State of the Art Rimless Reef for Under $3000

[Sweetlou]

Thanks guys for all of the response. As far as the odds and ends i do have some stuff that I will not have to buy new. I will keep you updated on the progress and thanks for your interest.

 

[cwegescheide]

i agree with 250.. If you really want to save money buy the best equipment the first time around. You will be replacing all the stuff you skimped on. Atleast thats been my experience..

 

[Sweetlou]

Well guys its been awhile just wanted to report in, I purchased the Skimmer I bought an SWC 160 on Thurs and it arrived quickly Via Fedex this Sat morn.. Not much to look at but I was really impressed by this skimmer for the price - Just $275 Its 20 inches tall and very space saving with the built in pump, and looks like very good quality on the construction - Ive owned several skimmers (Elos, Warner Marine, Life Reef) and this looks just as good as any of those.. I might hook it up to my 90 gallon to see how it works... Heres a few pics.. Remaining $ to work with $2725.00

 

[Sweetlou]

If the tank dimensions are negotiable, check out the glasscages specials
http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=5000

I went with the 36x37x18 and am very happy with it... especially for $250!

The extra $1k buys a lot of LEDs.

What an amazing deal. I will look into that.. geez 250 I may just come in under budget.. lol

 

[purplereef]

Beautiful tank Tim.

 

[Sweetlou]

I just ordered the Orphek LED Lighting system. I sold some items that I had laying around from my old tank to raise some extra $ to put towards the new lights.. I will post pics once they arrive - Stay Tuned!!

 

[Rickyrooz1]

How many LED's did you use?

 

[Sweetlou]

How many LED's did you use?

I believe it is a 24" fixture containing 60 LED's from my research Ive seen that 1 light will provide for a 48" tank.

 

[jefathome]

LOL... Selling body parts doesn't count towards the price limit. You wanted to see if you could do it at that price and now you are gonna spend more. Cheat!!

;o)

 

[rtbm]

if you are on a budget i would not go Starphire. i have seen two tanks side by side one Starphire and one normal glass in my opinion not too much difference and Starphire weighs more than normal glass

If there is anything to spend extra on it's the low iron glass.

Put some pretty corals in there and compare them and i grantee you will see a difference. Without a doubt worth the extra cost. It's like night and day in my opinion. At least in a well lit reef tank. If you have to sacrifice something that you can get down the road, spend the money on the Low iron

 

[gofor100]

Interested to see if you still come in under budget... I'm planning my next upgrade, and will be accumulating equipment over the next year or two. That way, I can just purchase the tank and set it up without having to explain to the wife where all of our savings went

 

[250G]

agreed, specially if you want to call it a "State of the Art Rimless Reef"

If there is anything to spend extra on it's the low iron glass.

Put some pretty corals in there and compare them and i grantee you will see a difference. Without a doubt worth the extra cost. It's like night and day in my opinion. At least in a well lit reef tank. If you have to sacrifice something that you can get down the road, spend the money on the Low iron

 

[powerlogix]

any updates on the progress?