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View Full Version : Extreme tank makeover!


Antwan620
09/23/2010, 07:05 AM
Just like the show extreme home makeover I want you guys to help me do an extreme tank makeover. I have a 150g that I have let go under since I had my first child. I stumbled across chinchais build thread here on RC and all I have to say is his tank is amazing one of the best I have ever seen. Seeing that thread made me want to redo my whole setup because I now want to get into sps. So I wanted you guys to help me get the equipment that is necessary to have a thriving sps aquarium. My equimpment list is 2 250w mh on parabolic reflectors and 4 54w t5 let reflectors, a mag 18 and a refugium nothing else. I do not really want to buy 400w mh since I already have thus 250s but I thing I should get better reflectorsfor them. So if this was your tank what else should I get ? I do not reallywant to spend more than $1000 so whith that budget in mind and if it was your own tank what else would you buy for an sps dominated aquarium ?

Uncle Salty 05
09/23/2010, 08:56 AM
I would make a protein skimmer priority one.

Antwan620
09/23/2010, 09:06 AM
I was thinking 3 koralia 5 for flow, a good skimmer (not sure which one) either a calcium reactor or doser and I'm not sure what else. what would you guys add ? I appreciate the help.

Antwan620
09/23/2010, 09:16 AM
Which skimmer would you recommend ? I was thinking between a sro3000, ati bubble master 250, Sro 3000. not sure though skimmer do you think is good ?

Uncle Salty 05
09/23/2010, 09:17 AM
Sounds like a good plan but I think the calcium reactor and or doser might put you over your budget and there are cheaper alternatives to both.

reefsurfing
09/23/2010, 09:17 AM
ATI powercone 200!

Antwan620
09/23/2010, 09:39 AM
Samething I was thinking. So what would be a good alternative for those 2 ? I'll look into the ATI powercone 200. thanks

Uncle Salty 05
09/23/2010, 09:49 AM
I made an inexpensive ATO unit with a 10 gallon tank and an aqualifter pump on a timer to drip Kalkwasser daily to replace evaporation.
It works very well for me.

Antwan620
09/23/2010, 10:19 AM
I made an inexpensive ATO unit with a 10 gallon tank and an aqualifter pump on a timer to drip Kalkwasser daily to replace evaporation.
It works very well for me.

Thanks I'm going to try that.

108reefer
09/23/2010, 10:57 AM
I am building the same kind of ATO uncle salty, Anwan620 - skimmer, skimmer, skimmer! If you don't have the big power budget, keep looking here for deals on someone's well cared for used skimmer - they are the of the upmost importance. you can make your own 2 part and hand dose until you replenish your bank account for the other things you will need. A lot will depend on your diligence with keeping up on alk, ca, and ph - 3 key things to good sps care. You don't need a cyclone in your tank with 3 #5's either. Look into something like a sea swirl for some great random flow from your return pump, I had one for several years with great success. I ended up with a major remodel myself and included a close loop system. One more thing, buy good quality salt mix, or make sure you buffer the cheaper stuff... Good luck, and keep us posted!

Antwan620
09/23/2010, 04:19 PM
thanks 108reefer, what do you guys recommend as a skimmer ? also should I stick with my mh parabolic reflector or should I look into upgrading that too ? the thing about the sea swirl is I have to buy an extra pump to run it, so wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a couple of koralias ? I said 5 just as a thought wasn't set on getting those. I can not find anything being sold I guess it is because I haven't been a member to RC for that long yet. Last thing I saw chinchai use miracle mud in his fuge, is it better to use that than sand ? thanks

Antwan620
09/24/2010, 05:46 AM
come on guys help me build a purchase list, If you were redoing your tank what would you get aside from what I already have. Be specific on what else to get. thanks

Antwan620
09/24/2010, 08:53 AM
At bigalsonline websiite I found the koralia evolution 1050 for $35.99 would 2 of those give me enough water movement ?

Uncle Salty 05
09/24/2010, 09:08 AM
At bigalsonline websiite I found the koralia evolution 1050 for $35.99 would 2 of those give me enough water movement ?

I would spend the extra few bucks and get the 1400s for a 150 gal tank.

Antwan620
09/24/2010, 06:35 PM
Ok I looked and they are $10 more for each, so would it be better to get 2 1400 or 3 1050 ?

Antwan620
09/24/2010, 06:42 PM
I think I am settled into spending no more than $500 for a skimmer so what is the best skimmer I can get for the money for my tank ?

Uncle Salty 05
09/27/2010, 06:13 AM
Ok I looked and they are $10 more for each, so would it be better to get 2 1400 or 3 1050 ?

That depends on the kind of flow pattern you are looking for. A matter of personal preference.

108reefer
09/27/2010, 06:27 AM
I would look into a used cone skimmer with a really good pump... I have seen a few great skimmers on here for sale - keep hunting!

Antwan620
09/27/2010, 04:54 PM
think I am going to do 3 1050's so I can have flow from all angles. Yea I have limited my skimmers to
Hurricone CAT-1 Internal Protein Skimmer
Reef Octopus Extreme XS
Super Reef Octopus 2000 Internal Protein Skimmer
Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 Internal Protein Skimmer
Bubble Magus BM-180-CS
Which one would you guys pick ?

badwrasse
09/27/2010, 05:01 PM
think I am going to do 3 1050's so I can have flow from all angles. Yea I have limited my skimmers to
Hurricone CAT-1 Internal Protein Skimmer
Reef Octopus Extreme XS
Super Reef Octopus 2000 Internal Protein Skimmer
Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 Internal Protein Skimmer
Bubble Magus BM-180-CS
Which one would you guys pick ?

badwrasse
09/27/2010, 05:10 PM
i'm looking at buying a new skimmer in that price range myself, and the same skimmers you list were also on my list, but im starting to rule out octpus (already own one) and bubble magnus. did you check into the powercone yet? what about skimz? i'm thinking on these two myself. look at power consumption, the pump it comes with, and air draw if they can't tell you the air draw its because they don't know, or dont want you to know, either way wouldn't get that skimmer if i didnt know what it could do.

sorry about the dubble post not sure how that happend

Antwan620
09/27/2010, 05:39 PM
If you go to reefspecialty website they give all that information. I have not heard of those skimmers but going to read up on them thanks .

badwrasse
09/27/2010, 07:24 PM
just an fyi, Im not ruling octo & BM out because of the lack of info Im ruling them out because ATI and skimz make very good skimmers and are better quality for not much more money ($60-$100) and still in the $500 price cap

Antwan620
09/28/2010, 06:29 PM
I looked at the ati and it is not available as of now and the skimz looks coool but I think I am settled in on the super reef octopus xp-2000. let me know which one you decide on.

badwrasse
09/28/2010, 10:31 PM
ya the ATI will be available in a few weeks im going to pass on the xp2000 i think there is better out there. i have an octo now and just not that impressed the skimmer i have is rated for 150 gal. with a low load,(which i have). my tank is a 90gal with low load and it takes a week or more to fill a cup and nitrates are had to keep low. skimmer is an eentry level skimmer but it doest even come close to what they say its rated for. they do have grate customer service though. people like them because befor they bought there octo they were probably sporting a real crapy skimmer like a super skimmer or something, so compared to that they are good skimmers

Antwan620
09/29/2010, 05:41 AM
So which one are you leaning towards ?

Antwan620
10/03/2010, 07:47 PM
I am now looking for some dry rock, what would be the best place to buy dry rock ? other than BRS.

tpenn187
10/03/2010, 08:52 PM
Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 Internal Protein Skimmer

i am a huge fan of the build quality and pump. you cant beat the value of sro.