Thinking about a 55 gal reef....

[ji]

I have a 55 gallon SW tank that I have had for several years
that I would like to convert to a reef tank.

The tank currently does not have a sump. The sump must go in the
basement to keep noise down.

I would like to do it right the first time, and only buy what is
needed. Here is the list I have come up with, with approximate
prices

55 Tank, heater: Have already

Remora HOT Skimmer: Have already
I will convert it to sump use with a Maxijet 1200 $20

Overflow: $90
(Will a glass shop come and drill a hole in the tank? I no
longer have a car that can hold the tank.)

Main Pump: $150
Something like a Iawaki WRLTXT30

ground probe: $15
I've read that these are important

Glass canopy: $20
4x65 PC hood: $265
I intend on keeping soft corals

Chiller: $265 (Hamilton)
I am on Long Island. I don't have central air, and
the tank currently gets way too hot in the summer,
and the temp varies widely in the summer.

RODI: 250

Live Rock, Cleanup, Live sand: $580 "The package"
From Tampa bay saltwater. Given the choice, I will
only use aquacultured rock.

For calcium: B-ionic and two dosing pumps $300
I occasionally take weeklong trips. The tank should
be self sufficient (I have a quality automated feeder)
The alternative seems to be to construct a DIY
Nilsen reactor.

Test kits: Calcium, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, calcium,
alk, phosphate, strontium. $150
I currently have red sea. They are old, and I hated most
of the kits. Comparing colors with a printed card is
not the best way to go. I have a FastTest copper (I know for
the reef copper is a bit no-no) and the colors are much
easier to read off.

Books: $150
Delbeek and Sprung (both) and Tullock
I have recently bought and read the three of these.

Level controller: $80 (Spectapure)
Automated topoff is a must.

Corals + fishes: $200
I will buy small captive propagated corals, (leathers, Xenia, mushrooms)
and some herbivorous fish.

Luxuries:
Salinity probe: 115
Ph Probe: 80
Temperature probe: $20

The total (without luxuries) is just under $2500. This did not include
the sump, plumbing, timers, powerheads, wavemaking tools, etc, which
would likely run at least another $300 or so. It also does not include
shipping would would also run well into the hundreds for all this
stuff, which would come from several different places.

So in summary, 55 gallon reef, $3000. This is the price to
upgrade an existing 55 gallon SW tank. I will end up throwing
out only the single bulb hood and a emperor 400 power filter.
I don't see the reef succeeding if any of the above items are left out. Remember, I need a basement sump, automation, and will pay to avoid wild caught specimens.

I was considering buying a 75 or 120 (the 55 is too narrow) but
the price to upgrade the 55 already seems high ($60/gal)!

Comments?

 

[Anonymous]

Overflow: $90
(Will a glass shop come and drill a hole in the tank? I no
longer have a car that can hold the tank.)

I couldn't find anyone that would come to my house and drill mine, in fact, I couldn't find any glass shops that would even drill it, I had to go to a fish store to get it drilled.

Main Pump: $150
Something like a Iawaki WRLTXT30

I got the wmd Iwaki, although people say it is quiet, I couldn't have it in my living room, so I had to move it to the basement, be aware that they do get HOT!

Chiller: $265 (Hamilton)
I am on Long Island. I don't have central air, and
the tank currently gets way too hot in the summer,
and the temp varies widely in the summer.

If you do it right, you may be able to get away with using evaporative cooling on this tank, just blow fans across the surface of the water


Hth


Bryan[/quote]

 

[ChrisRD]

I like your plan.

Personally I would spring for a 75 gallon reef ready or have a 75 drilled. Also, you may need a pressure rated return pump if you're going to have the sump in the basement. I believe the "X" series Iwakis are not intended for high-head applications.

I would also wait on the chiller - with a basement sump and some fans you may not have much of temp problem anymore. Also, skip the glass tops - this will help with the temp problem (more evaporation = more cooling).

HTH

 

[eums]

that price seem's a little high. for about 1200 i am setting up a 60 gal reef tank with 2 overflows and a 30 gal sump. i am looking at the same lighting system as you.

but i have done allmost everything DIY i drilled my tank with a dremel drill and a diamond bit[cost me $5 for 2] and the tank was $60 at cost. if you want to save money just shop around

 

[liquid]

Or if the 75 gal tank is too big for you, you could instead go with a 50 gal breeder tank (dimensions 36" x 18" x 18"). After I've been keeping a reef for a while I *really* hate having only 12" front to back room. It makes getting good flow thru the tank a pain. The added 6" front to back really allows for a lot nicer aquascaping too...

Shane