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Internet Explorer posted:The one I was originally looking at is waterproof, but while I have heard good things about that company I don't want to pay through a Paypal account or Western Union. We'll see. Don't forget about refraction, though!
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Aug 24, 2012 03:14
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I got word through a local petco employee that they will be doing their dollar/gallon sale soon, but he didn't know exactly when. I'll be calling them once a week until I find out. But, in light of this information, I'm finally considering getting started on a reef. I was considering a 40 gallon breeder as a display with a 20 gallon sump. The problem is that I'm inept at crafting things. I've watched a couple videos on how to build a sump, and that doesn't seem too hard. I'm trying to do this as inexpensive as possible. Does anybody with a little time on their hands have suggestions to equipment and resources available to start this up on the cheap? I'm still in the researching and saving money process, but would like to have this going by Christmas for my daughter (me.) I'm looking to budget less than $800, but I'm saving towards $1500 for just in case poo poo. Is it worth it to go with the biocube 29 HQI since I hear it is a great starter tank, and I can mod it down the road as I'm more experienced? That seems to be very expensive for what it is, and I'm wondering if I can do cheaper than that by building my own system. edit: I'm in Central Illinois if that makes any difference as far as suppliers and what-not. U.S. Barryl fucked around with this message at 14:30 on Aug 28, 2012 |
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Aug 28, 2012 14:27
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I think a 40g breeder and a 20g sump would be a great way to go. Probably more bang for your buck then a BioCube. Building a sump is fairly easy. You can use acrylic baffles. If you go to Home Depot or Lowes they will even cut them to size for you. Then just use reef-safe silicon and put them in. On the 20g sump, your only real concern is space. Make sure you can fit a protein skimmer and still have room for a small refrigium. On the lighting side, you could do 2 PAR38 bulbs like these http://www.rapidled.com/par-bulbs/, and that would be plenty. What are your plans as far as a stand goes? I saw that you said you were inept at crafting things, but there are degrees of ineptitude and if you want to DIY you can check out this thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1169964. I had never really done any woodworking before and the thought of a DIY stand seemed crazy to me, but I am really glad I made my own for my 90g and 40g breeder sump. I think you can do it for $800, but it is good you are saving a bit more. Once you get started in this hobby it is very hard not to be like "Well, it's only $100. It would make my take so much better / easier / pretty!"
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Aug 28, 2012 14:53
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Can you take a cut list to Lowe's and have them do all the cuts for you? I don't own a saw, but wouldn't mind building that stand if everything was pre-sized and just needed screwed together.
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Aug 28, 2012 15:13
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Yes, you can. I don't know what their policy is as far as how many different cuts their are allowed to make, etc, but they can definitely make cuts for you. I just rented a chop saw / miter saw and did the 2x4 cuts myself. On the cabinet-grade plywood skin I had them make a few cuts so I could fit it in my car, then did the rest with a circular saw that I borrowed. The biggest thing is that the 2x4s that are supposed to be the same length, need to be EXACTLY the same length. That is why I would recommend doing those with a chop saw / miter saw instead of a circular saw. Other than that, it's cake. Especially if someone can help you hold stuff along the way.
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Aug 28, 2012 15:20
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I love the 40B and I think it is the perfect starter tank size, and a 20gal sump leaves you plenty of room in the stand for other equipment (which is a problem I have--the sump I run is a pre-built ~29g-ish acrylic one I had to buy with no notice whatsoever when my 20g glass one cracked, so there is no room in the stand for anything else, even when I already run my ATO and calcium reactor outside).
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Aug 28, 2012 15:49
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Internet Explorer posted:Stand stuff This has to be wrong... I just calculated all the 2x4 sizes for a 40g stand, and according to Lowe's website, all the lumber will come out to less than 10 dollars for the stand. Add in a couple bucks here and there for screws and maybe a paint job, and we're talking a stand for less than 20-25 bucks? If I add doors, I guess it'll be more like 40 bucks. Did I mess up somewhere or is this right? edit for calculations in case I really am a moron: code:U.S. Barryl fucked around with this message at 17:28 on Aug 28, 2012 |
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Aug 28, 2012 17:26
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I build the framework for my 90g for something around $40. The cabinet grade plywood for the skin was much more expensive, but yeah if you wanted to you could do it for about that. I suggest reading a lot of that thread, as well as the newbie threads on Reef Central. They are all a great help, and I'd honestly suggest someone read for a good 6 months before even starting their tank. But I like to do a lot of research before I start something, so maybe that's overkill. My only other suggestion on the stand is to make sure the 2x4s and the inside of the skin are properly waterproofed / mold proofed. I used Killz cause everyone seemed to say that works, but I can tell you that it doesn't work. I have to drain my 40g breeder sump, move it out, and redo the entire inside coat. [Edit: Just to be super clear, the cost you are looking at it is for the stand FRAME. You could leave it at that, but the entire sump area would be open. I would recommend putting a plywood skin around it and attaching your doors to that, not the 2x4s.]
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Aug 28, 2012 17:42
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That stand is way overkill for only a 40g too, you could seriously use 1x2s and it would hold up fine. Aquarium hobbyists love to overbuild their stands, I guess it gives them a better sense of security that their tank isn't going to topple over. Admittedly, 2x4s are cheap enough that you might as well build it like a tank while you're at it.
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Aug 28, 2012 17:51
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Here's my build thread, I got the stand from Petco when I picked up my tank(s). It was cheap too, like $30 or something on sale. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=289727 And some macro pictures: Acans:  Monti Cap:  Maxi Mini:  Sunset Monti:  Xenia Bush:  Flame BTA:  Blue Tort with some string on it:  Green Slimer w/ Feeders: 
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Aug 28, 2012 18:08
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Love it all Sanchez, Requesting more of the Flame BTA, with clowns if possible 
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Aug 28, 2012 18:24
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Henchman 21 posted:Love it all Sanchez, Requesting more of the Flame BTA, with clowns if possible Ha, I wish the clowns payed attention to it. They live in the hammer/frogspawn nextdoor. The female recently kicked the male out at night, now he sleeps in the hammer and she stays in the frogspawn lol. Domestic dispute I guess :\
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Aug 28, 2012 18:32
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Put in an order with happy Coral, it is nice that I am in their $0 shipping area. Here's what's on its way Nucleur Goniastrea  Red Sea Cucumber  A very strange BTA  And a frogspawn. I can't wait :-)
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Aug 28, 2012 20:57
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I've been out of the reef game for about 5 years now and am looking to start up a new reef now that I have bought a place. I'm thinking of doing a 12 or 18g. What's the latest recommendations? Looks like LED's are the new thing. I'm mostly looking to do soft coral with maybe a hard here and there.
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Aug 28, 2012 22:26
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Pukestain Pal posted:I've been out of the reef game for about 5 years now and am looking to start up a new reef now that I have bought a place. I'm thinking of doing a 12 or 18g. What's the latest recommendations? Looks like LED's are the new thing. I'm mostly looking to do soft coral with maybe a hard here and there. Check out the PAR38 bulbs I posted about earlier. On that size tank you'd be able to do SPS corals with just 1 bulb.
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Aug 28, 2012 23:01
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Pukestain Pal posted:I've been out of the reef game for about 5 years now and am looking to start up a new reef now that I have bought a place. I'm thinking of doing a 12 or 18g. What's the latest recommendations? Looks like LED's are the new thing. I'm mostly looking to do soft coral with maybe a hard here and there. Dude check out the for sale section on nano reef. Some guy has been trying to sell a really nice looking 18ish gallon AIO for a pretty good price. This one: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=306289 I'd totally jump on this if I weren't planning my 50 cube.
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Aug 29, 2012 06:46
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What do you guys think of this setup right here: http://znnea.rmuvx.servertrust.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SCA%2D001 These is some guy on Craigslist selling these new for $550. Apparently they are knock offs of the Cadlights 50 cube. I can't find much discussion of them online besides a cople threads mentioning that theyre Cadlights knockoffs. I Pmd one guy on reef central that had one and he said he was satisfied aside for the plumbing pieces being a little cheap, he used his own. Seems like a steal for a starfire tank but I'm debating whether or not I should just have a legit Leemar cube made or save that for the actual home I plan on buying next year and just loving around with this in my apartment for now.
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Aug 29, 2012 06:53
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visuvius posted:Dude check out the for sale section on nano reef. Some guy has been trying to sell a really nice looking 18ish gallon AIO for a pretty good price. I'd totally jump on this for a work tank if I could get that past my boss. I have 2 LED PAR38 units that would be perfect to run in tandem over it, with the gooseneck clamp fixtures, a decent skimmer for the back chamber. In fact I have all the equipment I need for it, maybe I have to get some extra plumbing parts but eh. VAGENDA OF MANOCIDE fucked around with this message at 14:53 on Aug 29, 2012 |
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Aug 29, 2012 14:46
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Doesn't really seem like that good of a price if the guy paid $200 and is charging $220 after shipping?
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Aug 29, 2012 15:30
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Internet Explorer posted:Doesn't really seem like that good of a price if the guy paid $200 and is charging $220 after shipping?
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Aug 29, 2012 15:36
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It looks vaguely like the work of this notorious guy out of california who takes a long-rear end time to custom-make them with very poor communication. If so it's well worth the money (even at a slight premium) to buy one that's already made and you don't have to deal with the original maker. (yes, I dealt with him for my 20gal custom) e: John Hoang(?) at Advanced Acrylics, do a search for vendor feedback on reefcentral forums, it's quite a read VAGENDA OF MANOCIDE fucked around with this message at 20:21 on Aug 29, 2012 |
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Aug 29, 2012 15:39
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nwin posted:It's never been used and if you keep scrolling down he drops the price a shitload. That's what I get for replying without reading the entire thread that was linked. [Edit: Wow, that is a good price, especially for everything.] Internet Explorer fucked around with this message at 15:49 on Aug 29, 2012 |
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Aug 29, 2012 15:44
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nwin posted:It's never been used and if you keep scrolling down he drops the price a shitload. But he suddenly set it up? Seems like a weird choice. Seems like a got a pretty darn good deal on my new system then, $100 for a 110 with stand, centre side drilled herbie and two drilled returns with loc-line already in it. Oh, and a whole bay of electrical sockets with a handy kill switch for emergencies. The only downside so far is the cabinet doors (painted plywood), but I can easily make new ones that are nicer. Anyone else have a large tank? Feels like I'm the odd one out right now, haha.
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Aug 30, 2012 06:29
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Yeah, that sounds like a pretty good drat deal. I have a 90g with a 40g breeder at home. My 12g nano cube is at work. Obviously a larger tank is nice because of what you can do with it, but it is a lot more excited expensive and a lot more work.
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Aug 30, 2012 12:46
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Well, it seems like my tank is leaking. gently caress this poo poo. I noticed it two nights ago because there was a small puddle of water where there shouldn't be. It seems to be somewhere on the bottom of the tank, but it's hard to figure out exactly where. It's a very slow seep, only a few drops per minute. My tank is glass held together with silicon, so I'm guessing it's a bad seal somewhere. I cannot find any cracks at all. I'll investigate further to make sure it's actually a leak and not spilled water or capillary action or something else. I've already checked pretty thoroughly though, and I'm convinced that it's a leak. My LFS doesn't have a replacement 75 gallon in stock, but he can order one to be delivered with his next shipment next Wednesday. Since it's such a slow leak, I think I'll be okay until next Wednesday. If the leak worsens, he can put a hold on the tank and then I can borrow a truck to go pick it up (his supplier is about 25 miles away.) If he can put a hold on it AND I can get a truck today, I might go pick it up later today. Of course PAX is this weekend, so I don't exactly have a lot of free time to take care of this poo poo over the next few days. Baaaaaalllllllllsssss.
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Aug 30, 2012 19:44
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I doubt I'm the first to discover this, but has anybody gone to their local indoor gardening supply shop? I just went and found 48" 4 bulb T5 fixtures for less than $150. Just need to replace a couple bulbs, and it seems ridiculously cheap. They sell fully submersible pumps for cheaper than any online supplier I've found. This particular shop had a marine aquarium department where they sold aquarium brand stuff, but it was all priced comparable to online shops. I don't see any reason to go with coralife or whatever when it's 100 bucks more than the grow light fixtures.
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Aug 30, 2012 22:00
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You're not. All "grow light" T5HO and MH fixtures are cheaper than their "reefer" equivalent by like 1/3.
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Aug 31, 2012 19:42
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This guy is my new favorite in the tank 
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Aug 31, 2012 20:46
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Found this when doing some aquarium shopping today, and thought I'd share.   Now for advice: I just upgraded the lighting on my 14G to an AI Nano, and I'd like to try my hand at some LPS or SPS. Is there something particularly hardy that would be good for a beginner? I've been keeping soft corals just fine, but want something a bit more colorful/challenging.
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Aug 31, 2012 22:45
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Beginner, nano, and SPS coral don't normally go in the same sentence, but you can always start out with some relatively cheap acros and montis from like 10-25$ at your LFS.
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Sep 1, 2012 02:16
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I'd start with some montis or birdsnests ... there's some that are pretty f'n awesome and really easy to grow.
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Sep 1, 2012 02:53
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api call girl posted:I'd start with some montis or birdsnests ... there's some that are pretty f'n awesome and really easy to grow. I've never had good luck with birds nests. Just my .02
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Sep 1, 2012 03:09
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Henchman 21 posted:This guy is my new favorite in the tank That's gorgeous. As a coral newbie, what is it? It looks like a Dendronephthya but I haven't seen them with that 'foot' before.
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Sep 1, 2012 04:35
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Hey local dudes (Cleveland area), I'm selling a few corals. No shipping though, I would gently caress it up. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2208501 Latest FTS, from an iPhone. I wish it looked as good on a PC as it actually does on my phone.  More (older, maybe 2 months) pictures here: http://reeftools.com/live/forum/showthread.php?t=2101 the Pixies fukken SUCKED fucked around with this message at 05:37 on Sep 1, 2012 |
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Sep 1, 2012 05:34
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Lusername posted:That's gorgeous. As a coral newbie, what is it? It looks like a Dendronephthya but I haven't seen them with that 'foot' before. It's a type of cucumber, not a coral. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=747+2663+2891&pcatid=2891 Just gotta be careful of toxins from their death/dismemberment, it can kill the rest of your livestock.
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Sep 1, 2012 08:14
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Russian Dollies posted:Found this when doing some aquarium shopping today, and thought I'd share. Like others mentioned, montiporas are probably your best bet followed by some cheap acros and a birds nest. I would have agreed about the SPS don't go with minis thing before I set up my 12 gallon nano. I did just what you're about to do, got 3 small frags, one of each just to see how they would do. So far, they look to be doing great. Polyps come out and the montipora has already encrusted over the superglue I attached it with. As long as you keep on top of your parameters and water changes, it should be okay.
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Sep 1, 2012 08:41
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MKLKT posted:It's a type of cucumber, not a coral. Oh yes I am keeping an eye on him at all times, first sign of distress and he's gone. He was cheap tho so I won't feel bad donating him to the local lfs or trading him off via Craigslist
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Sep 1, 2012 20:19
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I had a custom 4.4g nanoreef back in 2004-05. The power outages after hurricane Wilma forced me to choose between using generator power to run my reef, or my refrigerator. Getting back into it, though. MarineDepot had a labor day Biocube sale, and in a moment of weakness, I snagged a 29 gallon model. Should be
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Sep 3, 2012 04:45
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My reef hit two years old this month.
Hypnotized fucked around with this message at 16:37 on Sep 5, 2012 |
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Sep 4, 2012 17:53
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Wow, that is an amazing tank. How many gallons? Did you buy those corals as frags or were they full colonies?
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Sep 4, 2012 17:55
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