Greetings 
R2R I have been silently looking around R2R for a year gathering information and learning the hobby (learned a ton of good stuff), thought I better make my first contribution!
Talked the family into upgrading from my existing 75 gallon reef (luckily it didn’t take much talking) which I bought a few years ago in average but somewhat neglected condition. Spent a few years and some $$$$ to see if I would like the hobby and found out I do. Below you’ll see some before and after. The aquarium even survived 1.5 years with me living in China, family (and LFS) did a good job keeping it alive! Now that I am back (for good I hope) time to up size!
Before (shots at the old owner’s location):
Current Tank:
Decided to start my own tank from scratch and jumped up to a 160 gallon build (the biggest that would fit on my main floor ). Wanted to pick out more of my own corals and aquascaping. I thought this would also be a good build thread as I decided to go with a Pro Clear ProStar Rimless after reading some of the Reefer 750 stories and the sump was just too small on the Aquabox. I haven’t found many reviews on this unit. It was a bit of a last minute decision as I first saw them at Chicago Reefapolooza and bought it on the spot (discount of course). There are some modifications I plan on making and will detail those out in the thread.
First of all the new build (so far):
Pro Clear ProStar 220 Rimless White
Radion XR30 G4 Pro (x3) – Move two from the old tank
Maxspect Gyre XF250 (x2) – Move both pumps from old tank w/battery backup
Neptune Wav (x2)
Skimz Leopard Return Pump (got it on the cheap during BRS discount)
Neptune Controller
BRS titanium heaters and controller (600 and 300 watt)
BRS dual reactor (carbon and GFO) – Move from old tank (only use GFO if necessary)
Skimz Macro Algae Reactor
GHL 2.1 Doser 3 head doser (Aquaforest 3 part dosing)
200 lbs Caribbean special grade sand
160 lbs Reef Saver rock both including some shelf pieces
Tropic Marine Pro Salt (decided to switch from AF after BRS review)
I am thinking about auto water changes using the Apex programming and 4 level switches from a post I saw on here earlier.
**Question** What % auto water change removal do folks replace on a daily basis, 1.5-2% total system volume?
Misc. items where a backup generator, small UPS (for clean power to controllers and dosing pumps) and a whole house dehumidifier. Also had a structural engineer come out and evaluate to make sure my main level could support the weight.
First had to move an annoying TV out of the way, who watches that anyway (you can see the blue outline for the new tank)……..
Added some outlets on different breakers and additional openings for piping for mix station and top off water that is located directly behind the wall. (Goodies in the corner).
Also did a test with fresh air on my skimmer on the existing aquarium, holy cow what a difference. Wanted to make sure it proved out before drilling a hole through my house.
Prior to test (with CO2 absorbent):
After test (more stable and increase in pH by several tenths without absorbent) on October 1st you see the rise in pH:
My house is so sealed up my pH really dips when there are a lot of people in the house. To stabilize the system and reduce my CO2 absorbent spend I piped fresh outside air. Small pipe on the right.
After that was completed time to receive the goods!!!!! The tank arrived within a week of ordering, no issues with shipping timeline. Unloading when very smoothly as well. One guy with a lift and pallet jack got it into the garage.
NOW THE GOOD STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(You can see the new paint colors the wife wants before we move this to its final resting place ).
Came on one pallet, two boxes with stand fully assembled. That was one item that I really liked was the aluminum stand that 1) won’t rust 2) kept the entire bottom open for a larger sump and control equipment 3) glass panels look sharp and easy to clean. However, not entirely happy with the sump but at that price could put in one I wanted…….more on that later.
Currently in China for work but will post more during the next few weeks as I hope to get the aquarium in place and water tested prior to Thanksgiving.
I hope this build helps folks consider (or not) a ProStar Aquarium. Right now, so far so good, just one issues with the cabinets doors not leveled but will address that when the aquarium is in its final spot. So far Aquatic Sea Life has been very responsive!
I'll hold off on the sump and aquarium pics till next post.... Hopefully keep some folks watching the thread.
R2R I have been silently looking around R2R for a year gathering information and learning the hobby (learned a ton of good stuff), thought I better make my first contribution!Talked the family into upgrading from my existing 75 gallon reef (luckily it didn’t take much talking) which I bought a few years ago in average but somewhat neglected condition. Spent a few years and some $$$$ to see if I would like the hobby and found out I do. Below you’ll see some before and after. The aquarium even survived 1.5 years with me living in China, family (and LFS) did a good job keeping it alive! Now that I am back (for good I hope) time to up size!
Before (shots at the old owner’s location):
Current Tank:
Decided to start my own tank from scratch and jumped up to a 160 gallon build (the biggest that would fit on my main floor ). Wanted to pick out more of my own corals and aquascaping. I thought this would also be a good build thread as I decided to go with a Pro Clear ProStar Rimless after reading some of the Reefer 750 stories and the sump was just too small on the Aquabox. I haven’t found many reviews on this unit. It was a bit of a last minute decision as I first saw them at Chicago Reefapolooza and bought it on the spot (discount of course). There are some modifications I plan on making and will detail those out in the thread.
First of all the new build (so far):
Pro Clear ProStar 220 Rimless White
Radion XR30 G4 Pro (x3) – Move two from the old tank
Maxspect Gyre XF250 (x2) – Move both pumps from old tank w/battery backup
Neptune Wav (x2)
Skimz Leopard Return Pump (got it on the cheap during BRS discount)
Neptune Controller
Temperature
Salinity
pH
WXM module (Radions)
Par Module
FMM Module (ATK)
Neptune EB832
Reef Octopus Regal 200INT 8” VariosBRS titanium heaters and controller (600 and 300 watt)
BRS dual reactor (carbon and GFO) – Move from old tank (only use GFO if necessary)
Skimz Macro Algae Reactor
GHL 2.1 Doser 3 head doser (Aquaforest 3 part dosing)
200 lbs Caribbean special grade sand
160 lbs Reef Saver rock both including some shelf pieces
Tropic Marine Pro Salt (decided to switch from AF after BRS review)
I am thinking about auto water changes using the Apex programming and 4 level switches from a post I saw on here earlier.
**Question** What % auto water change removal do folks replace on a daily basis, 1.5-2% total system volume?
Misc. items where a backup generator, small UPS (for clean power to controllers and dosing pumps) and a whole house dehumidifier. Also had a structural engineer come out and evaluate to make sure my main level could support the weight.
First had to move an annoying TV out of the way, who watches that anyway (you can see the blue outline for the new tank
)……..Added some outlets on different breakers and additional openings for piping for mix station and top off water that is located directly behind the wall. (Goodies in the corner).
Also did a test with fresh air on my skimmer on the existing aquarium, holy cow what a difference. Wanted to make sure it proved out before drilling a hole through my house.
Prior to test (with CO2 absorbent):
After test (more stable and increase in pH by several tenths without absorbent) on October 1st you see the rise in pH:
My house is so sealed up my pH really dips when there are a lot of people in the house. To stabilize the system and reduce my CO2 absorbent spend I piped fresh outside air. Small pipe on the right.
After that was completed time to receive the goods!!!!! The tank arrived within a week of ordering, no issues with shipping timeline. Unloading when very smoothly as well. One guy with a lift and pallet jack got it into the garage.
NOW THE GOOD STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(You can see the new paint colors the wife wants before we move this to its final resting place ).
Came on one pallet, two boxes with stand fully assembled. That was one item that I really liked was the aluminum stand that 1) won’t rust 2) kept the entire bottom open for a larger sump and control equipment 3) glass panels look sharp and easy to clean. However, not entirely happy with the sump but at that price could put in one I wanted…….more on that later.
Currently in China for work but will post more during the next few weeks as I hope to get the aquarium in place and water tested prior to Thanksgiving.
I hope this build helps folks consider (or not) a ProStar Aquarium. Right now, so far so good, just one issues with the cabinets doors not leveled but will address that when the aquarium is in its final spot. So far Aquatic Sea Life has been very responsive!
I'll hold off on the sump and aquarium pics till next post.... Hopefully keep some folks watching the thread.
