change of plans

[zxcv123]

Ive decided to do a large FOWLR tank instead of a nother reef. I keep changing my mind, but im sure now.

Its going to be from 90 to 120 gallons, I havent decided.
I want to keep a tang or two, one or two of the smaller triggers, an eel, and maybe a lionfish. If any of these are incompadable, let me know.

There will be some live rock, maybe 1/2 lb per gallon or more, depending on what kind of a deal I can get.

What kind of filter should I use? Sould I use a DSB, or what kind of substrate?
What kind of skimmer? The fish load will be high, but the skimmer cannnot be more than 150$., ideally less.
I want some sort of a sump, but would it be cheaper to buy a factory drilled tank with built in overflow, or buy a bare tank and have my LFS drill two holes in it on the back for modified durso overflows? He wanys 30$ per hole

Alot of questions.......... And what size should I go with?
I want the tank package to include the glass top and strip light. My grandpa and I will build the cabinit stand.
Any other comments/ or suggestions are appreciated

THanks

[1spotpooalot]

What kind of skimmer? The fish load will be high, but the skimmer cannnot be more than 150$., ideally less.

I dont know what you will get for that price. I would start looking now for used skimmers. A PM bullet 1 or Bullet 2 would be nice with the right pump. I hear the MRC skimmers are a good bang for the buck too.
I have made the mistakes of going "under skimmed " before. It really ends up costing you more in the long run. Loss of stock, frustration and eventually buying the right skimmer for the job...Good luck with everything

[leveldrummer]

i would get the pre-drilled tank, unless your lfs guarantees the holes, and will replace the tank if he breaks it. (some wont)

substrate?? are you planning on having burrowing creatures and alot of flow? dont use crushed coral, use oolic or aragonite sized, and that will depend on your flow.

as for the skimmer, just try to find a used one, and make sure it will really crank the tank, especially if your gonna stock it heavy. maybe a coralife super skimmer 220? mrc mr2? euroreef? lots of good ones to pick from, just gotta find one for the price you want.

for an extra 200 or so bucks, you can get a nice used 2x250w MH setup!! might as well go with a full blown 120 reef!

[zxcv123]

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

i would get the pre-drilled tank, unless your lfs guarantees the holes, and will replace the tank if he breaks it. (some wont)

substrate?? are you planning on having burrowing creatures and alot of flow? dont use crushed coral, use oolic or aragonite sized, and that will depend on your flow.

as for the skimmer, just try to find a used one, and make sure it will really crank the tank, especially if your gonna stock it heavy. maybe a coralife super skimmer 220? mrc mr2? euroreef? lots of good ones to pick from, just gotta find one for the price you want.

for an extra 200 or so bucks, you can get a nice used 2x250w MH setup!! might as well go with a full blown 120 reef!

I was thinking about the corallife super skimmer 220. How did you like your super skimmer? Flow will be medium.
Ill start looking on ebay for deals on base rock and a skimmer.
For now it will be a fish only, with the included light, but I will probably upgrade it to reef in the future

[leveldrummer]

oolic is very very fine soft sand, and the other stuff is a little heavier, now that i think about it, avoid the oolic, if you get an eel or triggers even can dig and create one heck of a mess with sand clouds.

i liked my super skimmer, for the money i dont think you can beat it, but for just a little but more money, you can beat it easily, (does that make sense?)

[zxcv123]

Originally Posted by leveldrummer

oolic is very very fine soft sand, and the other stuff is a little heavier, now that i think about it, avoid the oolic, if you get an eel or triggers even can dig and create one heck of a mess with sand clouds.

i liked my super skimmer, for the money i dont think you can beat it, but for just a little but more money, you can beat it easily, (does that make sense?)

Im gonna check and see what I can get used on ebay in terms of MRC, PM, or asm. The super skimmer is very likely though, ,
I think I can afford close to 80 lbs of rock, and the rest I can use base rock.
For flow there will be the return (how many GPH of return, what Pump?) and maybe two seos, one on each side of the tank. And posssibly a spraybar behind the rock work fed by two maxi jet 1200
How deep of a sand bed, of medium grane (not suger fine) would be reccommeded for bioligial filtration?
Thanks alot for your help andy or anyone

The tank is probably going to be a pre drilled AGA 100 long, I think they are about 300.00 w/o the stand

[zxcv123]

All-Glass AGA brand 125 gal aquarium-black 72x18x22
this is what I want...... Non drilled it is 300.00 for tank ony with hood and light.
If I can trust the LFS, Ill have him drill 2 1" holes for elbow style overflows which will cost 40$

[zxcv123]

Im thinking of a HOT CLS with a Sequence Reeflo Dart 3400 GPH.
Too much for a 120 gallon tank?

How much flow through the sump which will have heater and skimmer. What return pump?

[zxcv123]

hows this skimmer? its about the best i can afford, up to 125 gallons
http://cgi.ebay.com/RPS-1000-Recircu...QQcmdZViewItem

[zxcv123]

or http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...lus.asp?CartId=

[leveldrummer]

you can do better for 200$, look for a mr2. i got mine used for about 250, you can find a mr1 with pump for 200 im sure. check around.

[zxcv123]

what about the kent nautulus>

[zxcv123]

HOw much flow thru the sump? what return>
Wil lthe sequence reeflo 3400 be to much in a CLS ?

[zxcv123]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.hellolights.com/asmg2prsk.html
w/ pump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leveldrummer]

well, there is your skimmer!

flow through sump? tough call, some prefer slow, some like it fast. i like to get it close to what the overflows can handle. im running a genx pcx 55 down 2-1" drains. im sure you can run a mag-7 or 9 and be just fine. just find the biggest pump for your budget.