FANTASY REEF BUILD

I think tank #2, but you do need a budget for the tank.
Then work out each month on what you need to get and how much it will cost.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13531121#post13531121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by talon4x4
I would have to say budget should be #2. Here's my reasoning. You can choose/build the tank around the budget. Sure starfire glass would be nice, if it falls within the budget, if not, skip it. You don't want to decide on 180gal all starfire tank in #2 just to find out the budget in #3 won't allow it.

Placing the budget after the tank would leave us with a limitless budget created solely to buy the tank we want in #2 whether it can be afforded or not.

You get my point, I hope! :)

My point on the tank for #2 was just about the size of the tank. I agree things like starfire glass or rimless and that sort would be decided after the budget.
 
#1 research as much as you can and continue it as long as you have a tank.

#2 determine how much your willing to budget for this, determine how much time your willing to spend for husbandry, determine if you have a preference toward one type of coral type.

#3 purchase equipment based upon the results of step 2. No reason to discuss or select equipment until these decisions are made.
 
Chiming in. I think having a basic idea of location in the house needs to come before a budget. I know I would set a different budget amount for a 300 gallon peninsula with a display sump than I would a 150 against a wall.
 
OK just finished reading thru the thread. I would say with everyones responses that tank size, location and budget may all need to be lumped into one step. If you don't have the budget for a 300 tank it won't matter if you have a place for it. On the other side if the buget allows for a 300 but you don't have room then buddget won't matter. When deciding on a purchase like this you should budget low, this allows for the unexpected.

So to help move the thread along lets say they have a perfect spot for a 4x2x2(120-125gallon) tank. Located in the family/living room where they spend most of their time. So now what do we think about budget?

Ron
 
Would it be alright if we went with a bigger tank than a 48x24x24? Something like 60x30x30, or would it be wise to keep it smaller?
Regardless of the size, I think we should make it a peninsula tank.
The reason I think a peninsula tank would be better than an inwall tank, is because it will double the amount of space we can use for coral. The tank now has ten feet (if it's a 120g) of space available for zoanthids, instead of four. I don't think a peninsula tank will handicap the rock scape that much, if we stay with wide tanks.

This is an AWESOME thread, and I think it has the potential of helping a lot of poeple. Don't let it die!!!
 
Drew I like your ideas. By keeping it simple and doing what most people would do with a tank I feel we might get this thread moving. Not everyone has room for a pennisulia tank. The cost of the tank you mentioned and the fact it would have to be special ordered could make this diffucult for most people to start with. My thought was start with a very common size that is cost effective and readily avaiable. I feel this thread has stalled due to a lack of direction. Instead of endless options we need to find common ground that can be quickly agreed upon. This will allow forward movement.

Not trying to be rude, just adding my two cents.

What do you think Mucho, you still with us?

Ron
 
Ron, I understand what you are saying about "most people" but this is a "FANTASY REEF BUILD". We already know that they make $130,000 per year so a peninsula tank is not a stretch for them.

Drew, I like the size but would make it an even 72"(72X36X30)) and stretch the width out to 36". That would give us approx 336 gallons. The extra width could let us put the overflow directly in the middle of the tank and still have plenty of room to work with on all four sides. We could then keep various corals (sps,lps,softies) in the tank. We may be able to have different zones in the tank and keep them somewhat separated with rock work. Doing that may even allow us to keep some anemones also in here.
 
OK lets then start with what do we want a Pennisula, in wall or against the wall tank? So far sounds like a deep dimension tank is what the group would like to see. Keep in mind these are newbies we are building for. Perhaps 300+ gallon might be to much?

Remember this is suppose to be "cost effective" and "They're not looking for high tech, but somewhere above basic and in the middle is what they're hoping to achieve."


Ron
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13588894#post13588894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IridescentLily
I'm thinkin' we do a 48x30x20 tank. Maybe from Elos.

I'm good with Lily's pick. :D
 
Does Elos make a rimless tank? I have heard the name but don't know beyond that. So lets say a rimless 48x30x20(125 gallon) pennisulia tank. This would give the option of hanging a canopy/fixture allowing top down views as well as easy of access.

Ron
 
Paul, you and I will have this thing built in no time.LOL

We will see if any one else joins in with their thoughts.

Ron
 
I didn't want to force the issue, it just seemed like there was no interest in this thread after bumping it a few time, so here we go.

It appears the consensus for # 2 is Tank Size in our fantasy reef. I didn't think we would actually decide on a tank size, only if Tank Size was the next choice in order of importance. So if you guys/gals want to choose a tank size, lets make it quick to go on with the next selection.

Keeping in mind that the couple hasn't own a tank in many years, they want to keep it economical and simple.

Do you guys think a peninsula tank, its placement and specifics would be the choice of this semi newbie couple?

I hear a lot of reefers say they wish they had gone bigger with their first tank. I'm glad I didn't go to a bigger size with my first one many years ago. Even with all that I read, I still made mistakes. Overwhelming a newbie with 120 gallon reef tank could quickly lead to disaster without the experience of maintaining a large reef unlike the nano Mr. Rock had in college.

With that, what say you, 70, 90, 120 etc for their first tank? My vote is for the 70. Large system from the start can be overwhelming to someone who hasn't own a reef since college, even then it was a nano. Remember, they wanted to keep it simple and economical, so you guys/gals decide.

Thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13593035#post13593035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MUCHO REEF
Remember, they wanted to keep it simple and economical, so you guys/gals decide.

I don't think of 'simple and economical' and 'fantasy' in the same thought. :)


As for the tank size, 4' is a good size. 75G is a fine size but most of the equipment that you buy for a 75G will also work for a 90G. I like the added height so that would be my vote. However, you will need more intense light if you want corals on the bottom. But for a Zoo tank, I still say 90G.
 
The fantasy is the two fictional characters, The Rocks, who want to build a system which everyone here can be a part of. To assist everyone in the decision making process for this system, I chose economical and simple to keep the thread from running the gamut of possible directions it could have gone with some very high tech elaborate hardware on this system down to something not practical enough for this application. I chose to limit that by placing constraints like their inexperience and combined income. I hope this kind of clears things up.

Mucho


70/75 gallon - 1 vote
90 gallon - 1 vote
120/125 gallon - 2 votes

thus far
 
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