Step by step help for a newb

[Zivman]

I am totally new to anything saltwater - knows nothing -

That being said, I want a big tank - looking at around a 180 (72 x 20 something x 20 something). I'm looking at a FOWLR tank.

I have bee searching the board and have found tons of info, but nothing that kind of lays things out. Tons of bits and pieces and I am having trouble putting them all together.

I am planning on a glass tank, and after reading lots about inter-american and starphire, I am, at this time, planning on contacting them for my tank. I do not however know what I need in terms of drilling, overflows, ect.?.?

Help in at least setting me off in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Ninong]

Well the good thing is that if you call Mitch at Inter-American (now called Bow Valley Aquarium), he knows what you need in terms of overflows, etc.

Just remember that most people who start out with just a fish-only-with-live-rock tank eventually switch to a full reef tank. You may want to keep that in mind when you design your original setup.

A standard 180-gal tank is 72x24x24. If you buy a tank from Inter-American, you could get a 227-gal tank (72x27x27) for the same price as a 180-gal tank. It has to do with the number of cuts required and the standard size of the Starphire glass sheets. The main reason that people go with Inter-American is to get Starphire glass. It is more expensive than regular glass but it is worth it.

If you want just a standard regular glass 180-gal tank, you could get one cheaper locally. If you order a tank from Mitch, you may or may not have a completely satisfying shopping experience. He is sometimes frustrating to deal with. My tank came from him and my next tank will come from him but don't say you weren't warned. The end result is usually a nice tank but many people have experienced delays and weird communication problems in dealing with Mitch. It helps if you are a relatively laid back person and not too uptight to begin with.

My next tank will be another Starphire tank, just bigger and with Euro-bracing. I really hate my center brace. If you do get a 6' long tank with center brace, make sure to get two cross braces instead of one so that when you eventually switch over to a reef tank you will have three open spaces for your three metal halide lamps. It really doesn't matter much for a fish-only tank because you don't even need metal halides for that sort of tank.

If you need a sump, Mitch can make you a glass one cheap. If you need a stand, he can get you a steel frame stand cheap. Then all you have to do is cover it with plywood or something to make it look like furniture.

Good luck,

[Zivman]

So, he will advise me on what type of overflows and what not that I will need?

You advise me to get the non-Euro style braces?

[Ninong]

So, he will advise me on what type of overflows and what not that I will need?

You advise me to get the non-Euro style braces?

He will know how to build the tank better than you do, so you may as well go with his advice. And you can tell him I told you that because he knows me.

No, I'm not advising you to get non-Euro style braces. I'm just saying that if you do get cross braces, get two of them instead of one so that you will have three open spaces for three metal halide lamps in the future. Personally I would much rather a tank without any cross braces at all. He can build both the 180-gal and the 227-gal without any cross braces at all by simply using 4" perimeter (Euro) bracing all around the tank. That would be my preference.

[Zivman]

Well, didn't end up going with IA. I ordered an oceanic 200 gallon brickstyle through a lfs. They had what I thought was a very reasonable price on the tank and stand. The tank is aprox 84 X 25 X 25 with 3/4" glass and no center braces.

I need to get everything else ordered, so I am taking suggestions.

Would like to tackle the sump, protein skimmer, and a RO setup first.

[Ninong]

What does "brickstyle" mean? Does that mean it has Euro bracing instead of cross bracing?

[Zivman]

What does "brickstyle" mean? Does that mean it has Euro bracing instead of cross bracing?

No bracing at all (as I understand it; had to order the tank so I never saw it)- the tank is made of 3/4" glass all the way around.

Really need help on getting a protein skimmer. I want an insump and euroreef or MRC, but don't know which one fits my needs - fowlr tank

[Ninong]

No bracing at all (as I understand it; had to order the tank so I never saw it)- the tank is made of 3/4" glass all the way around.

Really need help on getting a protein skimmer. I want an insump and euroreef or MRC, but don't know which one fits my needs - fowlr tank

You need to know exactly what you ordered. I am not familiar with any tanks that Oceanic manufacturers that have no bracing of any kind. Unfortunately they don't give very much information on their website: http://www.oceanicsystems.com/

Their standard tanks usually have glass cross bracing but they do offer custom tanks with glass perimeter bracing. They even offer Starphire glass now but at a premium price.

Again, make sure you know exactly what you are getting so that there won't be disappointment later.

I'm not sure what to recommend as far as the skimmer is concerned. Everybody seems to be raving about the Euro-Reefs lately but they're pretty pricey. BTW, the model you are asking about on Reef Central is an in-sump model with an 18"x18" footprint, so you will need a fairly large sump if you go with that skimmer.

I have a Lifereef sump and skimmer: http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html Usually there is a five month wait on those but it looks like he's taking orders for August right now. They're well made but the skimmers are not the latest technology. They work well but they're just not cutting edge any more.

There are so many different fancy skimmers available right now that it's hard to figure out which is best for a reasonable price. Some of the skimmers are more expensive than the tanks they are designed to handle.

[Zivman]

I was told the tank was made of 3/4" glass all around and had no center bracing. This is what the description said. This could mean it has euro-bracing or no bracing what so ever, either way, all I wanted was no centerbracing. I read about having to clean center braces and the shadowing they cause, not to mention slightly obstructing access into the tank.
The model number I ordered was: 26751 "200 REEF READY® BRICK STYLE AQUARIUM ONLY"

I do know the standard oceaninc RR tanks come with starphire center bracing.

Thanks for the help, looks like I will have to do a bit more research before the next round of purchases

[Reefland]

If your looking for a pre-made sump system, Lifereef makes a great product (never owned one but the feedback on the forums tell the tale). Also MRC makes sumps and I am sure that if you were to order a sump and skimmer from them they could customize it to your needs. I am not sure if their sumps are available through online channels or if you have to purchase direct from MRC though. I have an MR-1 and am very pleased with the performance; I would think an MR-2 would be a good skimmer for your set-up.

Scott Z.

[RayPollett]

John at IAP offers Sumps Refugium combos with skimmer. They are one of our sponsors.

Ray

[Zivman]

Well, I am on the list for a lifereef LF1-200. Let the wait begin. Scheduled for August 25th - oh well, my tank may not be here until 8/19.


Anyone want to help suggest an RO/DI?
Also, where to buy liverock? Been looking at tampabaysaltwater.com, any other suggestions?

[Reefland]

I use an AquaFX 4 stage RO/DI unit; really I think all units are the same what you need to look for is a company that will be available to you for support if needed.

[Zivman]

Alright, here's a list of things I have ordered:
200 gallon oceanic brick style RR tank and stand
Lifereef LF1-200 berlin system
Airwaterice Typhoon III RO/DI
Looking for Sand - was quoted $318 to my door for 300 #s of Old Castle/southdown http://www.idahosaltwateremporium.com/ - anyone know of a better deal than this.

Next obstacle is the lighting for the tank

[rdursch]

Anyone want to help suggest an RO/DI?
Also, where to buy liverock? Been looking at tampabaysaltwater.com, any other suggestions?

Let me suggest eBay. I bought a six stage RO/DI from there and it has been great. Didn't know if I could mention eBay, sorry if I can't.

[Zivman]

Let me suggest eBay. I bought a six stage RO/DI from there and it has been great. Didn't know if I could mention eBay, sorry if I can't.

I looked at those, but ended up getting one from airwaterice

[scubadude]

Hi Ziv
Welcome to Reefland

First off I want to 2nd Ninongs statement here:

Just remember that most people who start out with just a fish-only-with-live-rock tank eventually switch to a full reef tank. You may want to keep that in mind when you design your original setup.

2nd thing I want to bring up is I have tried many skimmers and the Euroreefs are the best IMO but as Ninong said they are pricey, However GEO is now making the same style of skimmer with great quality and a lower price. I might be able to help you out with the sand for cheaper, I will PM you. The other thing I wanted to mention was about this "brickstyle" oceanic tank....I would love to see pictures of this tank, this definately sounds like a new style they have created which could prove to be very promising, do you mind me asking how much you paid for the tank? stand? hood?

[Ninong]

Rocky,

I have a hunch that this so-called "brick style" Oceanic tank is probably the same as what they used to call "trimless." They used to have pictures of those on their website but they redesigned their website and it is no longer as informative as it once was and has far fewer pictures than it previously had.

Also, Zivman mentioned that he has already ordered a Lifereef LF1-200 Berlin system. That would be the complete setup: sump, return pump, Lifereef skimmer and skimmer pump, plus all fittings. It's a package deal. It is possible to order a Lifereef sump without their skimmer but aren't most Euro-Reef skimmers designed to be placed inside the sump? The standard Lifereef sumps are designed for external pumps and an external skimmer. A Euro-Reef skimmer wouldn't even come close to fitting inside a standard Lifereef sump design.

Since I already own a Lifereef LF1-150 sump & Lifereef skimmer I can offer this bit of advice: Pay extra to get Iwaki pumps (Japanese motors) instead of the standard Little Giant pumps. Jeff offers the Iwaki pumps but the Little Giants are standard. I really hate my Little Giant pumps. They are too noisy and they put out too much heat. Anything else would have to be an improvement. Also, if you have enough space in your stand for a 30" skimmer, Jeff offers those even though he doesn't list them. The 30" size is sort of new and costs very little more than the 24" size.

[RayPollett]

Alright, here's a list of things I have ordered:
200 gallon oceanic brick style RR tank and stand
Lifereef LF1-200 berlin system
Airwaterice Typhoon III RO/DI
Looking for Sand - was quoted $318 to my door for 300 #s of Old Castle/southdown http://www.idahosaltwateremporium.com/ - anyone know of a better deal than this.

Next obstacle is the lighting for the tank

Try Here for sand
http://www.purearagonite.com/

Ray

[Zivman]

Try Here for sand
http://www.purearagonite.com/

Ray

Thanks for the link. A LFS cut me a deal $195 for 300 lbs of sand. Not as good as getting the SD @ the depot, but thought it was decent.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Keep them coming - really need help on the lighting