Lunchbucket's 48"x48"x20" Reef

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It actually didn't take too long. Maybe 30min or so. But most of that was measuring my tank and getting the holes in the correct spot.

Learning curve isn't too bad. All that I know how to do is the stuff to make a tank but you can do a TON more things

There is a NICE tutorial in Advanced Aquarist's this month. Shows you how to do the tank. I need to do the sketchup tutorial to learn how to do more things though. Haven't gotten around to that

Lunchbucket
 
Well WE HAVE A HOUSE!!! We noticed it online on Monday, it opened for showings on Tues and we looked at it, we put in a Bid on Wed, and on Thursday they accepted our offer!!!!!! The housing market is fricking stupid around here. If you don't act the day it opens and pay more than they are asking you won't get it :( :(

We got a great home and a hell of a 1st home. Now the one problem is I don't know if I'll have the free funds in the future to do the 200gal cube :( I want to make sure I put the funds into the house and keep my priorities straight but I want to set that bad boy up too :( My wife said that I can't set it up on the main floor and I HAVE to set it up downstairs. The down stairs is 80-85% done but we are going to rip out a wall and make a big living room down there and that is where the big tank will go someday IF I still want it.

So now I'm having the issue of feeling like I shouldn't spend the $$ to set up the 200gal. We won't have much for free funds and I don't want to make us any thinner w/ the tank. But on the other hand it will be 1-3yrs before we do the living room...not sure what time frame. So I could have 1-3yrs to get everything together and I would probably need less than 1,000 worth of stuff so I don't really need that much.

Also my wife has sort of lost interest in her tank and I think she'll be more focused on the new house than the tank. I'm thinking I might sell off the tank, stand, hood, skimmer and other things and I could use that money to get the stuff needed for the 200gal??

Any opinions? Just trying to be fair and responsible and not keeping my Want in mind instead of my NEEDS!

later
Lunchbucket
 
Congrats on the new house. I'm sure once you settle in the tank bug will hit you hard and you'll just start getting it going in no time. It'll be awesome.
 
:beer: congrats on the new house, but you know alot of renovation will be done and will take a good bit of change to do that, but i'm pretty sure you will think of something good. we move in our house 8 months ago and still renovating now with my tank :D he he:dance:
 
Congratulations on your new home!! That's got to be more exciting than even a new tank. Moving and setting up a new house is as tough as setting up a new tank, so take one step at a time. You'll have plenty of time for the tank, (or tanks) once you are moved and settled in.
 
Unfortunately, I think you've got your priorities straight. (Not that I did when I set up my tank, however). How long do you think you'll be in this house? A few years, or long term? If it's a few years, don't bother setting up a 200 gallon tank. If it's long term, plan the basement around the tank, maybe do a smaller tank i the meantime.

Oh, and if you plan on using the proceeds from selling your wifes tank for your tank, you better be pretty sly about it. With a new house, don't be surprised if your wife says "It's my tank, I'll use the money for decorating!". :)
 
Hey Lunch congrats.......I just gotten married and bought a house about 7 months ago. And It took about 2 months into it before wwe said screw it and bought a tank. Its like crack lol.
Best of luck with the house
 
Congrats! But don't worry about having a tank sitting around, unused and collecting dust, my 270 sat in my garage for 20 months after purchase waiting for the right time to set up everything. It helps keep you focused on the future, but enjoy what you have now also.
 
what reefers do to support their bad habits and how far would they take the next step?:bounce3: :dance: :lol2:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9831712#post9831712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cbui2
what reefers do to support their bad habits and how far would they take the next step?:bounce3: :dance: :lol2:
Click to expand...

I think his new house should have a DSB! :lol: Get him in the mood as soon as he steps foot in any direction.
 
Eric,
congrats on the new house! We bought our house almost two years ago. I'm just now setting up the 120....well, in the process of it. havent had much time to work on the tank recently because of homeowner obligations...:D

The house is worth it....now you're not throwing money away on rent. The tank will get set up, just be patient.

Nick
 
congrats on the house...the tank is going to be awesome....

BTW about the blumol hole saw arbour bits...the two spring loaded prongs are to hold the hole saw from spinning on the arbour, but more importantly they are meant to stop the bit from binding on the arbour...in other words you should never screw the bit all the way down, leave a 1/8 of and inch between the bit and the face of the arbour....then tighten up the nut that moves the pins and you will be golden...it might not make a huge difference drilling acrylic, but if you get into wood and it binds you will have one heck of a time getting the bit off the arbour..
 
Thanks guys. As of right now I'm gonna keep it and see how it goes. Hope to pick up pieces here and there over the next yr or 2.

Lunchbucket
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9829965#post9829965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
We got a great home and a hell of a 1st home. Now the one problem is I don't know if I'll have the free funds in the future to do the 200gal cube :( I want to make sure I put the funds into the house and keep my priorities straight but I want to set that bad boy up too :( My wife said that I can't set it up on the main floor and I HAVE to set it up downstairs. The down stairs is 80-85% done but we are going to rip out a wall and make a big living room down there and that is where the big tank will go someday IF I still want it.
Click to expand...

Congratulations.


Hmm, I know this scenario very well. My recommendation is that you sit on the tank.

1. If you sell it and purchase a new one later, you will spend more in the long run.

2. If you have the tank on hand, you can remodel around it MUCH easier.

At the same time, only you know what your situation is, and I ALWAYS recommend house and family over tank.

How much more equipment do you need for the tank? I have a house warming present for you. :D If you pay for shipping ($40), I have a Sequence 4300SEQ20-sw pump (Barracuda equivalent) that is less than two years old. I recently replaced the seals just because. It has been sitting here for a year doing nothing. It's too powerful for me to use as a return pump, and most of the locals here don't have tanks big enough for the pump to be of any use to them. I even have the anti-vibration pad. :)
 
Dang, that is a nice housewarming present tacocat! If Lunch doesn't take it I would be happy to take it off your hands.
 
Lunch, why not just move all your equipment from the 58 to the cube? You've oversized your equipment enough that it should be able to run the new tank just fine. The only things you would need would be a little more flow, probably a larger heater, a larger chiller and more rock. Even if you don't want to do that, hold onto the tank. You will regret getting rid of it. Getting a new house makes you think a lot financially. You are typically having to adjust to paying a higher monthly payment than you are used to and you will probably be paying more in monthly bills. But once you adjust your finances and get used to it you will probably be just fine and then you can start thinking about fitting the new tank into your finances.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9850948#post9850948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tacocat

How much more equipment do you need for the tank? I have a house warming present for you. :D If you pay for shipping ($40), I have a Sequence 4300SEQ20-sw pump (Barracuda equivalent) that is less than two years old. I recently replaced the seals just because. It has been sitting here for a year doing nothing. It's too powerful for me to use as a return pump, and most of the locals here don't have tanks big enough for the pump to be of any use to them. I even have the anti-vibration pad. :)
Click to expand...

ARE YOU SERIOUS???? I'll take that deal!! Dang I've been looking at Darts for the CL pump but a Barracuda would be better (I'm all for flow!) What is the difference compared to the Barracuda?

this the pump you are talking about?

If you are really serious consider it TAKEN! and I truely appreciate it

Travis - All of the 58gal equipment was overdone just for this purpose. All of that equipment is going into the new 200gal (whenever I do it) so it won't cost a whole lot but as you said it's a new adventure for us right now and I think once we get "in the groove" we'll be comfy. Also I've been working about 40extra hours per month just to save up and prepare for a house and student loan payments that kick in for me in Aug :(

Travis and tacocat - I've just touched a couple time on what I needed in the first couple pages but it changes constantly and as plans change but here is a list of what I would need for it to run

CL Pump - Dart or such. taco might have just helped me a TON w/ that

Reflectors - Thinking PFO's w/ VHO holders on the side
Salt - 2 buckets extra besides my usual stock
LR - ~50lbs added to my Wifes 58gal's rock
Misc. plumbing parts (unions, pvc pipe, elbows, etc)
8 x 1.5" Bulkheads
4 x 36" VHO actinic bulbs

So really NOT MUCH at all. From my calculations about $1500 (including buying a Dart) or about $1250 w/out having to buy a dart. Irealize that I don't have much to go but I REALLY don't want to be selfish and put stuff into the tank and stay away from the house. I'm sure once we get in a grove and I get settled in a "new" life the tank dreams will come back. Like Travis said I'll regret selling such a good deal (the tank I found for a great price). I'll hold on and keep adding stuff as possible.

tacocat - I'll pm you so we can chat in private.

Hope to see my dream become reality w/in a year or so

later
Lunchbucket
 
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