Brand-new Reefer!!

[Voyeur]

Well that makes sense to me compared to what I've read....

I think I'm going to go with the VHO ballasts for now,as it will be at least 8 or 10 months before I really start deciding what I'll end up with in the tank.

I can always make the MH's at a later date....

Now to get the RO/DI unit so I can start making water.....

John

[OodleyBoodely]

If you get a VHO electronic ballast, you can get cheap NO lamps at Lowes or Home Depot for the daylight lamps. Look for the Phillips brand 6500Kelvin full spectrum lamps. They'll save you big $$ over the VHO daylight lamps and they work great. (NO=$2.50 ea. VHO= $26.00ea) Don't use the "Daylight" lamps unless they are listed at 6500K. I made that mistake and bleached out a bunch of my corals. They are not the same as full spectrum. Can't save as much on actinics, so, you can go ahead and get the VHOs or look for a cheaper NO actinic through the sponsers or at petwarehouse.com.

[Voyeur]

Thats the plan Oodley,got to go cheap as I can right now,the wife wont get off her darn purse....



John

[OodleyBoodely]

got to go cheap as I can right now,the wife wont get off her darn purse....

Watch out, if she holds the pursestrings, she's gonna find out how much you spend on your hobby You do know this is an addiction, right? Better get her involved quick, maybe buy her her own nano reef!

[Voyeur]

She's too smart for me.....

She won't do ANY of my hobbies because she knows she will like them too much.

Doesn't stop me from trying,but she is pretty adament about not spending time on stuff like that....

I do pull her shopping trick though....
"I saved 300$ by spending 100$ honey!!"

lol

[OodleyBoodely]

LOL!

[Voyeur]

Okay!!!!
I just got an RO/DI unit from ebay.Its a 110gpd 6 stage dual output unit (I figured I may as well run a line to the fridge while I was at it).Its from filter direct,this is the one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...02621&tc=photo .

I also got a TDS meter to go with it as it cost me no extra to ship with the RO unit.

I've also decided that I need another 55 gallon drum,I want to keep one full of fresh RO/DI water and the other with RO/DI water with salt in it for the water changes,that way I should never run out of water even if I have to do drastic changes.

Why doesn't anyone ever tell you you are going to re-plumb your house just to have a salt-water tank......

And more good news,I am closer to getting that 125 gallon tank,which also has an oak cabinet,VHO lighting with icecap 660 ballast,and other assorted goodies.If I do get the tank its not going to be an easy ride,its in VA,and I'm not sure how or if it will fit in my truck.....

After reading a couple other threads on people putting together their tanks,I've decided to start keeping track of the cash (and trades) I am putting into this obsession....

Once I actually start putting a tank together I think I will start another "New Reef Tank Started!" thread.I've been following a couple threads here and at RC and the help people get from the forum members never ceases to amaze me.

The information and friendliness from this forum is amazing,and I foresee many years of good times coming.....

One more thing......Can you be in more than one club??
I really want to be an MMR,but I think Im a natural for the "J" club too!!!

Thanks again for all the help!!

John

[OodleyBoodely]

Sounds like a good RO/DI!

Why doesn't anyone ever tell you you are going to re-plumb your house just to have a salt-water tank......

'Cause they don't want to scare you off until you are completely infested with the virus! Then there is no helping you!

One more thing......Can you be in more than one club??

I don't have the official say-so, but if the shoe fits, why not?

[wanareef]

John

Sounds like you finally figured out the differences - it can and is confusing even to so called eggsperts.

I send you a link and I'm sure you'll find it very interesting, read and try to follow it, as stated it's one way to setup a reef tank- not the only way but one way.

Since you will be getting an Ice Cap 660 you will be setup for lights to start. Oodley mentioned those HD bulbs the 2pak for $5 is a great price, at 6500k you can "overdrive" them to HO output.

I'm signed up on at least 10 other boards - membership is free to join. It's good to be able to get other opinion on things and that's what joining other boards does - for me anyway. You'll come to now some of the names and you'll see them on other boards as well. Have fun

[tims]

WoW john, getting the 125
Sounds like someboby is a reef-aholic already

sure hope it works out for you!..involving the wife is a great idea..even if she fight's it..the fish and corals will win one day

and being a member of MMR and the "J" crowd is a possibility..
just get a hold of casey and jeff or jay.. just watch out for thoses BRW's

[hawaiianwargod]

Welcome V,

I think we could all agree that our hobby of "reefing" is uncurable disease but feels so good when you see your involvement of mimicking mother nature. If anyone finds a cure of this addiction let me know....hahaha!!! Aloha everyone.

[Voyeur]

I think I like BRWs......

At least the newest one!!

lol

Tim,the first fish in the tank is going to be one she picks out and Im going to make her feed it.I'm pretty positive that it wont take long until she starts badgering me for her own tank.....thats when I lower the boom!!!!

She gets the 125 and I get a new and improved BIGGER TANK!!!!
wOOt!!!!

There is method to my madness!!!! oh yes!!!

John

[Voyeur]

YES!!!

Picking up the 125 gallon tank and assorted goodies Saturday!!!

My RO/DI unit should be here by then,and Im getting some lights with the tank.All I need to do now is build the skimmer,get a couple good pumps,and Im ready to order my LR!!!



*happy dance!!*


John


*oops,forgot I have to drill the tank,build the CL system, and build my sump/refugium out of my old 55 gallon.Oh well,its going to be awhile before I have the cash for the LR anyways.....

[tims]

congrads on the tank coming...

[OodleyBoodely]

congratulations!