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A few questions....

2K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  percman 
#1 ·
Hello Fellow reeftankers,
First let me begin by saying that the information everyone has given me on this board is extremely helpful. Thank you. I just recieved in the mail this weekend Fenner's "the conscientous marine aquarist" This book was worth every penny,to me, a true beginner to the hobby.
I am undergraduate Biology major, and not surprisingly, I don't have a hugh chunk of cash to invest in a system. So I am trying to cut a few corners without jeopardizing the systems integrity to much. I am hoping to purchase a 70 gallon tank within a few weeks. I wanted to know if there are any "Do-it-Yourself" project guides for creating a stand strong enough to hold a 70 gallon tank. Also, I do have a descent base in electrical work and are hoping to construct my lighting for the tank as well. I was thinking about two VHO flourescents and two 175 watt Metal Halides both with ballasts, seperate circuits on timers and possibly a dimmer. I was wondering if anyone has attempted this and could give me advice on a possible procedure? Where I could get these materials for the least price (online, homedepot, etc.)
*** If anyone in the Long Island, NY area has a 70 gallon tank or bigger that they would like to sell, please email me at UnseenTric@aol.com ***
 
#3 ·
Hi Cephalopoda,
Fenner's book is great, isn't it?

I don't know the dimensions of a 70 gal., but a 75 is a really good size for a reef; especially a first.
You might consider 250w metal halides instead of 175's. There are more bulb choices and not much difference in price. 175's with VHO would give you a nice light setup. A chiller may not be necessary if you design your hood to keep your lights well above the tank; use fans in the hood; and design in some ventilation. The trend is for water temps that more closely resemble natural reefs, with 80-82 fairly common. A few years ago, some "experts" recommended 75-77 degrees and this temp was hard to hold with high intensity lighting.

Here are some sites with DIY info that will help: http://ozreef.org/diy/index.html http://www.northernreef.org/DIY.htm http://www.angelfire.com/ab/rayjay/index.html
And our own Bill-e's: http://cereal.mv.com/reef
HTH,
Dick


[ 05-08-2001: Message edited by: FishDaddy ]
 
#4 ·
no chiller will be required just allow for air to escape and one suggestion is to get one of those auto heaters so it shuts off once it gets to 81 degrees that way you never have to set it just plug it in and it shuts off by itself once it gets up to the designated temp. thats what i have and im very pleased w/ it but if it has a mesh on the outside be very careful when cleaning it because you can, much like me, rub off the mesh and it will allow a little more heat to go up to about 82 or 83. another way to keep heat down is place the lights higher above the tank.
good luck w/ the stand.
percman
 
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