Would this make any sense?

elliottb · 03-28-2008, 07:56 PM

Let me start by telling you something about my tanks. Some of you may or may not know that I have a 135g system, a 55dt wiht 20g sump looped into a 40g breeder seagrass tank with a 5.5" DSB and a 20g long frag tank.

I may be moving. IF, I do move, would it make any sense to just go out and buy a 135g tank and have all the tanks "in one" So half the 135 would be a seagrass tank and the other half would be normal reef. Would this make any sense to do?

OR......I have another option.

Keep all the tanks I have now, but instead of having a 20g sump for my 55, get a large rubbermaid kind of container and use that as a sump. IF I did end up doing this, I would only do a weekly 5-10g water change, even though it may be a 150+g system. I figure with my seagrass tank going, and 21 mangrove plants along with a large chunk of cheato, that is more than enough to support my 55g reef with only 3 fish. Does this make any sense?

Out of these 2 options, which one seems like the best idea?

the thing is, is that I would like to condense the tank withough having to buy a whole lot more equipment or rock or sand or anything.

I like the idea of a 135g "all in one" tank with maybe a 40g breeder or 55g sump.

What is everyones opinion?

elliottb · 03-30-2008, 11:14 AM

bump....

Chris3859 · 03-30-2008, 11:17 AM

Weeellllll beyond my level of newbie-ness....anyone?

framerguy · 03-30-2008, 11:33 AM

I'm not a fan of the all in one system. The multiple tank system is much more effective and stable IMO because things that can't co-exist can still be housed in the same system (for instance pods and the things that eat them, algaes and the things that eat it). You want to create an area for algae to grow so it doesn't take over the DT. So, I like the second option, and if you have the room you could add another tank to house other stuff, with one having mind blowing flow for SPS and the other having gentle flow for softies and such.

elliottb · 03-30-2008, 11:48 AM

For me though, going through college I dont really have a lot of money to spend on fish etc. I have already spent thousands and dont want to keep spending more and more.

IF I do end up moving I want to keep the cost to a minimum. I would look for a used 100+ and then turn my 55 or 40 into a sump. I wouldnt have a protein skimmer because of all the algae and seagrass and mangroves. I only have 3 fish right now. a Yellow tang, engineer goby and clown. If I do end up gettign a larger tank, that means more expensive lighting too.

I also do not want to get any more LR. I have about 110lbs right now. Ideally I will get rid of my tang. That will mean I wont have any algae eating fish, so my seagrass should be fine in the dt. If things start to grow out of control, that would be very good because then I could sell it back to the lfs for some money! If I did end up getting a larger tank, I would not have a frag tank. I would be able to sell a lot of my equpiment and be able to pay for the lighting with that.

See where I'm coming from?

I am basically trying to upgrade without using much money at all.

elliottb · 03-30-2008, 11:50 AM

Oh, and I forgot to add. If I do end up getting a larger tank it will be in wall

At least if I can convince my parents!

rlcline76 · 03-30-2008, 11:54 AM

I remember the last time you got the parents in on your hobby and you gained and lost the fish room within a few weeks!

framerguy · 03-30-2008, 11:55 AM

I see where you are coming from, believe me! The rubbermaid sump is an inexpensive addition. I'd still keep the multi-tank system you have now though, it really is better than a single tank system.

In wall ROCKS! That's the way mine is and I love it.

elliottb · 03-30-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlcline76

I remember the last time you got the parents in on your hobby and you gained and lost the fish room within a few weeks!

Yeah, but we did some compromising and I was able to get a section in the landry room as my "fish room"

elliottb · 03-30-2008, 12:01 PM

Alright, so this is what I am thinking.....

75g/90g dt, 55g sump, 40g seagrass tank.

With a 75 or 90, I would be able to use the same lighting I have now.

This all depends on hjow cheap I can get a used tank. Maybe I can even find a larger system with everything needed, lights, pumps etc...?

03-28-2008, 07:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
elliottb Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: nj Posts: 361 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Would this make any sense? Let me start by telling you something about my tanks. Some of you may or may not know that I have a 135g system, a 55dt wiht 20g sump looped into a 40g breeder seagrass tank with a 5.5" DSB and a 20g long frag tank. I may be moving. IF, I do move, would it make any sense to just go out and buy a 135g tank and have all the tanks "in one" So half the 135 would be a seagrass tank and the other half would be normal reef. Would this make any sense to do? OR......I have another option. Keep all the tanks I have now, but instead of having a 20g sump for my 55, get a large rubbermaid kind of container and use that as a sump. IF I did end up doing this, I would only do a weekly 5-10g water change, even though it may be a 150+g system. I figure with my seagrass tank going, and 21 mangrove plants along with a large chunk of cheato, that is more than enough to support my 55g reef with only 3 fish. Does this make any sense? Out of these 2 options, which one seems like the best idea? the thing is, is that I would like to condense the tank withough having to buy a whole lot more equipment or rock or sand or anything. I like the idea of a 135g "all in one" tank with maybe a 40g breeder or 55g sump. What is everyones opinion? __________________ save a reef, frag a coral Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. -someone- Anyone want to move? My tanks come with the home.... http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/18E85

03-30-2008, 11:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
elliottb Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: nj Posts: 361 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would this make any sense? bump.... __________________ save a reef, frag a coral Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. -someone- Anyone want to move? My tanks come with the home.... http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/18E85

03-30-2008, 11:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
Chris3859 Ricordea Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 194 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would this make any sense? Weeellllll beyond my level of newbie-ness....anyone? __________________ Chris Tanks stats: 1)Big 2)Expensive 3)Time Consuming Just got my Discover bill--> "There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines...Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion." -Unknown

03-30-2008, 11:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
framerguy Tridacna maxima Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Clarkesville, Ga Posts: 4,994 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would this make any sense? I'm not a fan of the all in one system. The multiple tank system is much more effective and stable IMO because things that can't co-exist can still be housed in the same system (for instance pods and the things that eat them, algaes and the things that eat it). You want to create an area for algae to grow so it doesn't take over the DT. So, I like the second option, and if you have the room you could add another tank to house other stuff, with one having mind blowing flow for SPS and the other having gentle flow for softies and such. __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) 375gDT built in wall, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, Aqua C EV-400 skimmer etc, etc, etc... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...areum-too.html

03-30-2008, 11:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
elliottb Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: nj Posts: 361 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would this make any sense? For me though, going through college I dont really have a lot of money to spend on fish etc. I have already spent thousands and dont want to keep spending more and more. IF I do end up moving I want to keep the cost to a minimum. I would look for a used 100+ and then turn my 55 or 40 into a sump. I wouldnt have a protein skimmer because of all the algae and seagrass and mangroves. I only have 3 fish right now. a Yellow tang, engineer goby and clown. If I do end up gettign a larger tank, that means more expensive lighting too. I also do not want to get any more LR. I have about 110lbs right now. Ideally I will get rid of my tang. That will mean I wont have any algae eating fish, so my seagrass should be fine in the dt. If things start to grow out of control, that would be very good because then I could sell it back to the lfs for some money! If I did end up getting a larger tank, I would not have a frag tank. I would be able to sell a lot of my equpiment and be able to pay for the lighting with that. See where I'm coming from? I am basically trying to upgrade without using much money at all. __________________ save a reef, frag a coral Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. -someone- Anyone want to move? My tanks come with the home.... http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/18E85

03-30-2008, 11:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
elliottb Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: nj Posts: 361 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would this make any sense? Oh, and I forgot to add. If I do end up getting a larger tank it will be in wall At least if I can convince my parents! __________________ save a reef, frag a coral Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. -someone- Anyone want to move? My tanks come with the home.... http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/18E85

03-30-2008, 11:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
rlcline76 Manta Ray Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Would this make any sense? I remember the last time you got the parents in on your hobby and you gained and lost the fish room within a few weeks!

03-30-2008, 11:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
framerguy Tridacna maxima Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Clarkesville, Ga Posts: 4,994 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would this make any sense? I see where you are coming from, believe me! The rubbermaid sump is an inexpensive addition. I'd still keep the multi-tank system you have now though, it really is better than a single tank system. In wall ROCKS! That's the way mine is and I love it. __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) 375gDT built in wall, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, Aqua C EV-400 skimmer etc, etc, etc... http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...areum-too.html

03-30-2008, 12:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
elliottb Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: nj Posts: 361 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Would this make any sense? Alright, so this is what I am thinking..... 75g/90g dt, 55g sump, 40g seagrass tank. With a 75 or 90, I would be able to use the same lighting I have now. This all depends on hjow cheap I can get a used tank. Maybe I can even find a larger system with everything needed, lights, pumps etc...? __________________ save a reef, frag a coral Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. -someone- Anyone want to move? My tanks come with the home.... http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/18E85

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