Finally got it

M

mfabrizio75

New member
Being that I just got paid from the new job I figured I would do wat any other reef nut would do... I bought a bigger tank. I got a 125g, and i need the assistance of whomever would care to give thier feed back. i want to know if i should just get an overflow box or attempt to drill the tank. also wat should i do about a return pump and i think im going to do a close loop system with between 2500 to 3000 gph of flow. for lighting i was think about going with a canopy with 2 175W and 1 250W MH but for secondary lighting i wasnt sure if i should get VHO, T-5, or PC lights. All of the lights will be Retrofit. And i was wondering How big of a sump i should get and if i should get the ASM G4 or if anyone knows of a better in sump skimmer for my tank.
thanks

mike
 
Oh ya i forgot i dont have a stand and i was wondering if anyone is handy with the woodworking (Cough) STACKER (Cough)... cuz i want to do a custom one.. there is no rush on that but i would like some input and ideas for it i sort of got a diagram drawn up and i think im gonna DL autocad and do the schematic in there.
 
Mike, If you aren't in a hurry I'll be glad to help but I'm buried for the next 2 wweks (rush build job on top of my reg. work). I'd take the tank to a glass store and have them drill it for the loop and a center back overflow (2 holes for 3/4" bulkheads @ (1 3/4" ?) dia. 4" in from each end at the centerline of the back, and 2 for 1" bulkheads (same as the 3/4" I think) in the bottom center, back). Get an overflow kit for a 125 and you're close to getting there.

Don't skimp on the skimmer, go with the best you can afford even if you have to put it off a month. I suggest Euro, ASM or PM then the big Coralife SuperSkimmer and Octopus as cheaper alternatives.

Lighting... I'd either trade off the 250 for another 175 or both 175's for a second 250. I use VHO's but have no issue with T-5's but VHO actinics are true actinics where the T-5's are just blueish and look ok but don't grow like VHO does. they are lower powered to ballasts are cheaper and run cooler... 6 of one 1/2 dozen of another. Are you planning on a bling layout like Aptasia farmer?

For the Canopy and stand: no problem, you just need to decide of you want finished hardwood or painted etc.... I'm out of here till Mon. after work today so give it some thought and we'll attack it later.

D
 
Thanks Dale your the best. Ya im def not like aptasia farmer im going to take this slow im really tryin to pay off my credit cards right now. Its not an easy task. But as for everything else i was thinking ASM G3. also im not looking to get this tank completely operational until at the soonest end of september beinging of october i have no rush, "Patience" unlike a very dear friend of mine. i talked to a few ppl and there is a good glass shop they recommended so im thinking about going that route. So ya the canopy and stand is not a rushed situation. I wanna do this thing right im not gonna be 1000 dollars in the whole with another hair algea farm going on. but just let me know im off all weekends i might be going on a trip to atlantic city next month sometime but that is still in the works. let me know when your free.
thanks again
 
my setup is bling isn't it... lol. I got to get some pictures up, its looks really sweet so far. I'm in cali thou so won't be doing that anytime soon.... Are you still selling the icecap 660 dale?? LMK i might be interested once i have a job lol
 
mike my aquamedics work great.... but they have since come out with HQI's with better reflectors but they cost lots of money. I'd stick with 2 175 watt retros on the sides and a 250 down the middle. As for supplemental lighting def go with VHO's. PC's and T5's cost more and IMO aren't worth it, especially since this is just going to be for looks (the halides will be doing the real work). Get rid of them crappy actinics you have that make the tank look like a disco ball and get some actinics that make the water look more natural instead of purple, that way you look natural and the greens still pop out and smack you in the face.

Also a G3 is more than enough for you dude unless you have dreams of a much bigger tank down the road. I have a G3 on my 240 for a year now and its worked great, even if you do want more in the future you can always do a recirc. mod to it.

You do a good job with ur tank now, all you really need is the upfront cost I'm telling you do it right you won't regret it... buy some quality liverock from someone taking down a tank so you get a good jump on coraline growth...

PS. honestly dude if i were you and this is all kidding aside I wouldn't get the halides till down the road. You can set this up and be successful at first because you don't really have a lot of corals (especially high light demanding ones) so you will be wasting the bulb which is only good for a year at most and a lot of electicity. I'd get maybe one 250 for now mount it in the center, do the vho's and then add lighting as need be. That way you have extra money to get some livestock in the tank so its pleasing to you instead of feeling you overspent and have a bunch of "swimming" room. Just my .02 Goodluck man
 
ya the more i think about wat you said its not a bad idea to just get one light for right now and try to at least get some coraline growth. does anyone have a suggestion for RO/DI units let me know your thoughts that is my next purchase
 
good luck with that decision. I think the one i got is nice, i just need to get more pressure in the line to increase its output.
 
All of a sudden Ryan is an expert eh? Must be that Bigger Tabk Syndrome setting in eh? LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Mike, I'm back... lived thru the weekend and will be killing myself 12 hrs. every day this week. when I see then light at the end of the tunnel we'll do this stand and canopy thing.

I'd go with a smaller skimmer too! The G3 is WAY overkill and a waste of $$$ you could put into LR and frags.
 
Thanks Stack, like i said im pretty much available every weekend so its whenever you got time and there is no rush.

so wat you guys are tryin to say the G-3 might be too much skimming also and i should go with the G2. cuz that is rated to i think 200 gallons
 
dude get the G3 i know you, you'll upgrade eventually and then you'll be sorry you don't have it. The price difference can't be more than 50 bucks.
 
Bling... cha ching............ Spend like sommeone else is paying your bills. Wish I was young, dumb, and single again.. <rolling my eyes>
 
LOL i'd dont have the spending habbits my dear friend ryan seems to have. so ill see wat the consensus is from the older and more wiser crowd on which way to go with the great skimmer
 
Fear not the Dark Side of the force... :) Looks like 2 weeks Mike. I have a week and 3 days to finish a big project then a 2 day install south of Columbus. After that I can go back to my normal sleeping and spending more time at home that here schedule. We'll figure out what you need and get it handled. Are you worthy of finish? I hate staining, painting and poly coating but don't mind the construction.
 
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