Starting from scratch

I thought this was the "Say Hello" thread to welcome new comers. Not which lighting idea is best or cost wise.

Welcome to the 3 reef fam. Reef Octopus are good skimmers. But its just a matter of how deep your pockets are. If they are deep then Bubble King or Bashea is good. If not the Reef Octopus or Euro Reef. Just depends on you. Same goes for lighting, pump, sump, wave makers, its all on you kid.

 

Welcome to the reef. After seeing a couple dozen tanks running LEDs I would recommend nothing less, when i get the money I will be upgrading as well. The overall cost of running it will save you in the long run and personally i think corals look the nicest under LEDs but if you want to grow fast MH is the way to go. As for a sump I would recommend picking up a tank that will fit under your stand up off of craigslist for next to nothing and put the baffles in yourself. Its pretty simple and there are plenty of DIY instructions out there. I'm not a guru in skimmers but i do run an aquac remora pro which i am very happy with. an upscale version of them should do you well. Or you could go for an algae scrubber if your handy and on a budget...worse case scenario you don't like it and spent minimum amount of money as well. As for wave makers I am very happy with my koralias and they're pretty cheap they run nice but if you have the money mp40s would save you a good amount of space and are easily controlled and can even be wireless. It all depends on your budget.

 

Look at Eco tech marine 700 or something dollars need one for a 40 gal. Two for 65 how many for a 125??? More than 3 or 4 I would think! I have not even entertained LEDs for a while. When I go to the Lfs I will ask why they run t-5s with there leds?

I NEVER sad I was the master of LEDS. Maybe you are so you can take over! From here on out. Chill the Hell out some times people don't know every thing. And LEDs have came down in cost a lot!!

 

Thanks again for the input I will research the scrubbers for sure, and it sounds like led is the way to go. I have been calling around for the best price on combo tank and stand and am coming up around $850 for reef ready. That's on a pine stand sound good or should I keep shopping. Not a big fan of the pine and am debating on building a oak or cherry stand. Thanks again for the responses

 

What brand tank and stand combo? Some of them such as AGA are I believe 34.5" tall, short if u want a sump and stuff mine was custom made at 47" tall and I love it. A little tall at times when I have to work on it but when I look in it it is way better than bending over. I payed 2k for the stand and canopy with a 300 dollar salt water coating the type they put on wood boats in the ocean.

 

ive seen 125s with wood stands on craigslist for like 300 or so bucks...depends on if you want new or used...also another tip its cheaper to get a non RR tank and just bring it to a glass shop and ask them to drill it and they will for pretty cheap just make sure not to get a tempered glass tank

 

2 grand for a stand and canopy, but LEDs are too expensive?

 

lol +1 for a good laugh

 

I did not pay for the stand and canopy. It was custom. And has extreme craftsman ship! Along with belzai mahogany at $18.32 a board/ft. It adds up fast. Just the finishing was 500 dollars for the cherry and then the clear salt water protectant. The way it was built was different then all of your stands to. No 2x4's all 3/4" backing board dowels and pinned together. My parents payed for this stand because they did not want a stand that looked like 10 in 2 (ten pounds of **** in a 2pound bag) my parents try to make me pay for every thing els to make me show responsibility just because they have tones of money dose not mean I get what I want I have to work for it. And I am sure one day I will have LEDS and will be telling the 16 year old kid to get them. Maybe when December comes "Santa Claus" wile bring me some EcoTech radiums!

 

So, who's e-peen is bigger now? I'm confuzzled... :