In your opinion, stuck between two tanks

OK so I am stuck between two tanks to purchase and need some input from other. My LFS is selling a 150G long tank dont know exact dimensions but its about 20 inches in width around 6.5 feet long and maybe 18" deep but that just guessing at it but its long for sure! He is selling just the tank for $200. Well while on craigslist today i found a guy selling a 150G tank for $500 with stand the tank is 4ft long 2ft wide and 2.5ft high/deep with around 150 lbs of live rock, protien skimmer, sump, return sump, heater, 4 power heads and lights which are 2) 250w metal halides and 4 actinic bulbs. My question is is it better to get the $200 one and buy my own things and build up the aquarium myself and also will the longness of it be benificial? i will be making a stand if i get it. or is the $500 deep one better? Thanks everybody!

 

IMO longer is better than deeper if you want tangs and mostly fish. If not, it really depends on what the other equipment is, but I'd say that you prob won't end up using 75% of the extra equipment of the other tank in 3-6 months and be replacing it, so why buy it. But like I said, thats just an assumption.

I'd take the first tank and build it as you like, don't waste money on stuff you don't want. That being said, get the equipment list on the other and post it, it may be worth it. My last upgrade, the skimmer was worth more than I paid for the whole tank

 

Yeah i have a tang and two clowns right now as well as a bunch of coral frags so it might be better to have a longer tank

 

thats what i'd do, especially with that. plus you won't get stuck with crap you don't really want or need

 

Good idea! Never know if some of that crap doesnt work and plus i was a little skeptic since my reef has no hitch hikers what so ever and would be skeptic about adding another persons rocks. Thank you!

 

Now you have $350 for lights or an awesome skimmer of your choosing.

 

Do i absolutely need a skimmer by the way? Im not running one now and everything seems to be doing good ive never ran a skimmer but if i need one i definitely will get one

 

not 100% necessary, but def put on your as soon as you can wishlist. It'll help you keep your tank in check and extend water changes. That alone saves alot of salt But it is a great idea, you can get by without one, but damn its nice to have.

 

I will definitely be getting one for the new tank then. Does it help lower nitrates or no?

 

Function

Protein skimming removes certain organic compounds, including proteins and amino acids, by using the polarity of the protein itself. Due to their intrinsic charge, water-borne proteins are either repelled or attracted by the air/water interface and these molecules can be described as hydrophobic (such as fats or oils) or hydrophilic (such as salt, sugar, ammonia, most amino acids, and most inorganic compounds). However, some larger organic molecules can have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions. These molecules are called amphipathic or amphiphilic. Commercial protein skimmers work by generating a large air/water interface, specifically by injecting large numbers of bubbles into the water column. In general, the smaller the bubbles the more effective the protein skimming is because the surface area of small bubbles occupying the same volume is much greater than the same volume of larger bubbles.[1] Large numbers of small bubbles present an enormous air/water interface for hydrophobic organic molecules and amphipathic organic molecules to collect on the bubble surface (the air/water interface). Water movement hastens diffusion of organic molecules, which effectively brings more organic molecules to the air/water interface and lets the organic molecules accumulate on the surface of the air bubbles. This process continues until the interface is saturated, unless the bubble is removed from the water or it bursts, in which case the accumulated molecules release back into the water column. However, it is important to note that further exposure of a saturated air bubble to organic molecules may continue to result in changes as compounds that bind more strongly may replace those molecules with a weaker binding that have already accumulated on the interface. Although some aquarists believe that increasing the contact time (or dwell time as it is sometimes called) is always good, it is incorrect to claim that it is always better to increase the contact time between bubbles and the aquarium water.[2] As the bubbles increase near the top of the protein skimmer water column, they become denser and the water begins to drain and create the foam that will carry the organic molecules to the skimmate collection cup or to a separate skimmate waste collector and the organic molecules, and any inorganic molecules that may have become bound to the organic molecules, will be exported from the water system.

In addition to the proteins removed by skimming, there are a number of other organic and inorganic molecules that are typically removed. These include a variety of fats, fatty acids, carbohydrates, metals such as copper and trace elements such as iodine. Particulates and other detritus is also removed, along with phytoplankton and bacteria. This removal is highly desired by the aquarist and is often emphasized by the placement of the skimmer before other forms of filtration; lessening the burden of the filtration system as a whole. There is at least one published study that provides a detailed list of the export products found in protein skimmer skimmate.[3]

Protein skimmers are used to harvest algae and phytoplankton gently enough to maintain viability for culturing or commercial sale as live cultures.

Ok I did not write this. lol Copy and paste is quite a usable function