet once I figure out transferring water to and from without taking out too many shelves. And maybe only putting another can in the shower when I need to mix? My family hasn’t noticed this setup, but I’m sure they won’t be happy lol. RO+di buddy is also on standby. May cycle the rock in here while we wait on the tank.
The sump is a blemished trigger aquamarine triton 20cube, around 24g, and a 10g trigger crystal ATO. They look great, and for the price of the sump it saved me some diy headaches. I love the idea of less maintenance, but I’m wondering if I should cut it back to a 5g reservoir for more space in the stand.
The original stand I bought is metal frame, but mdf panels 36x18x34. The bottom is 30” long so it will fit the ATO & sump but with modification. Basically I would have to cut out the panel for the cabnit and extend the back 3” to sit the sump. With this there is no cleaning sides of the sump.
Next option is to just build my own stand, which wouldn’t give a ton more space (limited room space) but a few inches and definitely vertical space. I built the long blue L bench running next to it, but that didn’t have to be perfectly fitted or hold over 600lbs. So a little torn.
— Also debating a QT for coral, maybe a AIO - but QT kinda sucks. I like random impulse buys, not planning sitting and waiting + all the extra tanks… Also really want to take advantage of the NYC Reefapalooza coming up in two weeks but also do not want to kill everything. Bad idea?
Besides waiting on the tank (that I have some nerves about drilling) and debating the stand build, it seems we have everything. Some Caribsea seeded rock that needs a build, some of their live Fiji pink sand, more turbo start.
Currently only a 10g QT with two little storms clowns! Just the copper power, and now Prazipro. And constant reminder we could have stopped here. Cycled with Fritz turbo 900. Already hating all the wires attached to it.
The QT started as a way for me not to rush building out the equipment list while making the kid happy. Their number one fish was a black storm, which we thought we found at the shoddiest LFS near us. As soon as we stepped out, she was clearly a mocha.
This fish name was declared to be “Tribute” because my kid was instantly ready to sacrifice it if we found a black storm in the future (please help me lol).
We have most everything BUT the tank. Was going to be a betta fish, then a 30ish gallon petco tank, then a 44 tank that fit our spot perfect.. Until I realized ordering a Seapora 65 was an option in similar footprint 36x18x24 — it’s literally been waiting on the LFS to fulfill a pallet for over a month now, so maybe we’ll just get the Marineland version.
This delay allowed me to fall into the following items I convinced myself I needed during a Memorial Day sale. Shout out to premium aquatics on new costumer discounts to top the sales and quick shipping.
Got the hydros on a BRS blowout as an introduction controller. Was tempted to get a MP10 for no wires, but settled for a nero3 and still felt like a splurge. The Hanna salinity checker because I hated reading the refractometer. Went big on the AP9x hoping it will last (was unsure if I should do that or the two 360s). The pump feels overkill but I guess we’ll see, went with the sdc 7.
The reefmat was high on my list, was going to do a 500 but the 250 fit without trimming the sump (and still looks huge). This sump also feels huge, but felt like a better use of space being a cube.
Totally underestimated how long heaters could be, I have two 150w eheim ones, they’re touching the sump too much and angled. I’m thinking I should look for something else but hate to second purchase.
I didn’t look into skimmers yet, I know everyone uses them kinda hope to not need it., Definitely want to run some chaeto next to the reefmat. Was also thinking about a mini carbon reactor to keep the scent down being in a bedroom. Feels like the rest we can figure out down the line?
My spare bathroom has been taken over, I am hoping to shove that bucket in the closet once I figure out transferring water to and from without taking out too many shelves. And maybe only putting another can in the shower when I need to mix? My family hasn’t noticed this setup, but I’m sure they won’t be happy lol. RO+di buddy is also on standby. May cycle the rock in here while we wait on the tank.
The sump is a blemished trigger aquamarine triton 20cube, around 24g, and a 10g trigger crystal ATO. They look great, and for the price of the sump it saved me some diy headaches. I love the idea of less maintenance, but I’m wondering if I should cut it back to a 5g reservoir for more space in the stand.
The original stand I bought is metal frame, but mdf panels 36x18x34. The bottom is 30” long so it will fit the ATO & sump but with modification. Basically I would have to cut out the panel for the cabnit and extend the back 3” to sit the sump. With this there is no cleaning sides of the sump.
Next option is to just build my own stand, which wouldn’t give a ton more space (limited room space) but a few inches and definitely vertical space. I built the long blue L bench running next to it, but that didn’t have to be perfectly fitted or hold over 600lbs. So a little torn.
— Also debating a QT for coral, maybe a AIO - but QT kinda sucks. I like random impulse buys, not planning sitting and waiting + all the extra tanks… Also really want to take advantage of the NYC Reefapalooza coming up in two weeks but also do not want to kill everything. Bad idea?
