What to do?
- Thread starter southern wolf
- Start date
southern wolf
Member
a 90g would be real nice... and so would that 120g I had to turn down. I dunno... Im just in the research and planning stages right now. I'd love to have a game plan on what Im doing before it comes time for me to do it.
That's prolly why I am asking about a lot of tank specific types of questions right now. Gotta know what tank I need before I get started.
My 52g has a couple of things going for it. I like the shape and it's free since I already have it. I just need to figure out if I can rectify it for a reef type setup should I ever choose to go that route.
That's prolly why I am asking about a lot of tank specific types of questions right now. Gotta know what tank I need before I get started.
My 52g has a couple of things going for it. I like the shape and it's free since I already have it. I just need to figure out if I can rectify it for a reef type setup should I ever choose to go that route.
southern wolf
Member
After some deeeeeeep digging I think I may have found a solution to my un-drilled 52g
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/288154/diy-overflow-check-it-out
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/297623/pics-diy-pvc-overflow
What do you think?
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/288154/diy-overflow-check-it-out
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/297623/pics-diy-pvc-overflow
What do you think?
southern wolf
Member
considering the tank that I plan on setting up.... will I need a chiller? Those that do need a chiller what do they normally keep in their tanks?
southern wolf
Member
You all are bad influences... this site is a bad influence. You need to be bent over someone's knee and spanked.
I may be changing directions. I have almost talked myself out of using my 52g.
I am now thinking I want a real showcase tank in the living room that mimics a slice of ocean life. I want some fish, and inverts, and coral waving in the current. The problem is all the additional $$$$'s it is going to take for me to get it. It will require buying a new tank (prolly either a 75 or 90ish), extra sand, rock, and lord only know's what else. Because of this it may take even longer to get it up and running. I will also have to reinforce the floor for the extra weight (even more $$$'s).
Since I really want to get a tank started I think I will go with "plan B" and work my way up to the large living room tank.
"Plan B"
Set up my 45g cube in my office. This tank is about 2' x 2' x 2' . Since it's not drilled I will run a HOB filtration system without the bio wheels. (may see if I can get 2 filters back there).
Then I'll stock it with either option 1 or 2
Option 1
species tank with a CUC and a Snowflake Eel.
Option 2
3 Blue Reef Chromis
1 or 2 Clowns (same species)
CUC with shrimp and starfish
and if I have the room either a Fire Angel or Lemonpeel Angel.
What are your thoughts?
I may be changing directions. I have almost talked myself out of using my 52g.
I am now thinking I want a real showcase tank in the living room that mimics a slice of ocean life. I want some fish, and inverts, and coral waving in the current. The problem is all the additional $$$$'s it is going to take for me to get it. It will require buying a new tank (prolly either a 75 or 90ish), extra sand, rock, and lord only know's what else. Because of this it may take even longer to get it up and running. I will also have to reinforce the floor for the extra weight (even more $$$'s).
Since I really want to get a tank started I think I will go with "plan B" and work my way up to the large living room tank.
"Plan B"
Set up my 45g cube in my office. This tank is about 2' x 2' x 2' . Since it's not drilled I will run a HOB filtration system without the bio wheels. (may see if I can get 2 filters back there).
Then I'll stock it with either option 1 or 2
Option 1
species tank with a CUC and a Snowflake Eel.
Option 2
3 Blue Reef Chromis
1 or 2 Clowns (same species)
CUC with shrimp and starfish
and if I have the room either a Fire Angel or Lemonpeel Angel.
What are your thoughts?
southern wolf
Member
Aren't the smallest Eel's the Snowflakes and dont they kinda stay wrapped up in a rock pile?
southern wolf
Member
I may have a line on a bow front tank. It's either a 72g or 75g... not sure which. It's not drilled either but I can prolly get it reasonably priced.
teresaq
Active Member
lol, this is an addicting hobby. Its nice to see someone doing all thier homework and not just jumping in.
Remember things like base rock are not as expensive as live rock but looks nice and will become live with just a few pieces of live added.
Same with sand.
bow fronts are nice.
Remember things like base rock are not as expensive as live rock but looks nice and will become live with just a few pieces of live added.
Same with sand.
bow fronts are nice.
southern wolf
Member
Even with the 45g office tank, I'm prolly still a couple of months away from putting water in it. I want to incorporate that stand into a custom built bookcase... so I still have to build the stand. Seems like I have a whole lot of irons in the fire and not near enough fire. I am currently remodeling the utility room thanks to water damage.
The good thing is that setback (if you want to call it that) gives me time to do alot of reading and research and ask questions. Maybe I wont make AS MANY mistakes. I know I'm gonna make some mistakes though.
The good thing is that setback (if you want to call it that) gives me time to do alot of reading and research and ask questions. Maybe I wont make AS MANY mistakes. I know I'm gonna make some mistakes though.
sweatervest13
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418070
The good thing is that setback (if you want to call it that) gives me time to do alot of reading and research and ask questions. Maybe I wont make AS MANY mistakes. I know I'm gonna make some mistakes though.
For sure you will make mistakes, thats the way you learn. But I think that you are right that the delay will be a very good thing. As long as you have the passion your set up will be better if you take your time setting it up.
I started with a 29g to cut my teeth and did that for a year (its still running with corals only). Then after I felt comfortable I started planning my next tank build. It took almost 6 months before it had water in it and 6 weeks to cycle. So patience is the key to success in this hobby. I think that you are starting out very well.
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418070
The good thing is that setback (if you want to call it that) gives me time to do alot of reading and research and ask questions. Maybe I wont make AS MANY mistakes. I know I'm gonna make some mistakes though.
For sure you will make mistakes, thats the way you learn. But I think that you are right that the delay will be a very good thing. As long as you have the passion your set up will be better if you take your time setting it up.
I started with a 29g to cut my teeth and did that for a year (its still running with corals only). Then after I felt comfortable I started planning my next tank build. It took almost 6 months before it had water in it and 6 weeks to cycle. So patience is the key to success in this hobby. I think that you are starting out very well.
southern wolf
Member
there are days when Im just chompin at the bit to get some water going in a tank... but I know that if I do then I'll just have to tear it down in the near future so why double up my work load. When it comes time... I'll try to make the tank the best that I know how.
good thing about the delay is I get to keep buggin ya'll with questions.
good thing about the delay is I get to keep buggin ya'll with questions.
tur4k
Member
Better then the way I did it. I walked into a LFS, handed them my credit card and told them to sell me everything I needed for a saltwater tank. Half of the stuff that they sold me is sitting on a shelf in my garage. For me the project of setting up a tank was a distraction to help me quit smoking. It worked. I've been a nonsmoker since setting up the tank. I just never imagined I'd get this sucked into the hobby.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418172
Better then the way I did it. I walked into a LFS, handed them my credit card and told them to sell me everything I needed for a saltwater tank. Half of the stuff that they sold me is sitting on a shelf in my garage. For me the project of setting up a tank was a distraction to help me quit smoking. It worked. I've been a nonsmoker since setting up the tank. I just never imagined I'd get this sucked into the hobby.
I can't help but comment...Congratulations on quitting smoking and May you enjoy your new hobby for many. many years and in good health.
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418172
Better then the way I did it. I walked into a LFS, handed them my credit card and told them to sell me everything I needed for a saltwater tank. Half of the stuff that they sold me is sitting on a shelf in my garage. For me the project of setting up a tank was a distraction to help me quit smoking. It worked. I've been a nonsmoker since setting up the tank. I just never imagined I'd get this sucked into the hobby.
I can't help but comment...Congratulations on quitting smoking and May you enjoy your new hobby for many. many years and in good health.
tur4k
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418180
I can't help but comment...Congratulations on quitting smoking and May you enjoy your new hobby for many. many years and in good health.
Thanks. It's been over a year and a half since I quit smoking and set up my tank. Both the tank and the not smoking are going pretty well.
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418180
I can't help but comment...Congratulations on quitting smoking and May you enjoy your new hobby for many. many years and in good health.
Thanks. It's been over a year and a half since I quit smoking and set up my tank. Both the tank and the not smoking are going pretty well.
southern wolf
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418172
Better then the way I did it. I walked into a LFS, handed them my credit card and told them to sell me everything I needed for a saltwater tank. Half of the stuff that they sold me is sitting on a shelf in my garage. For me the project of setting up a tank was a distraction to help me quit smoking. It worked. I've been a nonsmoker since setting up the tank. I just never imagined I'd get this sucked into the hobby.
Thankfully my credit cards are close to being maxed out.... so this is not an option for me. Lord knows I've done this enough times on other things... and I'm still paying for it.
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///t/387827/what-to-do/80#post_3418172
Better then the way I did it. I walked into a LFS, handed them my credit card and told them to sell me everything I needed for a saltwater tank. Half of the stuff that they sold me is sitting on a shelf in my garage. For me the project of setting up a tank was a distraction to help me quit smoking. It worked. I've been a nonsmoker since setting up the tank. I just never imagined I'd get this sucked into the hobby.
Thankfully my credit cards are close to being maxed out.... so this is not an option for me. Lord knows I've done this enough times on other things... and I'm still paying for it.