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Ok, I think there is goign to be a bit of a postponement on the tank...:#(

I am still goign to so it I am jsut not sure exactly when because a few things came up...

Is there a way to keep my post from disappearing on here by the time I get to put my tank up for sure?

It will probably be a couple months. I am still going to get my supplies. I am jsut going to get them a lot slower than I had previously planned so I don't want to lose this thread! Please let me know if there is a way to "save" this thread for just a bit.


Christina

Not unless you want to actually copy and paste all of the information into a text document. If you like, an alternative is to just jot down the title of this thread so that you can run a search on it in the future.

Last edited by sirbooks at 30-Nov-2005 17:25

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I dont think the thread is going anywhere.

What's the deal?

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Well, I don't feel liek typing out the whole story right now because I ahve been typin gon the pc all day and I am getting kind of tired. Basically I have come into a money crunch and need the money to pay bills and such. I am still planning on slowly gettign my equipment; it will jsut take much longer for me to be able to set up the tank. The last thing I will get will be the tank so it will take me much longer to get everything started. I plan on getting the tank hopefully by next summer. I am not sure where I am moving to righ tnow so I don't know if I will be able to start it up there or not.

I will try to keep th post updated as to what supplies I get and when I get them.


Christina

Ok, here is a more in depth detail of what is going on. I was really upset and tired that night so I didn't feel like typing.

Honestly; at this moment, I am not sure where I will be living in the next few weeks. I really want to move back to my home. It is only 40 minutes away and I drive here everyday, but I have to drive here almost EVERY day for work. It gets very old having to drive back and forth. Plus the price of gas is ridiculous and I am afraid I live in an area that gets pretty bad winter weather and I doubt my little grand am will be able to do the snow... I totaled my last car (also a grand am) last year on a patch of ice traveling home. I want to be closer to my family and friends and work but I am not sure where I can go right now. My boyfriend is supposed to move with me since he is the reason I moved away in the first place, but he can't seem to get a job for some reason. Mostly it is just really frustrating and quite depressing because things have kind of taken a bad turn right now. Hopefully, after the year is over, things will start to get better. I can't get the tank right now because if for some reason my boyfriend does not move with me; I will be moving in with family or a friend or into an apartment, just me and my dog Hera, and I don't think I will have the time or money to get the tank for a while then. It will really be pushing it with the 55 gallon "community" tank. I am going to set up so I will just have to let you guys know. Also, if I move in with friends or family they would not let me have a 90 gallon or larger tank in their house either so I will just have to wait...

I will let you guys know what is going on as time goes. I am still very much into this tank and I want it really bad, so I will be doing it, just not until I get things situated.


Christina

Ok everyone I thought I would give you an update. I am getting the urge to set up a sw tank more and more! I have some ideas. To tide me over until I can get my big tank I was thinkging of maybe doing a nano tank? I really want a pair of pearly head jawfish so I was going to set something up for a pair of them. Would anyone object to a 10 gallon with lots of substrate and LR for them? Maybe I could also get soem inverts as well? I figure this would take care of my urge for a little it anyway. I know you guys have said bigger is better, but I thought maybe if I start with this small tank I coudl get the feel for it and maybe I would have more luck wiht my big one when I can get it?


Christina

You can also get Oceans Motions through someone on this board There are other places to get them also, including through Sequence pumps.

Good Point.... I guess I will jsut stick with the 55 gallon tank for now then Then maybe next year I can upgrade. I honestly can not even fathom setting up a tank until I move. We are planning on moving soon and I do not want to set it up knowing I am going to move very soon. This is kind of good on my part considering that I am very impatient and would have started before I got more information because I got anxious. This is good that I had to wait since it gave me more of a chance to research before starting.

This brings me to my next subject though. What brands of skimmers and such do you recommend for this tank? I don't want to have to pay $500 bucks for something and then find out I could have gotten something jsut as good for $250. I know you likk the best of the best ferret but I have a feeling that you know a good bargain when you see one as well! Also, if you know any good organizations that would help me out as yours did for you please let me know! Thanks again for all your help so far.



Christina

Hello??? Is anyone out there??? I haven't heard from anyone in a bit. I thought maybe you guys forgot about me! Well if someone reads this please let me knwo the answers to these questions

Keep in mind that this is for a 55 Gallon Reef Tank

What is the best

Heater?

Type of filter?

I know you guys said that Live Rock is the best Biological filter but I still feel like I need a filter of some sort.
Would a Biowheel work? Should I jsut use a HOB Waterfall Filter?

Protein Skimmer?

Powerhead?

Wavemaker?

Air Pump?
I am thinking of putting an air curtain on the back wall of the tank. Mostly I want this because I like bubbles


I am sure I forgot something so feel free to remind me



Christina

As before, I can't answer all of your questions. I'll just chip at a couple of them and try to help you that way.

Heater- Heaters by Ebo-Jager are pretty good if you can find them, and the Stealth heaters from Visi-Therm seem to be decent and are quite common. Make sure that any heater you buy has the auto shut-off feature, and is adjustable. Also, if you go with any destructive fish, you'll need a tough heater and possibly a cover or screen to protect it from damage.

Filter- Live rock is definitely the best and coolest biological filter. Not only does it help with the conversion of ammonia and nitrite, the rock houses bacteria that converts nitrate to a less-harmful substance as well. Though you can buy a hang-on or a canister filter, it will be most helpful just with mechanical filtration, the removal of particles and debris from the water. I'd save myself the money on a filter and put it towards something else, such as the other equipment.

Skimmer- I don't know as much as the others here, but I can suggest that the Coralife protein skimmers (the Super Skimmer line) are supposed to be decent, though they are fairly large. I've heard bad things about the SeaClone skimmers from Marineland, so it may be wise to avoid them.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

It's all about opinion and how much money you're willing to spend.

I dont think you need an HOB filter, but my favorite is AquaClear if you're that hooked on it.

I like my AquaC EV skimmer.

The only heaters I trust are Ebo-Jager and Tronic, but I dont trust any heater enough with my reef tank so I have them both hooked up to my reefkeeper. (Power is shut off when the tank hits 80*F.)

Air pumps and bubble curtains do not belong in a reef tank.

I hate powerheads. I think they're ugly. I like oceans motions units. The squirt would be appropriate for your tank.

Most of this information, if you just browse around websites like Marine Depot you'll be able to look at all equipment, see ratings, features, and you can even call and ask for advice.

You dont need us here to spoonfeed you every bit of information. Try doing some more outside research, you'll be amazed at what you can find on your own. This is your tank remember...not mine, or Nate's...or Nick's. Pick what you want to use, not what we want to use. The best tank for you will be a combination of other peoples systems you've looked at and researched.

Me and Nate agree on a lot of things, many more than most reefkeepers do. Still, we've using different skimmers on our tanks, slighly different light fixtures w/ different bulbs, different powerheads/units...etc

I'm more than happy to give you my views on things, I just want you to realize that just because it's my view, doesn't make it the best view, and you shouldn't listen to just me. I wouldn't steer you wrong, but there's a LOT of options out there.



-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

What brands of skimmers and such do you recommend for this tank?

How is the tank going to be set up? Is it going to have a sump/refugium, are you going to use a HOB skimmer, in sump skimmer, external skimmer? See where im going with this

I use a LifeReef skimmer....its a very well made skimmer, and the price reflects it. I paid over $500 for it and I got a good deal because the guy that builds them is local to me.

Brands that I trust...Grotech, BubbleKing, Aquamedic, Aqua C, ASM, Euroreef, and LifeReef. All of these skimmers are very good brands, but the price reflects it also since they range from $200 on up to over $3000.

Also, if you know any good organizations that would help me out as yours did for you please let me know!

Where are you located at? Im sure there is a club atleast kinda close to you.



Heater?.......Ebo Jager

Type of filter?.....Live rock

I know you guys said that Live Rock is the best Biological filter but I still feel like I need a filter of some sort.
Would a Biowheel work? Should I jsut use a HOB Waterfall Filter?

.....If you want to use a HOB filter then go for it. I personally dont think it is needed, but if you feel you need a filter then it wont hurt to add it. Take the bio wheels off if you get one though....they convert nitrite to nitrate too fast because they are so efficient and make it hard to keep nitrates down

Protein Skimmer?...See above

Powerhead?......I think I already answered this, but I like Hagen Aquaclear powerheads if you are going to use a powerhead and not a closed loop or sump/fuge with a return pump.

Wavemaker?....RedSea wavemakers are decent, and affordable

Air Pump? I am thinking of putting an air curtain on the back wall of the tank. Mostly I want this because I like bubbles

..Like Liana said, an airpump doesnt belong in or near a reef tank except for powering a old style skimmer, or when acclimating fish in a bucket. Bubbles cause splash, which cause salt creep, which cause salinity changes and an ugly tank

Me and Nate agree on a lot of things, many more than most reefkeepers do. Still, we've using different skimmers on our tanks, slighly different light fixtures w/ different bulbs, different powerheads/units...etc

True....but while we agree on a lot of things, and use a lot of the same equipment (brands, etc) there are things that limit what you can use.....whats available to you in your area, budget, how your tank is set up, etc. Unlike most things, chances are, if its expensive then it works well.

One thing to keep in mind with reef tanks/SW tanks....what works well on someone elses system may not work well on yours. There are too many variables to have a set way/equipement list. Like I said, availablilty has a lot to do with it too...example, I use Aquamedic salt because I like the readings it gives me on calcium and dkh/alk....Liana cant get it because its not available in her area so she uses Tropic Marin....both are excellent salt brands.

That is all I really wanted to know actually. I didn't want you guys to do it all for me but I know that there are a few brands out there that I should stay away from. I jsut really wanted to know what the best and worst brands are, so that I know what to stay from and what is a good deal mostly. Sorry if it seems like you guys have had to spoon feed me. I didn't mean for it to seem like that. I just wanted opinions and tips from people who really seem to know what they are doing Thanks for the tips on the hardware. This will give me an idea of where to start so I CAN do some research without being totally blind about it. I will let you guys know what I decide on.... if I can decide that is lol.



Christina

Do you guys think it is worth the extra money for the digital hydrometers, or do the plastic swing arm styles work just as well?

I am using a sump/refugiom set-up. I thought I had all ready said that but sorry if I didn't.

I have found a few things and decided on a few things as well.

Ferretfish- I still can't find anything on the ocean motion units. I can only find wavemakers. I am lookin gon marine depot right now and I still cannot find what you are talking about

Ok, sorry abotu this but as I was posting I found this. Would this be my best bet? It looks liek it has about everything I need to start up my tank. It would save me A LOT of money if I bought the kit compared to each thing individually. I will be gettign a different skimmer though because I have not heard one good thing about the SeaClone Skimmers. So what do you think? Is there anything that I am missing if I were to get this kit?


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12785&Ntt=kits&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

Christina



Last edited by dvmchrissy at 12-Nov-2005 10:10

There's a little bit of discussion about the same setup kit in [link=this]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Marine%20Setup/65837.html" style="COLOR: #808080[/link] thread.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Yes, I remembber that thread. I responded to it actually. I forgot about that. What do you think of the products that come itn this kit? It is a little different than the one tat comes in the kist that Pristellapower was talking about. The one I am looking at is for a Reef Aquarium. The one she was lookin at was for a FOWLR tank. That is why I wanted to know what you guyd though of this set-up.

I thought it looked like a nice set-up myself, except for a few problems, like the SeaClone Skimmer. I would sell that towards something else for my tank, liek a better skimmer. I have not heard anything good about that brand of skimmer at all. Why is it such a terrible choice though? I don't get it.



Christina

Christina,

You can only get oceans motions unit from Paul at his website, sorry I should have been more clear about that.

Visit here:

[link=http://www.oceansmotions.com]http://www.oceansmotions.com" style="COLOR: #3c4e82[/link]

Explore a little, there's some great stuff. Pricey, but built to last, and efficient. I'm sure Nate would agree with me.

Personally I've talked to Paul many many times via phone/email, and he is extraordinarly helpful. He will give you tips for hours, ship you new parts if something happens to fail or isn't working as well as you'd like it too, and he'll give you lots of ideas on how to plumb your system.

HTH

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Your LFS should have them, and if you go to All Glass Aquarium's website, you can see all the tanks and the standard sizes and whatnot.

I'll get some new pictures of my tank up soon, getting some corals this weekend I think.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Okay, I looked at that website you gave me thoroughly. If I were to order one of those instead of using powerheads, would I need additional equipment for it? Remember I am not at all mechanically inclined.... No one ever taught me how to build nifty DIY stuff when I was growing up. I don't have anyone whoe can help me with it either. I think those look like an excellent idea, I just need to know if there are other things I need to do to get it to work. I went to the LFS tonight to get some fish for my 25 gallon tank and they said they woudl be willing to help me understand and/or learn anything I need to know so that made me feel a little better! I will probably go over there next weekend and talk to them about all this stuff and show them my ideas and they can veto it or whatever. They really seem to knwo what they are talking about. They have an amazing set-up there so I know they can handle it. Well if I can figure out that oceans motions machine I will have to add that to my list of "Must Have" items for my tank.



Christina

After you order the actual unit, you will have to buy a pump that is matched for it, and then the PVC pipe and fittings to plumb it into your tank.

I'm not good at DIY and plumbing either, but my dad is, so I learned a lot from him. You may want to consider talking to a valuble lfs about helping you set something like this up. I'm sure they'd be willing to help you out.

I have the super squirt on my 4' tank, and this is what it looked like:

From the back- (Note: it's not plumbed into the pump here)



From the top-



Hope that helps a little.[/font][/font]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

That helps a lot! Thanks.... I was looking at the site you gave me, it looks like they are now selling the pumps with the set-up. I think I will print that picture off and take it to the people at the LFS here. They told me last night that they would be more than willing to help me with anytihn gI need. I am thinking about getting either the Super Squirt or the 4-way because I know I will end up with a larger tank than I started with. I will probably end up with a larger tank before I even start setting it up lol. I found a 90 gallon tank with the stand and a bunch of other stuff for 600 bucks IT is also a wave front tank instead of just a rectangular one. I couldn't help but drool over it! I am going to talk to them abotu it because they will hold it for you if you need them too as well... lol I should have known! If I do this would I need the 8 way instead of the 4 way?

Oh yea, The 90 gallon comes with a canister filter, lights(which I woudl still ahve to upgrade) plants and a bunch of other stuff. It seems like a great deal to me...

I have finally made some decisions as to what I am doing though because I have kind of settled on a tank size and I looked at a lot of stuff yesterday so I have a better idea of what I am looking for now. That site you gave me helped me out a lot

Sorry if any of this seems redundant I jsut woke up really...




Christina

No, you would def. not need the 8 way.

My main display tank is 72 gallons. Originally I planned on ordering the 4 way, but after talking with Paul, he assured me that I would be more than fine with the Super Squirt. This saved me so much money, and completely gained his trust because of how honest he was. And keep in mind, my tank is designed to be able to house SPS, the corals in need of very high flow and good current.

An OM unit is sort of a hard thing to set up on one tank and then move when you upgrade to another, so I wouldn't buy it until you have your tank and you are confident about the set up you want. This way you end up going with the right one.

And note that the way I set it up isn't the only way to do it, and the way mine is plumbed wont work perfectly for every tank. If you go to the website, and then their forum, you will be able to see pictures like crazy from other people, showing all the different ways that they've set theirs up. This will give the people at your LFS a better idea too.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I think I am goign to go ahead and end up with the 90 gallon tank for this because it will actually be a little bit before I can actually set up the tank I want so I will have plenty of time to get enough money to buy it. I know your set up will not work for everyone; however, it will give them a good idea of how these units work. I asked him if he knew of anything other than powerheads to create waves and he didn't so this will be something new for him as well. I am not going to set it up and change it later thats why I am trying to decide exactly what I want to do now before I start any of it. I do not want to change any of it after it is set up. This mean I can also do a 55 gallon angel tank.... something I have also always wanted to do I will be set for a long while when get these tanks set up I think... or atleast I hope

One big reason I decided to go ahead and up the size of the tank is because as you guys know the bigger the body of water, the more stable it is. This will make it more likely that I will have success with it I think. I will be more comfortable with it and I will have a little more versatility stocking it when it comes time to stock it.

Do you guys agree with me or am i just nuts as always?



Christina

no! you aren't totally crazy

I completely agree. I said it myself in my article, that bigger tanks are better, because they are more stable. More water means more room for errors.

Look into buying a 90 gallon predrilled reef ready tank.

I think you would be fine with the super squirt on that tank. You could get the 4 way if you really wanted.

I think you'll be much happier going with the bigger tank. I really do.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Wouldn't a predrilled tank cost a heck of a lot more? If not please let me know I will be on the look out. What exactly is drilled in the tanks? Why do they drill them? Remember once again, I am new at this... I am quite dumb when it comes to that. Remember I was originally thinking of putting a few clowns in a 10 gallon tank. I was not going to do much more than get a skimmer and a HOB filter with some LR and live sand... I would like to think that I have come a long way all ready

What would it take to drill the tank though?


Christina

Predrilled tanks have the overflow(s) built into them.

Makes it ten million times easier to have a sump or fuge.

Not that much more expensive.

Do a google search to find more.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

"What would it take to drill the tank though?"

Actually drilling the tank is a pain. Usually you can have it done at the shop where you buy the tank, and they often will make you sign a document which absolves the store of responsibility for any damages to the tank. If you have a fish tank made of tempered glass, it will crack from the drilling and basically become useless. A pre-drilled tank is much more convenient and really doesn't cost a whole lot more.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I have honestly never seen a pre-drilled tank for sale anywhere except on Ebay, probably because I ahven't looked for one really... I will have to look around. Maybe I will get lucky and find one on sale. I have definitely decided I want to go bigger than the 55 gallon I have. I just have to find a tank that suits my needs and my budget. A friend of mine agreed to sit down with me and help me figure out a set plan for my tank. I am sure the plan will still change, but this will give me a much better idea of what I need and how to go about all of it. I am a very visual person and need to see things to understand them, so it will be a blessing if he can help me with this. You must show me some more pictures of your tank Liana. I need all the help and inspiration I can get!



Christina