Snake's 75g build thread
- Thread starter snakeblitz33
- Start date
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/740#post_3520399
The more I think about it, the more I might need to sell off just the live stock and the live rock and stash most of the equipment. The calcium reactor is still good, the powerheads are still good. The return pump still works... the top off system probably won't go bad over time. You know what I'm saying? Just stash it all somewhere dry until I can get it all set back up again. If I can find a place to stash the aquarium, I might keep that too.
Man, this sucks. :-( I'm sorry to hear this, but I think your reasons are sound. You know, I spent about a year with the big tank in storage and the horse tank on "cruise control" at someone else's house....even though I missed the hobby, I'm glad I took the time to focus on other things going on in my life. I think you're making the right decision. And yes. Stash the equipment. Give it a good freshwater rinse, dry everything well, and just let it chill out in the garage. FYI, you can do this to the rock as well....I did. The dry rock will re-seed in no time when you start up again. If you have some interesting looking pieces, I'd definitely save them.
EDIT: If you store the return pump, take the impeller out. Mine swelled and cracked in the pump while it was in storage.
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/740#post_3520399
The more I think about it, the more I might need to sell off just the live stock and the live rock and stash most of the equipment. The calcium reactor is still good, the powerheads are still good. The return pump still works... the top off system probably won't go bad over time. You know what I'm saying? Just stash it all somewhere dry until I can get it all set back up again. If I can find a place to stash the aquarium, I might keep that too.
Man, this sucks. :-( I'm sorry to hear this, but I think your reasons are sound. You know, I spent about a year with the big tank in storage and the horse tank on "cruise control" at someone else's house....even though I missed the hobby, I'm glad I took the time to focus on other things going on in my life. I think you're making the right decision. And yes. Stash the equipment. Give it a good freshwater rinse, dry everything well, and just let it chill out in the garage. FYI, you can do this to the rock as well....I did. The dry rock will re-seed in no time when you start up again. If you have some interesting looking pieces, I'd definitely save them.
EDIT: If you store the return pump, take the impeller out. Mine swelled and cracked in the pump while it was in storage.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the word of warning.
Doesnt seem like i can get what i am asking for my equipment. Everyone wants to practically steal it from me. So i think ill keep it.
Selling the live rock though is probably still going to happen. Ill buy base rock when the time comes to restart. I havent found any rocks i own to be particularly interesting.
Doesnt seem like i can get what i am asking for my equipment. Everyone wants to practically steal it from me. So i think ill keep it.
Selling the live rock though is probably still going to happen. Ill buy base rock when the time comes to restart. I havent found any rocks i own to be particularly interesting.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Naa, for the most part, I'm keeping most of my equipment. I'm taking my ads down because I'm getting frustrated with people offering me $100 or less on a 4 month old Reef Octopus Diablo skimmer... I'd rather keep it in storage and pull it out when I get a much bigger tank.
I think I'm going to repurpose my lights already though, when I get rid of the rest of my corals this Saturday.
My wife wants me to use the stand as a TV stand. lol. I'm ok with that, but I don't know how the DVD player is going to fit on it just right. We'll just have to see. The 75g might become a sump later on, who knows.
I think I'm going to repurpose my lights already though, when I get rid of the rest of my corals this Saturday.
My wife wants me to use the stand as a TV stand. lol. I'm ok with that, but I don't know how the DVD player is going to fit on it just right. We'll just have to see. The 75g might become a sump later on, who knows.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
If you're planning to start up again in a year or so, I see no reason to sell equipment that can store. Just my opinion, but you're going to waste money selling off equipment that you intend on buying again later down the road. Unless you're planning on upgrading parts....ya might as well keep them.
Some items don't store well. Heaters tend to get crappy pretty quickly when they're in storage. Don't know why, but every stored heater I've ever seen or dealt with (and it's happened a couple times) ends up with loose connections, condensation or salt creep in places that make you worry about plugging the heater in, that sort of thing.
Powerheads should be rinsed with fresh water and, if they're clogged with coralline, go ahead and remove that first. From first hand experience I can tell you that cleaning old coralline is a PIA. Powerhead impellers should be rinsed separately and allowed to air dry before you reassemble for storage.
Some items don't store well. Heaters tend to get crappy pretty quickly when they're in storage. Don't know why, but every stored heater I've ever seen or dealt with (and it's happened a couple times) ends up with loose connections, condensation or salt creep in places that make you worry about plugging the heater in, that sort of thing.
Powerheads should be rinsed with fresh water and, if they're clogged with coralline, go ahead and remove that first. From first hand experience I can tell you that cleaning old coralline is a PIA. Powerhead impellers should be rinsed separately and allowed to air dry before you reassemble for storage.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the long term storage tips. Maybe you should write an article. 
Yeah, I know it is going to be at minimum a year and a half. I know this because I don't graduate for another year and a half. It will probably be longer than that though, because I am looking for some land in the country, and I have to start a career after I graduate. Maybe after things start to settle down and we get our house built, it may go back up again. Like I said, this 75g tank might end up being a sump for a larger tank in the future. It all just depends on money and time.
One day, mark my words, I will have a TOTM.
Yeah, I know it is going to be at minimum a year and a half. I know this because I don't graduate for another year and a half. It will probably be longer than that though, because I am looking for some land in the country, and I have to start a career after I graduate. Maybe after things start to settle down and we get our house built, it may go back up again. Like I said, this 75g tank might end up being a sump for a larger tank in the future. It all just depends on money and time.
One day, mark my words, I will have a TOTM.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
My wife and i have been talking more about the tank. She doesnt want me to stop the hobby all together. She knows that i love it too much to get rid of everything completely. Lol. So, we have been talking about setting up a small 10g reef in the corner of the room in the office area. I have all of the equipment already and the electric usage shouldnt be bad at all. I can keep some corals i have now and i can be happy with a smaller tank. Ill store everything that i cant use for now.
Oh, and when i say i have everything already, i mean i really do. Lol. I have my 10g reservoir tank that im using. Woohoo.
Oh, and when i say i have everything already, i mean i really do. Lol. I have my 10g reservoir tank that im using. Woohoo.
S
smallreef
Guest
That sounds like the best solution thus far....
It's very hard not to have a tank....
It's very hard not to have a tank....
sweatervest13
Active Member
Quitting cold turkey is hard, huh??
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Yes, yes it is.
Im sure everything will work out. Just a matter of getting a small ten gallon stand built.
Out of all the fish i have, my wife wants to keep the bicolor blenny. im ok with that.
Im sure everything will work out. Just a matter of getting a small ten gallon stand built.
Out of all the fish i have, my wife wants to keep the bicolor blenny.
im ok with that.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I like bicolor blennys! Very personable fish. Good choice for a 10g. What kind of light do you have for it?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
You know, i was considering buying a nice little led light or a par 38 bulb or two. Since i want to keep the electric usage low.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I was also thinking about modding an AC70 into a HOB refugium and using an old emperor 280 filter beside it. Shouldnt have the need for additional powerheads with that setup.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
....
So, I have been selling things off as I go. I've been getting rid of live stock and live rock. Very little equipment has sold at the prices I am asking, and a lot of it I want to keep for a larger tank in the future.
I'm building a stand for a bank service account right now, but as soon as that project is done, I will start building a stand for the 10g.
So, I have been selling things off as I go. I've been getting rid of live stock and live rock. Very little equipment has sold at the prices I am asking, and a lot of it I want to keep for a larger tank in the future.
I'm building a stand for a bank service account right now, but as soon as that project is done, I will start building a stand for the 10g.
E
eric b 125
Guest
Snake, sorry to hear about having to break down the 75. I hope you do pursue the 10 gallon, to keep your aquaria-need satiated. Time for a new build thread, eh?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Almost time for a new thread! Im kinda drawing this one out. Lol. Going through thr breakdown process and what-not. I want to remember aome of what i did. If i cant find something ill just come back and reread.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Well, I discussed keeping the tank with my wife. It's too difficult for me to go from a 75g to a 10g. I figured I would probably spend just as much money on building the 10g tank as keeping the 75g tank and upgrading the lights. I'm fine with keeping it. But, I am thinking about modifying my current lighting schedule to where my lights will only turn on during the coolest parts of the day... like in the evenings around 6pm-2AM. That way I don't have to keep the air going during the day, or really turn it up. It should keep my electric bill pretty low. Especially when I get some LEDs...
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Oh, and besides keeping the 75g, I am getting rid of (most) of my soft corals and lps corals. They are neat looking, but they aren't what I want... I want a fully dominated SPS coral tank, and I think one of the reasons why I want to get rid of my system is that I am not happy with the way it is going. So, I guess I'll have to change it.
So, I am buying a few things for the tank this Summer. The first is the lights - I want to invest in two Photon units from ReefBreeders. The other is that I want to go ahead and save up for an MP40.
I think what I need to do is just keep at it and keep at it until I am finally happy with the outcome. Even if that means that I have to invest some of my money into the electric bill to keep the tank going.
I also think one of the reasons why I don't like my system right now is because of the God awful looking temporary canopy that I built and never replaced.
I cleaned the tank this evening. I went ahead and scraped all of the surfaces with a plastic card and got a lot of the green and pink coralline off the glass so it looks more presentable.
So, I am buying a few things for the tank this Summer. The first is the lights - I want to invest in two Photon units from ReefBreeders. The other is that I want to go ahead and save up for an MP40.
I think what I need to do is just keep at it and keep at it until I am finally happy with the outcome. Even if that means that I have to invest some of my money into the electric bill to keep the tank going.
I also think one of the reasons why I don't like my system right now is because of the God awful looking temporary canopy that I built and never replaced.
I cleaned the tank this evening. I went ahead and scraped all of the surfaces with a plastic card and got a lot of the green and pink coralline off the glass so it looks more presentable.
sweatervest13
Active Member
Cool. You have a lot of real good equipment already. You just need a lighting solution and an MP40 is always good idea. Glad you are keeping the big tank.