Quote:
Originally Posted by CherylMcKay
I have had a 75 G for a few years and I was doing really well until I replaced the sump, which entailed a move of the livestock and the tank.... I didn't replace the sand. I have been fighting with it for over a year now to try and get it back in balance....
So I have been hemming and hawing about how to start again, so I can do it properly. Well, I have just purchased my replacement tank... It is 165 Gallon (72X24x20). I won't actually get it until May sometime and we will build the stand for it ourselves. 
This will be a long build as, I have decided that I am going to get everything I need before I start and as I live where there is no LFS... It will all be trips out and mail order.
I am working on my equipment list and it is slow going....
I know I have to replace my skimmer, but trying to decide which one is the better is not easy. The price range is amazing as well. I currently have a Vertex 80 and I have no real complaints about that brand. But why would similarly sized protein skimmers range in price from 350 - 1600 dollars. I haven't found a whole lot on the diffrence between them but crap are the Bubble Kings ever expensive and I really don't know if it is just brand name or they are better quality.
I have a 48" T5 Tek Light which I love. 6 bulbs, I can't remember the wattage. I will keep it but I am trying to decide whether to have 2 LED pendants or 2 Halides at either end.
I am also trying to decide if I can talk my husband into giving up a corner of his office for the sump to be in the basement.... I don't think I will be totally successful with that, so I have to make sure everything is quiet enough and fits under the cabinet.
I would love any advice I can get as I am far away from person to person contact in the saltwater community... feeling isolated I guess. Feel like a newbie all over again. |
Hi Cheryl, as a northerner myself I share your frustrations with not having any local suppliers and very few reefers. Looking forward to watching your build. I am just getting all my pieces together to start my own build.
I took the leap into LED's with the Echotech Radions. I'm thinking that I can pretty much do whatever kind of tank, and lighting will not be no problem.
As far as skimmers go, my suggestion would be to check in with Asmodeus. His former handle was The Skimmer King. From what I have seen he is the guru of all things skimmer. I think the prices reflect a definite difference in quality but I wouldn't even look at a BK unless I had a tank full of SPS.
Best thing about Canreef is that there are a lot of people with tons of experience who are very willing to share.