Contemplating

Chelsey

Chelsey

Clownfish Addict
Premium Member
While "studying" for a final that I have tonight I've been contemplating options I have with my tank and would like some opinions.

First, I would love to get an anemone for my picasso clowns, preferably a really nice RBTA. However, my tank is too small for both a healthy adult RBTA and all of the corals that I've got. So, option one would be to get rid of all of my coral (or at the very least expect to lose quite a few due to the nem) and get a RBTA. I wouldn't have to worry about buying a calcium reactor anymore because I wouldn't have any sps ;) I'm a bit concerned that I might become bored with the anemone/clowns only though :(

Second option would be to fork out the money for a Calcium reactor and in probably a year's time end up with decent sized SPS colonies in my tank along with the rapidly growing zoa colonies and forego the RBTA.

The third option, which I like the most but is very impractical, would be to upgrade :D I'm thinking a 36x36x18" acrylic cube, which comes to ~100 gallons. This would be an incredibly expensive endeavor and I'm not sure I would be able to use the equipment that I have now (which means new skimmer, lighting, sump, etc...$$$) but it would allow me to have my cake and eat it too as far as the nem is concerned, plus I would have more room for corals and fish (maybe I'd even be able to keep a potters alive :p).

So anyway, I'd just like your thoughts on this, and if anyone would want to put me together an estimate for the big cube tank of my dreams I'd appreciate it :p ;) Thanks!


Chelsey
 
John at JBC sells cubes that he makes for some laser testing company. If they are off by 1/100 of an inch they are rejected. They vary in size but most are about 28x28x18. They use 3/4 and 1/2 inch acrylic-the only down fall is that they will have a 1/2 inch hole drilled in the back left corner, which can be sealed with a new piece of acrylic and is not that noticeable.
They usually go for between 90-200
If you do not know him real well he will charge towards the upper range because he knows you are in need of it. If he knows you he will sell it at his cost because otherwise it sits.

Even if he built your exact size it would not cost near what you are expecting.

I have two of these cubes and use one as my sump and the other I am going to re-do for my new sump as it is larger.

I have to have him cut some pieces on Monday for my new sump and if you want me to explore his dungeon, just let me know, and I will.
Thanks
PL
 
I would make your 40/40 a full blown sps and do a softy lps rbta tank with the other one.
 
I don't want to do a full blown SPS tank, I want a mixed tank. If I were to set up another tank it would be a smallish cube for my pair of clowns and RBTA.
 
Sorry Phil, I've been busy with finals and I'm home now and have a few minutes. I'm working on saving up some $$$ (working a lot over the break) for a calcium reactor but if I decide to do a tank upgrade I'll definitely let you know.

What of the following equipment can I use for a 100 gallon setup?
-40 breeder sump (too small?)
-Deltec ap600 skimmer
-Geo 612 Ca reactor
-Eheim something or another (Chad, chime in here)

I'd want to put a metal halide over it...could I get by with one with a luminarc reflector? The tank will measure 36x36x18.

Thanks!
 
The 40 Breeder would be perfect for the sump if you can fit it under the tank. One 250 or 400W MH would be pleanty for anything you want to throw in there...

BK
 
Are you sure I'd get decent coverage with only ONE light over a 9 sq foot area?

My sump is kind of cramped as it is, but I think if I did a little rearranging and added baffles (I didn't have the opportunity to do so when my sump blew out a few months ago). Also, I'm worried about the amount of water...do you think 40 gallons (in all actuality probably ~30) is enough of a sump for a 100 gallon tank?
 
Ok Chelsey, JMO's here. First I'd take geo up on his offer to help with the cube. Second I like big sumps, why?? Because you can place the amount of LR that you can't/don't use in them. I had a 55g sump on a 90g tank. As far as equipment goes,

1) Go with a Octopus skimmer!! There just as good and cheaper. Your NOT paying for the big name.
2)Geo 612 ca reactor is what I have and vote for it.
3)I'd invest in a phoso band reactor as well.
4)As for lights, why go MH?? Why not T5's?? You could go 24in' bulbs on that cube and your SPS as well as LPS and even Rbta would shock you with the right lights blazing on them. And less heat to deal with. Rich1972 has a 6 bulb with 4 moon lights unit that he bought last year he can no longer use begins he up graded to a 90g tank and they are 24in. We just hooked up his new 48'in T5's and he said he was going to sell the other unit. I know 4 of the bulbs are close to new & he would give you a good deal if you were interested.

Please if you want a RBTA, let me know. Mine split once and I just got someone to take the other one. I can make it split again, and I'd give you one for FREE, beings in the past you've hooked me up with free stuff at the swaps.

Eheim's are nice pumps. I only have the one that runs my Cal reactor, but it seems to be a good pump. I still have my first ever bought pump a MAG12 and it's still being used today. It's running Rich1972's system. I've NEVER had any issues with it other than just doing regular maintance to it ( cleaning it). So I'd vote for the MAG. Oh yea I know this guy who could help you out with a sump, but you'll have to PM me for the info. So I'm voting for option #3 I think in the long run, you'd end up much happier and not have the feeling of what if.......??
 
I think for my sump I'm going to go with a tank that's roughly 36x24x18", but ultimately it'll depend on what Phil's connection has.

According to deltec's website the ap600 can handle a total water volume of ~200 gallons depending on stocking rate (130 gallons if heavily stocked)

I'm getting a Geo 612 calcium reactor whether I upgrade or not, so if I do upgrade I'll be safe, if I don't it'll just be a bit overkill ;)

I already have a phosban reactor and am planning on moving it over to the other tank if (when) I upgrade.

I already have T-5s over my 40 breeder and to be completely honest they work fine but I like MH better, especially for the shimmer effect and I'm definitely sold on MH after seeing what the change from T5 to MH did to Chad's tank. My house stays cool and since the new tank will be in the basement it'll be especially cool so I won't need to worry about a chiller.


There are a few things I need help with now that I'm halfway planning a new system.
1) What return pump should I get?
2) The whole MH thing baffles me...I have not the slightest clue about ballasts, bulbs, etc. The only thing I know for sure is that I want single end and a 14k (preferably 12k), bulb. How many MH do I need to cover 36 x 36"? I'll be using luminarc reflectors.

Thanks for your help in this new endeavor guys, I really appreciate it :)
 
Chelsey Im selling my old lighting system which is 2 x 250w. Its a DIY set that works amazing and with any bulbs. I have 2 iwasaki 65k and 2 ebay 14k which only have like 50 hours on them. I could sell you it all for really cheap... They should be PLENTY for that size tank i would assume.
 
you should be fine with the 1260 eheim as your return pump on your new tank (unless you want more than 600 GPH through your sump)

the ap600 is fine also

612 is fine if you get it

you can use the 40 as your sump depending on how you work your overflow

metal halide (175,250,400) i am not going into lighting (what reflector)(large, mini ) (spread depends on how high you have the light from your tank)(some bulbs have nice par and some look like night lights)
 
I think I'll go with 1 250...will that be enough? I want the light high enough that I can reach into the tank without burning myself (which I'll likely do anyway) but low enough that it doesn't illuminate my entire basement. For a reflector I'll be using a luminarc. Anyone want to help me with the ballast and stuff? I have no clue what I'm doing :p I need to get a bottom line for how much everything is going to cost me before I decide if I really am going to upgrade.
 
Here's what I have down so far. I think that I'm going to go with two 175s so that I don't have any dead spots in the tank where I don't have enough light. I'm going to build a suspended canopy to house my MH and the VHO supplementation that I'll be using. If anyone sees any kind of problems PLEASE post and let me know. I'm also contemplating on a starphire glass cages tank or an acrylic tank...any thoughts on that?
Lighting:
2 Lumen Bright Reflectors $120 each
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=843

PFO 175 watt Dual Metal Halide Ballast $212.50
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=591

PFO 2 Bulb VHO Retro $126.95
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=484

2 URI Super Actinic VHO Lamps 36" $20 each
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=360

2 Ushio 10K 175watt Metal Halide Bulbs $67.95
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=185

Calcium Reactor:
Geo 612 Calcium Reactor $309.95
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=114

Milwaukee CO2 Regulator Combo $74.99
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=9

10 lb bag Schuran media $24.95
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=330

Neptune pH Probe $45
http://www.thereefstop.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=236

Chad, will that pH probe that I have listed work with my aquacontroller?
 
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