should I buy this setup?
- Thread starter bored4long
- Start date
bored4long
New member
Short Answer: yes.
I'm uploading pix right now of the tank that I'm going to post up in a few minutes.
I'm uploading pix right now of the tank that I'm going to post up in a few minutes.
bored4long
New member
OK, the setup wasn't all I hoped it would be, but as most others have stated, its way too good a deal to pass up.
Well, pictures are worth a .... you know, so here they are:
The tank is 48" long x 20" high x 18" deep
This is the 3" bulkhead that pours from the overflow straight into the sump tank
Just some additional LR rubble in the sump, a heater, and return pump (Rio 3100) Return is a 1" that splits to 1" returns at each end.
I didn't get any pix of the other fish. The camera flashes scared them off. The Niger Trigger is only about 4". The damsels are small. I didn't get a chance to see the Mumu (sp?) Trigger, as its his neighbor's fish.
First impressions:
I like the tank, although it wouldn't be my first choice for a reef tank (dimensions are not ideal). The overflow seems kind of small. It is only 4"x4" in the middle of the tank. Looks like there are 1/4" holes drilled in the top 3 inches of the overflow. There is brown algae growing everywhere and on everything. You should be able to see this in in the pictures. There is a Crushed Coral bed that varies between 1.5" to 2.5" in depth. I would guess the 3 rocks are about 10 pounds each (or smaller).
To sweeten the deal, I talked the tank owner into throwing in a 55g long, that I plan on using as the new/future sump/fuge.
I'll be going over next Saturday to break it down and bring it over. My initial plan is to keep the entire setup as is for right now, while I let my DIY rock cure/kure. This will also give me time to collect all the equipment necessary to switch to a reef tank. I don't particularly like the current stand and will probably build a new one with a taller stand and taller canopy. I'd like to add a skimmer ASAP, and the current water circulation needs tweaking as LOTS of microbubbles are getting into the tank.
OK, let the criticism, comments, etc. commence.
Well, pictures are worth a .... you know, so here they are:
The tank is 48" long x 20" high x 18" deep
This is the 3" bulkhead that pours from the overflow straight into the sump tank
Just some additional LR rubble in the sump, a heater, and return pump (Rio 3100) Return is a 1" that splits to 1" returns at each end.
I didn't get any pix of the other fish. The camera flashes scared them off. The Niger Trigger is only about 4". The damsels are small. I didn't get a chance to see the Mumu (sp?) Trigger, as its his neighbor's fish.
First impressions:
I like the tank, although it wouldn't be my first choice for a reef tank (dimensions are not ideal). The overflow seems kind of small. It is only 4"x4" in the middle of the tank. Looks like there are 1/4" holes drilled in the top 3 inches of the overflow. There is brown algae growing everywhere and on everything. You should be able to see this in in the pictures. There is a Crushed Coral bed that varies between 1.5" to 2.5" in depth. I would guess the 3 rocks are about 10 pounds each (or smaller).
To sweeten the deal, I talked the tank owner into throwing in a 55g long, that I plan on using as the new/future sump/fuge.
I'll be going over next Saturday to break it down and bring it over. My initial plan is to keep the entire setup as is for right now, while I let my DIY rock cure/kure. This will also give me time to collect all the equipment necessary to switch to a reef tank. I don't particularly like the current stand and will probably build a new one with a taller stand and taller canopy. I'd like to add a skimmer ASAP, and the current water circulation needs tweaking as LOTS of microbubbles are getting into the tank.
OK, let the criticism, comments, etc. commence.
bored4long
New member
MORE:
There are only 3 pieces of Live Rock in the tank. (not sure if it can be called "Live" as I don't think there is any corraline algae on the rocks or anywhere else in the tank.
Snowflake Moray Eel was chillin under this rock
The Dogface Puffer is bad ***. The current owner feeds him feeder goldfish and its a trip to watch him eat. I didn't think to measure him, but I would guess he is 6-8" in length.
There are only 3 pieces of Live Rock in the tank. (not sure if it can be called "Live" as I don't think there is any corraline algae on the rocks or anywhere else in the tank.
Snowflake Moray Eel was chillin under this rock
The Dogface Puffer is bad ***. The current owner feeds him feeder goldfish and its a trip to watch him eat. I didn't think to measure him, but I would guess he is 6-8" in length.
bored4long
New member
Thanks on all the help and advice you guys offered. Pete, thanks for the heads up on this Craigslist post! I won't forget it.
I'm so very excited about my aquisition. I spent about an hour and a half in CRS today while waiting on the guy to check out the tank. Luckily, my wife was with me and she got a real good look at all the cool stuff they have. Her only comment leaving CRS was, "I want a Dory and a Nemo." Typical, huh? They have a Maroon Goldbar Clownfish that I just loved. Surprisingly, she didn't hate the tank or stand like I thought she would. I told her I'd do my best to add a Blue Tang if it is compatible with the current inhabitants. That helped turn her over to the dark side...
I'm so very excited about my aquisition. I spent about an hour and a half in CRS today while waiting on the guy to check out the tank. Luckily, my wife was with me and she got a real good look at all the cool stuff they have. Her only comment leaving CRS was, "I want a Dory and a Nemo." Typical, huh? They have a Maroon Goldbar Clownfish that I just loved. Surprisingly, she didn't hate the tank or stand like I thought she would. I told her I'd do my best to add a Blue Tang if it is compatible with the current inhabitants. That helped turn her over to the dark side...
kdblove_99
New member
So by those dimentions the tank is actually a 75 gallon not 100 gallons.
brianbigoats
New member
Make sure you ditch the crushed coral substrate it is a nitrate sink and really traps Deterius replace w/ some sand.
Might think about taking the Eel & Puffer out those large of carnivorus fish will produce a lot of waste and cause a nitrate rise
Might think about taking the Eel & Puffer out those large of carnivorus fish will produce a lot of waste and cause a nitrate rise
bored4long
New member
pbetito, your mailbox is full. I will probably eventually get rid of all the fish that are currently in the tank. (Might keep the eel depending on how aggressive he is towards a cleanup crew.) Which fish do you want?
bored4long
New member
When I make the switch to a reef, I plan on completely redoing the current setup. Including:
a) repair any scratches in tank
b) new DSB
c) new livestock
d) new sump/fuge
e) new lighting (probably start with 2-4 T5s)
f) paint back black
Questions:
1. What is the brown, hairy looking algae and what can I do to get rid of it?
2. I'm going to have to remove the crushed coral on the move. Should I bother putting it back in?
a) repair any scratches in tank
b) new DSB
c) new livestock
d) new sump/fuge
e) new lighting (probably start with 2-4 T5s)
f) paint back black
Questions:
1. What is the brown, hairy looking algae and what can I do to get rid of it?
2. I'm going to have to remove the crushed coral on the move. Should I bother putting it back in?
bored4long
New member
Shame on me for not calculating out the volume. Thanks for the correction, kdblove.
kdblove_99
New member
nope like stated before crushed coral is a nitrate bomb ready to happen.
That eel will absolutely love your clean up crew, he will love them so much he will eat them all.
all the fish are non reef safe
That eel will absolutely love your clean up crew, he will love them so much he will eat them all.
all the fish are non reef safe
bored4long
New member
OK, that is what many have told me. I'm ok with that. I'm thinking this setup will be a good 'holdover' until I have the $ and equipment to go with a reef setup.
Any suggestions what reef-friendly fish I could add to this tank with the current inhabitants? Will a Blue Tang do OK in here?
Any suggestions what reef-friendly fish I could add to this tank with the current inhabitants? Will a Blue Tang do OK in here?
kdblove_99
New member
not sure, those are very aggressive fish especially that dog face puffer.
I personally wouldnt trust him.
you can still do a reef in there just get rid of the fish. get some sand . I would firstly start adding/curing some live rock.
If i could do mine over i would drain it and have funman/steve drill holes in the back for a closed loop system that way you have a nice clean look and no powerheads all in your tank.
I do agree if that 55 you are getting will fit under your current stand as a sump that would be awesome.
I would defiently get a skimmer asap also. I know some dont run them on here but i would never do that!
think shivelry is selling a skimmer that would probably be ok for this size tank, not sure though.
these are just my own opinions, so take them as that!
I personally wouldnt trust him.
you can still do a reef in there just get rid of the fish. get some sand . I would firstly start adding/curing some live rock.
If i could do mine over i would drain it and have funman/steve drill holes in the back for a closed loop system that way you have a nice clean look and no powerheads all in your tank.
I do agree if that 55 you are getting will fit under your current stand as a sump that would be awesome.
I would defiently get a skimmer asap also. I know some dont run them on here but i would never do that!
think shivelry is selling a skimmer that would probably be ok for this size tank, not sure though.
these are just my own opinions, so take them as that!
kdblove_99
New member
saw this on craigslist 3 bags of live sand for $30 is a steal you can barely get 1 bg for that price. just ask what the experation date is
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/for/358854916.html
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/for/358854916.html
bored4long
New member
Thanks, I'll check it out.
Protein skimmer will definitely be added as soon as I can decide on one, or get hooked up with a good deal for one on here.
As soon as I decided on this tank I jumped over to Shiveley's thread for his skimmers, but they were all sold.
I would definitely like to go closed loop, but think that will be a future addition. I think for now I will just add a SCWD to the current return or another power head on the other side (just to keep initial costs down). I'll be keeping an eye out for a good deal on a Sequence, too.
The 55 long should fit underneath in the stand, but I will have to remove the back centerbrace to add it. It will be a great size sump/fuge.
