Getting back into the hobby

Bent

Bent

I got nothin'
HELLOO!!!!!


It's been a long time since I've been around the forum. I had such a great experience all those years ago. D/T moving and other life events, my aquarium had to be broken down and sold. But NO MORE! It's time to reignite that spark!

Though I am not new to reefs, I posted in the beginners section so I could get back to basics. With the quick advancement of technology, I'm sure things are drastically different than when I last played the game.

I'm currently trying to develop some sort of plan here before I go off half cocked in my excitement.

Here's what I have dug up:
55g tank and stand
Small sump and overflow.
Assorted power heads
Compact florescent lights.
30 gallon tank, no stand
Small charcoal filter
A skimmer of unknown brand and function.
A ehiem water pump of unknown model.
8w UV sterilizer

So I'm going to go through and clean all this crap and take some pics and try to get some input to form a plan with all this crap.

I'm starting to think I should ditch that small acrylic sump and use the 30g tank as a sump.

So, if you guys can give me any pointers that an old reefer like myself could use to make a good plan, I would appreciate it.


Edit: bah my old post count got reset. Oh well.
 
My advice would be sell the 55 and get a 75 or 90. The depth you will like much better. The 6 inches from front to back will make a huge difference.

30 gallon sump would be perfect

PC lights arent really worth it unless you plan on using it for a sump light.

Just my 2 cents
 
Thanks!

What lights do you suggest now? Back when I was about, the metal halides were the pinnacle. How are the LEDs doing?
 
Bent said:
Thanks!

What lights do you suggest now? Back when I was about, the metal halides were the pinnacle. How are the LEDs doing?
Click to expand...

I wouldnt be the one to ask about lights lol. Im not really a fan of LEDs simply cause the affordable ones dont really do much to me.

Im a T5 kind of guy. I love them.

Also depends on your budget really. If you can go for radions, go for it.
 
Bent said:
HELLOO!!!!!


It's been a long time since I've been around the forum. I had such a great experience all those years ago. D/T moving and other life events, my aquarium had to be broken down and sold. But NO MORE! It's time to reignite that spark!

Though I am not new to reefs, I posted in the beginners section so I could get back to basics. With the quick advancement of technology, I'm sure things are drastically different than when I last played the game.

I'm currently trying to develop some sort of plan here before I go off half cocked in my excitement.

Here's what I have dug up:
55g tank and stand
Small sump and overflow.
Assorted power heads
Compact florescent lights.
30 gallon tank, no stand
Small charcoal filter
A skimmer of unknown brand and function.
A ehiem water pump of unknown model.
8w UV sterilizer

So I'm going to go through and clean all this crap and take some pics and try to get some input to form a plan with all this crap.

I'm starting to think I should ditch that small acrylic sump and use the 30g tank as a sump.

So, if you guys can give me any pointers that an old reefer like myself could use to make a good plan, I would appreciate it.


Edit: bah my old post count got reset. Oh well.
Click to expand...

I second the suggestion for a bigger tank like a 75 or 90. There are so many posts for building a cheap and sturdy new stand if you can DIY.

If you go for the bigger tank, you can use the 55 or stick with the 30 for a sump.

Ditch the CFLs. I have some Chinese LEDs that do pretty good for softies and LPS. You can go for the higher end LEDs that do very well for SPS if you need.

You can try to post a pic of the skimmer. We can tell ya whether to keep or ditch.

Ditch the UV, it doesn't really make sense to use. One less piece of equipment to clean and maintain later.

Get a RO/DI filter system. bulkreefsupply has great units for making great water for saltwater.

I would also suggest to get a refractometer for salinity checking and tests from either Salifert and/or Red Sea.
 
Oh yeah I forgot to mention I have a ro/di. Bought it and never used it. Still in the box.

UV sterilizers used to be all the rage back in the day.
 
Oh yeah that's right! Forgot about those things

I think I still have a crap load of those.
 
Not to derail, but I never had a problem with bioballs. I just rinse them out periodically. In fact, I'm cycling a 34 right now with them.
 
Alright, so I actually broke into all this stuff today.

I'm going to stay with the 55. The stand I built for it I spent a long time on and it's solid cherry. So I really want to keep it. It's pretty nostalgic.

So here's the biggest thing. I need to figure out what to do with lights here....

My PC lights will require 1 96w bulb and 4 65w bulbs. That equates to about 100 bucks. So add on the fact that they have to be changed annually...and we are up to close of the cost of a new LED.

I just need to research what to get...
 
I would go with one of three kinds of lights. The radions are at the pinnacle right now and are sponsoring a sale:beer:. The Kessil are great, Imo, but will have "line of sight" issues with the single point of light. Aqua illuminations are also great, but do not have full color spectrum yet. Led's have grown up in the last few years, and have replaced MHL for the most part. T5 are still strong I think and still have a future especially in actinic supplementation. MHL or plasma are still viable for large SPS dominant tanks for a good par punch at mid-day, but only for a few hours. http://www.reef2rainforest.com/2014...rs-of-metal-halide-use-to-radically-new-leds/ This would have added benefit of the bulbs lasting a long time.
Bio balls can still be effective. Just not in the "wet-dry trickle filter" form. That's a death sentence to a reef tank. If you must, just use them submerged to increase surface area for bacteria. I do it. My copepods love them! Only there are more effective medias for this purpose.
Get a tank controller. Believe it or not, they will save you money in the long run.
Daniel. :wildone:
 
Flourecent lights as well as MHL will start to lose their spectrum the moment you first turn them on. Kind of like driving a new car off the lot. Try putting a brand new one and a used on the same setup. You can immediately see the difference. It's up to you when to change them out. LEDs for the most part do not lose spectrum as they age. So most have a life expectancy of between 5 and 15 years.
Daniel
 
My bad. AI. do have a full spectrum of colors. Many other options for strip style lights exist. Maxspect Razor for example, or build my led.com, that sort of thing. All good. Just make sure whatever you buy is modular. Decide what you want as far as features, then go shopping for customer support as well as future upgradeability.:idea:
Daniel.:wildone:
 
I just changed from a quad T5 with some blue led moonlights to some LED's. I was surprised at how well they were made and by the brightness. I have 2 165watt full spectrum units over my 75 gallon tank and so far my Lps and softies love it. The cost was less then 350$ for them combined
 
Ok so based on the information at hand. Here are my choices. I need your opinions.

1: Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light, 48 to 60-Inch by Current USA http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFTSV24/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_IeMztb1ANGF7V

2: Kessil A150W 15000K Special Blend LED Aquarium Light - Ocean Blue by Kessil http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GLJAR2/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_XfMztb10C8H9N

3: AQUAMANA 156W COB LED Full Spectrum Aquarium Lighting Panel with Two 78W COB Modules for Coral, Reef & Fish (Full Spectrum) by Aquamana http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVMC1WA/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_chMztb1PXSX4P

4: Dimmable Onyx (80 Degree Lens) by Rapid LED http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CO6SX0M/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_hiMztb1WRV3VW
 
Bent, Im in the same boat as you are, getting back in. Lots has changed, but much is the same. I just wanted to say hi and will be following this to get ideas for my own rebuild.

Welcome back!
 
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