Jump to content

Newbie here!

bengeeee
 Share

Recommended Posts

bengeeee Reefer

bengeeee

Hey everyone,

 

 

  I've been on the board for a few weeks now but haven't taken the opportunity to really introduce myself.  I live in Gaithersburg, MD and I've been in the saltwater hobby for about 10 years now.   To my own disappointment, I am only just now discovering this site.  I'd heard of WAMAS but never really took the time to figure out what it was all about.  I always went to RC for questions and Craigslist for used equipment.  What an idiot I was!  RC is great but I love the local nature of WAMAS. You might have seen me buying up a bunch of equipment in the for sale adds in the past few weeks.  Not only have I saved hundreds, but everything is relatively local and generally better priced than CL.  Thanks to Miggs76 for encouraging me to join here, Monkiboy for all the free and fairly priced equipment/live stock, Swimmate for the advice, and everyone else who has helped me here and there like AlanM with his Pod GB and everyone involved in the Avast GB as well as the ERC Jebao GB.  Now that I'm done with my Emmy Award Nomination like thank you speech, a little about my plans.

 

 

  I fully intend on creating a dedicated build thread but I'm not quite ready yet so here's a preemptive look.  No pictures yet, I'll save those for the build thread:

 

 

Existing installed equipment / Tanks:

 

 

FWIW I try to use Red Sea Coral Pro Salt in all my tanks.  I find it is one of the better salts that I’ve tried over the years.  It does leave some deposits in my mixing station, but I've experienced that with all the salts I've tried over the years.

 

 

1). 180 Oceanic Display dual corner overflow w/ 40g sump, Appx 200 lbs LR, UV sterilizer, ASM G3 skimmer, Reef Keeper Elite Net w/ 4 pc4s, 3 * Koralias set as wavemakers, 3 Tao Tronics LEDs, JBJ ATO, 6 Stage 75GPD TheFilterGuys Reef RODI w/ 90 gallon mixing station.  Livestock is slim right now.  1 6inch Yellow Tang, 1 6 inch Desjardini Sailfin Tang, 1 6 inch Emperor Angel Fish, and 1 5-6 inch Lunare Wrasse.  I have had SPS in this tank in the past, but lost it all to STN from the base up.  At least that's what I thought it was, I now suspect I have a single SPS eating snail that has somehow survived in my system for years.  I saw him creeping away from a single surviving piece of SPS a few hours before the lights came on the other day.  He is a fast moving snail and very elusive.  Time to set a trap or plan a late night stake out!

 

 

2). Red Sea Max 250 (65g All in one Reef Tank) w/ Appx 70 lbs LR.  This is a beautiful tank, but I have experienced a Majano explosion that has really left me frustrated.  I've tried everything from Aiptasia X, Peppermints, and kalk paste but nothing works.  These little monsters seem ten times stronger than Aiptasia.  I am now resorting to a Raccoon Butterfly which I know will do the job.  Besides several hundred majanos, here is an off the top of my head list of live stock:

 

 

watchman goby / pistol shrimp pair

 

coral beauty angel

 

Gold Stripe Maroon Clown (Female that recently lost her mate... sad story, he got his cheek spines stuck in a rock and she tried to pull him out but ripped him up in the process... I am in the market for a replacement male).

 

2 blue green chromis courtesy of Monkiboy

 

1 Strawberry basslet (love this fish)

 

harlequin starfish (8 years and still kicking)

 

Misc red/blue/black and white leg hermits

 

assorted snails

 

Kenya Trees

 

probably forgetting something...

 

 

The tank itself will likely be for sale once I get rid of the majanos and it is in order.  PM if interested.

 

 

3). 46 Gallon Bowfront w/ 30g sump and appx 80 lbs LR (probably too much) and T5 lighting w/ nautilus skimmer and HOT magnum running carbon/mechanical.  This tank was formerly my quarantine, but I found a great deal on CL a month or so ago and had to jump on it.  Tons of life on the LR.  Running it barebottom right now and will eventually return it to its former quarantine status.

 

 

Off the top of my head for live stock.  I know it's a little packed but this is only temporary:

 

 

1 blue damselfish

 

2 three stripe damselfish

 

1 large coral beauty

 

6 line wrasse that plays nice with everyone

 

mandarin goby (additional pods enroute).  Not sure about sex of specimen but it's beautiful and looks fat after a month in my system

 

2 Turbos that love to knock over my corals

 

Several types of SPS i.e. stylopora sp?, montipora encrusting/plating, birdsnest, 

 

Nice RBTA again courtesy of Monkiboy

 

Beautiful Tyree Toadstool courtesy of Miggs76

 

assorted other snails/hermits

 

Tons of sponges and encrusting SPS

 

Probably some things I'm forgetting

 

 

 

I know many of you can relate, but working multiple jobs and attending school full time for the past 10 years hasn’t left nearly enough time or funds to support my reefing addiction.  Well I’ve finally completed my degree and am somewhat settled in with work, so It’s time to get serious again and proceed with a new In wall build.

 

 

I plan to install a 90 – 150 gallon aquarium in a wall in my basement.  I’d like to also install a small bar beneath it for aesthetics and general viewing / socializing with friends and family.  I plan to link the 180, new tank, a 40 gallon breeder, and 2 20 gallon tanks as well.  The wall I’m installing in has a closet behind it, so I’ll be prepping this for the install over the next few weeks.

 

 

So far I have all the tanks either up and running or ready to install except for the in wall display.  I recently aquired a 150g Rubbermaid stock tank which I intend to use as a centralized sump.  I may keep a seperate frag tank isolated from this build If I decide to have one.  I have the additional equipment ready to go, being picked up at the Avast / ERC GB on the 5th, or in the mail:

 

 

2 XR30W Radion Pro LEDs.  1 arrived yesterday and the other is in the mail.  Monkiboy is trying to talk me into selling these and going with Evergrows.  Thoughts?

 

1 ASM G4X skimmer w/ Sedra 9000 pump.  I plan to do the impeller mod and additionally feed it with a biopellet and GFO reactor.

 

4 BRS Dosing Pumps with BRS 2 part (Plus mag).  The extra peristaltic pump will be a backup I guess.

 

Avast Swabi

 

Avast dosing barrels * 3

 

Avast RKE enabled Skimmate locker

 

Avast GFO, Carbon, and Biopellet Reactors

 

150 lbs BRS Pukani Dry LR

 

100 lbs mixed LR that has been regularly fed and cycling in a rubbermaid for a few months now

 

A lot I’m probably forgetting…

 

 

 

What I still need to purchase:

 

 

Display tank.  Not set on dimensions, but approximately 48 – 60 inches L, 24 – 36 inches high, and 16 – 24 inches deep.  Preferably Star Fire or Acrylic.  Thoughts?

 

 

Lumber for stand, bar, and trim for the wall.

 

Schedule 80 plumbing.  I prefer black so I’ll probably order everything from BRS.  Anyone know of a local supplier of black schedule 80?  I’ll need gate valves, ball valves, one way valves, and everything else associated with a build like this.  Because I will be interlinking so many tanks, I’ll need a lot and ordering off BRS makes it difficult since I can’t do it in person or just run out if I forget a piece.

 

 

Return pumps.  Still not sure if I want external or internal pumps.  I’ll have to give this a lot of thought.  Any advice on pros and cons of external/internal return pumps would be helpful.

 

 

Possibly a genesis systems ATO/ Water Changer with RocV if funds allow

 

 

Maybe a Robo snail because I’m lazy and love nerdy gadgets

 

 

Anything else that will help me automate as much as possible

 

 

Jebao pumps (hopefully ordered shortly through the GB)

 

 

Mesh netting as I'd like to keep some jumpers like jawfish

 

 

What I’ll need guidance on:

 

 

Anything you've read that might be an issue, but definitely plumbing, Rubbermaid sump setup, reactor (plumbing and pump selection), stand build, and skimmer setup.  I plan on doing a genesis renew auto water change/ato system when I have the funds and everything is up and running, and will probably need advice on that.  Aquascaping is also something I am terrible at.  I’ve bought all the parts to create an artificial / combined LR rockwall (i.e. egg crate, magnets, and foam), but I’ll have to do more research and or get help here before I start that project.  I may even nix it if I like the rear black and LR aquascaping I end up with.  I’ll also take advice on stocking.

 

 

Sorry for the long read, but I’m hoping that this can be transferred to the Dedicated Tank Build section once I’m up and running.  Thanks for everyone’s help so far, and all the future guidance.  I’ll be taking the build slow, but am excited to get this started, and meet more local reefers!  Looking forward to Oct 5th at the Avast ERC meet!

 

 

Ben

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
monkiboy Oracle Reefer

monkiboy

ben! so glad you were able to post up an intro thread, an official welcome, haha!

 

 

2 XR30W Radion Pro LEDs.  1 arrived yesterday and the other is in the mail.  Monkiboy is trying to talk me into selling these and going with Evergrows.  Thoughts?

it's just so much money to buy new even with their temporary deal @ $150 off now. there is a guy on R2R selling them at $685 that i think i pm'd you about but not sure as it was from my phone (http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/selling-forum-dry-goods/133233-fs-ecotech-radion-pros.html) but i see that you did buy them already and perhaps you can spend that money much somewhere else. but like i tell some folks that ask me about lights, if you have your heart set on the AIs, radions, whatever light it is, then you should likely go with it because that is the only light that will really make them happy.

 

nonetheless, awesome meeting you and i know once you get your build thread up it will be epic. this will be a great build to follow!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AlanM Oracle Reefer

AlanM

I had my doubts about the d120s, because they are so cheap, but they really perform well and, I'm sad to admit that the tanks I have seen under them look better than my carefully designed DIY fixture that I probable spent almost a grand on all told.

 

I have also seen one tank under the Maxspect Razor and thought it looked really amazing as well.

 

Now come get these pods I have sitting in bags for you before they all escape. I pmd my address.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bengeeee Reefer

bengeeee

  • Author

Thanks everyone for the welcome, and for reading my long intro.  Looking back on that I'm surprised anyone got past the first paragraph lol.  Btw I meant the Avast QR meet not ERC.  Hopefully I remember that and don't drive to the wrong store lol.

 

 

 

ben! so glad you were able to post up an intro thread, an official welcome, haha!

 

 

it's just so much money to buy new even with their temporary deal @ $150 off now. there is a guy on R2R selling them at $685 that i think i pm'd you about but not sure as it was from my phone (http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/selling-forum-dry-goods/133233-fs-ecotech-radion-pros.html) but i see that you did buy them already and perhaps you can spend that money much somewhere else. but like i tell some folks that ask me about lights, if you have your heart set on the AIs, radions, whatever light it is, then you should likely go with it because that is the only light that will really make them happy.

 

nonetheless, awesome meeting you and i know once you get your build thread up it will be epic. this will be a great build to follow!

 

Thanks Marcos.  Of course I bought my lights for around 775 each shipped a few days before they dropped the price ...  that's annoying!  I guess I lost 50 over all already seeing as how you can probably get them shipped free when you spend 1500 on two lights lol.  I'm going to give that for sale add you posted some thought as I may want another one.  I saw the radion pros on Miggs76's tank and fell in love with them but I am open to other lights as well.  Fortunately, even if I keep these I have lots of other tanks to light so I'm going to seriously consider the evergrows.  I saw one on Alans fuge and it looked great.  Very similar if not the same exterior as my Tao Tronics lights.  Makes me wonder if Tao Tronics and Ever grow might somehow be connected or at least use the same housings.

 

I had my doubts about the d120s, because they are so cheap, but they really perform well and, I'm sad to admit that the tanks I have seen under them look better than my carefully designed DIY fixture that I probable spent almost a grand on all told.

I have also seen one tank under the Maxspect Razor and thought it looked really amazing as well.

Now come get these pods I have sitting in bags for you before they all escape. I pmd my address.

 

Yeah I agree that light looked great.  Cool that you can customize the led color as well.  Pods are in the tank and doing great.  Thanks again for the chaeto as well. 

 

Ben

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bengeeee Reefer

bengeeee

  • Author

Welcome,AND i love aquascaping. ;)

Also do drywall and remodeling , keep me posted if you ever need help or anythin'

 

Thanks I definitely will.  Any thoughts on incorporating a bar into it?  I was thinking of a simple but clean cherry, oak, or koa bar that extends a foot or so from the wall.  I'm fine with the bar being level with the tank (so I can maybe incorporate the bar top into the tank top).  I'd prefer not to have supports underneath but if I can make it look clean I wouldn't be too opposed to it.  The wall I have to install on is about 7 feet long.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
YHSublime Neptune Reefer

YHSublime

If you want to see a 6' tank under evergrows, you're welcome to stop by. IMO you can't beat the price for what you get.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bengeeee Reefer

bengeeee

  • Author
(edited)

I might take you up on that if I'm ever out your way thanks.

If you want to see a 6' tank under evergrows, you're welcome to stop by. IMO you can't beat the price for what you get.

Edited by bengeeee
Link to comment
Share on other sites
TheyCallMeMr.703 Grandmaster Reefer

TheyCallMeMr.703

Thanks I definitely will.  Any thoughts on incorporating a bar into it?  I was thinking of a simple but clean cherry, oak, or koa bar that extends a foot or so from the wall.  I'm fine with the bar being level with the tank (so I can maybe incorporate the bar top into the tank top).  I'd prefer not to have supports underneath but if I can make it look clean I wouldn't be too opposed to it.  The wall I have to install on is about 7 feet long.

Take pic.s, and Post if possible,  Very easy to do this. I started one, but had to leave the state before I could see it filled :( But Turned out great, saw pic's.

 It all depends on what you want, and what you got to work with... But Anything is possible. :)  But my thoughts on that other then this.... DO IT.lol

 That's be the Best bar ever... and Yeha', Nice Warm Woods.... Maybe even 2 diff' for a Contrast, Looks nice if done correctly. .lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...