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Will this work for a starter?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Hunter, Oct 15, 2016.

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  1. Oct 15, 2016 #1
    Hunter Garner

    Hunter

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    Good Evening everyone, I found a 180gallon I plan on picking up tomorrow. I was wondering, based off of roughly what he posted will I need to add anything to the mix? He said he ran corals for years, but moved to a farm and his water isn't up to par so he is selling his system.

    Currently I have been freshwater, and I will probably stay freshwater until I can get all read up on how to manage a saltwater tank....

    180 gallon tank with adjustable dual silent overflows

    8 bulb programmable T5-HO Fixture with dual light adjustments and lunar LED's (was $2,000 new and has new bulbs 2 months ago)

    40 Gallon sump, three chambers with filter sock stands and dual Eheim return pumps with serpentine sump returns

    Coralife protein skimmer
     
  2. Oct 15, 2016 #2
    Buku Ankeny, IA

    Buku Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    You will need power heads for water movement in the tank and media bags or media reactors. I would also replace that skimmer with a better one.
     
  3. Oct 15, 2016 #3
    Hunter Garner

    Hunter

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    I've been looking at power heads, but as far as media reactors, can you suggest anything?
     
  4. Oct 15, 2016 #4
    Buku Ankeny, IA

    Buku Well-Known ReefKeeper

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  5. Oct 16, 2016 #5
    aussie Cedar Rapids, IA

    aussie Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    If your going to do fresh for a bit I would buy a cheap led light strip and put it over the tank and save the bulbs of the t5...... the bulbs are expensive and usually stay in the right spectrum for about 10 months to a year before they swap over to the red and then that's where the algae problem start
     
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  6. Oct 16, 2016 #6
    aussie Cedar Rapids, IA

    aussie Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    There's a guy on facebook central Iowa reef society has a good reef octopus skimmer for sale he actually has a few things on there that are price great Donny What do you think
     
  7. Oct 16, 2016 #7
    aussie Cedar Rapids, IA

    aussie Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    .
     
  8. Oct 16, 2016 #8
    jeremy Davenport, IA

    jeremy Acro Addict

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    Do you have a pic or a link to this $2k light? I would like to see it.

    If it's a giesemann or ati hybrid t5-led light I can see the $2k but if it's not one of those I am really curious on the price.
     
  9. Oct 16, 2016 #9
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    I would say immediate needs would be powerheads for in tank flow and a couple good quality heaters. Most people here would recommend a couple a undersized heaters as opposed to one big one. If it happens to stick on, the undersized heater won't be as likely to cook the tank, at least not nearly as fast. A temperature controller would also be another thing to consider for the heaters. Adds anther line of safety to the system to prevent issues.

    I would look at getting a good RO/DI water filter system prior to trying anything with saltwater. Start right and start with 0 tds water from the initial fill.

    As mentioned you would probably want to look at replacing the skimmer at some point, but since you already have it I wouldn't say it's needed before you get the tank up and running. Those are easy enough to swap out down the road.
     
  10. Oct 16, 2016 #10
    Hunter Garner

    Hunter

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    I decided against going to go get the setup today. I just have no room to put it currently.

    My 55 gal fits perfectly in my living room. That and the wifey gave me free reign once we move to build my own new setup.

    So for now I'll just read what you guys are dping and learn.

    If a mod wants to delete this thread now they can. Thanks for the help anyways!
     
  11. Oct 16, 2016 #11
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    When are you moving? If its a good enough deal and the tank is nice it might be worth picking up and hanging on to until you move and can set it up.
     
  12. Oct 16, 2016 #12
    Hunter Garner

    Hunter

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    We have been looking at houses for over a year now. We decided we are going to start building one this next spring.

    The tank was a deal, but I want a starphire tank to just leave in the wall 220 gal or so
     
  13. Oct 16, 2016 #13
    Hunter Garner

    Hunter

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    Be lo eve me I am fighting just using that tank for awhile, but ir will take over my living room size wise.
     
  14. Oct 16, 2016 #14
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    If a 55 fits something like a 75 or 90 isn't that much bigger. 48" x 18" footprint. That would be a nice size to set up and "learn" with.
     
  15. Oct 16, 2016 #15
    Hunter Garner

    Hunter

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    I have a 48" tank right now, that 180 is 72"

    2ft longer is a lot bigger....I just don't have the space in my living room for the extra 2 feet at the moment
     
  16. Oct 16, 2016 #16
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    that's why I was saying you could look for a 75 or a 90. They are still four foot tanks, but bigger than what you currently have and they are pretty common tanks to come up for sale.
    120 is also a 4' tank, but 24" wide can take up a lot of room depending on the space available.
     
  17. Oct 16, 2016 #17
    mpivit Dubuque

    mpivit Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I second the 75 or 90 or even the 120 as a great starter size.

    If your waiting till you build look at different methods of filtration and figure out what you like. There are many effective high and low tech methods, just depends on what you like and the equipment you use is properly scaled to your tank.


    Sent from my iPad via App
     
  18. Oct 16, 2016 #18
    Hunter Garner

    Hunter

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    I have a fx6 ordered as a primary cannister filter, but I am using a cascade 1000 currently.
    2 live plants
    300w heater
    500gph wave maker
    48" reef led light https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GFTSV24/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    I built 2 sponge filters until my fx6 arrives
    I have some live grass that should be here tomorrow as well.

    My cichild's love the tank
    I just want something bigger for free haha.

    In your guys professional opinion for a 220 gal tank what size sump should I use?
     
  19. Oct 16, 2016 #19
    ricowind67 Clear Lake, IA

    ricowind67

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    ever need any help, look me up im in Clear Lake too

    507-848-0558
     
  20. Oct 16, 2016 #20
    Buku Ankeny, IA

    Buku Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I thought that posting looked familiar.

    "8 bulb programmable T5-HO Fixture with dual light adjustments and lunar LED's (was $2,000 new and has new bulbs 2 months ago)"

    If he paid 2k for this he got taken pretty badly or he's blowing smoke up peoples asses to try and make it seem like a great deal.

    @jeremy@jeremy


    00R0R_gch9j5DQByi_1200x900.jpg
     
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