I'm back!

[Djplus1]

So, I'm an idiot. Haven't had a tank running in 10 years (used to have 3 running at once). Decided to check out CTE Aquatics up in Timonium on a whim, and thought to myself, maybe I'll just get that old RSM 130 up and running for cheap, maybe a new heater, try to fix an LED hood upgrade I've been sitting on for the last 7-8 years and that'll do her. Then figured I try to get a decent small LED on FB Marketplace, got stood up. Then struck gold. Ended up picking up a Waterbox 45.2 Marine set up with the Sicce SDC Wifi pump, Tunze ATO, Red Sea ReefLED 90, and Reef Octopus Classic 150 S for $600 total this morning. Looks like I'm back to reefing lol!

 

A couple questions though. Is this skimmer "too big" for this tank? It's rated for much larger volume (seller said he briefly used it in this tank, but didn't keep fish in it recently so only used for a few months) Second, I'm noticing all of these devices have apps and other "controls" (much different than 10-15 years ago, lol) are people still using Apex or other controllers? Or are they obsolete? I have a couple Jr's and a full (or lite, not totally sure) laying around and not sure if they are effectively glorified power strips at this point?

 

He also left a little water and live sand from breaking down this weekend. How long can I expect this to remain live? Should I immediately add freshly mixed salt water or am I good for a week or so? Would I be able to immediately add any livestock as this would be "cycled" already?

 

Anything else I'm walking into that is going to be crazy different than before?

 

 

 

[YHSublime]

Welcome back!

 

The skimmer is probably over kill, I’d run real dry. 
 

If your old Apex still works, I’m pretty sure it can be updated to interact with new apex, but don’t quote me on that. For example, I think your EB8 will run with the new brain, but a new EB8 won’t run on your old Apex. I’m sure your probes haven’t been kept wet for a decade, so they’d be toast. Probably would want to get a new controller, and see what translates over from the old one (again, don’t quote me, I could be wrong.)

 

i doubt you’re going to be cycled right away, I’d keep that water reef temp (79ish) if you want to keep anything beneficial alive. What will most likely happen is whatever dies/died in there will kick off your nitrogen cycle when you start up the tank. You could mix some NSW up and fill it up, keep it temp, and it would shorten your cycle a bit with new rock/old sand, but regardless, you should test to make sure you complete a cycle, don’t guess!

 

 Every thing has a dang app for it now, and I hate it, but KISS Method still works well!

 

[gastone]

Welcome back!  Not much to add as I agree with @YHSublime.  As for the live sand, you can keep it going indefinitely in a bucket with a few inches of water, a small heater and a small pump for circulation.  The question is, how long has it been unheated and/or out of water.  If it's been unheated/out of water, you could experience a large amount of die off which you may want to just avoid all together. As for the skimmer, definitely overkill.  Throw up a trade offer for smaller skimmer.  Most people upgrade to larger tanks, which means they'll have smaller sized equipment available.  

 

That's a sweet looking tank btw. 

[Djplus1]

23 minutes ago, gastone said:

Welcome back!  Not much to add as I agree with @YHSublime.  As for the live sand, you can keep it going indefinitely in a bucket with a few inches of water, a small heater and a small pump for circulation.  The question is, how long has it been unheated and/or out of water.  If it's been unheated/out of water, you could experience a large amount of die off which you may want to just avoid all together. As for the skimmer, definitely overkill.  Throw up a trade offer for smaller skimmer.  Most people upgrade to larger tanks, which means they'll have smaller sized equipment available.  

 

That's a sweet looking tank btw. 

This tank was running and had corals in it Sunday morning. There's a couple broken pieces that I'm willing to bet are still alive if I were to get this thing semi set up in the next couple days. But yeah, Ill probably wait a couple weeks to add anything additional. 

[Djplus1]

13 hours ago, YHSublime said:

Welcome back!

 

The skimmer is probably over kill, I’d run real dry. 
 

If your old Apex still works, I’m pretty sure it can be updated to interact with new apex, but don’t quote me on that. For example, I think your EB8 will run with the new brain, but a new EB8 won’t run on your old Apex. I’m sure your probes haven’t been kept wet for a decade, so they’d be toast. Probably would want to get a new controller, and see what translates over from the old one (again, don’t quote me, I could be wrong.)

 

i doubt you’re going to be cycled right away, I’d keep that water reef temp (79ish) if you want to keep anything beneficial alive. What will most likely happen is whatever dies/died in there will kick off your nitrogen cycle when you start up the tank. You could mix some NSW up and fill it up, keep it temp, and it would shorten your cycle a bit with new rock/old sand, but regardless, you should test to make sure you complete a cycle, don’t guess!

 

 Every thing has a dang app for it now, and I hate it, but KISS Method still works well!

 

Long time buddy. When you say "brain" do you mean the display module? I don't recall "needing" those at all if you programmed through their "app". I'm pretty sure I only ever had one on my main tank and the other two just had programmed Apex Jr's with no display. Of course my memory may be foggy, lol.

[YHSublime]

25 minutes ago, Djplus1 said:

Long time buddy. When you say "brain" do you mean the display module? I don't recall "needing" those at all if you programmed through their "app". I'm pretty sure I only ever had one on my main tank and the other two just had programmed Apex Jr's with no display. Of course my memory may be foggy, lol.

Sure has been! I’m still at it!

 

by brain I essentially mean the controller portion, not the display. 
 

I’d ask your controller question in the controller dedicated forum, it might get more traction. I did a quick google search, looks like most of the equipment is useable IF you used the aquabus cables, with a tad more restraints with Apex Jr (the Jr wont connect to Trident, which is an automatic tester) but it will connect to Dos (Neptunes Dosing Pumps.) mostly good news, seems like most equipment can still be used, but like around yourself!