Luxury Aquarium Guide and Inspiration
Updated 2023
This Ultimate Saltwater Aquarium guide was primarily designed to provide inspiration and a glimpse into some of the most extravagant equipment and setups available in our hobby. Creating a setup like this would require a significant investment of both money and time. While this type of saltwater aquarium might align with your aspirations, we understand that it likely represents a long-term goal and dream for the majority of reef enthusiasts. We’ve omitted the more basic gear here and focused solely on showcasing the most advanced and expensive options available.
High Tech Build Stats:
Size: 210 gallons + 54 gallon sump
Care Level: Moderate-Advanced
Style: Standard
Placement: Office, kitchen, living room
Aquarium
I mean come on! This tank is crazy! Not only is it gigantic, but it comes with lights, wavemakers, sump, plumbing, roller mat, and protein skimmer. I only wish they had it in a peninsula tank. It’s going to set you back a pretty penny, but just think of what you could have in a 210 gallon display tank! The largest tank I ever had was 110 gallons, and that felt huge!
Light
So this Reefer comes with four lights, but to be honest, they are a bit undersized in terms of spread. I would keep these lights, but add on some sort of strip LED, light the AI Blades. You’ll have to custom mount them, but if you had 2 Grows and one Glow, you could really increase the spread dramatically, and help the fluorescents pop on your corals.
Another piece of simple gear where we just went with quality and reputation. This specific skimmer would be able to handle a wide range of saltwater aquarium setups and sizes!
RO/DI Water Filter
With a tank this size, you will absolutely want to make your own RODI water at home… because you will need a lot of it for both water changes and daily evaporation top off.
The RO/DI filter is a nifty water filtration unit that works wonders with your tap water, making it nearly pure. It stands for Reverse Osmosis Deionization. This filtered water is just what you need for mixing your saltwater using a salt mix (more on that later!).
Having an RO/DI filter for your saltwater aquarium comes with loads of benefits and saves you money in the long run. But if you’re starting small or just getting into the hobby, there are simpler options available. You can easily get distilled water or pre-made saltwater from your local fish store. However, if you’re going for a high-tech setup, investing in an RO/DI filter is totally worth it!
Controller and Accessories
These sets of equipment might be the most exotic and “luxurious” items listed here! This collection essentially encompasses the complete range of products from the Neptune brand, known for manufacturing controllers, testers, and other tools designed to assist in monitoring and automating your saltwater aquarium. This gear offers extensive data and control over the happenings within your aquarium and other devices. While it comes with a higher price tag, its value is undoubtedly well worth the investment!
External ATO (Auto Top Off)
Fancy auto top off units? Nah, you can totally refill your tank daily with RODI water, but trust me, that gets old real quick. Plus, what if you want to take a break and go on a vacation? You’ll need someone to handle it for you.
Enter the ATO, or auto top off system! It can be as simple as flipping a 1-liter coke can upside down in your rear filtration chamber, or you can go all out with digital sensors and sleek acrylic reservoirs.
You’ve got options here! Below is the top of the line Tunze Osmolator. But let’s be real, you could also go with a 5-gallon bucket and save a whole bunch of cash – over $100 to be precise! The choice is yours, my friend.
Powerhead/Wavemaker
Once you get to the 200 gallon size tank, you will likely need multiple wavemakers if you want to keep coral. This AI Nero 7 is a great DC pump, controllable, and quiet. You are likely going to need at least two of these, maybe even four or six. Just be sure to get the big size, the Nero 7.
