mikeosoft
12/07/2006, 05:49 PM
I’ve been planning on setting up a small cube reef tank and I have some questions. I know this is kind of long, but I really want to make sure I do things correctly.
First of all, I’m looking for something in the 29-40gal range. I would prefer the tank to be drilled and plumbed into a 20gal sump where I can put my skimmer and setup a refugium. I would like the entire setup to be nice looking and as silent running as possible. This means building a nice stand and possibly a hood. I would like the system to be relatively low maintenance as far as reefs go. I can handle weekly water changes, daily feedings, but nothing too crazy. I would also like to be able to get the tank, stand, hood (if needed) and lighting for around $350-$500 (the cheaper the better). I already have the sump, pumps, skimmer, etc.
I would like to be able to keep different types of corals, some softies, LPS, and maybe SPS; but nothing too difficult or high maintenance. I would also like to add a pair of clowns, a goby or something and of course the usual clean-up crew.
I’m torn between buying a Bio-cube 29 and drilling it, or getting plain glass/acrylic tank, drilling it and adding my own lighting, etc.
Now for a few questions:
Will it be worth it to buy the Bio-cube and drill it or am I just wasting my money? I get mixed opinions from my local LFS’s on whether it’s worth it to drill a Bio-cube. Also, will the Bio-cube give me sufficient lighting for the type of system I would like to keep? The costs involved with this setup would be approximately $250 for the bio-cube and $100 for the stand, so around $350.
If I go with a plain tank and set everything up myself, how will this compare in cost? I’m guessing I would go with a metal halide setup around 150watts. Will having a more powerful lighting setup restrict me from keeping any of the lower-light corals? As for the costs associated with this, I really have no idea.
I live in the Detroit, Michigan area and our water here is pretty good. All of my previous SW experience has been with relatively low-light, mostly FOWLR systems and I did not have any problems. Does anyone have some insight as to if I will need a RO/DI unit?
First of all, I’m looking for something in the 29-40gal range. I would prefer the tank to be drilled and plumbed into a 20gal sump where I can put my skimmer and setup a refugium. I would like the entire setup to be nice looking and as silent running as possible. This means building a nice stand and possibly a hood. I would like the system to be relatively low maintenance as far as reefs go. I can handle weekly water changes, daily feedings, but nothing too crazy. I would also like to be able to get the tank, stand, hood (if needed) and lighting for around $350-$500 (the cheaper the better). I already have the sump, pumps, skimmer, etc.
I would like to be able to keep different types of corals, some softies, LPS, and maybe SPS; but nothing too difficult or high maintenance. I would also like to add a pair of clowns, a goby or something and of course the usual clean-up crew.
I’m torn between buying a Bio-cube 29 and drilling it, or getting plain glass/acrylic tank, drilling it and adding my own lighting, etc.
Now for a few questions:
Will it be worth it to buy the Bio-cube and drill it or am I just wasting my money? I get mixed opinions from my local LFS’s on whether it’s worth it to drill a Bio-cube. Also, will the Bio-cube give me sufficient lighting for the type of system I would like to keep? The costs involved with this setup would be approximately $250 for the bio-cube and $100 for the stand, so around $350.
If I go with a plain tank and set everything up myself, how will this compare in cost? I’m guessing I would go with a metal halide setup around 150watts. Will having a more powerful lighting setup restrict me from keeping any of the lower-light corals? As for the costs associated with this, I really have no idea.
I live in the Detroit, Michigan area and our water here is pretty good. All of my previous SW experience has been with relatively low-light, mostly FOWLR systems and I did not have any problems. Does anyone have some insight as to if I will need a RO/DI unit?