Advice on whether to start over or not

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice on whether to continue building on what I have or whether to completely scrap my whole system and start over. A little background...I currently live in Japan and I started this setup about a year ago. I have a 55 gallon kit (Marineland Instant Ocean Kit 55 Gallon - Fish.com). In addition to the bio-wheel filter, I have a Remora Protein Skimmer and one power head. Right now it's just fish and live rock because I don't have the appropriate lighting for coral (we learned that the hard way ). We are moving back to the States in December, so we're going to have to give away our fish anyway, and possibly all the rock (although I hate to because it was so expensive here!). After a three week vacation we came back to a broken impeller on the skimmer, so I have to replace that as it is.

So here's the dilemma...once we move we want to get a full reef going, with hard and soft corals as well as fish. Obviously the current setup won't work, at least with the hood and lighting as it is. But I also notice that most folks have external filtration, not the cheaper hang-on stuff that I have. I'm not really against the hang-on stuff, but can I convert this tank somehow to get the lighting I need (and not be completely open, due to the cat we'll be getting!).

Bottom line, should we try to sell the setup we have and start over completely when we move, or salvage what we can to reduce the cost...and if so, what are your recommendations for how to modify what I have. Of course I would prefer to minimize cost and use what I can!

Thanks for your advice!

 

What is it going to take to ship it over here? With no more than you have I would scrap it and do it again when you get here. MAybe even get a 75 or a 90 andf have a better go at it.
Sounds like all you have right now is a tank anyway. Skimmer is broke all the filtration is hang on. So cut your loses and start agian...either way good luck....When yu ship the rock if you do it will be dry rock and need to start it over again....
Danny

 

I agree with Danny,55's are too narrow anyway,chalk it up to experience and do it better with a bigger tank when you get back to the states.There's always good deals on used setups online at ebay.

 

Not to add to the negativity side.... But i do agree with the above... i would try and sell off everything you have and try and put it in a new tank.. Pending where your moving back to it amazing what steal's you can find on craig's list . And i have seen complete plugg in play tank's go for lil money... But watch out for the scammer's and hack's..



BEst of luck..!!

 

If it is just a broken impeller you can fix that pretty cheap. That skimmer has great reviews and is worth fixing. Even if you sell it you would make more selling a working skimmer than a broken one.

I would, however, sell off what you have there and not ship. Then buy what you want when you get state side.

 

Whoops, I meant to say "broken impeller on the filter", not the skimmer! The skimmer is great, but it's a hang-on only, so probably no good for what I really need. One thing I didn't mention was that I'm in the military, so there's no cost for me to ship everything back to the states, if I end up doing that. Thanks for all the advice so far!

 

This is going to be a call that only you can make. What I mean by this is, only you will know the cost of the shipping. What are the chances of the tank breaking on the way. 55g tanks are super cheap in the states and are available anywhere, assuming that you are going to stay with a 55g. Chances are that you will want/get a bigger tank so that skimmer may not be adequate. I would save the skimmer anyways b/c you can sell it if need be. I personally dont think its worth the $$$ to ship it here and I would start from scratch. Remember, it doesnt have to be new, I bought my current 90g for $127.00 and it came with a 29g sump. Just my 2 cents.



Luna

 

Yea, deals are everywhere. Check with local clubs when you get here. For example, there's a guy in my area with a RR 125, stand, canopy, etc. for $300. Leave the 55 behind I would say.

 

people he said hes in the military and everything he ships will be free