jonmedina
Supporting Member
Introduction and Background
So I am posting this a bit prematurely, however I'm hoping for any feedback or thoughts along the way, so I figured might as well get things started now as we're about to move this tank on Saturday. I will provide updates and plenty of pictures as we go through the process.
I started out reefing with a 30-gallon tank that was given to me by a friend. It had a cannister filter I had to modify in order to work for my saltwater setup, along with other assorted pieces of equipment that I sorta hacked together. This setup was a trial, a way for me to understand whether this was going to be worth the investment in time and resources. The limitations of this initial setup soon became painfully apparent. From the ugly clutter of cobbled-together gear, to the limitations on the size and goals I had, it was clear that if I wanted to continue I was going to need an upgrade. Additionally, I had not anticipated my family getting so involved and their enthusiasm for the project.
How I Acquired the new rig
Turns out there is a guy up the street from me who is also going through life changes (new baby among other things). He had a RedSea Max S-500 135-gallon tank that he unfortunately realized he could no longer keep. He gave me a fantastic price on the system to include livestock, corals, upgraded Bubble Magus skimmer, upgraded Kessil lights, and a chiller. This was a pretty big step up from my current setup, a bit bigger than I'd planned, but it was a great deal and could finally be a tank I could have long term, so I decided to pull the trigger.
Current Status and Plan
Immediate Actions: Moving the thing
This coming Saturday AM, a professional reef tank mover is scheduled to help with the transition. The new tank will claim a prime spot in my living room. To make room for it, the 30-gallon tank will be temporarily relocated to another part of the same room until I transition everyone out and then it will become a quarantine tank.
Livestock and Coral Transfer Plans
The new tank currently hosts:
Current Concerns and TODOs (Thoughts and feedback appreciated)
Livestock Concerns/TODOs
So I am posting this a bit prematurely, however I'm hoping for any feedback or thoughts along the way, so I figured might as well get things started now as we're about to move this tank on Saturday. I will provide updates and plenty of pictures as we go through the process.
I started out reefing with a 30-gallon tank that was given to me by a friend. It had a cannister filter I had to modify in order to work for my saltwater setup, along with other assorted pieces of equipment that I sorta hacked together. This setup was a trial, a way for me to understand whether this was going to be worth the investment in time and resources. The limitations of this initial setup soon became painfully apparent. From the ugly clutter of cobbled-together gear, to the limitations on the size and goals I had, it was clear that if I wanted to continue I was going to need an upgrade. Additionally, I had not anticipated my family getting so involved and their enthusiasm for the project.
How I Acquired the new rig
Turns out there is a guy up the street from me who is also going through life changes (new baby among other things). He had a RedSea Max S-500 135-gallon tank that he unfortunately realized he could no longer keep. He gave me a fantastic price on the system to include livestock, corals, upgraded Bubble Magus skimmer, upgraded Kessil lights, and a chiller. This was a pretty big step up from my current setup, a bit bigger than I'd planned, but it was a great deal and could finally be a tank I could have long term, so I decided to pull the trigger.
Current Status and Plan
Immediate Actions: Moving the thing
This coming Saturday AM, a professional reef tank mover is scheduled to help with the transition. The new tank will claim a prime spot in my living room. To make room for it, the 30-gallon tank will be temporarily relocated to another part of the same room until I transition everyone out and then it will become a quarantine tank.
Livestock and Coral Transfer Plans
The new tank currently hosts:
- Two Clownfish
- Puffer
- Yellowfin Tang and Sailfin Tang
- Corals: Zoas, and mushrooms
- Fish: Two Clownfish and one Chromis. The clowns have a special place in my heart as they were in a very poorly maintained tank and were really sick and I've successfully nursed them back to health.
- Corals: Zoas, Duncan, kryptonite candy cane, green yuba mushroom, paly, hairy mushroom, green favia, frogspawn, torch, and octospawn.
- Inverts: Two Peppermint Shrimp and one Emerald Crab, a buncha snails and hermit crabs
Current Concerns and TODOs (Thoughts and feedback appreciated)
Livestock Concerns/TODOs
- Puffer Rehoming: The puffer in the new tank poses a threat to my inverts and coral plans. He's absolutely adorable, and I'd love to keep him, but I may soon be thinking about rehoming him.
- Clownfish Safety: Integrating my rescued clownfish with the existing clownfish in the new tank is a concern. I'm worried about territorial issues. I'm getting an acclimation box and am going to do my best to introduce them safely, but I'm pretty worried about this bit. Any wisdom is appreciated.
- Any other concerns introducing the corals. All my corals are pretty hardy so I'm not too worried, but just keeping tabs on it and continuing to research.
- Understanding Lighting: I need to spend time understanding how to optimize the lighting for my corals. Will be needing a PAR meter and learning how all this works.
- Assessing the Need for a Tank Cover: Not sure if I need a tank cover, definitely would rather not find any fish on my living room floor
- Chiller Evaluation: The chiller occupies valuable dry cabinet space. I need to assess whether it's necessary for my setup or if the space could be put to better use for ATO jug or something else.
- Mastering the Sump: While I understand the basics of how a sump works, there is a learning curve ahead. I need to understand how best to partition the sump for what I need.
