solandri
New Member
Hey everyone, been looking around here for a little bit but this is the first time I've posted. I'll be starting a new tank in about a month after I move into my new place and I'm looking for some opinions on setup. Haven't done anything in quite some time but I used to own a 45gal reef and worked for about 5 years in salt-water at a nice fish store in Langhorne, PA when I was in high school.
Anyway, here come the questions. I'm split between a 150 acrylic (72x24x20) from tenecor or a 180 all-glass (72x24x24) with the built-in overflows. I really like the idea of the overflows because of how much better they look. Those prefilters always get SO nasty after awhile no matter how much I would clean them. Then again, acrylic looks nicer, is lighter and won't break or leak as easily. Could I safely drill the acrylic myself to make holes for drainage and returns?
Next, I think I want to go with live sand as the substrate but I've never worked with it before. I eventually hope to maybe keep a small shark plus live sand looks better and can help regulate the tank. How much should I put in the bottom of either of those tanks?
Finally is anyone here in or near the Philadelphia area that can recommend a good lfs? I can't seem to find any decent ones and the one I used to work at isn't anything like it used to be.
Thanks in advance!
-Mike
westonm@sas.upenn.edu
Anyway, here come the questions. I'm split between a 150 acrylic (72x24x20) from tenecor or a 180 all-glass (72x24x24) with the built-in overflows. I really like the idea of the overflows because of how much better they look. Those prefilters always get SO nasty after awhile no matter how much I would clean them. Then again, acrylic looks nicer, is lighter and won't break or leak as easily. Could I safely drill the acrylic myself to make holes for drainage and returns?
Next, I think I want to go with live sand as the substrate but I've never worked with it before. I eventually hope to maybe keep a small shark plus live sand looks better and can help regulate the tank. How much should I put in the bottom of either of those tanks?
Finally is anyone here in or near the Philadelphia area that can recommend a good lfs? I can't seem to find any decent ones and the one I used to work at isn't anything like it used to be.
Thanks in advance!
-Mike
westonm@sas.upenn.edu
