Should I do it?

lcstorc · 08-05-2007, 07:39 AM

Ok I have been thinking/talking aboiut upgrading my pony tank to a seahorse/jawfish tank for some time. Now I have a deal I am seriosuly considering.
My LFS has a 72g bowfront with overflow and stand for $500. Since he us also an importer I am pretty sure I can get uncured LR for a pretty good price. He has also told me he has a set of t5 lights for $150 and since I am not looking at corals for this tank that should be fine for lights and I could even throw a softie or two in there if I wanted.
I have an ASM G1X sitting in the garage so the skimmer is handled. I also have a 1/4 HP chiller that I bought to cool the reef for the ponies but plan A didn't work on that one so I could/would move it to the new tank.
I know I will need a sump (thinking a 29g for that), a return pump, sand and of course livestock.
I have also accumulated a number of Maxi-Jet power heads I could use but woud probably order a couple of either #1 or #2 Koralias for extra flow. I have a fluval 404 that I also could use but if I use it at all it would likely be just to run phosban and/or carbon.
If I do this I will be going very slowly. Probably buying the tank, LR, sand and lights and it will just sit till probably Christmas before adding livestock.
I also have the existing 24 that could be a nice qt/hospital tank. (Or move the stuff from the 20 to the 24 and make that the QT/hospital tank.)

What do you guys think? Does this sound like a good deal and/or idea? Have I missed any major equipment on my list?

Let me know what you think on this one. I am really torn. I want it so badly but is it really worth the price? It will just fit in the place I want to put it and the wall backs up to the garage so the chiller could be put in the garage easily. I know I will need misc plumbing parts but we have lots of those lying around and they are pretty cheap if I need to buy something anyway.

caitrina · 08-05-2007, 07:44 AM

She forgot to mention that the Bowfront and stand she is looking at is really nice and that I want it too.....lol....You have fun, Lynn!

lcstorc · 08-05-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caitrina

She forgot to mention that the Bowfront and stand she is looking at is really nice and that I want it too.....lol....You have fun, Lynn!

ROFL Somehow it does not suprise me you are the first response. I am sure he can/will get another for you though you really need the 150 he has just waiting for you.

Triggerjay · 08-05-2007, 07:59 AM

Two questions....:

1 - If you buy this tank, will you still be able to afford the roof that is currently over your head?
2 - If you buy this tank, will you be able to eat this month?

Im sure you answered yes to both.... so,.... what are you waiting for? go get it! Can't wait to see the pics!

Jason

lcstorc · 08-05-2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triggerjay

Two questions....:

1 - If you buy this tank, will you still be able to afford the roof that is currently over your head?
2 - If you buy this tank, will you be able to eat this month?

Im sure you answered yes to both.... so,.... what are you waiting for? go get it! Can't wait to see the pics!

Jason

Added to your questions hubby adds. Can you pay the extra on the electric bill?

The roof and food should not be a problem but I will have to cure my addiction of going to the lfs and buying large beautiful corals. I just can't afford both and the reef really is full anyway.
So can I REALLY afford it? No. Can I make it work? Yes.

As to what am I waiting for well at least till he opens at noon.

Hubby can't really say anything since he just bought himself an almost new Mustang GT. My tank will be way less that that was. (We keep our money separate. LOL so I realistically I can do whatever I want as long as I can pay for it. We'll see what happens when they open.

Anselth · 08-05-2007, 08:12 AM

Sounds good Lynn, I don't know much about ponies though. I do know that pipefish prefer sea grass beds, I think at least some sea horses do too. T5 lighting might allow you to grow some macro for them to hang out in. Although you don't see much sea grass for sale...

caitrina · 08-05-2007, 08:20 AM

Should I call him now and tell him to put it in the parking lot and wait for your arrival? lol...OF course I would be the first to respond...he he...good luck with the new tank, you got a nice tank and a good deal.

lcstorc · 08-05-2007, 08:20 AM

I know. I have never been able to find it so far. I do have several gorgonians in my existing pony tank that make great hitching posts and a couple of pieces of coral we have killed that are nice and branchy. With the rock to hide in/beind etc I should be able to come up with enough places for them to hitch. I am only thinking 4-6 ponies in the tank with 1 or 2 jawfish. Maybe a peaceful goby or blenney just to add some color. I have a yellow watchman goby that is supposed to be safe with the ponies but not so sure about the jawfish so I may well keep it just the ponies and jawfish and of course snails for cleanup.

panmanmatt · 08-05-2007, 08:21 AM

Set up sounds fantastic for what you have planned. The only word of advice I have is, do NOT use the Koralias. Their design is way too open to be used foe seahorses. We have already seen one instance where a tail got stuck into the impeller, managed to treat and save the horse, but it is not a seahorse friendly design.

lcstorc · 08-05-2007, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caitrina

Should I call him now and tell him to put it in the parking lot and wait for your arrival? lol...OF course I would be the first to respond...he he...good luck with the new tank, you got a nice tank and a good deal.

Man you are worse than me. I don't have it yet. LOL At the very least I have to take the seats out of the van to be able to transport it.
You can come up and direct if you like.

caitrina · 08-05-2007, 08:44 AM

If I hadn't made plans this morning I would have been up there....I knew I shouldn't have answered the phone....As for not having the tank yet, thats only because they aren't open, I really think you should start taking the seats out now so that when you decide to go get the thing at about noon the seats are already out and you don't have to waste your time doing that, you can spend your time on the tank and having all that fun. Ohhhhh this is so much fun....he he That tank looks real nice where you put it...lol

sasquatch · 08-05-2007, 09:06 AM

Knowledge,space and money are not issues, Lynn this is about heart, i remember how upset you were the last time over the ponies, just go into it knowing there can be losses, if you can accept that the rest is easy, you know what your doing so enjoy. Steve

DrHank · 08-05-2007, 09:07 AM

So why was it that you asked this question Lynn? Enjoy your new tank! I agree with Matt. If you're going to do pony's, go with Seio's.

lcstorc · 08-05-2007, 09:23 AM

Ok well the Koralia's are out of the picture due to good advice. I just like them so much on the reef they were the first thing that came to mind. One of the things I kind of like about this plan is that I am going to have to do some serious waiting which gives me more time to get good ideas from you all. If seios are what I need then they can get added to the list.

I am kind of forcing myself to wait by geting uncured LR. I will have no choice but to wait for livestock then.

Sas as usual you are right on the money. I get very emotional when anything in the tank dies particularly ponies. However, while I realize there is always a risk, part of the reason this plan is even being considered is a desire to "do it right". Thus giving the animals the best possible chance of living long happy lives in my home. I know one of the problems I had previously was the temp. I believe if I put the chiller on this tank alone I will be able to keep the temp low enough to slow the bacteria. Another thing I believe caused some of my problems was inferior stock to begin with so the new ponies will come from the place Panmanmatt recommends in Ft Pierce. So I believe I have adressed at least the 2 biggest problems I had previously. If anyone else sees a potential problem, please point it out. I only want to do this if I am able to provide them with a home they will be happy and healthy in.
Oh and I have already gotten a list from Matt of meds to keep on hand in case of an issue and the 24g I believe will be my hospital tank. Either that or I will get another tank for a hospital tank so it is ready if/when needed.
Thanks to all for the advice and suggestions.

Frankie · 08-05-2007, 09:30 AM

Briane has a really nice cube for sale. With that tank you can have a closed loop and not have to add any power heads. Just a thought.

08-05-2007, 07:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Should I do it? Ok I have been thinking/talking aboiut upgrading my pony tank to a seahorse/jawfish tank for some time. Now I have a deal I am seriosuly considering. My LFS has a 72g bowfront with overflow and stand for $500. Since he us also an importer I am pretty sure I can get uncured LR for a pretty good price. He has also told me he has a set of t5 lights for $150 and since I am not looking at corals for this tank that should be fine for lights and I could even throw a softie or two in there if I wanted. I have an ASM G1X sitting in the garage so the skimmer is handled. I also have a 1/4 HP chiller that I bought to cool the reef for the ponies but plan A didn't work on that one so I could/would move it to the new tank. I know I will need a sump (thinking a 29g for that), a return pump, sand and of course livestock. I have also accumulated a number of Maxi-Jet power heads I could use but woud probably order a couple of either #1 or #2 Koralias for extra flow. I have a fluval 404 that I also could use but if I use it at all it would likely be just to run phosban and/or carbon. If I do this I will be going very slowly. Probably buying the tank, LR, sand and lights and it will just sit till probably Christmas before adding livestock. I also have the existing 24 that could be a nice qt/hospital tank. (Or move the stuff from the 20 to the 24 and make that the QT/hospital tank.) What do you guys think? Does this sound like a good deal and/or idea? Have I missed any major equipment on my list? Let me know what you think on this one. I am really torn. I want it so badly but is it really worth the price? It will just fit in the place I want to put it and the wall backs up to the garage so the chiller could be put in the garage easily. I know I will need misc plumbing parts but we have lots of those lying around and they are pretty cheap if I need to buy something anyway. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

08-05-2007, 07:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,700 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? She forgot to mention that the Bowfront and stand she is looking at is really nice and that I want it too.....lol....You have fun, Lynn! __________________ A reef tank is like a potato chip, you can't have just one! Chronicles Cat's Healing Gift: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ling-gift.html Cat’s 90 Gallon Toy: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...allon-toy.html 24 G Mystery Pod: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...stery-pod.html

08-05-2007, 07:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Triggerjay Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 2,071 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? Two questions....: 1 - If you buy this tank, will you still be able to afford the roof that is currently over your head? 2 - If you buy this tank, will you be able to eat this month? Im sure you answered yes to both.... so,.... what are you waiting for? go get it! Can't wait to see the pics! Jason __________________ The start of my journey: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...xperience.html My current journey: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ld-thread.html My clownfish breeding log: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ne-fishes.html

08-05-2007, 08:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
Anselth Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 967 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? Sounds good Lynn, I don't know much about ponies though. I do know that pipefish prefer sea grass beds, I think at least some sea horses do too. T5 lighting might allow you to grow some macro for them to hang out in. Although you don't see much sea grass for sale... __________________ -Adam Learning on the fly My 70 Gallon Reef My 110 Gallon Build

08-05-2007, 08:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,700 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? Should I call him now and tell him to put it in the parking lot and wait for your arrival? lol...OF course I would be the first to respond...he he...good luck with the new tank, you got a nice tank and a good deal. __________________ A reef tank is like a potato chip, you can't have just one! Chronicles Cat's Healing Gift: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ling-gift.html Cat’s 90 Gallon Toy: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...allon-toy.html 24 G Mystery Pod: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...stery-pod.html

08-05-2007, 08:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? I know. I have never been able to find it so far. I do have several gorgonians in my existing pony tank that make great hitching posts and a couple of pieces of coral we have killed that are nice and branchy. With the rock to hide in/beind etc I should be able to come up with enough places for them to hitch. I am only thinking 4-6 ponies in the tank with 1 or 2 jawfish. Maybe a peaceful goby or blenney just to add some color. I have a yellow watchman goby that is supposed to be safe with the ponies but not so sure about the jawfish so I may well keep it just the ponies and jawfish and of course snails for cleanup. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

08-05-2007, 08:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
panmanmatt Golden Moray Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waretown, NJ Posts: 2,255 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I do it? Set up sounds fantastic for what you have planned. The only word of advice I have is, do NOT use the Koralias. Their design is way too open to be used foe seahorses. We have already seen one instance where a tail got stuck into the impeller, managed to treat and save the horse, but it is not a seahorse friendly design.

08-05-2007, 08:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
caitrina Golden Moray Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somewhere in Florida Posts: 2,700 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? If I hadn't made plans this morning I would have been up there....I knew I shouldn't have answered the phone....As for not having the tank yet, thats only because they aren't open, I really think you should start taking the seats out now so that when you decide to go get the thing at about noon the seats are already out and you don't have to waste your time doing that, you can spend your time on the tank and having all that fun. Ohhhhh this is so much fun....he he That tank looks real nice where you put it...lol __________________ A reef tank is like a potato chip, you can't have just one! Chronicles Cat's Healing Gift: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ling-gift.html Cat’s 90 Gallon Toy: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...allon-toy.html 24 G Mystery Pod: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...stery-pod.html

08-05-2007, 09:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? Knowledge,space and money are not issues, Lynn this is about heart, i remember how upset you were the last time over the ponies, just go into it knowing there can be losses, if you can accept that the rest is easy, you know what your doing so enjoy. Steve

08-05-2007, 09:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,758 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I do it? So why was it that you asked this question Lynn? Enjoy your new tank! I agree with Matt. If you're going to do pony's, go with Seio's. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

08-05-2007, 09:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I do it? Ok well the Koralia's are out of the picture due to good advice. I just like them so much on the reef they were the first thing that came to mind. One of the things I kind of like about this plan is that I am going to have to do some serious waiting which gives me more time to get good ideas from you all. If seios are what I need then they can get added to the list. I am kind of forcing myself to wait by geting uncured LR. I will have no choice but to wait for livestock then. Sas as usual you are right on the money. I get very emotional when anything in the tank dies particularly ponies. However, while I realize there is always a risk, part of the reason this plan is even being considered is a desire to "do it right". Thus giving the animals the best possible chance of living long happy lives in my home. I know one of the problems I had previously was the temp. I believe if I put the chiller on this tank alone I will be able to keep the temp low enough to slow the bacteria. Another thing I believe caused some of my problems was inferior stock to begin with so the new ponies will come from the place Panmanmatt recommends in Ft Pierce. So I believe I have adressed at least the 2 biggest problems I had previously. If anyone else sees a potential problem, please point it out. I only want to do this if I am able to provide them with a home they will be happy and healthy in. Oh and I have already gotten a list from Matt of meds to keep on hand in case of an issue and the 24g I believe will be my hospital tank. Either that or I will get another tank for a hospital tank so it is ready if/when needed. Thanks to all for the advice and suggestions. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

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