SAMPLE BUILD · STEPPING UP
The $6,500 mixed reef: a 72-gallon sump build on a Reefer 350 G3
THE BUILD IN ONE PARAGRAPH
This is a mid-range mixed-reef equipment list for a 72-gallon sump system built on a Red Sea Reefer 350 G3: an in-sump skimmer, two lights, two wavemakers, a DC return pump, a dosing pump, a controller, ATO and reef water-chemistry testing — $6,504.35 against a $6,500 budget. Every part is chosen by ReefRig’s rule engine from data verified 2026-07-03.
Moving to a sump is what makes room for a protein skimmer, an external return pump and stony corals down the line. Built on a Red Sea Reefer 350 G3, this mixed-reef list adds a dosing pump and a controller while holding to a $6,500 budget. One fit detail to plan for: the engine’s skimmer pick sits a little high for this sump’s water level, so it flags a 2–3″ riser — the kind of thing that’s easy to miss until the skimmer won’t make foam.
BEFORE YOU BUY
Reef Octopus Classic 150INT: Your sump runs ~9.2″ deep but this skimmer is rated for 6–8″. Add a 2–3″ skimmer stand/riser to drop it into its foam-producing range.
The equipment list
15 products, each sized against the rule engine and priced from catalog reference data. Reference prices are the going street price or MSRP on the verified date — not a ReefRig sale price. Availability and prices change; confirm before buying.
| Slot | Product | Key spec | Qty | Ref price | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display tank | Red Sea REEFER 350 G3 | 72 gal display / ~90.3 gal system · 47.2×19.7×20.9″ · 18 gal sump | 1 | $2,799.00 | 2026-07-03 |
| Aquarium controller | CoralVue (Hydros) HYDROS Control X4 (formerly Control 4) | controller hub · monitors temp/ph/orp/leak | 1 | $434.27 | 2026-07-03 |
| Protein skimmer | Reef Octopus Classic 150INT | rated ~210 gal (light bioload) · in-sump · 6–8″ water depth | 1 | $381.14 | 2026-07-03 |
| Lighting | AquaIllumination Hydra 32HD | 95W · ~150 PAR @ 24″ · 24×24″ spread | 2 | $827.98 | 2026-07-03 |
| Wavemakers | IceCap (CoralVue) 2K Gyre | up to 2000 GPH · gyre (crossflow) · 20-90 gal | 2 | $369.98 | 2026-07-03 |
| Heating (controller + element) | Innovative Marine Helio PTC Smart Heater 200W (single element, w/ controller) | 200W · PTC · built-in controller | 1 | $192.00 | 2026-07-03 |
| Heating (second element) | Bulk Reef Supply BRS Titanium Heater Element 200W | 200W · titanium · external control | 1 | $55.99 | 2026-07-03 |
| Return pump | Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0 | 1453 GPH max · 11.5 ft max head · DC (controllable) | 1 | $399.99 | 2026-07-03 |
| Dosing pump | Kamoer X1 PRO | 1-channel · Kamoer app | 1 | $78.99 | 2026-07-03 |
| Auto top-off | Tunze Osmolator 3 (3154.000) | optical-sensor auto top-off · 20.3 ft lift | 1 | $212.49 | 2026-07-03 |
| RO/DI system | Bulk Reef Supply 5 Stage Premium 75 GPD RO/DI System | 75 GPD · 5-stage · chloramine-capable | 1 | $179.99 | 2026-07-03 |
| Salinity meter | generic Analog Salinity Refractometer (0-100 ppt / SG 1.000-1.070, ATC) | refractometer · salinity (with ATC) | 1 | $25.00 | 2026-07-03 |
| Reef test kit | Salifert Alk/Ca/Mg Single-Parameter Kit Combo | alk/ca/mg · titration | 1 | $50.05 | 2026-07-03 |
| Alkalinity checker | Hanna Instruments HI772 Marine Alkalinity (dKH) Checker HC | alk · digital-checker | 1 | $67.49 | 2026-07-03 |
| Salt mix | Red Sea Coral Pro | 175 gal box · ~12 dKH | 1 | $99.99 | 2026-07-03 |
| Equipment subtotal | $6,174.35 | ||||
Reference prices verified 2026-07-03. ReefRig is not a retailer and does not sell these products; prices are systematically collected reference figures, not offers.
Beyond the SKUs
These are not single products you add to a cart, but real costs the build needs — sized by rule from tank type, system volume and coral type. They are part of the total.
| Line | What it covers | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Live rock, sand & filter media | Sump system up to 100 gal display: ~50–80 lb rock, sand, and starter media. | $250.00 |
| Plumbing (unions, valves, Loc-Line) | Sump builds need bulkhead unions, a gate/ball valve on the drain, and return-line fittings. | $80.00 |
| Allowances subtotal | $330.00 | |
Equipment $6,174.35 + allowances $330.00 = $6,504.35 total, just over the $6,500 budget. Excludes livestock, corals and everyday consumables.
Why each part
Every line is chosen by the same rule engine that powers the System Builder. Below is the check each pick passed — the headline reason plus any caution.
Display tank
Red Sea REEFER 350 G3 · $2,799.00
Aquarium controller
CoralVue (Hydros) HYDROS Control X4 (formerly Control 4) · $434.27
Protein skimmer
Reef Octopus Classic 150INT · $381.14
Lighting
AquaIllumination Hydra 32HD · 2 × $413.99
Wavemakers
IceCap (CoralVue) 2K Gyre · 2 × $184.99
Heating (controller + element)
Innovative Marine Helio PTC Smart Heater 200W (single element, w/ controller) · $192.00
Heating (second element)
Bulk Reef Supply BRS Titanium Heater Element 200W · $55.99
Return pump
Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0 · $399.99
Dosing pump
Kamoer X1 PRO · $78.99
Auto top-off
Tunze Osmolator 3 (3154.000) · $212.49
RO/DI system
Bulk Reef Supply 5 Stage Premium 75 GPD RO/DI System · $179.99
Salinity meter
generic Analog Salinity Refractometer (0-100 ppt / SG 1.000-1.070, ATC) · $25.00
Reef test kit
Salifert Alk/Ca/Mg Single-Parameter Kit Combo · $50.05
Alkalinity checker
Hanna Instruments HI772 Marine Alkalinity (dKH) Checker HC · $67.49
Salt mix
Red Sea Coral Pro · $99.99