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AVDweeb

AVDweeb

New member
Hi All,

I've been in the reefing hobby for around two months. I originally purchased a used complete setup from someone on craigslist, and am slowing learning the hobby. So far, here's my setup:

Current:
* Tenecor 75 Gallon w/ Simplicity Plus (we can certainly chat about that :/)
* 48" 2x 250w setup w/ 2x VHO Actinic's
* Red Sea Berlin Airlift 90gal Protein Skimmer
* Rena Air 300 (for the skimmer)
* Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Filter

Future Purchases:
* More live rock! I still need some 40-50 pounds and to make a better aquascape.
* JBJ Ocean Stream-2 X 1,600 GPH + Duo Wavemaker Kit
* inTank Under Water Single Light for reverse photosynthesis cycle.

My end goal is to get to a SPS dominant mixed reef tank, but by starting out with hearty frags to get the hang of things and work my way up. I've got a small start with a few frags from Mark (thanks Mark!) from when I picked up the light. What I'd really like to pull in some more easy SPS like digitata, pearlberrys, green slimmers, stylophora and milleporas at a great deal so that I can grow out my tank.

Click here for a video I shot on my iPhone this evening.

To get it out of the way, the reason I went with the Tenecor is because I got the entire setup for around $450, and with the filtration all built in there's no way it could spill out on to my carpet. Granted this seems easy enough to prevent, but I don't want to add to my current house poorness by flooding the basement.

Feedback, suggestions and welcoming all encouraged!

Russ

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I'm not going to lie, I wasn't expecting so much positive feedback. From what I've read online the setup I have is less than ideal since it doesn't have an external sump.

I'd really like to ensure I make the right purchasing moves and that my money is not wasted on equipment that won't help me reaching my goal of a mixed reef tank that's SPS dominant. Two questions:

01. Can this setup grow SPS well if I do my water changes and keep my parameters inline?

02. I'm thinking I should purchase live rock next. After, should I go for the water movement or reverse photosynthesis cycle / refugium?
 
Welcome to ChicagoReefs and very clean setup you have and hope you get great enjoyment from it. We will if you keep posting updates and pictures.
Thanks!
 
Thanks again everyone! So what's the verdict on these?

01. Can this setup grow SPS well if I do my water changes and keep my parameters inline?

02. I'm thinking I should purchase live rock next. After, should I go for the water movement or reverse photosynthesis cycle / refugium?
 
The metal halides will not have a problem providing enough light for SPS.

I would pick up an led light first since that would be the cheapest.

When you do decide to pick up LR get a separate Rubbermaid tub with a powerhead so you can put your LR in it. So it can cycle since you already have your tank running I wouldn't want to mess up my parameter with big spikes.

If it was me I would go as far as scrubbing the LR and leaving it out of water for a couple of days, just to make sure I don't introduce anything I dont want into my tank. I would then let it sit in a rubber maid tub or extra tank in salt water with some rubble from my Display tank. For a couple of weeks, I want to make sure no aptasia or mantis shrimp make it into my DT or have my parameters go all out of whack.
 
AVDweeb said:
01. Can this setup grow SPS well if I do my water changes and keep my parameters inline?
Click to expand...

Yes, With the halides and a skimmer you should be able to keep SPS. The key is stable and prestine water conditions for SPS. Start off with some beginner pieces to gauge your system.

You mentioned a tap water filter... What is that? For any reef (especially SPS) you should only be using RO/DI water.

AVDweeb said:
02. I'm thinking I should purchase live rock next.
Click to expand...

What was said above. Buy the additional live rock and put it in a Rubbermaid tub with a heater and powerhead for about 30 days to make sure it is cured. This will eliminate a potential crash in your tank from adding new LR with die off on it. You can also buy dry rock (from places like total pets plus or buld reef supply), put it in a tub like I just mentioned, and seed it with one piece of LR from your system. This would cost about 1/2 the price of starting with LR.

AVDweeb said:
After, should I go for the water movement or reverse photosynthesis cycle / refugium?
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean here...?
 
AVDweeb said:
After, should I go for the water movement or reverse photosynthesis cycle / refugium?
Click to expand...

If I understand you correctly, you're wondering if you should increase your water movement by buying more powerheads or get a light to submerge somewhere in your tank to grow macroalgae on a cycle that is opposite your tank lights.

Well, if you want sps, then you'll need good flow. The sps need it but it also helps to export nutrients from the tank by not letting them settle. you need to make sure your parameters are in check before getting sps.

I'm not familiar with this particular tank but I'm assuming there's a place where you can grow macro algae since you don't have a sump? If that's the case, then I wouldn't worry too much about whether or not the submersible light is on a reverse cycle unless you have drastic pH swings. Do you have any macro now or would you be adding some when you get the light?
 
Thanks to everyone for the feedback!

Hectic Z: Thanks for the advice on the rubbermaid bins and LR cycling. I purchased two of these bins from Home Depot last weekend to house my RO and saltwater for changes and the rock cycling. Any issues here? Can I just put the heater and powerhead in and not worry about it burning through the plastic?


Poidog: I went with this water filter after reading positive reviews on Marine Depot. I'd love to have a full RO/DI system, but this was cheap and able to hook up to my bathroom sink. If I went with an RO/DI, I wouldn't know how to install it and the portable ones are super expensive. What do you think? Should I look in to the used market and see if there's a reefer who'd help me install it?

Also, I like the idea of LR because I want the coraline off the bat. I know someone used the trick of submerging the LR in a RO-water bucket to drive off a pest recently. Is this a good idea to try before putting it in the display tank?


EricTheRed: You're totally right about my goals with each product. I do plan on getting both the light and the power heads, just wondering in which order would be best.

With the tank I have right now there's a three-shelf system that I only have a carbon filter on right now. There's a place that I can grow macro algae, but I haven't done so yet. I've got to assume it's not expensive, where should I pick it up? I was thinking about making my rear filter look like this.


Thoughts all?
 
AVDweeb said:
Poidog: I went with this water filter after reading positive reviews on Marine Depot. I'd love to have a full RO/DI system, but this was cheap and able to hook up to my bathroom sink. If I went with an RO/DI, I wouldn't know how to install it and the portable ones are super expensive. What do you think? Should I look in to the used market and see if there's a reefer who'd help me install it?

Also, I like the idea of LR because I want the coraline off the bat. I know someone used the trick of submerging the LR in a RO-water bucket to drive off a pest recently. Is this a good idea to try before putting it in the display tank?
Click to expand...

Ah I see. So all this is is the DI portion. This will cost you more money in the long run as you'll go through your DI resin quickly. To put it in perspective my tap TDS is 140. The RO strips it down to 1, then the DI strips that little amount of TDS out. A full RO/DI is not expensive - only $159 at BRS and can hook up right to your sink.

Coraline grows quick. And since you already have live rock you can see dry rock with it. FW dip will not get rid of all nuisances like algea, aptasia, inverts deep in the rock. Live rock is a risk, good and possible bad along with it.
 
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