| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
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01-07-2008, 04:51 PM
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#1
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squid
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1
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Start up questions....
Hello all,
New to the site, but really excited to get back into reefing. I have been out of it a couple years and I am sure many philosophy's and opinions have changed in that time. I am looking to set up something around a 50 Breeder, with a couple of VHO's and a Metal Halide (nothing too big, 175 I was thinking). If anyone has any opinions on the best and most economical setup for such a set up I am all ears.
Also, I do not yet have the stand, tank or canopy (if I do get one), so if anyone has something close available please let me know.
Thanks for all your thoughts and please pray for me, I am sure I will need it.
Mike
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01-07-2008, 06:48 PM
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#2
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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Welcome to TRT!!
another localish person!! 
hmm, economical and reef tend to not go together.  the best thing to do is figure out what you want to keep and then we can work from there what lights might be needed.
as far as the basics all you need is a tank, skimmer, and LR. lighting if you want corals. that is it. some new propeller driven power heads will prolly be needed for extra flow.
G~
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Think Tanker
Friends Don't Let Friends Use Refugiums!
Reef Knowledge Impaired
"J" crowd member.
My Build Thread
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01-07-2008, 06:51 PM
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#3
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Shark
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,181
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welcome.
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Joe Henderson
210 aga, 24 gallon nano(built In) 60 gallon refugium with sump 
& Now 75 Reef at work
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01-07-2008, 06:53 PM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: new york city
Posts: 6,473
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welcome to trt!!
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Lions, Triggers and blennies! Oh My!
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01-07-2008, 07:34 PM
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#5
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 7,927
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Welcome to TRT! You may want to consider running T-5 bulbs instead of T-12 (VHO) in concert with the MH. The reflectors are quite a bit more effective. Looking forward to seeing more, and as Geoff asks, what are you hoping to keep?
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Me fail english? That's unpossible!
Tank thread
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01-07-2008, 07:40 PM
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#6
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Little Fishy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: san diego, ca
Posts: 220
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welcome to TRT!!! |
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01-07-2008, 09:07 PM
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#7
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Enjoy it now
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 4,087
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Welcome to trt How is it living in the John Boy and Billy hometown? |
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01-08-2008, 12:30 AM
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#8
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25,815
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Welcome to TRT!
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01-08-2008, 12:46 AM
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#9
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senior member
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Walnut Grove, SC, USA
Posts: 13,643
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Heh!
"Economical Reef"... I think that is in the dictionary as an exampe of "oxymoron"
I believe it was Larry Jackson in the late 90's at one of the MACNA events that said startup costs for a reef system were about $50 USD per gallon and maintenance was $2/gallon a month... 
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Tom <"))))>(
(TDWyatt)
Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -Plato
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01-08-2008, 07:40 AM
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#10
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 22,094
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Welcome to TRT
I remember that theory Tom, I wonder if it factors all the trial and error to get to the end result?
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When considering courage in battle, one should remember that there are 2 sides to every conflict.
The heroism of the losing side rarely gets remembered
but we were all husbands and fathers, sons and bros
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01-08-2008, 07:41 AM
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#11
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BIG SMELLY MOD
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Livingston Parish, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Posts: 16,922
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Welcome to the Reef tank!
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Vince aka VINNIE
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01-08-2008, 08:21 AM
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#12
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 7,927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdwyatt
and maintenance was $2/gallon a month... |
Cripes, I wonder how he defines maintenance? With salt, electricity, and food, I'm not even at $.50/gal a month.
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Me fail english? That's unpossible!
Tank thread
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01-08-2008, 09:21 AM
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#13
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Mommy Mod
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: down the street and around the corner from Dimples
Posts: 4,581
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crvz
Cripes, I wonder how he defines maintenance? With salt, electricity, and food, I'm not even at $.50/gal a month.
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what about ro/di filters, replacement resins ( carbon phospahte, calium media, CO2)
the power head or heater that craps out and needs to be replaced,
the carpet cleaning bill LOL
make up water
replacement bulbs
I can see it adding up to 2 bucks a gallon or so if you take all those costs and divide over a year.
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01-08-2008, 10:00 AM
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#14
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 7,927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YLChik
I can see it adding up to 2 bucks a gallon or so if you take all those costs and divide over a year.
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An interesting task, but $2 a gallon is $300 a month for me, which is incredible. $40 in electicity, $10 in salt, and then $250 for the rest? That would cover all the rest of the stuff in one month (new bulbs, RO filters, the failed heater and a pump or so).
But back to the point, Moosetache, have you checked the local clubs for a tank? There's always somebody getting out of the hobby.
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Me fail english? That's unpossible!
Tank thread
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01-08-2008, 10:02 AM
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#15
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...
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: S.FL
Posts: 190
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I think those numbers are a good estimate for someone that wants to get into the hobby and maintain right. They may be on the tad high side, but I think they are enough to scare someone off that may not have the resources to properly setup/maintain our little biotopes....
My costs per month for the 92g that I estimate All are approx. since I buy in bulk:
$50 electricity
$20 - GFO/Carbon
$10-20 - Food
$20 - 40 gal RO/DI @ home and 20gal of NSW.
$15 - replacement bulbs - about $160-$200 year
$10 - Calc/Alk
$25 - Misc spending (non livestock) - Vinegar, cleaning tools, etc...
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