New Setup

[VinGovoni]

I am planning on getting rid of my freshwater tank and starting a saltwater one. I am considering a 130 gallon tank. Does anyone know anything about the seamless bow tanks from 4fishtank.com? Also they have some filtration system called aqua vim eco-smart sump combo. Has anyone used that system and have any likes or dislikes about it. I am trying to do some research before purchasing and would like to get as much information I can as possible. Thanks

[twisted]

I am planning on getting rid of my freshwater tank and starting a saltwater one. I am considering a 130 gallon tank. Does anyone know anything about the seamless bow tanks from 4fishtank.com? Also they have some filtration system called aqua vim eco-smart sump combo. Has anyone used that system and have any likes or dislikes about it. I am trying to do some research before purchasing and would like to get as much information I can as possible. Thanks

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welcome! sorry i cant help you with your questions. i can say bowfronts are so nice! i have a friend with i think a 150 bow but its not seemless. it is an awesome tank! the one thing i can recommend is as you are doing your research and planning your tank is this
1-dont skimp on the skimmer or lighting. buying cheap stuff only costs more in the long run.
2-as you plan your tank, plan a qt also.
3-practice patience and let mother nature do its thing during the cycle.
4-check,double check and even check again any advice you are given from lfs,people that "used to have a killer tank"........
5-plan your tank out and keep it simple, easy to maintain. put any valves,plugs....in accessible areas
6-try to get an ro/di unit or find a place you can get low to no tds water from
7-have a blast!

[Chasman]

Welcome to Reefland

I don't have any experience with that line of products either but I went through their web site and they have nice looking products. The prices are way over the top but that's a matter of personal taste. Everything they suggest as up grades are good advice and should be up graded. Mainly the lights and the skimmer. They use a wet/dry method in their sumps which is a bit old school and not good if you plan on doing a reef system, but you could probably alter that. You could do a 130 for a lot less money, but they look pretty much plug and play if that is what you are looking for and don't mind spending the money.

[VinGovoni]

To Cashman, Thanks for you comment. I was checking into some of the specials that website, 4fishtank.com
You can find some pretty good specials there. Also, you mentioned about the wet/dry filter. Being new to this, I am not familiar with other types of filters. I would appreciate any types of recommendations. Thank you very much.
Vinnie

[Chasman]

Vinnie

If you look at the pictures of their sumps, you will see they run the drain or outlet watwer through a sponge/bio-ball filter before entering the sump. That type of set up requires a lot of maintenance of cleaning the sponge weekly. It would be nice to see one up close, but I think you could just leave the sponge and bio-balls out of it and it would be OK. Looks like the refugium runs along the front which you could put macrao algea and sand in. You will need to purchase a seperate light for that.
The skimmer they have pictured is in need of an up grade. (as they suggest) I don't know why they don't just put the good one in there in the first place.

I now see the specials and the price is a bit better but I'm not sure what you get. I think you still have to buy the lighting, sump, skimmer and pump seperate.

The one thing I don't like (and this is totally my personal opinion) is all there stuff is very propriatary. For example their DragonFlow system is very much their own parts. So if you need a quick fix, Home Depot and Lowes aren't going to be much help. If these guys are local to you then it isn't so much of an issue.

As you do your searching you will see that most guys assemble their systems from pieces parts purchased from places like Marine Depot and Bulk Reef Supply to only name two. There are lots more. Actually that is the fun part of this hobby is to do a ton of research and cobble together the system you think works the best. The tank usually is purchased locally as to its size and weight. The rest can come in boxes at your door step. This is when Home Depot becomes your friend, because YOU put the system together.

But if you are not inclined to tinkering and putting stuff together, then the system from 4fishtank.com would probably work just fine with a few minor adjustments. They do look nice. And always oversize your up grades. If they suggest a Mag 7 pump, get a 9.5, you'll be glad you did.

[twisted]

+1

[VinGovoni]

If you look at the pictures of their sumps, you will see they run the drain or outlet watwer through a sponge/bio-ball filter before entering the sump. That type of set up requires a lot of maintenance of cleaning the sponge weekly. It would be nice to see one up close, but I think you could just leave the sponge and bio-balls out of it and it would be OK. Looks like the refugium runs along the front which you could put macrao algea and sand in. You will need to purchase a seperate light for that.
The skimmer they have pictured is in need of an up grade. (as they suggest) I don't know why they don't just put the good one in there in the first place.

I now see the specials and the price is a bit better but I'm not sure what you get. I think you still have to buy the lighting, sump, skimmer and pump seperate.

The one thing I don't like (and this is totally my personal opinion) is all there stuff is very propriatary. For example their DragonFlow system is very much their own parts. So if you need a quick fix, Home Depot and Lowes aren't going to be much help. If these guys are local to you then it isn't so much of an issue.

As you do your searching you will see that most guys assemble their systems from pieces parts purchased from places like Marine Depot and Bulk Reef Supply to only name two. There are lots more. Actually that is the fun part of this hobby is to do a ton of research and cobble together the system you think works the best. The tank usually is purchased locally as to its size and weight. The rest can come in boxes at your door step. This is when Home Depot becomes your friend, because YOU put the system together.

But if you are not inclined to tinkering and putting stuff together, then the system from 4fishtank.com would probably work just fine with a few minor adjustments. They do look nice. And always oversize your up grades. If they suggest a Mag 7 pump, get a 9.5, you'll be glad you did.




Thanks for all this information. We do have an authorized dealer in my town for the 4fishtank.com. I am certainly not going to rush into anything and explore all the avenues. I have a cousin who has a beautiful saltwater tank and he has offered to help me in the setup.