the start of a build thread....... hopefully

MJaquariums · 01-08-2008, 09:37 PM

okay time to get started

. im so excited to get going. Im going for a 55gal FOWLER with a 20 gal. sump to begain with then hopefully upgrade to a reeftank later on. Thats the genneral idea.

But anyway on to the goods both the tank and the sump will be glass. Im getting the tank from a friend who dosnt want it anymore. It is a freshwater aquarium. My first big problem is transporing that to my house and also finding out what to do with the livestock he has. I also need to figure out what to do with the livestock i have in my 20gal that will become the sump. Any suggestions?? Well thats all for now hopefully i will get pictures up once i get the tank.

DarthOcellaris · 01-08-2008, 09:43 PM

Congrats

this should be fun

I'd simply take the FW fish to the LFS for credit and BE SURE TO RINSE THAT TANK OUT WELL AND CLEAN WITH VINEGAR.

You using a hang on overflow or is it drilled?

DarthOcellaris · 01-08-2008, 09:44 PM

Dont forget the pics

MJaquariums · 01-08-2008, 09:48 PM

oh ya i'll be using a hang on overflow.
I didn't know you could take fish to the LFS for credit that will be helpful.
Hopefully ill get pictures of it in a 3-10 days when i get the tank.

DarthOcellaris · 01-08-2008, 09:52 PM

Call them prior to taking the fish...I'm sure there are some shops that dont do intakes but I'm sure it's far and few between. A lot of shops will take frags from local reefers for credit. I know a guy who supplies one LFS with xenia and has nearly funded his whole hobby by doing this

Loverotties · 01-08-2008, 11:19 PM

Good Luck with your build!

DaveTheReefGeek · 01-08-2008, 11:26 PM

Congrats on the decision to build!!
I will be here (tagging along) for the ride.

MJaquariums · 01-09-2008, 05:56 PM

does anybody have any suggestions for lighting??? I'm going to hopefully put coral and clams in it eventually

holyscoly · 01-09-2008, 08:35 PM

on the lighting if u want clams your going to need at least2 150 watt mh or 4 t-5s imo

luvmylo · 01-09-2008, 08:44 PM

I would do 2x175 watt se mh with reeflux 10k bulbs=)

MJaquariums · 01-09-2008, 09:09 PM

Im thinking about these lights http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...t~CU01121.html would they be okay??

DarthOcellaris · 01-09-2008, 09:14 PM

that's only 156 watts total and I dont THINK there are individual reflectors for the bulbs.

I kept my clam under 150 watts halide about 12 inches from the bulb and it did very well. If you get that low of a wattage, I'd make sure to have any clams near the surface.

Just my .02

DaveTheReefGeek · 01-09-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holyscoly

on the lighting if u want clams your going to need at least2 150 watt mh or 4 t-5s imo

If you went with 150's, you would have to keep the clams pretty hight in the display, no?

DaveTheReefGeek · 01-09-2008, 11:11 PM

Oh, nevermind...
Just saw the size of the tank. For some reason I thought I saw 90g.
150's will be fine.