Hey all,
I moved to San Diego from Boston about a year and half ago. In Boston I had a 12 gallon nano cube and I liked it, but I did not love the AOI type system, it was just to limiting in almost every aspect. I made some mods in terms of lighting, but that was pretty much it.
Since moving here though I have been out of reef keeping, but I am moving into my house with my wife in just a few weeks, and with moves no longer being an issue at least for 5 years(I hope!), I am going to rebuild! I'm probably about 6 weeks out before I start buying any equipment, but I am very much in the planning stages, and if anyone wants to help me plan with suggestions, I am all ears! Also, any recommendations of where to shop locally! I like supporting local business, especially in the reef keeping world! I'm in Mission Valley so anywhere relatively close.
Even though I am moving into a house from an apartment, there is still some space restrictions. I am pretty much set on the Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long. I know its narrow, but I love the long look and shallow reef. It looks much bigger than what it is.
Filtration is where I am most undecided. I was thinking a CPR Aquafuge 2 large and thats it. What I put in there, I am still trying to decide on that too. I don't think I will run a skimmer or an underneath sump or anything because the tank is not drilled and I don't have the confidence to drill it myself and more importantly, plumb it all myself. Carpentry, I can do...plumbing not so much.
Lighting I am thinking Current USA Orbit Marine LED and for flow a MP10.
Anyways, any input is much appreciated! It is a pleasure to meet you all, and maybe we can get a beer downtown sometime! I'll be sure to start a build thread here once I get going. Cheers!