[tyoung]

How often do you get "pests" wiith your liverock? I have seen a lot of threads on it, and was wondering how to prevent that. I thought that is what cureing the liverock was supposed to take care of.

[Big D]

Originally Posted by tyoung

Thanks for the Link to your build big d. I think your tank is a piece of art in progress!! Looks like you know what you are doing and it shows how much time you have put into this set-up. Do you think you can come up with drawings and send them to me? I would build that!!!

I think your aquascapeing is real cool as well. I would have to say it beats anything that I have seen thus far. I get tired of seeing just a bunch of nice lr stacked all over the place. It does alot for your tank.

Just hopeing that with time and effort, I will have something as nice as what you have built. I am sure you are proud of it!!

Thanks for the comments... This really is a hobby of live and learn combined with a ton of reading and research... That's why it's key to find a good forum like this one to hang out on and ask as many questions as possible... If you stick with it, you'll be able to build a setup that will blow mine away-I've seen them... Check out this link, this is what I'd like to venture into one day:

Link <<<---


As far as getting rid of unwanted critters in your live rock, the easiest way to do this is use some carbonated water (club soda)... Fill a 5 gal bucket about 2/3 of the way full and dunk your pieces in it one at a time, then do a fresh RO water dip for qa few minutes and then put them in your tank... The only problem with this is you will kill good things on the rock as well, but this is a good practice especially if this rock is coming out of the box straight from the ocean...


Big D

[tyoung]

WOW!! That is awesome. I hope he has a good job and loves where he lives lol. That is a tad more than I can afford to do. This 180 setup I am going to do will cost almost as much as I can afford at this time in my life. I am counting my pennies now(the ones that my wife and daughter don't spend anyhow lol) I have estimated around 10k when it is up and running. Some of the cost will be variable depending on sales and so forth. This does not include any livestock except lr and ls. This also does not include a chiller, I will more than likely go with the solaris for lighting and hope this will keep heat to a minimum. Where can I find the best prices on equipment?

[volitan_fa]

I've seen that setup all over in a few different forums. His reef is indeed amazing. I would LOVE to have that setup

[tyoung]

heck yeah, one thing for sure, just when you think you have seen it all..............lol. You can tell this guy knows his stuff. The aquascapeing with corals is simply amazing. Love to see what he can do with a few thousand gallons!!!

[tyoung]

Sitting here decideing when I am going to pick up a 55 gallon for a sump. Gonna build this first as soon as I have all the stuff to do so. Have you ever tried welding acrylic?

[Big D]

I havn't messed around with acrylic too much, I used a glass tank for mine... I'll have to dig around, there's an article on how you can make baffles removable in the case your plans or needs change and you want to redesign your sump... I used a 55gal from Wal-MArt, but you could probably find a used one for around $50... $10,000 is afwul high as far a setup, even with the LED's...


Big D

[volitan_fa]

If you look around on the internet you can find glass 55 gals for about $60 brand new, and acrylic for about $100.

[tyoung]

tank and stand-1706 (all-glass)
euroreef cs 250-998
tunze-1281
ro/di-280 (deluxe maxxica 60)
liverock-840 (315 lbs)
livesand-243 (180 lbs)
salt-60
sump-up to about 350
solaris-3433 or orbit 1300
heaters-40 (2 200w)
overflow kits-100
system pump-363 (little giant tc5.5 mdq-sc)
auto fill-175 (tunze)
calcuim adder-97(tunze)

This is just a partial list of stuff I have looked up from various sources. There will be more expense connected with testing kits, misc. cleaning supplies, lifestock, food, and what not.
I still plan on giveing the sump a try along with the stand. And I am sure I am missing a few other things as well. I am hopeing to get around the chiller, they are expensive as well. But, I have time and I am no rush to set it up. I want it done right the first time to be as maintence free and healthy as I can make it. Trying to put as much time into research as I can now to save on headaches down the road. I am thankful for all the input this forum has provided. Great place to learn.

[volitan_fa]

What size is that tank you're looking at for $1700?

[tyoung]

sorry about that, I was mistaken on the 1700, the all-glass runs about 1402 (tank and stand together) drilled with the megaflow system

[vaulter08]

And here's my favorite sump design...simple yet effective:
[/quote]

Is there somewere i can just buy this setup if i posted this right there sould be a pic above

[dalamar96]

I am sure you can get someone to build that for you, there are a few places that build custom sumps and refuges

[tyoung]

after much research and questions, I will be setting up this system in this manner:
180 gallon all-glass with megaflow
lifereef lf2 series with refugium
current outer orbit lighting with m/h and t5(would love to do the solaris if $$ will allow it)
Livesand (3" bed)
liverock(348 lbs +/- 15 lbs)
tunze wave makers and controller
ro/di from kentmarine

Let me know if I am missing something, or, perhaps, if you have a better recomendations on equipment.

One question I have right now is will the little giant main system pump rated at 1100 gph be sufficient for the flow? I was thinking of bumping this up to the next rateing.

[RyanG]

Don't forget auto-top off device of some sort. And you'll need water storage containers. Also I suggest buying an aquarium all in one controller of some sort, I have one running on my 75 Gallon and makes everything so easy!

[tyoung]

The sump will have an automatic fill for the ro/di water. What kind of controller do you recomend and what is the cost of this unit?

[Brians125]

drfosterandsmith.com has 1 for $110.49 and the controller is $99.99..........Waste of 220 buck's if you ask me...............