Advise on setting up new build for reef tank

[malinois1]

Hi Folks, I have been lurking for a couple of weeks and have finally decided to join and ask questions. I hope that I am posting this in the right location. About 10 years ago I had a freshwater tank 50 gallon with south american cichlids. I had it for a couple of years before I decided to get rid of it. Before I jump in to this I want to make sure I buy the right stuff the first time because I did make mistakes on my fresh water setup. I did get a quote from my LFS and for a 100gallon tank with canopy and stand(furniture quality), sump, pump, skimmer, live sand, live rock, water(from her store tanks), heater, lights...pretty much all you need and even her coming set it up was about 5,000. She didn't however give an model numbers or brands of anything so I was kind of leary about that.

Here is what I would like....I have a spare wall picked out to put it against that is about 52" so I was think about a 120 gallon or so tank? My question is should I get a reef ready tank one already drilled for drain and return? Is that a big deal or not? I know I can get oceanic from the LFS is that a good tank or should I look for something else. I know that the LFS that gave me a qoute said I will need at least a 200-300 rated skimmer because smaller one are usually crap.

Also I am a DIY type of guy think I can build a good 125 gallon reef tank with live rock and sand for under 5,000? I guess this is a good start on the questions then we can go from there and start talking about other equipment to make this a good setup. Thanks in advance for all replies and I am sorry about the noob questions.

[metalhead]

Hi and welcome to ReefLand!

I would go with a reef-ready tank with built in over-flows if I were you, you'll be glad you did in the long run. For your skimmer figure on getting one rated for twice the capacity of your system. If you end up with a 125g tank you'll want a skimmer rated for at least 250g. As far as the 5K estimate... hard to say. You could definitely spend well in excess of 5K on all new gear at the LFS but if you can find some good used equipment locally it should greatly reduce your expenses. I've seen some very nicely equipped complete 125g+ systems sell around here for 2K or less including livestock.

I also had many years of freshwater experience before going salt and the best advice I can offer is read, read, read and research, research, research before you buy anything. The fact that you're here asking questions tells me that you're already on the right track so stay on track and don't get in a hurry, hard not to I know.

HTH - Bob

[malinois1]

Hi Bob, Thanks for the welcome and reply. I do plan and reading before I do any purchase and on top of that I will run it by you guys first.

Any brands that are preferred or any to avoid? Although I imagine the tank will be purchased locally so it is mostly Oceanic and Aqueon and I think they are the same company.

Next topic I guess is how big of a sump will I need? I see Aqueon has sumps that you can buy and can have a refugium! Is that something I would want to buy or would a DIY model be just a good and cheaper?

Hope yall don't mind me moving on to new areas in this thread. I am trying to piece all this stuff together to get an idea of the total cost.

Shane

[metalhead]

Hi Bob, Thanks for the welcome and reply. I do plan and reading before I do any purchase and on top of that I will run it by you guys first.

Any brands that are preferred or any to avoid? Although I imagine the tank will be purchased locally so it is mostly Oceanic and Aqueon and I think they are the same company.

Next topic I guess is how big of a sump will I need? I see Aqueon has sumps that you can buy and can have a refugium! Is that something I would want to buy or would a DIY model be just a good and cheaper?

Hope yall don't mind me moving on to new areas in this thread. I am trying to piece all this stuff together to get an idea of the total cost.

Shane

Depends on the product really... Not real sure on tank manufacturers though I think AGA is a good one. There are also custom tanks available made from special glass that's supposedly as clear as acrylic so you may to check on that as well. If I'm not mistaken these tanks are not too much more expensive than the regulation mass-produced variety but like I said not really sure on this.

As far as the sump I'd probably go with at least 50 gallon capacity on a 120g tank. You'll also want to be sure that there is enough room in the sump for any residual water that accumulates in the sump when the power's off (very important). DIY would be my preference, there are some very nice pre-made solutions as you have seen but they are terribly overpriced IMO.

[gregony]

5000 dollars?!!! That's Elliot Spitzer money. A 48" glass 120 tank by itself without overflow is under $400. Reef ready's are usually 200 to 300 more. Though if you go reef ready the price will be close to acrylic and with an acrylic making an overflow is easy. Add $200 for a decent premade stand, You can make one for less than half that. You shouldn't need a canopy unless you've got a thing for eels. A decent sump is under 300. A decent external return pump is about 150 a magdrive 9.5 would work for a 120 and its under 100 dollars. An 8 light T5Ho fixture is 500/ A 6 light is 420. 120lbs of live rock is around 800 from your LFS, online its about 500. You should be able to find a decent skimmer for less than 300. Add salt and sand- about 60 for each. A decent heater for 50 and a bunch of little stuff (test kits, misc plumbing, outlets) and you should easily be able to do it for less than 3000. If you're a true DIY'er you can probably get another 1000 off of that. And like metalhead said. There's a ton of used stuff out there for much cheaper.

[malinois1]

Thanks very much Bob and Gregony for your replies! That gives me a few thing to chew over for a while. When I have more questions ill be back in this thread.

Greg, The LFS wasn't to far off on price then because the stand and canopy where furniture quality...just that was $1850 .

So I guess I have some place to start now. Just gotta get to the LFS's and see what they can do price wise for the tank I want. I wish I had the $$$ to do this all at once but I think I am going to have to do this one piece at a time as I get the $$$$. This is sure to keep me from moving to fast and making hasty decisions.

[malinois1]

I went to the LFS's today and did some looking. One of the LFS asking if I would want a used tank! Of course I said yes....supposedly they have an Oceanic 180 gallon with sump and other thing...they will call me next week to give me a price! I will keep my fingers crossed hoping they give me a sweet deal, but I am guessing not. I guess I will see.

[Parrothead]

Make sure you double and double check to see if this tank has ever been treated with any meds, especially copper based,

[malinois1]

Thanks for the reply Robert! How do I check for that? Ask the guy i am guessing?

[Parrothead]

ask the tank owner, not the lfs, if the lfs won't allow it, I'd wait and find a differnt setup, copper can leach into the glass and the sealant and haunt you later.

Tanks
Robert

[malinois1]

I will do that. Thanks for the heads up.

[malinois1]

OK the 180 gallon fell through. The stand and canopy was destoyed from storage and I couldn't get a straight answer from the guy about copper so I passed on buying it.

I have looked Craigslist over and nothing near me catches my eye and the ones that do I cant afford to buy a whole set up at one time for 2500. Great deal but I dont have that much cash lying around at the moment.

Now for the STUPIDEST question. Sorry for being such a noob! I have been researching tank and would like to get yall opinions. About all I can get locally is Oceanic and aqueon so I am limiting myself to those. I have been considering basically 3 choices all 120 gallon tanks. I woul;d love to hear what yall think and if the upgraded options are really worth it or should I just get the basic reef ready tank. I also have to approxiamte prices.

1. Oceanic Tech Series 120 $950 Centered wide overflows 2-1" drain bulheads with 2-3/4" returns. Euro bracing, Starfire front glass, black silicone. Is it worth the extra?

2. Oceanic 120 Ultimate Reef Ready $800 2 Overflows not in corners though and Starfire glass with clear silicone with traditional bracing. Is it worth the price for starfire glass?

3 Aqueon 120 $600 2 overflows same layout as Ultimate but just regular glass.

Is starfire just fluff that you never really notice after all the tank is pretty and stocked with corals? What about the Euro bracing?

Which brings me to my next question......with the tech its not supposed to have a canopy...which the wifr kind of want but if the hood is pretty she could live with it. Is it worth having a canopy with the lighting require to have sps and clams? Or would that just bring in to much heat into the aquarium? In the winter my house stays about 68 F and in the summer no more that about 75F. Looking forward to hearing yall answers and experiences!

[malinois1]

Oh I plan on making the tank purchase sometime next month...then I head down that slippery slope so to speak! Here is the order I will try to make purchases. Let me know if you think I should go in a different order.

1 Tank
2 Stand/Possibly canopy depends on feedback
3 Sump/Refugium
4 skimmer
5 return pump or possibly pumps
6 RO/DI Unit
7 Lights
8 Powerheads
9 Live sand / Live Rock
10 Coral maybe like 4-5 months after

Anything else I am missing?

[Parrothead]

Some real good test kits, I prefer salifert, you will want the basic ones - amm, nitrite, ph, nitrate, from the get go, and down the road get the others like cal, mag, etc.

Also look into a good heater, winter and summer temps - you'll need it

Digital thermometer - easier to read, and a lot more accurate.

If I think of anything else I let you know

Tanks
Robert

[malinois1]

Some real good test kits, I prefer salifert, you will want the basic ones - amm, nitrite, ph, nitrate, from the get go, and down the road get the others like cal, mag, etc.

Also look into a good heater, winter and summer temps - you'll need it

Digital thermometer - easier to read, and a lot more accurate.

If I think of anything else I let you know

Tanks
Robert

Thanks Robert! Doh how could I forget about the heater? OK I will revise my list and put that in front of corals along with a basic test kit. I can get cal, mag, after I cycle

[Parrothead]

Thanks Robert! Doh how could I forget about the heater? OK I will revise my list and put that in front of corals along with a basic test kit. I can get cal, mag, after I cycle

Cal, mag and alk, those are the big three after intial cycle, still gonna need to watch the nitrates and the ph so keep them around