Planning Long Slow Road Back to Hobby

Jimbo327

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#1
I've been out of the hobby for a couple years, and I'm seriously considering jumping back into the hobby. So, now that I've settled down in OC for a couple years and my kids are getting a little older (as am I), the itch to get back into another reef tank is getting stronger. I got rid of my old leather couch, and I have a great spot in my living room for a large reef tank.

All of my previous tanks were run on a low budget, used equipment and limited space. For my next (maybe last) tank, I want to do it the right way from the start. There is a ton more information now, and it's a bit overload for me. For the past couple months, I've been just reading a lot on the various reefing forums, and filtering out what direction I should go. Also, I wanted to check out a lot of reefer's setups locally, but I've not done it because of COVID and I didn't want to intrude on other hobbyist's homes just to see their reef setup.

I think I have a good idea of what I want now, which is a 180g to 200g deeper tank, and I'm slowly planning on getting back into the hobby. Will update this post on my progress.

Jimmy
 
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#3
Nice!!! I'm in the same boat, but just started my new build. Plan, plan, plan, then plan some more. My planning has made my return to the hobby much easier so far.
 

Jimbo327

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#4
I got rid of this couch, and that is the spot I intend to put my new tank. It's a nice area right in the middle of the living room. I think I can get a 6' tank here, but most likely will get a 5' tank because my wife is already claiming some empty space to put her plant cabinets (she is a little obsessed w/ plants).

The next challenge is the whole dining area and living room has tan carpets (~500 sf), and I refuse to put a tank on carpet because it is just a mold issue waiting to happen. So the carpets have to go next.

IMG_7543.jpg
 

Smite

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#6
Well that didn't take too long :)

welcome back and I look forward to the build!
 

Jimbo327

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#7
Thanks. Probably won’t be able to get a tank this year. Need to help the wife with her plants. She wants a couple cabinets to be converted into greenhouses. So that will be the next project. Get the wife busy with her plants, so she won’t notice the tank I’m planning to get. 😅
 

chowberg

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#9
View attachment 83564
View attachment 83565
Here are my wife’s greenhouse/terrarium. No frogs or lizards because she is scared of reptiles. She loves plants.
that is really cool. Does the cabinet keep a certain humidity? Also, what is the back wall?

When you get your 6ft tank I have a perfect 60 inch Gieseman Aurora T5 Hybrid with hanging kit that would be perfect for you!
 

Jimbo327

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#10
The smaller one has background of bark. The larger one has background of sphagnum moss sandwiched between wire mesh. Both cabinets are sealed as much as possible to keep humidity in. Lights, circulation fans, and water fountain are all on timers. Very similar to reef tank, need to maintain humidity and good light for plants to grow. Pretty easy to maintain once it is set up. She does all the inside of the cabinet, I just helped her set up the hardware.
 

Jimbo327

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#11
I had an electrician add in two new dedicated 20A breakers to my electrical panel, and put in a new outlet on the wall as well. So the space is ready for a tank. So now is the decision on a tank.

I haven’t ordered a tank yet because reefs are a big money and time commitment. Going to wait until after taxes, and hope I have some funds to jump back into the hobby.
 
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#12
I had an electrician add in two new dedicated 20A breakers to my electrical panel, and put in a new outlet on the wall as well. So the space is ready for a tank. So now is the decision on a tank.

I haven’t ordered a tank yet because reefs are a big money and time commitment. Going to wait until after taxes, and hope I have some funds to jump back into the hobby.
I'm in Orange as well, so when the time comes and you need some help, just let me know.
 

Jimbo327

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#13
Thanks! Definitely need some help and guidance when I decide to get the tank. I want to keep it really clean, but not sure if I can pull it off. I do want to see other people's lights and setup before I make a decision.

I'm leaning towards a 60x30x24 tank from CDA. I don't think I'll have a light hood. I like the look of the Radion's xr30 with the mounting arms from the back like the RSR. I've been watching the BRS videos. It looks like I would need 4 radions for the ideal spread with minimal dead spots, but some people told me that's overkill. I don't know. And I'm not sure how to mount it with the external overflows kind of blocking the mount.

First, I gotta do my taxes first, haha.
 

Jimbo327

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#15
Wow...A year? Geez, I didn't think it was that crazy. I guess everyone is stuck at home and have plenty of money to spend.
 

Jimbo327

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I’m going to these coral shows hoping to find a tank or see some lighting setups, and my jaw dropped when they told me the prices of various corals. Now I’m thinking how in the world am I going to fill a big tank? LOL. My son loved going to see the corals at the show though.

1614372924882.png
 

Jimbo327

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#17
I pulled out a big box of dry rocks that I stored away in my shed years ago. Still smells like the ocean. I didn't plan to bleach it, but I will read to see what is the benefit of bleaching vs. just spraying it down.

Also, I also found the old RODI unit in the shed. It's a discontinued model:

Aquatic Life RO unit (Model 540087) 100GPD Powered Unit with auto flush. Plugged it in, still works.
Will be adding 2 additional canisters and in line TDS meter. Ordered all new filters.

Basically will be a 6 stage unit.

1 micron sediment > 1 micron BRS carbon block > 1 micron BRS carbon block > 100GPD Dow Filmtec RO membrane > DI > DI

My city's water company has notified us previously that they are using chloramine in our water...so I will need to filter it out. Next to get some salt and containers to hold the filtered water.
 

Jimbo327

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#18
Starting to get a little more serious about buying a new tank. Requesting quotes from reputable tank builders.

Since I plan to stay here for awhile, I called my solar company and inquired to add some home batteries.
 

Smite

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#19
Starting to get a little more serious about buying a new tank. Requesting quotes from reputable tank builders.

Since I plan to stay here for awhile, I called my solar company and inquired to add some home batteries.
Nice. Heaters are the killers so that makes sense. Maybe if your system produces more than you need you'll be able to store it and choose when to send power back for peak returns, too?

Do you have an idea of how large you are going?
 

Jimbo327

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#20
Quoting for 72x30x24. I'm going baller. :ROFLMAO: (Wife doesn't know yet)

Once the tank is ordered, I will figure out what to order for sump. I'm leaning towards a Synergy Reef sump.

Did you order the MM external overflow box with Bean Animal from CDA? (3x1.5" drain) Or is it better to just order the BA parts online and put it together ourselves?
 

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