New Setup Advise

Hi all, I am new to this forum and about 12 years out of the fish loop. I used to have a 100gal shark/eel tank and 50gal trigger tank.

I am in the process of researching a new setup for salt water fish. I went to a local shop as I find the few online stores charging a lot for shipping when it comes to tanks/bases.

The local shop appears to be dealer for All-Glass Aquarium. My last tanks were all acrylic. What I like and need opinions on:

Glass vs. Acrylic - I know that this alone may spawn passionate debate but I want to make sure glass is a good way to go.

If I stick with the current dealer then I am looking at the 95-Wave Aquarium. So, it comes with the base, tank and overflow built-in. Going with the same product line and adding other items to the package, it looks like this:

95-Wave Aquarium
Megaflow sump filtration - model 2 or 3
Mag Drive 9.5
Coralife Aqualight 48" (no coral for me and I know algae may be an issue)
I have a Berlin protein skimmer

I am looking for validation or alternatives to what I have listed. More of the "why" is important to me. I really want to understand that abc is better than def because...If the price is about the same or 40% different then is it technology or what???

I have access to a lot of fish dealers in my area so I can shop around based on who deals with what manufacturer. I really have to answer the tank question which may make the other pieces fall into place.

Thanks a lot for any help ;D

 

well really acrylic is more expensive and can be scratched, glass is less expensive and cant be scratched...some people says the acrylic wont break but... if either falls over with 95gal of water...i dont think its gona matter lol...

 

Like Bruce mentioned, glass doesn't scratch easily. That's a big advantage. However, if you are a huge SPS fan and want to drill your tank for a closed loop to increase circulation, glass is a royal pain.

However, it sounds like you are mainly looking to house fish. As a result, glass would be my recommendation.

 

Hello and Welcome to 3Reef and back into the saltwater hobby! (we always go back! LOL) I was out for 5 years and there were lots of changes!

Anywhoo....I like the glass as well.

Mag 9.5 for return pump...excellent choice, I love the Mags...you may also want to consider a Mag 9.5 and swap out the 500 gph pump recommended for your skimmer. I had the Berlin classic skimmer and changing the pump made a huge difference! It ran wide open and did not overflow. Just made better skimmate. ;D The skimmer did break eventually, I overtightened a piece and cracked it.....

Coralife makes excellent lights...I have their brand and have been pleased. ;D

Sounds like you are off to a good start!

 

I vote for acrylic(lighter), and I just purchased some new lights from aquatraders.com MH 500watt shipped for $319 48 in with PC and moonlights(work fine, bulbs suck). You might want to check them out
L

 

My vote is fore glass, it will not scratch, What type of fish were you planing on?

 

That is a good question. As I stated in my opening, I am used to fish like triggers, eels, sharks and groupers. Not sure the family will appreciate the fish as much as I once did. I had a friend who had two reef tanks but it seemed like a lot of work to keep clean and there was constant adjustment in the water to make sure the live rock and creatures stayed alive.

I know that the type of marine life dictates what I should buy but that too is my dilemma. I would like to go with clowns, crabs, etc. I guess I mean fish that live in an ever changing environment. That may mean a reef tank.

If that is what all this comes down to then what changes in the design? I am pretty well sold on going with the 95-Wave tank but the light needs to be intense and I need some sort of current system to act as a cleaning mechanism for the live rock. What else do people recommend? The bigger question is how difficult is it to setup a system that works well and that I can clean on a routine basis, not on demand of the tank.

See, this design stuff leads to many other questions...

 

I would go with glass as well..again because of the scrathing (think of all the sand, dry salt, etc - all potential scratchers). I have an oceanic tank, and I am happy with it. Apparently oceanic uses thicker glass. I have had an AGA tank in the past, and had no problems with it.

I also have a coralife aqualight pro. I think it is great. Its easy to use, easy to keep clean, and it is all in one package. Have you looked on line at www.thatfishplace.com for your equipment? I agree that it is cheaper to get the tank at your lfs, but it is hard to beat on line prices for the rest of the stuff. In my case, I got the aqualight on line for 45% less then the price at my lfs (even after shipping). That is here in GA..not sure how the prices are where you are. I have used "that fish place" for about 15 years now - back when they were mail order in FAMA magazine. They are great!

Good luck on your set up. My advice is take your time and do it right. I am just starting up my reef again. I am going really slow, and enjoying the process!

 

In that case live rock and a LARGE protein skimmer in a sump, the live rock will filter and the skimmer will do the rest.

 

Great questions! First glass scratches just ask anyone using a magnetic cleaner and gets sand or crushed coral stuck between. Or gets overzealous with a razor. Acrylic scratches easier but can be buffed easier too. I believe you should choose per you taste and use care when cleaning either one. A reef is a lot of work...but ... it really becomes a labor of love and expensive addiction I suggest you try it. Your friends and family will be amazed as something is always happening in the tank. I have had people just pull up a chair and watch the tank. The constant adjustments you are talking about occur the most during intial setup and cycling (not that it can't happen other times) but if you are doing regular scheduled maintenance and dont do drastic changes the tank can really be as easy as a fish only tank. Looks like you are doing good research and also are willing to spend some $$$ to get started. My advice to the maintenance questions have always been the less maintenance you want to do the more $$$ you have to spend. I love to tinker so I am also looking for diy projects or reinventing the wheel but thats why this hobby is fun for me. Buying ready built equipment will help with the maintenace, things like protien skimmers, calcium reactors, lighting hoods, UV sterlizers, wave makers or scswd devices, timers, refugiums, ozone generators and so much more are availible out of the box. Now for a piece of advice that if you follow nothing else follow this, Find a source that you are comfortable with and STAY WITH IT! There are so many theories and "experts" that you will have your tank a mess if you try and listen to too many people. I love this site and the people on it because we dont have a lot of I am a REEF GOD complexes here and I think most members really care about the inhabitants of your new mini ocean. So welcome to 3REEF hope you stay and with the questions fire away.