zondebok

I am thinking like a 20 or 29. I have a small hob filter and can probably figure out lights, etc if nobody has a full setup.

yeah, I have a 55g tank now that is already too big for it.  I want something that I can keep in the corner of my office, where my wife won't see it too often

Looking to get a small QT tank that I can set up as needed.  Would prefer a whole setup with tank/stand/etc, but willing to piece it together if needed.

If only this had been here 3 weeks ago... I could have convinced my wife to give up 6" more floor space to save a bunch of money ☺️

I work right by the airport, and would take the cleaner shrimp, if MJ's Reef doesn't take it.

Ah, perhaps so. Its hard to know with the live sand, i found posts on forums saying either way, and in the end i just decided it wasnt that much  more so i would just go with it. 

 

with the python it seemed like a good idea because it will reach a sink from where i plan on putting the tank which i think would allow me to siphon right to it, but yea, only for draining, not filling.

 

 

The thing about the python is that it is a little expensive, and I know you're on a budget .

You could probably save a little, at least up front, by not buying that python, and using a cheaper phosphate test kit.  

 

I think the big win with the python is that you can fill from the same system, which you won't want to do.  If you are going to be anywhere close to a drain, it's not too expensive to drain straight into it with a siphon.

 

I also personally didn't notice really any difference with the live sand.  Tank still cycled in the normal amount of time...

Would love to donate, but I just started, so I have nothing...  

Sorry to be a bit off topic, but is this event taking the place of a Feb meeting?

As others have mentioned, you can definitely save some money on lighting.  That is a great light you chose, but it's one of those things you can definitely upgrade later.  Also, a single one may not be enough for complete coverage.  Have you considered a T5 fixture?  Depending on your timeline, I have 2 Ocean Revive 247s that I will probably be looking to offload in a few weeks.

 

Also, a controller is certainly not a necessity initially, and easy to add later.  

 

The last thing I will say is that no matter how you plan, you are almost certain to blow through your budget and still need things (or maybe "need" things), so plan for that, or perhaps extend your timeline for getting things up and going.

I have a CoralBox DC-500 skimmer that I'm not using anymore.  I purchased it new and got a spare pump (no impeller).  Asking for $160 firm.  It's now too small for my 235g DT and 2x 50g FT (400gal system).  It's super quiet and great for system less than 150g.

 

http://www.fish-street.com/coral_box_d500_dc_skimmer

 

Appreciate the offer, but I want to stay around/under the low end of the capacity estimate...

Reef Octopus

 

 

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Sure would have been a lot cheaper for you to say Aquamaxx...

 

It seems like the Reef Octopus is what I'll be going with.  One of the big drivers behind this upgrade (which was my wife's idea...) was the noise of my HOB skimmer.

My parents just got the skimmer you're wanting. It's super quiet and puts my SCA 302 to shame with its bubble production.

 

 

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The Reef Octopus or the Aquamaxx?

Yeah, definitely won't fit.  Too bad, would have definitely done it, but I can't add anymore width to the sump.  The stand is already going to be a couple inches wider than the tank to accommodate the 16" sump.

I think it's too big to fit in my sump...

On my new tank I'm looking at the Elite 200 INT. Anyone have one? Sound level is very important, which is why I am thinking DC is the way to go.

 

I am also considering an Aquamaxx cones co2 (or q2), as I've heard they are pretty quiet. Anyone with any experience with either of these?

 

 

I gotta be honest - it doesn't sound like ich. Impossible for us to know...but if it's just one spot and it keeps coming back in the same place than that sounds like just a marking of some sort. My naso, for instance, goes through spells of dark spots when I'm messing inside the tank and stuff - then fades away. Could just be coloring.

 

The ich spot will be raised off the scales while coloring will be flat against it.

This is a clump of white on the outer edge of his right side fin. It definitely doesn't seem like coloring, but it also doesn't look like any picture of ich I've seen either. If it comes back, I'll see if I can get a picture.

This too

 

I really like the look of this

 

1. Lay it all out on a piece of cardboard the same size as the bottom of your tank.

 

2. Spend a few hours/days perfecting the "ideal" aquascape.

 

3. Last step is to actually use only a third of the rock you intended on using in step 2.

If you are using less rocks, how do you not have a bunch of aggression from the fish when there are less hiding places?

If I have someone besides my family feeding, I use some little plastic condiment cups with lids from cash and carry, and pre portion the food. That way they can just add some water to the cup, wait a bit, and dump it in.

I will be setting up my new tank in a few weeks, and want to make sure I get the rockwork right (at least for now). I have seen enough pictures to know that I am terrible at it and would love some ideas, or even to pay/trade someone to make it awesome.

 

The new tank will be a 135 (72x18x24). I will be going for a full reef tank, over time. Currently I have a bunch of fish/shrimp/cuc that I will transfer over, and just a tiny ricordea and toadstool.

Well, the good news, I guess, is that his spot is gone again.  Seems to take 3-5 days.  I will take a picture next time, if he will let me.  That guy is super skiddish.

I have precut all my cubes and put them into a plastic bag.  Now I only take out 2 chunks and leave the rest in there

OK, one more question (maybe... (probably not)).  Do I need to wait 80 days after the last non-fish item (e.g. the rock) gets moved from old tank to new tank?  Should I move my old rock immediately to the new tank to help with cycling, as long as I have the filter floss going in the skimmer in the old tank?