Ok, I have two options here for a new reef system. Here goes:
Someone is selling the following for $1000 even:
-125 Gallon AGA custom drilled with a glass rectangular center overflow (about 8"x5")
-1/5 hp aquanetics chiller
-25 watt aquanetics UV sterilizer
-Aquanetics elctronic thermostat controller
-Little Giant 4-mdqx-sc
-little Giant 2-mdqx-sc
-Ultralife Sunseeker VHO ballast (2x60" Actinic)
-Hamilton 2x96w power compacts
-custom built wet dry
-non descript PVC venturi protein skimmer
-WHite oak stand and matching canopy
-custom wiring and plumbing
This tank was proffesionally installed and it shows. All the wiring and plumbing is done beautifully and has timers, surge protectors, etc etc. Way nicer than I would EVER dream of doing myself. It was set up as a center piece in a room for 360 degree viewing (hence the center overflow) ALl the equipment is immaculate, no rust on the pumps etc.
I know this is a great deal, but my concerns are these:
-Not enough light for sps corals, however, they said that they did have acropora alive and healthy when it was running. I have always run MH, so that's why I'm unsure
-The protein skimmer looks undersized, and I would prefer to be running an aqua-C or ETSS. Since it appears to be a custom skimmer, I have no idea how well it works, but the owners said it worked fine for them.
-its a lot of inital outlay, even though I know its a good deal, it is more convenient for me (a college student) to purchase a few hundred dollar purchases rather than buy the whole shabang at once.
-I want to do some coral farming, and this tank is just too nice to do that in it...
OK here is my other (more expensive option)
I work at an awesome LFS, and my boss has a very well used 300 ( maybe larger) acrylic tank for $250. It used to be used for live rock so it is scratched. But with some time and effort I could get it cleaned up. Plus I want to do some coral grow out and farming so looks aren't essential. I don't need an expensive stand, so cinder blocks would work. I'd use a rubber maid tub for a sump. However the lights would be expensive, I was thinking about 2x400 watt MH and put the sps under those and then put the leathers and mushrooms farhter away, and then put some PC actinics on it. I would need a big skimmer which would cost a lot and a bunch of pumps, and the electricity would defiantely be an issue. however with 300 gallons I could do a whole lot of reefing. I'm sure I would end up spending at least $1500 on hardware for this tank, but since I'm getting more than twice the water volume, it may be worth it.
What should a punk do?
Someone is selling the following for $1000 even:
-125 Gallon AGA custom drilled with a glass rectangular center overflow (about 8"x5")
-1/5 hp aquanetics chiller
-25 watt aquanetics UV sterilizer
-Aquanetics elctronic thermostat controller
-Little Giant 4-mdqx-sc
-little Giant 2-mdqx-sc
-Ultralife Sunseeker VHO ballast (2x60" Actinic)
-Hamilton 2x96w power compacts
-custom built wet dry
-non descript PVC venturi protein skimmer
-WHite oak stand and matching canopy
-custom wiring and plumbing
This tank was proffesionally installed and it shows. All the wiring and plumbing is done beautifully and has timers, surge protectors, etc etc. Way nicer than I would EVER dream of doing myself. It was set up as a center piece in a room for 360 degree viewing (hence the center overflow) ALl the equipment is immaculate, no rust on the pumps etc.
I know this is a great deal, but my concerns are these:
-Not enough light for sps corals, however, they said that they did have acropora alive and healthy when it was running. I have always run MH, so that's why I'm unsure
-The protein skimmer looks undersized, and I would prefer to be running an aqua-C or ETSS. Since it appears to be a custom skimmer, I have no idea how well it works, but the owners said it worked fine for them.
-its a lot of inital outlay, even though I know its a good deal, it is more convenient for me (a college student) to purchase a few hundred dollar purchases rather than buy the whole shabang at once.
-I want to do some coral farming, and this tank is just too nice to do that in it...
OK here is my other (more expensive option)
I work at an awesome LFS, and my boss has a very well used 300 ( maybe larger) acrylic tank for $250. It used to be used for live rock so it is scratched. But with some time and effort I could get it cleaned up. Plus I want to do some coral grow out and farming so looks aren't essential. I don't need an expensive stand, so cinder blocks would work. I'd use a rubber maid tub for a sump. However the lights would be expensive, I was thinking about 2x400 watt MH and put the sps under those and then put the leathers and mushrooms farhter away, and then put some PC actinics on it. I would need a big skimmer which would cost a lot and a bunch of pumps, and the electricity would defiantely be an issue. however with 300 gallons I could do a whole lot of reefing. I'm sure I would end up spending at least $1500 on hardware for this tank, but since I'm getting more than twice the water volume, it may be worth it.
What should a punk do?
