Yay, my 90g is being built!

[IsaaX]

Pics courtesy of SoCal Creations

This week they've been building my 36x24x24 w/external overflow eurobraced tank, my custom 36" stand and my custom sump that I designed. I'm really excited as the due date is the end of this week. As far as I know I have the basic equipment to render the tank operational

Plumbing
Return Pump
6000 Stream w/Controller and light sensor
Tunze Deco Rock
Seio
ASM G3 Skimmer
Chiller
2x250w MH Lighting with T5 supplementation Light Fixture

Now I've come to realize that I have $500 cash left in my budget and I would probably have to wait at least a month before I have money readily available to spend on reef stuff.

Here's my dilema which I need help deciding on which route to take...

I do want a good CA Reactor set up since I will be making this a SPS tank. I was offered a used but in good condition LifeReef LCR-1 Full Setup, 10# tank, PH Controller for $450 or without PH Controller for $400. According to LifeReef's website, the LCR-1 is about $400 alone, so this offer sounds like a good deal. If I purchase this, I will have to wait for more funds to purchase another 50 pounds of liverock (I already have 50 lbs in my 40g that will be transferred), 150 pounds of dry sand, bucket of salt, RO/DI unit, Big Brute. Basically if I purchase the reactor I will have to wait longer to get my tank filled and running. I figure it would cost about at least $50 to fill the tank with Catalina Salt Water. I would rather use RO/DI and use salt mix instead of paying that kind of money for store bought water

Now if I don't purchase the CA Reactor, I'll be able to purchase the rest of my live rock, Typhoon RO/DI unit, BigBrute for water storage, sand, bucket of salt. Basically I'd be able to get the tank's cycling started as fast as I can make the water.

Which way would you go? Purchase the Reactor since it's a good deal and wait to raise more funds to be able to get the tank cycling? Or have the tank running sooner by ditching the CA Reactor and possibly have to pay retail price later on?

HELP! I need a solution!

 

[Yinger]

you won't need a CA reactor for about another 7-8 months. I would first get the RO unit and the brute cans and the salt. Then start dripping kalk while slowly stocking your tank. Once your tank is heavily stocked with SPS then get the reactor. Your tank should be cycled a few months before you start any sps. Although I should take my own advice hahaha...

 

[IsaaX]

My sump design. The Return Area will also be a Chaeto float area.

 

[IsaaX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7777122#post7777122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yinger
you won't need a CA reactor for about another 7-8 months. I would first get the RO unit and the brute cans and the salt. Then start dripping kalk while slowly stocking your tank. Once your tank is heavily stocked with SPS then get the reactor. Your tank should be cycled a few months before you start any sps. Although I should take my own advice hahaha...

Damn you know what, I currently drip kalk for top off in my 40g and I completely forgot about that route lol.

Anyone else?

 

[Mchava]

I would say the same thing. Get an ro/di unit and somewhere to hold the water. I would not recommend the brute cans. I had one before and it busted from the bottom and I lost all my premixed salt water. See if any one have some old food grade drums that they are not using. That is what I use. There are plenty of people selling used reactor every where I would say just wait on it.

 

[IsaaX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7777138#post7777138 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mchava
I would say the same thing. Get an ro/di unit and somewhere to hold the water. I would not recommend the brute cans. I had one before and it busted from the bottom and I lost all my premixed salt water. See if any one have some old food grade drums that they are not using. That is what I use. There are plenty of people selling used reactor every where I would say just wait on it.

You know, I just thought about those things eventually busting. It does get hot in my garage in the summer months, where I would have the RO/DI and water storage, it's also where I park my Mustang lol. I wouldn't want any salt water splashing onto that! I gotta find those drums, at a good price hopefully. Anyone know where I can purchase them?

 

[Mchava]

make a post and see if any one has one. I actualy found one for 25 for a 30g. You might be able to get some from golfish. He had some for free before.

 

[Yinger]

i dunno about having the chaeto float around in your return area. You will have to clean out the return quite often. I would recommend a fuge.

 

[IsaaX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7777171#post7777171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Yinger
i dunno about having the chaeto float around in your return area. You will have to clean out the return quite often. I would recommend a fuge.

There will be egg crate preventing the chaeto from getting to the return pump. The float area is the 15x10 area right after the last baffle from the skimmer area. The eggcrate will be at the top of this area with plastic mesh zip tied to it that's as high as the water level. That way, if for some reason the mesh gets clogged up, the water can just simply overflow kinda like a baffle.

A fuge wasn't an option as there is limited space inside the stand. I had originally had a fuge designed into the sump, but it was too small to make it worthwhile.

 

[gunnwong]

Don't know if it help but you can get free water at the research lab in Corona Delma. If you willing to drive to Newport beach. I been using the water for 5 months now and every thing look ok in my tank. PM me if you need direction
gunn

 

[IsaaX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7777289#post7777289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gunnwong
Don't know if it help but you can get free water at the research lab in Corona Delma. If you willing to drive to Newport beach. I been using the water for 5 months now and every thing look ok in my tank. PM me if you need direction
gunn

Wow, I had no idea. That should be a sticky if it isn't already.
Thanks for the heads up, but I don't think my mustang or my honda element would be able to handle the weight of over 90 gallons of water being lugged down the freeway. It's kinda too far for me. I don't want to deal with those 5g jugs ever again.

 

[SteveOhh]

I got an extra 55 gallon drum....................$20

It doesn't have the removable lid, just the screw caps, however I cut a hole in the top & installed a float valve, so it's always full of 55 gallons of RO/DI..............

Steve

 

[gps]

Just curious, how much do you think all this will cost you?

 

[IsaaX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7778653#post7778653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gps
Just curious, how much do you think all this will cost you?

Are you asking how much SoCal Creations charged me? I'm confused heh.

 

[DRC69]

YES - I would like know if you don't mind????

 

[IsaaX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7779734#post7779734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DRC69
YES - I would like know if you don't mind????

LoL, ok this was the break down.

Custom Tank:
36x24x24 1/2" Acrylic
Black back
Black External OverFlow
Durso Standpipe, Bulkheads
EuroBracing
Whatever holes that are needed.

Custom Sump:
25x24x16 Acrylic, my design and specs (see above diagram)

Custom Stand:
36"(h) Pine stand to my specs. What you see in the photos. They will be staining it. Added removable platform in the back for added space.

$1293 out the door, tax included.

I will probably have them build me a custom 15g resevoir for the rest of the space inside the stand for top off water.

-Isaac

 

[IsaaX]

BTW,

Steve and Randy are awesome people to deal with.

 

[DRC69]

Wow - To rich for me. I didn't think it would be that HIGH.
But your going to have a really NICE setup.
Sweet tank when your done.

 

[IsaaX]

To me it was affordable considering that I needed something custom to fit the space I wanted to put the tank in. Setups that were in stores that were kind of close to the specs I needed had higher price tags and did not include sumps, or included a sump that I couldn't use for the same price I paid for the sump I had custom built. Also the stands in the stores were more expensive than what I had made.

I guess it's just a matter on how one compares.

You gotta remember though, the tank I ordered has options that would generally cost more, like the eurobracing and the external overflow. It's also 1/2" acrylic. I'm sure i've forgotten to mention other stuff.

 

[IsaaX]

shoot, this better look good once I have water and rocks in the tank cause I ditched buying nice custom wheels for my car to do this LOL