upgrading-advice welcome!
 

I am on the verge of bumping up to a 90 gal/45sump for my ever-expanding reef. I am on a budget (aren't we all) and here is what I have come up with so far:

-hesitant to buy a used tank (heavy metals...) new @ inter-american for $150 + drilling. I have the 45, so I need a stand to hold both. I like DIY's, but sometimes it's more economical to buy pre-fab. Any ideas?

-My third experimental painted wood canopy is not standing up. (I use fluorescents, so the built up humidity finds it's way through each type of paint I've tried. Any suggestions for a good hood-type canopy or paint?

-I need a good pump to move 1000+gph for <$250.

-I bought my oolitic sand bulk from Danny Wai and like it. I will buy more unless someone has some to sell me. A bit more LR, perhaps...

-finally, I would like to buy some new pc's. Where is a reasonable deal to be found in town or the internet. Any bad experiences from buying lights on the net?

Thank you for your time and valuable advice to clatter around in my brain. Rich. :eek:

reply
 

Christmas is coming, you might want to hold off on buying lights for the meantime. Hint Hint :mrgreen:

I have been thinking about going MH for a while now, and if I do I won't have a canopy. I think we should just build an open crown for the tank, better for heat dicipation anyway.

For your pump a mag 12 or 18 would fit the budget

Thanks, guys. Who makes the "mag" series pumps?

Danner I believe

I've also been researching a rock wall back using foam and LR, sand, shells, etc. Any warnings or ideas?

foam wall
 

Look into European Reefs...they seem to like the foam back wall.....no problems that I am aware of....except you are stuck :biggrin: with it .

The foam doesn't leach anything back into the water??

Christy :)

try marine enamel for paint that stands up to salt water.

Thanks. Once the foam ('Great Stuff') is fully cured, it is inert. It will break down slowly if exposed to U.V. over time, but it is harmless. People have been doing this for years and found that if you use a good marine paint, it lasts. There is a really cool thread on reefcentral.com in the DIY section.

P.S. I ordered my custom Starfire euro 90 gal from Bow Valley Aquariums. WHOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!