Moving on up...

[mikimis]

So it looks like I'll be relocating to northern VA here in a couple of weeks, much to the chagrin of my recently moved fish (I just moved them a month ago and now I have to AGAIN) and I'll finally be able to make use of the 75g I have sitting in my parent's shed. Unfortunately I only have a super old T12 fixture that will fit the tank and that's just not going to cut it. I have a Current USA 24" 250w HQI Sunpod on my 40BR; but that's not quite big enough for the 75.

As I don't have the financial resources (read:broke ***!) to afford a DIY LED setup any time soon, I need to either sell or trade the Sunpod for a fixture sized for the 75.

The 40BR now has been reduced down to FOWLR so the HQI is really overkill at this point and I'm tired of shelling out for the electricity and to be perfectly honest, I'm tired of hearing and feeling this fixture (the fans are LOUD and the bulbs make it HOT).

To boil it all down:

-need recommendations for a decent fixture with less heat, noise, and electrical draw than the Sunpod
-what do you think I could reasonably expect for the Sunpod in trade? Sale?
-could I possibly scrape enough $$ out of it to fund a DIY LED project?
-could I possibly scrape enough $$ out of it to get a new fixture and possibly a decent skimmer?
-does anyone have a battery powered air pump I could borrow for the move? (I'm in Roanoke now, going 2.5 hours up 81 and I come back ~1-2 a month)

Also, thoughts on going bare bottom in the 75? I'll be moving again in <1 year so why bother?

EDIT- I suppose I should mention that the fixture is 1.5 years old, bulb is .5 year and 1 out of the 12 LED moonlights don't work...

 

[xcorallusx]

I have a 6 bulb 48" Tek t5 Fixture if youre interested, it needs new bulbs.
You should be fine with out an air pump on that drive, I've done it a few times.

 

[mikimis]

I'm interested, if you want to trade.

I've done that drive successfully several times coming from various places in nova and even as far as Frederick to bburg with no issues. My major want for the aeration stems from the most recent move, bburg to roanoke...I lost 2 fish (one of which I had for 5 years) because I just took too damn long and I really don't want to risk it with my current fish as I'm rather attached to them.

 

[xcorallusx]

Sorry not interested in trading and I also have a aquamedic turbofloater 1000 protein skimmer with pump I could sell for 75. It was used on a 75 gallon setup.

 

[mikimis]

Like I said, I have literally NO money to invest in equipment until I do something with the Sunpod. I'll keep you in mind if I sell it though.

 

[ade]

I think you already know but LED is less draw but comes with a price tag, you should be able to put togeather a retro T5 set very cheap.
At best in this economy I would say you could get about $150 as a used fixture
Not sure after selling your fixture you could do a DIY LED but I am sure someone has done something out there.
If there was someone out there with a used ASM G2 and a HO T5 set up that that would be a good just have to find the right person
I have a D cell air pump you can use. You can pick it up @ Pino Gelato Cafe on 419 anytime.
Good luck.

 

[Der ABT]

Let me know when you get up to the area, be happy to tell you the right stores to visit, local reef website, etc

I made the move 2 years ago and lost 1 fish form lack of h20, also had a 4 hour layover helping the inlaws set up a tank. but the sloshing around driving up 81 actually helps put some oxygen in the water

wish you luck

Retro t5 or something is probably your best bet, i have some old 48 inch bulbs that you could have for free (bunch of daylights and one or two actinics) they are over a year use on them but for free its hard to beat when most bulbs are 20 bucks each. let me know if i can help any

 

[mikimis]

I'm bringing my resume to marine scene in Herndon this weekend... My best friend knows the manager from school...fingers crossed!

 

[Der ABT]

try Fins and Feathers (my fav) Sean is the owner real nice guy but dont know if he is hiring,
petland, Talk to Ben Bn251 i think his screen name is, he is a zoa guru and runs their fish dept.
Blue Ribbon Koi is another good, talk to John the owner, or Ozzie i think he is manager but i could be wrong.
Also Aquarium One, its in md (rockville) but Scott is a good guy there though i think he only works tuesdays
Best of luck. Marine scene has some great selection/set ups but the prices arent the best imo.

 

[mikimis]

BRK is like 15 minutes from my parents...whenever I go to visit I always stop in to see the Oz man...

I had just happened to see that Marine Scene was hiring and since I have a connection there, might as well pursue it for some income in the interim while I find something permanent...I have a degree in Psych I you know of anything...

The local club is WAMAS right?