question for the group

[URBANFLAGE]

I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must say
that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for 20
years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have three
tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up one
of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most of
you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump, filtration,
and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front for
all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be better
choice.??

thanks in advance for the input
brad

[TheRock]

Yes bigger is better..(of course right )
If you have the room and the cash.
What are you getting for $1000 ?



"URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
...
> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must say
> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for
> 20
> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have three
> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up one
> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most of
> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
> filtration,
> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front
> for
> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be better
> choice.??
>
> thanks in advance for the input
> brad
>
>

[P. Salad]

Personally, I like the look of the bow fronts for a reef setup, but
it's easier to find affordable lighting for a 55.

I'm also curious what is on the list of things you're getting for $1000
- and what do you plan to put in the tank?

-
p.salad

[Roy]

Well, welcome to the salty world...Now this is only my opinion, but I
would look for a different sized tank personally. After having been
there and done that, I am not crazy over 55 gal as they are a mite bit
to narrow for my likes, but tons of folks have them, and they are
certainly more than suitable. I HATE a bow front, and I do have two of
them myself, both small but still a bowfront. Good hoods and lighting
is impossible to find and most times for the best in lighting its
either make your own or pay to have it made or just live with what you
can stick on top. Lots of folks like the open look with lights on legs
etc, I prefer a hood covering everything. And a BF type tank to me
always seems to distort things in the tank. Anything hanging down the
back corners always appears to be crooked, and being a machinist I
like things looking straight......just a personal bit of me, but I
hate even if a power head is askew or not having its sides paralell to
the tank side or a heater thats not perfectly up and down.....its my
quirks......

The 42 tall may or may not be a good choice as tall is not always the
best choice due to higher lighting requirements due to depths, but 18
is not reallay all that tall ....The LFS here has some nice tall 60
gal etc tanks setting here for sometime mainly due to their
depth...But then again lots of folks have deep tanks, and are happy. I
know it sounds like I contradict myself a lot, but if I had a choice
between the three tanks you had and had to choose only from them I
probably would opt for the 55 gal tank.

You mentioned setup for $1000...Could you expound on what the lfs is
going to provide for that amount of money.....

The equipment is high priced, especially when bought through most
LFS's, but you can get the same online or possibly better choices for
a lot less money.....Lights will more than likely be your biggest
investment. If your even half gifted to do things yourself, you can
eaily make a hood with wood, and buy retrofit lighting and save a
bunch of money overall than buying from thre LFS.....

A skimmer is almost a must have with LR and corals, and it benefits a
fish only as well. As lonog as your tank is down and empty, you may
want to consider having it drilled for overflows, which are eaily
added.....and certainly IMHO well worth it. Any glass company can
drill the holes, and they will tell you they run the risk of breaking
it, but tanks are drilled everyday by diy'ers with success.....So as
long a sI had an empty tanak to begin with I would really consider
having it drilled. Then its a simple matter of having everything in
thr pump, no over flow boxes and weirs to fool with, and you have a
clean tank internally free of lots of equipment pieces..

On Tue, 7 Mar 2006 00:18:40 -0500, "URBANFLAGE"
> wrote:
>><>I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must say
>><>that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for 20
>><>years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have three
>><>tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up one
>><>of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
>><>there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most of
>><>you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump, filtration,
>><>and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
>><>marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front for
>><>all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be better
>><>choice.??
>><>
>><>thanks in advance for the input
>><>brad
>><>

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[wolf]

bow fronts are kind of odd shaped when it comes placement, and some other
basic things, but i like the bigger idea. i would use the 55 as the main
reef, the smaller as a sump possibly, and one as a quarantine. if you had
something else in mind for a sump such as a smaller 20gal tank or something,
then you could like your two tanks, the 55, and bowfront with a wier or some
plumbing, and have them both running simutaneously, even connect teh
plumbing through a wall in the house to have a dual room, single filtered
system.
"URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
...
> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must say
> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for
> 20
> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have three
> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up one
> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most of
> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
> filtration,
> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front
> for
> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be better
> choice.??
>
> thanks in advance for the input
> brad
>
>

[wolf]

Also, instead of giving out 1000$, , use a 20gal fish tank for a sump get
a couple powerheads, pour about 2 inches of aragonite or marine sand in,
setup some live rocks, toss in a coctail shrimp, heat to 79Fdeg. You could
easily get some power compacts lights somewhere, Build a light hood for
your lights, and the stand if you want to save some money.


"URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
...
> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must say
> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for
> 20
> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have three
> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up one
> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most of
> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
> filtration,
> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front
> for
> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be better
> choice.??
>
> thanks in advance for the input
> brad
>
>

[Roy]

I agree with everything you said up until the cocktail shrimp
part...There is absolutely no need, period to introduce a dead raw
shrimp to start a cycle if live rock is used, even if its only half or
a quarter aliive. You could very well urinate in the tank and it would
start the cycle just the same.

All a cocktail shrimp does is make extremelly high levels of ammonia
and nitrites, which takes a lot longer to drop, and polute the water
in addition. I just cycled some partially cured liverock along with a
few pieces of fuly cured rock and some good aragonite sand which was
originally wet packed, but the bags leaked so it was semi alive damp
sand, and it cycled within a week.... Why throw gas on a burning fire,
thats all your doing when you add shrimp. I did a small 10 gal tank
with liverock of questionable quality as to how long it spent in
shipping etc. I used a small shrimp, and the cycle had ammonia levels
in excess of 4, and took over 9 weeks for it all to get to zero. I
took that shrimp out after the 3rd day, after being told to leave it
in for a week or so......The tank I just cycled with some small pieces
of LR had fish added today......if I used shrimp I would still be
waiting to have it spike and then have to do a water change as well,
probably more changes along the way. I have original water I started
cycle with and it tests perfect

On the tank I initially started with shrimp, I got tired with nasty
water, drained it totally out, rinsed rocks and sand with new
sal****er, and started it again.....it was cycled in 2 weeks..

But whatever you use Live rock, Damsels, Urine or shrimp or even
ammonia (non detergent type) instead of continually testing water,
just buy one of those hang in the tank ammonia indicators. They cost
about $5.00 and change colors. They save lots of messing around,
during a cycle, and once it starts cycling it will get into the green
color (Alert ammonina rising) and maybe even the blue (Danger toxi
range)......just let it be, and when it once again shows Yellow, (safe
undetectable) then do a proper ammonia and nitrite and nitrate
test.....Once fish is in tank after its cycled, leave the indicator in
the tank for a quick visual. Its not a substitute for water checks,
but odds are, even if you have a fish die if you have good live rock,
and somehting for nitrate export (Chaeto, Caulerpa, etc) you probably
would be hard pressed to see ammonia or nitrite in the tank again, and
for the most part the indicator is all thats needed. I have not done
an ammonia or nitrite test in many many months other than new tanks.
Of course yu can not have the bio load more than what can be handled
by the rock so stock it slow and easy and watch.

On Wed, 08 Mar 2006 23:36:25 GMT, "wolf" ">
wrote:
>><>Also, instead of giving out 1000$, , use a 20gal fish tank for a sump get
>><>a couple powerheads, pour about 2 inches of aragonite or marine sand in,
>><>setup some live rocks, toss in a coctail shrimp, heat to 79Fdeg. You could
>><>easily get some power compacts lights somewhere, Build a light hood for
>><>your lights, and the stand if you want to save some money.
>><>
>><>
>><>"URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
...
>><>> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must say
>><>> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for
>><>> 20
>><>> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have three
>><>> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up one
>><>> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
>><>> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most of
>><>> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
>><>> filtration,
>><>> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
>><>> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front
>><>> for
>><>> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be better
>><>> choice.??
>><>>
>><>> thanks in advance for the input
>><>> brad
>><>>
>><>>
>><>

--
\\\|///
( @ @ )
-----------oOOo(_)oOOo---------------


oooO
---------( )----Oooo----------------
\ ( ( )
\_) ) /
(_/
The original frugal ponder ! Koi-ahoi mates....

[TheRock]

Try Bio-Spira next time before the cocktail shrimp.
It works much better

"wolf" "> wrote in message
ink.net...
> Also, instead of giving out 1000$, , use a 20gal fish tank for a sump
> get a couple powerheads, pour about 2 inches of aragonite or marine sand
> in, setup some live rocks, toss in a coctail shrimp, heat to 79Fdeg. You
> could easily get some power compacts lights somewhere, Build a light hood
> for your lights, and the stand if you want to save some money.
>
>
> "URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must say
>> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for
>> 20
>> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have three
>> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up
>> one
>> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
>> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most of
>> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
>> filtration,
>> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
>> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front
>> for
>> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be better
>> choice.??
>>
>> thanks in advance for the input
>> brad
>>
>>
>
>

[wolf]

honestly, i never tried teh shrimp, i thought it was the accepted method. I
was assuming he would be starting from scratch. I guess if your putting
some cycled live rock in the tank from LFS, then i would also add about 5lbs
or live sand too. That should be sufficient shouldnt it? still a need for
Bio-Spira

"TheRock" > wrote in message
news:QzLPf.9403$Rv1.2334@trndny07...
> Try Bio-Spira next time before the cocktail shrimp.
> It works much better
>
> "wolf" "> wrote in message
> ink.net...
>> Also, instead of giving out 1000$, , use a 20gal fish tank for a sump
>> get a couple powerheads, pour about 2 inches of aragonite or marine sand
>> in, setup some live rocks, toss in a coctail shrimp, heat to 79Fdeg. You
>> could easily get some power compacts lights somewhere, Build a light
>> hood for your lights, and the stand if you want to save some money.
>>
>>
>> "URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must
>>> say
>>> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks for
>>> 20
>>> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have
>>> three
>>> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up
>>> one
>>> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know that
>>> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most
>>> of
>>> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
>>> filtration,
>>> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
>>> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow front
>>> for
>>> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be
>>> better
>>> choice.??
>>>
>>> thanks in advance for the input
>>> brad
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

[wolf]

cool
"TheRock" > wrote in message news:nGkQf.20$T22.3@trndny01...
> Sure, because as soon a you add a fish
> the cycle beings. Bio-Spira kicks the cycle in high gear.
> Instead of taking a month it's more like a week...even though they say
> over night.
>
>
>
>
> "wolf" "> wrote in message
> nk.net...
>> honestly, i never tried teh shrimp, i thought it was the accepted method.
>> I was assuming he would be starting from scratch. I guess if your
>> putting some cycled live rock in the tank from LFS, then i would also add
>> about 5lbs or live sand too. That should be sufficient shouldnt it?
>> still a need for Bio-Spira
>>
>> "TheRock" > wrote in message
>> news:QzLPf.9403$Rv1.2334@trndny07...
>>> Try Bio-Spira next time before the cocktail shrimp.
>>> It works much better
>>>
>>> "wolf" "> wrote in message
>>> ink.net...
>>>> Also, instead of giving out 1000$, , use a 20gal fish tank for a sump
>>>> get a couple powerheads, pour about 2 inches of aragonite or marine
>>>> sand in, setup some live rocks, toss in a coctail shrimp, heat to
>>>> 79Fdeg. You could easily get some power compacts lights somewhere,
>>>> Build a light hood for your lights, and the stand if you want to save
>>>> some money.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
>>>> ...
>>>>> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must
>>>>> say
>>>>> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks
>>>>> for 20
>>>>> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have
>>>>> three
>>>>> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set up
>>>>> one
>>>>> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know
>>>>> that
>>>>> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that most
>>>>> of
>>>>> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
>>>>> filtration,
>>>>> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest good
>>>>> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow
>>>>> front for
>>>>> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be
>>>>> better
>>>>> choice.??
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks in advance for the input
>>>>> brad
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

[ts]

Apart from that biggest volume you can afford (and fit) I'd make sure that
it's got a decent depth. I've seen so many people get 'standard' tanks only
to find that they do not go back far enough to fit the live rock in
properly.
I personally would never cycle the tank with live fish....it's cruel. Once
the tank is cycled (and live rock is in) I found it was best to get only a
few cheap hardy fish first before getting what you really want. A good LFS
will usually accept back fish you don't want if they get agressive.

"wolf" "> wrote in message
nk.net...
> cool
> "TheRock" > wrote in message news:nGkQf.20$T22.3@trndny01...
>> Sure, because as soon a you add a fish
>> the cycle beings. Bio-Spira kicks the cycle in high gear.
>> Instead of taking a month it's more like a week...even though they say
>> over night.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "wolf" "> wrote in message
>> nk.net...
>>> honestly, i never tried teh shrimp, i thought it was the accepted
>>> method. I was assuming he would be starting from scratch. I guess if
>>> your putting some cycled live rock in the tank from LFS, then i would
>>> also add about 5lbs or live sand too. That should be sufficient
>>> shouldnt it? still a need for Bio-Spira
>>>
>>> "TheRock" > wrote in message
>>> news:QzLPf.9403$Rv1.2334@trndny07...
>>>> Try Bio-Spira next time before the cocktail shrimp.
>>>> It works much better
>>>>
>>>> "wolf" "> wrote in message
>>>> ink.net...
>>>>> Also, instead of giving out 1000$, , use a 20gal fish tank for a sump
>>>>> get a couple powerheads, pour about 2 inches of aragonite or marine
>>>>> sand in, setup some live rocks, toss in a coctail shrimp, heat to
>>>>> 79Fdeg. You could easily get some power compacts lights somewhere,
>>>>> Build a light hood for your lights, and the stand if you want to save
>>>>> some money.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "URBANFLAGE" > wrote in message
>>>>> ...
>>>>>> I've been lurking and trying to pick up info on reef tanks and I must
>>>>>> say
>>>>>> that this group has some real expert info. I've had freshwater tanks
>>>>>> for 20
>>>>>> years and I'm ready to "dive in" to a reef set up. I currently have
>>>>>> three
>>>>>> tanks a 55 a 46 bow front and a 42 tall 18x18x30. I am going to set
>>>>>> up one
>>>>>> of them I'm just trying to decide which is the best choice. I know
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> there are pros and cons to every tank size and I'm also sure that
>>>>>> most of
>>>>>> you will say bigger is better. I'm going to buy lighting, sump,
>>>>>> filtration,
>>>>>> and live rock and sand from FINTASTIC in Charlotte NC the closest
>>>>>> good
>>>>>> marine fish store. they quoted me about $1000 to set up the 46 bow
>>>>>> front for
>>>>>> all. seems reasonable. but I think maybe the 42 or the 55 might be
>>>>>> better
>>>>>> choice.??
>>>>>>
>>>>>> thanks in advance for the input
>>>>>> brad
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>