<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9560105#post9560105 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
I had not found that. I am going to order 3 of them at that price today. Thanks.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9561154#post9561154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
So far I have bought 8 pumps, the 390 and 125 which I drilled and partitioned into a sump. WITH LOTS OF HELP, I made the calcium reactor, kalk stirrer, carbon and phos reactors. I need to buy a CO2 regulator and bottle. I bought the RO/DI and 2 barrels, which will be part of a plumbed water change system. I made 440 lbs of rock with help from GARF. I have dry aragonite sand. I made my dursos and did all the plumbing. I bought the skimmer, made to my dimensions. I bought 3 MH ballasts, and will buy 6 T5 retrofit kits. I'm making the MH reflectors and light rack. With help from my cabinet guy, I'll do all the woodwork. I've been working on this since July, and plan to have the first fish in the 390 in June. It's taken a lot longer than "store bought" systems, but I'm having FUN and making lots of new FRIENDS!!! And I believe that FUN and FRIENDS are important parts of life.
My POINT...DIY saves $$$$$$$$$$$$$ which can be used for LIVE STUFF for the reef!!! And I've made some cool friends that will share in the JOY of my successful reef.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9560941#post9560941 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
After I do the "test" one, I'll try to setup a DIY party like we had at Carol's place.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9561704#post9561704 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adnup
I didnt know if there was a quality difference. But i guess you'll be able to compare the two and let us know your findings....![]()
Also with the cad drawing are you going to measure it out yourself or can it be printed in actual size?
Carol, You're right about long term cost. I'm going to spend about $95.00 per month for electricity, $65 per month for salt, $530 per year for bulbs, plus carbon, phosban, calcium, lots of water, lots of food, meds for the QT, etc. I'm budgeting $275. per month for long term, which doesn't include livestock purchases.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9561718#post9561718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefArtist
Yeah Mike, it saves lots of money but it still takes a lot of money to build - don't let anyone have an illusion that it doesn't. Then the up keep after it's built - salt, water, power, food, maintenance stuff . . . I'm looking at all this now and making 100% sure that down the road I won't be sorry because of lack of planing. Of course this remodeling the kitchen stuff is killing mewho needs a sink in a kitchen when I could use that $ on a new super duper skimmer.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9565081#post9565081 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
Kinkos can make it actual size on their plotter. I'll print several for patterns.