aquarium setup

[mgobyman]

Hello All,
Ok here the scoop, was in this hobby for a few years then just became frustrated with all the work involved to make a nice reef! now after a break for two years "I'm looking for punishment with fulfillment again" but with a little more saviness in mind of setup.
I'm looking to setup a 40gal first and try my new setup/routine maintenance schedule compilation. My reason is let me try this at a fairly cheaper expense then diving into a 150gal system! do not want to feel the frustration at a mucher higher $ if frustration will finish this method (in a sence of will this work!). questions are do you think this is smarter idea in a sense of costs? also keeping in mind the things that will be purchased will/can be used on the future system.
the items that will be procured for the forty setup will be;
40gal (currently have)
1 250watt mh mogul 20k bulb w/sealed and vented luminarcIII
RO/DI 50gpd system
RC180 Euro skimmer
K2 Calcium reactor (timer)
phosban reactor
Seio 1100 maybe to much?
16w U/V light???increase flow of H2O
50lbs live rock
60gal refugium(room for skimmer & reactor)
Well have fun with input it will be greatly appreciated!

R/Chris

 

[drummereef]

Looks like it's going to be a nice setup. Why don't you use the 60 for the display and the 40 for the fuge? What are you going to have in the fuge, some chaeto? You'll need a light over it. I'd add a heater and some type of cooling system (fans, etc..) Hey since you are going for the gusto, why not add a controller while you're at it. You'll at least need pH control for the calcium reactor. I couldn't live without my Aquacontroller Jr. Almost forgot... are you going bare bottom or are you going to have a substrate?

 

[Tripspike]

Go with the bigger setup. Easier to maintain water quality. You will probably regret starting with the 40 after you spend all the cash and time to get it up and running.

Trip

 

[drummereef]

Ha! We both have 40 gallon tanks. :lol: I wish I had my 180.

 

[mgobyman]

Thank you all

Thank you all

Really want to go 125gal my concern more rock, lights, power chiller, and ect ect

 

[eddie c]

get what you really want, even if you have to wait for it, if your into this hobby seriously, then sooner or later you will end up buying that 125g, i started with a 20 and now have a 75 and wish i would have got the 125, which i'm sure i will someday, and it bothers me to think of all the time and aggravation i could of saved if i just had gotten what i really wanted.

 

[kappaknight]

If you're going into it with the attitude that it'll be frustrating, maybe you're not ready to start again; yet.

 

[jmchzn]

Start at the 40

Start at the 40

Forget it! Stop now! Oct 2005 got the 40. Oct 2006 got 90 and nothing on the 40 can be used on the 90. The 40 was full in 7mos of coral growth. The water quality changes quick. Every aspect ph/temp/alk/everthing. The smaller hang on skimmers don't work. The pm hot 1 works great but has to be cleaned almost daily and is ugly on the back. MH is out w/o chiller. forget it too much to explain sorry go ahead get the 40. sorry.

 

[kappaknight]

Why'd you tell him to get a 40 if you just listed everything bad that happened to you with the 40?