Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

S

SimplyReef

New member
Ok, I just finished perusing the Idol Tanks thread. There is a fair bit of work, and money, in those tanks. But why worship someone who has more than you? Anyone can throw 50K at a custom inverted bow tank and have an awesome tank.

Let's level the playing field and see some small 'idol tanks' less than 75G. Many come to mind but lunchbucket's 20H was one of my favorites:

DSCN0546.JPG
 
Anyone can throw 50K at a custom inverted bow tank and have an awesome tank.
Click to expand...

Anyone can?

And.. it takes far more than money to make those idol tanks work.


I know what you are getting at... just the way it was presented is gonna ruffle some feathers....

but yeah... it would be cool to see a thread full of super nice tanks that arent so large.
 
Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6891981#post6891981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SimplyReef
Ok, I just finished perusing the Idol Tanks thread. There is a fair bit of work, and money, in those tanks. But why worship someone who has more than you? Anyone can throw 50K at a custom inverted bow tank and have an awesome tank.

Let's level the playing field and see some small 'idol tanks' less than 75G. Many come to mind but lunchbucket's 20H was one of my favorites:

DSCN0546.JPG
Click to expand...

As Kip said, Money doesnt mean a thing when maintainig a tank. I have seen many people with the best equipment failing.

LB's tank is amazing for only being a 20gl.
 
Re: Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

Re: Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6892095#post6892095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
As Kip said, Money doesnt mean a thing when maintainig a tank. I have seen many people with the best equipment failing.
Click to expand...
The point I was trying to make is that you don't need a large tank or all that fancy equipment to accomplish the same results. That's why I want to see all the lil tanks that take more sweat and tears and not so much money. Large tanks don't need near the amount of attention that small tanks do.

- Simply
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893147#post6893147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kip
another arguable statement ;)
Click to expand...
Everything in this hobby is arguable. I've been in this for 12 years and have heard and argued most of them.

- Simply
 
The tank Kip posted - That was Copps' old tank. One of the nicest I have ever seen.

Definitely Idol worthy.

Jamie
 
Re: Re: Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

Re: Re: Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893124#post6893124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SimplyReef
The point I was trying to make is that you don't need a large tank or all that fancy equipment to accomplish the same results. That's why I want to see all the lil tanks that take more sweat and tears and not so much money. Large tanks don't need near the amount of attention that small tanks do.

- Simply
Click to expand...

A larger tank takes much more attention than a smaller tank due to the sheer amount of extra equipment one needs.

Why would a small tank need more attention than a larger one?

In my own experiences I have found it to be the opposite.

In a bigger system you have larger equipment that takes longer to clean.

1. A larger skimmer would take you longer to clean than a smaller one.

2. It would take you longer to preform water changes on a larger system.

3. For someone not running an auto topoff system it would take longer to top off the system.

4. You will have more lighting, more reflectors to clean and maintain.

Shall I go on?
:rolleye1:

As for the sweat and tears, do you really think that larger more technical systems are a walk in the park?
What do you think? We sit around eating bon-bon's and let the tank fend for itself?
I would like just ONE member with a nice aquarium to state that they didn't put effort into the maintained and construction of their reefs.

In the end it doesn't come down to money or equipment, it comes down to repetition and proper husbandry.
I hate when people think that just because they do not buy all the equipment that they work harder.

So please stop making one tank size seem harder than the other.
 
Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6891981#post6891981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SimplyReef
Anyone can throw 50K at a custom inverted bow tank and have an awesome tank.
Click to expand...

I would have to disagree with this statement. I've seen a lot of tanks with a LOT of money in them that didn't look too hot. It is not about the $$, it is about the aquarist's husbandry practices, experience, and skill level. The money does play a part, but only a very minute part. I have also seen very simple setups that look amazing. Like I said, the money plays such a minute part it is pretty much insignificant.

Large tanks don't need near the amount of attention that small tanks do.
Click to expand...

Never hear this one before. I completely disagree with this statement.

I've ran tanks ranging in size from 20 gallons to 280 gallons and I promise you that the amount of maintenance and attention increase proportionally with the size of the tank, IME. For example, lets say you have a hair algae outbreak. What is going to take more time and attention... erradicating it from a 10 gallon or erradicating it from a 500 gallon. How about a aipatasia outbreak... would you rather inject 10 aiptasias in a 10 gallon or 500 in a 500 gallon. How about maintaining a BB tank. Would you rather blow the detritus off 10 pound of rock and siphon the detritus in a 10 gallon or deal with 500 pounds of rock and detritus in a 500 gallon? I could go on forever but won't.

Now if we were to discuss parameter stability, then yes, I would agree that it is easier to keep parameters stable with a larger tank than a smaller tank. But that is about the only thing that is easier to do with a larger tank.
 
Re: Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

Re: Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893764#post6893764 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis
I would have to disagree with this statement. I've seen a lot of tanks with a LOT of money in them that didn't look too hot. It is not about the $$, it is about the aquarist's husbandry practices, experience, and skill level. The money does play a part, but only a very minute part. I have also seen very simple setups that look amazing. Like I said, the money plays such a minute part it is pretty much insignificant.



Never hear this one before. I completely disagree with this statement.

I've ran tanks ranging in size from 20 gallons to 280 gallons and I promise you that the amount of maintenance and attention increase proportionally with the size of the tank, IME. For example, lets say you have a hair algae outbreak. What is going to take more time and attention... erradicating it from a 10 gallon or erradicating it from a 500 gallon. How about a aipatasia outbreak... would you rather inject 10 aiptasias in a 10 gallon or 500 in a 500 gallon. How about maintaining a BB tank. Would you rather blow the detritus off 10 pound of rock and siphon the detritus in a 10 gallon or deal with 500 pounds of rock and detritus in a 500 gallon? I could go on forever but won't.

Now if we were to discuss parameter stability, then yes, I would agree that it is easier to keep parameters stable with a larger tank than a smaller tank. But that is about the only thing that is easier to do with a larger tank.
Click to expand...



:thumbsup: :beer:
 
Great googly. While I agree/disagree with some of the things being said (and yes I do have both,) I do however believe the intention of the post was to see smaller tanks that are more "reachable" for some people. How's about we get it back on topic and post some pictures or links or something constructive. Large tanks, small tanks. Apples, bananas, let's just see some awesome small tanks!

Give me several months/year and I hope I can post my 30 cube into the "mix" for "idol small tank" :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6894015#post6894015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kalare
Great googly. While I agree/disagree with some of the things being said (and yes I do have both,) I do however believe the intention of the post was to see smaller tanks that are more "reachable" for some people. How's about we get it back on topic and post some pictures or links or something constructive. Large tanks, small tanks. Apples, bananas, let's just see some awesome small tanks!

Give me several months/year and I hope I can post my 30 cube into the "mix" for "idol small tank" :)
Click to expand...

I think he should have titled the thread "Idol tanks under $2000"

How do you know someone who posts a pic on here doesnt have $5000 in equpment if it was not a requirment to begin with?
 
Re: Real Idols Please Stand Up (Was: Idol Tanks)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893597#post6893597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Why would a small tank need more attention than a larger one?
Click to expand...
For the record, I design, install, and maintain aquariums for a living. I presently care for systems ranging from 12G to 18,000 gallons.

Smaller systems require a lot more frequent attention to dosing and feeding. Problems arise a lot faster and can be more devestating in smaller systems, especially when an organism dies. I have more emergency calls on small tanks than I do on bigger ones for this very reason.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893597#post6893597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
In a bigger system you have larger equipment that takes longer to clean.
Click to expand...
If you are spending big $$$ on a tank, most of my clients have me design it so most of the equipment can be cleaned easily.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893597#post6893597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
1. A larger skimmer would take you longer to clean than a smaller one.
Click to expand...
Every system I've done larger than 500G have built-in wash downs on the skimmers. Even still, I find larger skimmers easy to clean because you don't have as many small crevices to get into with small brushes. A simple hose with decent pressure and warm or hot water and you are done. I clean old school ETSS 5' downdrafts at the shop in less than 30 minutes each.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893597#post6893597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
2. It would take you longer to preform water changes on a larger system.
Click to expand...
Again, this comes down to how the system is designed.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6893597#post6893597 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
3. For someone not running an auto topoff system it would take longer to top off the system.
Click to expand...
If you aren't running an auto-top off, why not? They are needed on most systems and are quite simple to devise.

I'm in the 12G nano cube at the shop more frequently than I am in the 120G. The 12G needs algea whiping and water changes more than the 120G.

Again, this post wasn't meant as it has been taken. I could have written my initial post a little differently. We could sit here and argue this for the rest of the year but it's not the point of the thread.

- Simply
 
Like Travis said earlier bigger tanks can be more stable than small ones. But i want to see some cool idol tanks so lets get crackin. Copps tank is one of my idols because its similar in size as mine. Also the same skimmer.
 
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