Newstead Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Husband told me this morning to quit putzing around and make a &*!# decision. Soooo.. here are my choices so far. Please comment ... pros/cons of each? Note: 5'4.5" old woman (ie, me) does all maintenance, etc. Historian, not engineer. Want a sump. Not enormous tank. DIY skills limited. 1) Red Sea MAX S series 400 - love love love that it is 1 plug. But is the sump big enough??? 2) Red Sea Reefer 350 or 450 - if this, thinking Nanobox or other hybrid light. Again, sump size? Also, for both of these, am I going to have any problem heightwise working in tank? 3) Put together our own. Thinking around 36 inch long, 50 gallon shallow on 30" custom built cabinet, larger sump with refuge, Nanobox hybrid, Apex. The wonderful guys at our LFS can be hired to come help with set up since I have never done a sump. I would keep my biocube 29 for sun corals, softies and the bigger new tank would be mixed corals, and hopefully a variety of small fish. Ok, throw those opinions at me! Link to comment
Hammerstone Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Good luck!!! Your as tall as me lol. Can't leave off the .5 lol. I can't help you but I hope everything goes well ? Link to comment
righttirefire Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 So I've read this. Thought about. And doubt my input is valuable, but don't be intimidated by piping a sump. I personally like the challenge of DIY, if that's not your thing I believe stella and morgan and just got tanks that had everything included, assembly required. I think lawn has a red sea. You should be able to seek out other members and pm them. Everyone has been awesome when Ive asked about specific piece of equipment and their experience with. After looking and the shallow tanks I personally see a challenge lighting them. I do love them. I have a 20 long running right now and think the added depth of a 40 breeder (18" compared to 12") would make all the difference. Good luck Lawn's red sea Http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/368402-the-red-sea-reefer-170-aka-the-babbr/#entry5209514 Stella's sca Http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/366826-stellas-sixty-six/ Really a good build with a lot of helpful tips during the build and some sideline shenanigans Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 So I've read this. Thought about. And doubt my input is valuable, but don't be intimidated by piping a sump. I personally like the challenge of DIY, if that's not your thing I believe stella and morgan and just got tanks that had everything included, assembly required. I think lawn has a red sea. You should be able to seek out other members and pm them. Everyone has been awesome when Ive asked about specific piece of equipment and their experience with. After looking and the shallow tanks I personally see a challenge lighting them. I do love them. I have a 20 long running right now and think the added depth of a 40 breeder (18" compared to 12") would make all the difference. Good luck Lawn's red sea Http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/368402-the-red-sea-reefer-170-aka-the-babbr/#entry5209514 Stella's sca Http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/366826-stellas-sixty-six/ Really a good build with a lot of helpful tips during the build and some sideline shenanigans Thanks for those links! Now I have to investigate SCA tanks :-(. I like that the sump has room for a fuge. Husband wants a tank ordered by the end of next week (yikes). Link to comment
righttirefire Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Lol... you can't put pressure like that on a big purchase Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share Posted January 1, 2016 Good luck!!! Your as tall as me lol. Can't leave off the .5 lol. I can't help you but I hope everything goes well ? Damn straight I am claiming that half inch before its gone! My 89 year old mother (who can run rings around the rest of the world) was .5 inch taller than me, now is an inch shorter. So claim it while you got it! Link to comment
piano15 Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 I'm 5'1 and my tank on the stand is taller than me. I told my hubby the stand was too tall when he planned the build.lol. It does cause problems for me with maintenance, even with a stool. So my personal opinion, get a tank that won't cause you issues with maintenance. The easier the access within and around the tank makes it easier to maintain and far more enjoyable Link to comment
Cycleguy0623 Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Husband told me this morning to quit putzing around and make a &*!# decision. Soooo.. here are my choices so far. Please comment ... pros/cons of each? Note: 5'4.5" old woman (ie, me) does all maintenance, etc. Historian, not engineer. Want a sump. Not enormous tank. DIY skills limited. 1) Red Sea MAX S series 400 - love love love that it is 1 plug. But is the sump big enough??? 2) Red Sea Reefer 350 or 450 - if this, thinking Nanobox or other hybrid light. Again, sump size? Also, for both of these, am I going to have any problem heightwise working in tank? 3) Put together our own. Thinking around 36 inch long, 50 gallon shallow on 30" custom built cabinet, larger sump with refuge, Nanobox hybrid, Apex. The wonderful guys at our LFS can be hired to come help with set up since I have never done a sump. I would keep my biocube 29 for sun corals, softies and the bigger new tank would be mixed corals, and hopefully a variety of small fish. Ok, throw those opinions at me! I just went through this process. I loved the look of the Redsea Max S serise. My problem was the 28" wide tank. We just didn't have a place for it. Killer stand but the skimmer sucks and the sump is a little small. I ended up with a reefer 450 build and could not be happier. Also have a custom Nanobox hybrid on the way for it. You will not be disappointed in this tank. Build quality is awesome and it was very simple to put together. Just bring a few friends in to help lift it! Link to comment
Jsp Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 Have u looked at the CAD 45g shallow tank? https://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=324 Link to comment
afresh Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 My vote would be for the reefer series.... can't beat it for the price... I bought a reefer 250... great over all size... not much bigger then the over all biocube foot print to keep the feeling of a nano tank but still big enough to get really awesome rock scapes going for more depth Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 Well, at least I have made one decision - ordered the Quad/Quad Nanobox hybrid for lighting! Dave even helped me choose the color of it to go with our den - can't beat that kind of personalized customer service. :-). Thanks to Rightirefire for suggesting I check out the SCA66. The height is perfect for me. Went back to LFS one more time to check out the Red Sea Reefer 350 which we love, but it is just too tall for me to be able to work in comfortably and I like the sump size on the SCA. Have emailed SCA to see if it can be drilled for a herbie drain since the only complaint I have read is about noise from the drain setup. Thanks for all the help and suggestions! Soon to start a build thread ... Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Well, at least I have made one decision - ordered the Quad/Quad Nanobox hybrid for lighting! Dave even helped me choose the color of it to go with our den - can't beat that kind of personalized customer service :-). Thanks to Rightirefire for suggesting I check out the SCA66. The height is perfect for me. Went back to LFS one more time to check out the Rex Sea Reefer 350 which we live, but it is just too tall for me to be able to work in comfortably and I like the sump size on the SCA. Have emailed SCA to see if it can be drilled for a herbie drain since the only complaint I have read is about noise from the drain setup. Thanks for all the help and suggestions! Soon to start a build thread ... WOOOOO!!!! Can't wait to see how you make out! Mine is pretty silent now, so if you decide NOT to go herbie, I can help. BUT if they can drill that for you before they send, I would totally go that route and wish I did to be honest. Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 WOOOOO!!!! Can't wait to see how you make out! Mine is pretty silent now, so if you decide NOT to go herbie, I can help. BUT if they can drill that for you before they send, I would totally go that route and wish I did to be honest. Well, thanks to rightirefire sending me your way AND your pm help, I am going with the SCA66 whether they can drill 3 or not! My LFS guys said the durso is fine and they can come out if I have issues with putting together the plumbing even though not buying through them. I will definitely be doing a Crapper Trapper so you can expect more questions from me! Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 Soooo ... Nanobox Quad Hybrid ordered. RODI system arrived today (thanks to Harry Potter for heads up on special). Nailing down powerheads and heaters. Emailed SCA with a request for 3 holes drilled and was told they all will have 3 holes from now on... but are out of the 66 gallon. Sob. Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Soooo ... Nanobox Quad Hybrid ordered. RODI system arrived today (thanks to Harry Potter for heads up on special). Nailing down powerheads and heaters. Emailed SCA with a request for 3 holes drilled and was told they all will have 3 holes from now on... but are out of the 66 gallon. Sob. I have a finnex heater and love it. 500W - so overkill, but I'd rather have an oversized heater than undersized: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/finnex-hma-heater-w-analog-controller.html Oh and I have an MP40 - it does the job for sure! I also lowered the GPH coming from the return, so if you go with an MP40 and the stock pump, it should be plenty of flow. MP10s will not work on the thicker glass. Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thanks, Stella. You have been a GREAT help! Good to know about the MP10 - I had looked at them. Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 And I made the husband's one week deadline! Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 17, 2016 Author Share Posted January 17, 2016 So the tank/sump/stand is supposed to arrive Tuesday. We have been getting what we *think* we need, but I am scared I may be overlooking something obvious. Anyone see anything I have missed? RODI system set up today and output is 0 TDS. Have made 15 gal so far ... slower than I had thought but should have plenty long before the tank is on the stand. 1 bucket IO Reef Crystals - it is what I have been using from my LFS 75 pounds dry rock on order Nanobox Quad/Quad Hybrid ordered Heaters - ordering tomorrow 1 Jebao RW8, trying to decide on 2nd powerhead or gyre Tunze Osmalator - ordered Biospira & Microbacter 7 to help cycle Lawn design Crapper Trapper What have I forgotten? Link to comment
rturiak Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I have a gyre xf130, and I absoultly love it. I have a deep blue 34 shallow tank, that's 36x18x12. Hits every spot in the tank and I run it at 30 percent lower. Highly recommend it. I'm excited for your build thread! I'm getting a Nanobox hybrid for my tank this week as well! Do you have a skimmer? I have a bubble magus curve 5 that's awesome, and it's affordable for what it does. How about a fuge light? I'm using a LED spotlight from lowes with a 10$ metal shop light frame, hanging it from the power cable in my stand. Do you have sand? Maintenance tools like glass scrubbers do scraper? Screen top for your tank? I got a window screen kit from lowes with 1/4th inch screen material from BRS. Good luck! Link to comment
rturiak Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Also, 75 pounds of rock seems a bit overkill. I know people say go by the 1 gallon per pound rule, but it usually leads to an overfilled tank Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Thanks, Rturiak! It does come with a skimmer and I am getting sand from my LFS -trying to decide whether to go with the black that I have in my biocube. I have a cheapo LED light I am now using over my hob AC70 fuge on the 10 gallon I had to put together for our ywg and Randallis pistol. Hoping it will work - I have a macro pack coming for the fuge. TOP!!! And new magnet scrapers! I knew someone would figure out what I have forgotten! Our tanks have similar dimensions - mine is 36x24x20. The gyre is sounding very promising. Link to comment
rturiak Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Thanks, Rturiak! It does come with a skimmer and I am getting sand from my LFS -trying to decide whether to go with the black that I have in my biocube. I have a cheapo LED light I am now using over my hob AC70 fuge on the 10 gallon I had to put together for our ywg and Randallis pistol. Hoping it will work - I have a macro pack coming for the fuge. TOP!!! And new magnet scrapers! I knew someone would figure out what I have forgotten! Our tanks have similar dimensions - mine is 36x24x20. The gyre is sounding very promising. There is a lot of bad reviews on the gyre, but it's worth a shot in my opinion, the amount of water it can move is incredible! Your tank dimensions are nice, should be a fantastic tank! Does the tank come with a gate valve for the return pump? I have a Ehime 1260 in my tank and it's way to powerful, so I had to cut the flow down using a valve. Check out my build thread and follow along! I look forward to seeing yours. Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Will be following. Have absolutely no idea about the gate valve but will definitely check it out. My LFS guys will come help with the olumbin if we can't figure it out (sadly, I am better at mechanical stuff than my husband and I am an utter amateur at plumbing). Link to comment
Newstead Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 Nerve wracking watching driver, husband and friend get everything in - up the front steps and down steps to den. But it is here safely (at least for now!). The packing was excellent, but wow does it look massive! That's the sump on top with the tank in the box under it. Link to comment
specore Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Are you still going with an Apex? If so pickup the Jebao adapter to control the RW-8 with it. Link to comment
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