pricewayne Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 (edited) Deliberated between Red Sea and Waterbox for weeks and I've decided to go with an Innovative Marine lagoon 50 gallon EXT. Basic reasoning was with the IM tank I'll get all 50 gallons of water volume in my display tank and the diversity to customize my setup (stand/sump) more to my specific goals. I started my first SW/reef tank in January with a Fluval Evo (fluval on a husky cart link) and am also participating in the pico contest (pynk pico journal link). I've found a lot of joy learning about reef keeping and I'm really thankful for everyone on nano-reef and excited by how much more there is for me to learn! Lots to do before the lagoon will be up and running -- am going to try my damndest to take it slow. No doubt I'll need some help, especially when it comes time for plumbing. Below is where I'm at and what's still left to think through! Tank Specs Display: Innovative Marine Lagoon 50 gallon EXT (30"x24"x16") Rock: Ordered 60lbs of dry Marco Rock Substrate: TBD Sump: Trigger Systems Triton v2 (26"x13"x15") -- 20.4g total volume, with refugium chamber (6g) & skimmer section Heater: (2) Eheim TruTemp 100W heaters Heater Controller: TBD -- I haven't tried these yet, but it seems affordable and smart ATO: XP Aqua Duetto (container is TBD) Stand: TBD & probably DIY -- I'd like to widen my stand beyond the tank and have it double as a standing desk. I really like stands with simple metal frames and am looking at T Slot aluminum for my frame if I can swing it without breaking the bank.Lighting: TBD -- am thinking either dual Nanobox Duo or Nanobox Hybrid.. @DaveFason -- look out for an email 🤳Refugium Light: TBD Plumbing: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Return Pump: TBD -- once I know plumbing I'll calculate GPH needed for return pumpPowerhead: TBDSkimmer: TBDTest Kits: API SW Master kit + Red Sea Reef Foundation kitSalt: Aquatic Life 4-stage RO/DI + AquaForest Reef salt Fish livestock is still in progress and for the most part, I'd like it to be well thought out to avoid stocking issues. I may keep my clowns and BTA in my fluval and make it a low maintenance nem setup. I'd like mixed coral stocking, but SPS dominant. Projects for this week... - Stand: if anyone has tips/experience with T Slot aluminum stands, I'd love to chat! I'm in Los Angeles area so if anyone has any contacts, please reach out as well. - Scape: my rock will deliver on Wednesday. It honestly may take me a couple of weeks just to get my scape laid out/glued and dried. - Plumbing: want to get a better general understanding of options or how-to's. - QT Tank: figure out my purchase list and setup for QT. Think that's all I've got for now... always welcome tips//thoughts or feedback. Edited May 26, 2019 by pricewayne edited project list 5 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Yasss! Excited for your upgrade. 1 Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Tigahboy said: Yasss! Excited for your upgrade. Me too!! Really need to buckle down and figure out a solution for my stand... is gonna kill me to stare at a tank in a box once it delivers lol. 2 Quote Link to comment
NaturallyKait Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 I shouldn’t follow this because it’s going to make me want to upgrade...but I’m going to anyway lol. 2 Quote Link to comment
WV Reefer Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 5 hours ago, pricewayne said: Deliberated between Red Sea and Waterbox for weeks and I've decided to go with an Innovative Marine lagoon 50 gallon EXT. Basic reasoning was with the IM tank I'll get all 50 gallons of water volume in my display tank and the diversity to customize my setup (stand/sump) more to my specific goals. I started my first SW/reef tank in January with a Fluval Evo (fluval on a husky cart link) and am also participating in the pico contest (pynk pico journal link). I've found a lot of joy learning about reef keeping and I'm really thankful for everyone on nano-reef and excited by how much more there is for me to learn! Lots to do before the lagoon will be up and running -- am going to try my damndest to take it slow. No doubt I'll need some help, especially when it comes time for plumbing. Below is where I'm at and what's still left to think through! Tank Specs Display: Innovative Marine Lagoon 50 gallon EXT (30"x24"x16") Rock: Ordered 60lbs of dry Marco Rock Substrate: TBD Sump: Trigger Systems Triton v2 (26"x13"x15") -- 20.4g total volume, with refugium chamber (6g) & skimmer section Heater: (2) Eheim TruTemp 100W heaters Heater Controller: TBD -- I haven't tried these yet, but it seems affordable and smart ATO: XP Aqua Duetto (container is TBD) Stand: TBD & probably DIY -- I'd like to widen my stand beyond the tank and have it double as a standing desk. I really like stands with simple metal frames and am looking at T Slot aluminum for my frame if I can swing it without breaking the bank.Lighting: TBD -- am thinking either dual Nanobox Duo or Nanobox Hybrid.. @DaveFason -- look out for an email 🤳Refugium Light: TBD Plumbing: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Return Pump: TBD -- once I know plumbing I'll calculate GPH needed for return pumpPowerhead: TBDSkimmer: TBDTest Kits: API SW Master kit + Red Sea Reef Foundation kitSalt: Aquatic Life 4-stage RO/DI + AquaForest Reef salt Fish livestock is still in progress and for the most part, I'd like it to be well thought out to avoid stocking issues. I may keep my clowns and BTA in my fluval and make it a low maintenance nem setup. I'd like mixed coral stocking, but SPS dominant. Projects for this week... - Stand: if anyone has tips/experience with T Slot aluminum stands, I'd love to chat! I'm in Los Angeles area so if anyone has any contacts, please reach out as well. - Scape: my rock will deliver on Wednesday. It honestly may take me a couple of weeks just to get my scape laid out/glued and dried. - Plumbing: want to get a better general understanding of options or how-to's. - QT Tank: figure out my purchase list and setup for QT. Think that's all I've got for now... always welcome tips//thoughts or feedback. How exciting!! 1 Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 27, 2019 Author Share Posted May 27, 2019 17 minutes ago, NaturallyKait said: I shouldn’t follow this because it’s going to make me want to upgrade...but I’m going to anyway lol. Hahaha, trust me I know the feeling! 8 minutes ago, WV Reefer said: How exciting!! How can I use or find these dancing emojis??? This question has haunted me for months. 2 Quote Link to comment
WV Reefer Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 Just now, pricewayne said: Hahaha, trust me I know the feeling! How can I use or find these dancing emojis??? This question has haunted me for months. They are at the very bottom of the list. Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 27, 2019 Author Share Posted May 27, 2019 2 minutes ago, WV Reefer said: They are at the very bottom of the list. Thank you, thank you Knew they'd be somewhere right in front of my face. @NaturallyKait.... PS, IM tanks are 25% off on Marine Depot for the holiday weekend 1 Quote Link to comment
NaturallyKait Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 1 minute ago, pricewayne said: Thank you, thank you Knew they'd be somewhere right in front of my face. @NaturallyKait.... PS, IM tanks are 25% off on Marine Depot for the holiday weekend Haha, I’m in Canada so it’s not a holiday here. Plus, I think if I bring a second tank into the house before my first finishes even cycling my spouse may officially declare me off the deep end 😂 2 Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 27, 2019 Author Share Posted May 27, 2019 4 minutes ago, NaturallyKait said: Haha, I’m in Canada so it’s not a holiday here. Plus, I think if I bring a second tank into the house before my first finishes even cycling my spouse may officially declare me off the deep end 😂 Just get a shallow tank so they can't say you're off the deep end 2 Quote Link to comment
NaturallyKait Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 1 minute ago, pricewayne said: Just get a shallow tank so they can't say you're off the deep end Genius. He’s pretty sure I’ve set up a money pit in living room disguised as a fish tank. I’m pretty sure he’s never actually added up what we’ve spent...probably a good thing. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
taima1shu Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 I love the approach you are taking to thinking and planning this build! This is gonna be a exciting build!! 1 Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 27, 2019 Author Share Posted May 27, 2019 18 hours ago, taima1shu said: I love the approach you are taking to thinking and planning this build! This is gonna be a exciting build!! Thanks!! Part of my getting into the hobby is I’ve hoped it would help me learn some patience lol. Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 27, 2019 Author Share Posted May 27, 2019 Reaching out to some local fabricators//welders for quotes on a steel stand frame. Want to compare cost//benefit to using T slot for the frame. Going to swing by Home Depot and check out potential counter top options... Home Depot is always a time trap for me.. the plants, the aisles, the questions. Wish me luck 🛠. Quick//rough sketch of my plans below — appreciate any structural feedback or otherwise: 1 Quote Link to comment
DaveFason Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Sounds great and let me know! Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 3 minutes ago, DaveFason said: Sounds great and let me know! Lol, am drafting my email to you rn. Quote Link to comment
Daniel91 Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Wow. This will be a solid build!! Looking forward to it. Had I seen that 25% sale, I would’ve upgraded too.. maybe good I didn’t. 1 Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 5/28/2019 at 10:46 AM, Daniel91 said: Wow. This will be a solid build!! Looking forward to it. Had I seen that 25% sale, I would’ve upgraded too.. maybe good I didn’t. Welcome back!! Hope you had a nice vacation. Don't worry, July 4th is just around the corner and there's bound to be another sale 😉 1 Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted May 31, 2019 Author Share Posted May 31, 2019 Quick update on my stand//plans. Think I'll end up going with the 80/20 t-slot aluminum for the stand frame. It isn't too much more than the steel and offers a lot more benefits and longevity. Local distributor warned it may be a 2-6 week lead time, but is confirming the quote tomorrow so 🤞🏻 it's closer to the 2 week lead time. I made some design changes and made a quick wire frame mock up (yes, am aware I am crazy). Can ignore colors -- still debating how I'd like to skin or attach doors to the front shelving. I'll likely wait to skin the stand until after I have the tank cycling -- don't want to rush that decision and have plenty of other projects to focus on first. Mock up *should* be proportionate *if* my math was right. So, it's probably not proportionate. & view with the cabinet doors 'open': My dry marco rock came in. I laid it all out on a towel to glare at for now. Going to make a cardboard tank & start playing with rocks tomorrow. After I get the stand frame parts ordered, I'll spend some intimate time with google to answer questions, such as, "what is plumbing", "what is reef plumbing?", "part list for reef plumbing", "tools needed to plumb my reef tank", "does fluorescent pink PVC pipe exist and can i use it to plumb my reef tank", "PVC color options", "why does red sea advertise 'no glue required!' with their plumbing kit", "what to do if your reef tank floods your house" & etc & etc. Beep boop bop -- more to come soon! 1 2 Quote Link to comment
That dank Reefer Posted May 31, 2019 Share Posted May 31, 2019 Dang that’s going to be professional. I just bought the exact tank from them and finished my stand today. The tanks been 25% off for a lil while now, I even got free shipping on mine... crazy deal. 1 Quote Link to comment
Saltwaterfish Posted June 1, 2019 Share Posted June 1, 2019 NNice cant wait to see finished product. I'm buying this same tank, but getting the stand as well. I know the stand is pricey and all but getting a nice discount on the stand so figured why not. 1 Quote Link to comment
pricewayne Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 On 5/30/2019 at 11:03 PM, That dank Reefer said: Dang that’s going to be professional. I just bought the exact tank from them and finished my stand today. The tanks been 25% off for a lil while now, I even got free shipping on mine... crazy deal. 3 hours ago, Saltwaterfish said: NNice cant wait to see finished product. I'm buying this same tank, but getting the stand as well. I know the stand is pricey and all but getting a nice discount on the stand so figured why not. Nice!! Both of y’all get the EXT or did you get the AIO? I haven’t been able to find too many others that have the EXT yet. Would love to hear your plumbing plans. Just started reading up this morning to get a list of what all I need started. Quote Link to comment
Saltwaterfish Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 The EXT model for sure. Not a fan of the AIO. Quote Link to comment
That dank Reefer Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 On 6/1/2019 at 8:24 PM, Saltwaterfish said: The EXT model for sure. Not a fan of the AIO. Same, not a fan of aio unless it’s a small tank. Ext is the best option available in my opinion. Plus all that extra space is great, it looks way bigger than the internal overflow they make. Quote Link to comment
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