Decision on Fish Tank

I have had a couple tanks in the past.

125 All Glass tank, had a great saltwater setup. Moved and decided to get an Oceanic Reef Ready 75 Gallon setup. Never was able to replicate the success I had in my 125 (I am sure it was my own fault).

Moved again from Boston to Florida and sold everything I had. Heart Breaking!!

Since my wife said we are never moving again me and the Kids thing it is time for a new setup. What I am looking for;

1) Reef Ready between 60 and 100 gallon (wife wants under 75Gal BOOO!)
2) Simple corals, mushrooms, pollups etc..
3) I am looking at Half Moon, Bow front, Panaramic seemless.
4) Don't want a common OAK style tank and Stand.

Questions;

1) Does anyone have a tank from 4fishtank.com (opinions) ?
2) Opinions on Oceanic setup?
3) Anyother Tank vendors suggestions.
4) Metal Halide VS Power Compact light setups? What depth would you say would be the cutoff for Power compact?

Daughter wants setup for Christmas so Started researching a few weeks ago. Man here goes the savings account again.

Thanks

 

Get a 72 Gallon Oceanic Bowfront in stainless with black contrast!

A very nice looking set up. It's tall though, so I'd do as many retrofit T-5's as I could fit in the canopy, or forget the canopy and do an open top with a MH combo light.

Gin

 

First off welcome to 3reef! Tanks for joining us! I agree BOO on less than 75gal but it would save money! You know how expensive this can get. I wish I could answer other questions but alas I can't. However there are many knowledgable people here who I am sure will help! Good luck and when you get it going keep us in the loop!

 

really imo opinion it's not whether it will penetrate or not but honestly power compacts are ugly. (yes I know mh will penetrate deeper) Have you ever seen a tank lit with mh sitting beside one lit with pc. There's no comparison. by the way I love the oceanic half moon.

 

Have you seen the new RedSea Max 250 ? It is the all in one RSM and it is 65 gallons. Looks real sharp.


\Welcome

 

Welcome aboard Chris, glad to have aboard and in SW again. The size of the tank is basiclly your decision. Your available space and savings account will dictate which one you can get. As for your Q's;

1. Never heard of them, so I cant begin to give my opinion.
2. Oceanic set ups have a good rep. I believe those are the tanks that are " all in one " set ups. This would be a great choice if "space" and " saving account " are a problem.
3. I've heard mixed opinions about www.glasscages.com , you may what to check them out.
4. You will have to ask yourselves what kind of corals are you planning to keep, now and in the future. Personaly, I would go with MH. You will not be limited on which corals you can keep with MH's. I've seen many ppl who said in the begining, " I dont want the hard to keep corals " , only to see them regretting not getting the MH's. It only takes one pass through the SPS tanks in your LFS to be hooked.

Heres a helpful web sites that might help you answer some Q's or just refresh your memory. www.saltwater101.com
Keep us posted and good luck. Luna

 

double2mk;

That RedSea 250 does look very nice. Too bad it is not in the US yet. One Article said it should be here this month and another beginning early 2009.

I have had some RedSea porducts before and was always very happy with them.

I will keep my eye open.

Keep the suggestions and opinions coming people. It can only make me stop and think before doing something I will regret.

Thanks

CA

 

Heres a lighting chart, this may help.

Gina's Aquarium Supply is an online retailer of compact fluorescent, T5 & metal halide aquarium lighting, aquarium filters, aquarium pumps, aquarium heaters, aquarium coolers, aquarium protein skimmers, calcium reactors, heaters, etc. from Coralife,

BTW, where in FL are you in?

 

Luna;

I live in Port Charlotte FL which is on the west coast. I am basically between Venice and FT. Myers. I work up in Tampa.

I love this site. My wife keeps telling me to do some work in the house but I can't get away from the peoples pictures. I feel like homer simpson, when he talks about donuts.

Keep the information coming as I also have my kids reading the information.

Thanks

ca

 

Well first of all welcome to 3reef. As for the tank, I would not go any less then a 125g to 180g due to the depth of the tank. This will allow you plenty of room for rock work. Smaller tanks are a pain to set up so fish have room to swim.