BigFisher
02/26/2008, 07:30 PM
Hello all,
I have a 11 x 16 foot room my wife has agreed to let me use solely for my aquarium addiction. On the other side of one of the walls, I have a nice 14 x 10 area I can use as well so space is absolutely no issue for me.
My ultimate goal is to build a propagation system where I can sell/trade to keep hobby expenses down and just have some fun.
I killed enough fish (RIP) in my FOWLR system to know that I have to take my time so my first goal is to setup a sump that can handle a good load that I can grow into for awhile.
Local livestock stores have these huge rubbermaid tubs so I'm thinking about starting with a 110g tub since I don't have to hide anything. To facilitate a DSB and refugium, I was considering just putting in another storage tub (maybe 20 gallons) and filling it with live sand or crushed coral. (I could care less about the looks of the sump - emphasis is on quality and mitigation of flooding) People seem to prefer live sand but I have 100lb crushed coral already -- is there a huge difference? My plan was to just poke holes above the DSB line in the small tub to allow for good water flow. I already have about 85lbs of LR as well. As far as protein skimmers go, I feel confident about purchasing the ASM G-4X (rated 450 gal). After that, what other pieces of equipment would you recommend (monitoring devices, calcium reactor?, UV sterlizer, ozonizer?). I know - to answer that, you need to know more about what I want to do.
So. I would like to start with one tank where I could frag and grow coral to be traded and sold to cover expenses while I learn. I have not had a lot of luck finding anyone local with a good 100+ shallow gallon tub so at the top of my list right now is a 3' x 3' coral tank from glasscages or maybe a custom glasscages tank so I can make it wider. I like how they let you customize exactly what you want and they will ship close to me. The goal is to start fragging and growing so I can learn hands on.... the big investment will be in the sump and its related equipment. If I enjoy the frag work as much as I think I will, I will want to slowly add more tanks to the system. No rush. Would rather take my time.
Any feedback is welcome. If I am way off with anything, please let me know. I try to read as much as I can on here but it is overwhelming. I thought I was ready to start buying the equipment but even as I re-read my own post - I know I'm very green.
I have a 11 x 16 foot room my wife has agreed to let me use solely for my aquarium addiction. On the other side of one of the walls, I have a nice 14 x 10 area I can use as well so space is absolutely no issue for me.
My ultimate goal is to build a propagation system where I can sell/trade to keep hobby expenses down and just have some fun.
I killed enough fish (RIP) in my FOWLR system to know that I have to take my time so my first goal is to setup a sump that can handle a good load that I can grow into for awhile.
Local livestock stores have these huge rubbermaid tubs so I'm thinking about starting with a 110g tub since I don't have to hide anything. To facilitate a DSB and refugium, I was considering just putting in another storage tub (maybe 20 gallons) and filling it with live sand or crushed coral. (I could care less about the looks of the sump - emphasis is on quality and mitigation of flooding) People seem to prefer live sand but I have 100lb crushed coral already -- is there a huge difference? My plan was to just poke holes above the DSB line in the small tub to allow for good water flow. I already have about 85lbs of LR as well. As far as protein skimmers go, I feel confident about purchasing the ASM G-4X (rated 450 gal). After that, what other pieces of equipment would you recommend (monitoring devices, calcium reactor?, UV sterlizer, ozonizer?). I know - to answer that, you need to know more about what I want to do.
So. I would like to start with one tank where I could frag and grow coral to be traded and sold to cover expenses while I learn. I have not had a lot of luck finding anyone local with a good 100+ shallow gallon tub so at the top of my list right now is a 3' x 3' coral tank from glasscages or maybe a custom glasscages tank so I can make it wider. I like how they let you customize exactly what you want and they will ship close to me. The goal is to start fragging and growing so I can learn hands on.... the big investment will be in the sump and its related equipment. If I enjoy the frag work as much as I think I will, I will want to slowly add more tanks to the system. No rush. Would rather take my time.
Any feedback is welcome. If I am way off with anything, please let me know. I try to read as much as I can on here but it is overwhelming. I thought I was ready to start buying the equipment but even as I re-read my own post - I know I'm very green.