Hi all,
I'm new here and new to the hobby. I'm looking to start my first tank in July. Probably a FOWLR to start, although I aspire to have some coral as I get more advanced. I'm reading everything I can, and I'm thinking it will probably be a good idea to join MASLAC and meet some of you folks before I make any real decisions.
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a shop that is really good (i.e., honest, high quality shop run by people who are true enthusiasts and care about what they are doing). I'm also interested in recommendations to local shops or services that offer to assist the customer in designing and setting up the system. I just want to start exploring equipment options and prices and get to know the good shops.
Although I'm still in the preliminary stages and I have not made any decisions yet, my tentative plan is for a 100 gallon tank with the sump and other equipment in the stand. I'm a big DIY guy, and I'm seriously considering building the stand, the sump, and doing all the plumbing myself, as I would consider the process to be part of the fun and I have all the woodworking tools necessary to build a nice looking carcase.
Although I'm willing to spend the money to install an RO/DI system under my kitchen sink to give me a source of water, I'd really like to avoid installing a new electrical service just for the tank. $$$ :eek1: $$$ But I don't know if I can get away with that in a 100 gal setup that aspires to house corals someday. But this may be unavoidable, since I will probably need 500 watts of PC or MH lighting, along with the other equipment, and the whole thing is next to my TV/home theater. I can already predict that my wife is going to flip when the full magnitude of this project becomes apparent to her.
I don't want to break any forum rules, so feel free to reply by email: athurston@ertwllp.com
Thanks.
I'm new here and new to the hobby. I'm looking to start my first tank in July. Probably a FOWLR to start, although I aspire to have some coral as I get more advanced. I'm reading everything I can, and I'm thinking it will probably be a good idea to join MASLAC and meet some of you folks before I make any real decisions.
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a shop that is really good (i.e., honest, high quality shop run by people who are true enthusiasts and care about what they are doing). I'm also interested in recommendations to local shops or services that offer to assist the customer in designing and setting up the system. I just want to start exploring equipment options and prices and get to know the good shops.
Although I'm still in the preliminary stages and I have not made any decisions yet, my tentative plan is for a 100 gallon tank with the sump and other equipment in the stand. I'm a big DIY guy, and I'm seriously considering building the stand, the sump, and doing all the plumbing myself, as I would consider the process to be part of the fun and I have all the woodworking tools necessary to build a nice looking carcase.
Although I'm willing to spend the money to install an RO/DI system under my kitchen sink to give me a source of water, I'd really like to avoid installing a new electrical service just for the tank. $$$ :eek1: $$$ But I don't know if I can get away with that in a 100 gal setup that aspires to house corals someday. But this may be unavoidable, since I will probably need 500 watts of PC or MH lighting, along with the other equipment, and the whole thing is next to my TV/home theater. I can already predict that my wife is going to flip when the full magnitude of this project becomes apparent to her.
I don't want to break any forum rules, so feel free to reply by email: athurston@ertwllp.com
Thanks.
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And welcome to Reef Central.
