Totally new here, wanted to stop in and say hi as we'll ask ask a few ?

[shortstack87]

Hi all, new here. First let me star by saying research is something I enjoy, second that I appreciate all the help you offer. I'm not new to fish, just to the salty side I have had several freshwater tanks from 10 to 125 gallons. Recently, while browsing Craigslist my husband and I found a killer deal.
150 gallon predrilled all glass tank
Refugium from precision marine
A light I imagine is for the Refugium, karo, 24w 6500k
Penguin 1140 power head
Pan world magnet pump model nh 150ps
And a precision marine redline skimmer model rlp1500
All brand new, the gentleman bought it, but is moving again and won't have the space for it.
We still have a lot to get but I guess what I'm throwing out there is what your reccomendations are. I was thinking fowlr would probably be a good place to start, although reef setups are gorgeous, I'm not sure I want to spend a ton on lighting such a deep tank
Suggestions, other equipment recommendations, is the stuff he'd already purchased decent?
Thanks a head of time I look forward to reading your responses

 

[mr. limpid]

Welcome. Yes set up a quarantine tank at the same time you cycle your display tank. Other equipment, heater, light for DT, (5gal bucket, air pump, heater, for mixing water changes), siphon hose, 2 1/2 gal plastic bucket, refractor meter, basic test kits: ammonia, nitrate, PH, good quality salt mix. You are almost there with stuff, you start adding more as you stay longer in this hobby. Good Luck
PS Patience

 

[siptang]

Hi, welcome to the forum!
Wow, everything sounds good so far but how much was the price for it? Also depending on what you want to keep, you may want to check the lighting fixture on that bad boy. Craigslist has became the best place for local salt water hobby these days and I'm glad that you adopted a tank.
Please post the pics of how it starts and the progress, you will be surprised at the change later and we will enjoy following it.
Once again, welcome and let us know if you have any questions regarding on setting up.
BTW - all the equipment sounds really good btw!

 

[shortstack87]

Thanks for the replies!
Mr Limpid, thanks! I will make sure I have everything on your list on my list, patience is all there is to have, snicker, I'm in no rush, rushing never helps anyone or thing in this hobby.
Siptang, $650, I'm pretty sure I nailed a steal of a deal, at least I can't imagine that NOT being a deal. I will upload some photos, tomorrow, they'll be basic as right now it's all just pieces =).
next step is getting a stand and making sure we can agree on a place for the tank, snicker. Then onto lights for the DT, any recommendations? If I decide to stick with a FOWLR can you recommend output? I know if I hit mylocal fish store I will get good advice, but possibly end up with more than I bargained for equipment wise. I do trust and respect them so I plan to hit them up for my QT tank and some other ideas,
NO CLUE what my stocking list might look like, I went bigger so I would A. have better chance at success and B. have more options.
Now should I share the dimensions of the refuguim?

 

[siptang]

Yes, you got very good heckuva deal.
With that nuch real estate, you can do pretty much whatever you want.
Have fun with it!
can't wait to follow the progress of your tank.

 

[gojosie1]

hi and welcome to the site. i think it is better that you went with a big tank so you will not be so limited on what you can put in there. if i were you i would just buy good lights now. you may want to do corals later on and why spend twice? well at least that is what happened to me. i started of with a fowlr and then i wanted a reef

post pictures and progress. i will following along

 

[mr. limpid]

As for lighting on you DT since it is fish only you don't need an expensive fixture, just light to see fish. If you have a top on your tank you dont need a fixture that is designed foe fish tanks. I have a shop light fixture from local hardware store with day light bulbs. Just make sure its pluged into GFI outlet.

 

[shortstack87]

Thanks for the pointer on buying upgraded lighting now, that does make good sense. However should we not the idea od DIY lights does have some appeal, I love that I have people who want to follow, I do want the share that it may be slow going at first..

 

[njbillyv]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gojosie1 http:///t/390886/totally-new-here-wanted-to-stop-in-and-say-hi-as-well-ask-ask-a-few#post_3463823
hi and welcome to the site. i think it is better that you went with a big tank so you will not be so limited on what you can put in there. if i were you i would just buy good lights now. you may want to do corals later on and why spend twice? well at least that is what happened to me. i started of with a fowlr and then i wanted a reef

post pictures and progress. i will following along
Totally agree. I started fish only now I'm getting into coral and my lights are limiting me. If I were you I'd go with T5HO's, check e-bay you can get them fairly reasonably.
And really think about placement because it's going to be there for a while. So for example, if the room needs to be painted, do it first. And YouTube has some great aquascaping videos I'd check out.
So when does the cycle begin?

 

[mr. limpid]

T5 are good price up front but maintenance of replacing bulbs every year is expensive, look into LED fixtures average price is around $350 covers a 24"x24" area and bulbs are good for 50,000 hours. This only if you are considering coral, fish only tank do not require special lighting. If you go T5's still need to replace bulbs because old bulbs causes algae growth and possible cyno bacteria growth.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I hate it how some people are willing to pay $200 for a coral, but aren't willing to spend $120 on quality light bulbs every year.
Those cheapo led fixtures are OK for fish only systems. If your not that great at DIY or electrical work, plan to spend at least $600 on a quality unit to light a 2x2 area. If you aren't good at DIY then don't burn your house down trying to figure out electrical currents and soldering irons.
Take it slow, research and have fun.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/390886/totally-new-here-wanted-to-stop-in-and-say-hi-as-well-ask-ask-a-few#post_3464251
I hate it how some people are willing to pay $200 for a coral, but aren't willing to spend $120 on quality light bulbs every year.
Those cheapo led fixtures are OK for fish only systems. If your not that great at DIY or electrical work, plan to spend at least $600 on a quality unit to light a 2x2 area. If you aren't good at DIY then don't burn your house down trying to figure out electrical currents and soldering irons.
Take it slow, research and have fun.
I wasn't willing to spend $200 a year on my lights, so I spent 1200 on LED's.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Now that's funny.

 

[xcali1985]

Im currently well over 1700$ on my LED fixture and another 500$ away from completion. LEDs are expensive when it comes to produced units. The 1700$ doesn't include the controller I bought to use play around with them.

 

[southern wolf]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/390886/totally-new-here-wanted-to-stop-in-and-say-hi-as-well-ask-ask-a-few#post_3464337
I wasn't willing to spend $200 a year on my lights, so I spent 1200 on LED's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcali1985 http:///t/390886/totally-new-here-wanted-to-stop-in-and-say-hi-as-well-ask-ask-a-few#post_3464478
Im currently well over 1700$ on my LED fixture and another 500$ away from completion. LEDs are expensive when it comes to produced units. The 1700$ doesn't include the controller I bought to use play around with them.
**Runs away from this hobby screaming**

 

[gemmy]

The funny part for me is I need another fixture AND another power supply at $520.

 

[xcali1985]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390886/totally-new-here-wanted-to-stop-in-and-say-hi-as-well-ask-ask-a-few#post_3464480
Quote:
**Runs away from this hobby screaming**
Spending 1700$ to light a 240G tank I don't consider that back breaking. I spent 400$ on just a T5 fixture for my 80G. In the long run it will save you 10 fold. Virtually no heat. My electric bill for a 3 bedroom - 2 story house with 4 people is 90-110$ a month in the non AC months. My chiller is never on. Tank stays 76.9-77.6 all the time.
Add in the price of changing bulbs are 3-4 years and the LEDs become the cheaper option. Heck, I spent almost 300$ a year replacing the T5s in my 8 bulb fixture.
Once I saw how rich the blue spectrum with LEDs are and how it makes your corals pop, I was sold. Using the theory stated earlier, with why people pay so much for corals and not want to pay for bulbs every year. Why not use that same theory, but spend the money up front. It's mostly Sticker Shock!
I have a buddy that had a 300G 10' tank with 5 250w with T5s supplementing. His electric bill for virtually a similar sq ft house is almost 2 times what I pay, a month.
Am I saying LEDs are the best option, no, I think mH still are the best option. However, I can say that with my LEDs I am pleased with the growth of all my corals.

 

[gemmy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcali1985 http:///t/390886/totally-new-here-wanted-to-stop-in-and-say-hi-as-well-ask-ask-a-few#post_3464507
Spending 1700$ to light a 240G tank I don't consider that back breaking. I spent 400$ on just a T5 fixture for my 80G. In the long run it will save you 10 fold. Virtually no heat. My electric bill for a 3 bedroom - 2 story house with 4 people is 90-110$ a month in the non AC months. My chiller is never on. Tank stays 76.9-77.6 all the time.
Add in the price of changing bulbs are 3-4 years and the LEDs become the cheaper option. Heck, I spent almost 300$ a year replacing the T5s in my 8 bulb fixture.
Once I saw how rich the blue spectrum with LEDs are and how it makes your corals pop, I was sold. Using the theory stated earlier, with why people pay so much for corals and not want to pay for bulbs every year. Why not use that same theory, but spend the money up front. It's mostly Sticker Shock!
I have a buddy that had a 300G 10' tank with 5 250w with T5s supplementing. His electric bill for virtually a similar sq ft house is almost 2 times what I pay, a month.
Am I saying LEDs are the best option, no, I think mH still are the best option. However, I can say that with my LEDs I am pleased with the growth of all my corals.
I don't whether to laugh or cry since I am going to end up spending just about the same amount to have LED's on my 55. You make the same valid points that I considered when I was going LED.

 

[icedtc]

I don't whether to laugh or cry since I am going to end up spending just about the same amount to have LED's on my 55. You make the same valid points that I considered when I was going LED.
 

Agreed. I just got into the hobby a few months ago but ended up buying 2 ai sol units due to some of LEDs awesome features.
Little to no heat
Easy on the electric bills
Dim able
Long life
Amazing colors
Other than the initial cost...what's not to love?!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Agreed. I just got into the hobby a few months ago but ended up buying 2 ai sol units due to some of LEDs awesome features.
Little to no heat
Easy on the electric bills
Dim able
Long life
Amazing colors
Other than the initial cost...what's not to love?!

the potential to burn your corals and bleach them if the whites aren't adjusted properly. They also do run hot. If they don't have a fan on them like they should, it cuts the longevity down quite a bit. There are no extremely long term studies on the effects of led light on coral growth. If a bulb goes out unexpectedly and you have a premade unit, you either can't replace the bulbor if you do, it voids any warranty. Also, if a bulb goes out, you loose a greater percentage of par value than with other types of bulbs that can be easily replaced quickly. LEDs are also pretty finicky, and some DIY units can cause house fires if not properly wired up and the correct drivers or more than one circuit breaker is used. Most led systems, including DIY systems generally require an additional controller to get the full effect of the led lighting. So, there are many reasons not to buy a unit or do a DIY setup.
Personally, I am going to wait a few years for more kinks to be worked out and technology to improve before I give up metal halides and t5s. I need to know they are absolutely safe and can handle saltwater abuse.
But, that's just my 0.02.