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#1
10/08/2007, 09:53 PM
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Upsizing- The Simple Way
Greetings.
The inhabitants of this 29 gallon tank...  Will be moving into this 80 gallon tank soon.  The 80 gallon tank is very new, I bought it in June. It's on top of a sturdy wooden stand built by a local carpenter. The stand's original job was holding a 90 gallon aquarium, which it did for over a year before I acquired it. My bearded dragons will be moving out tomorrow and their house is up for grabs, and since the snake and the iguana have perfectly nice enclosures of their own already, I guess I'll have to use it for my reef! So what? Well, I'd like to use my 150 watt metal halide, coupled with another of the same kind to light the system. Is it erroneous of me to assume that I can create "patch reefs" by simply building mounds of live rock beneath the lights and putting the light hungriest corals at point-blank range? This will suffice, no? It's in this way that I hope to curb costs but keep my handful of corals. Am I a cheapskate, or would this be appropriate? Also, in yet another perhaps feckless attempt at simplicity and economy, I'd like to keep the filtration to a powerful minimum. By that I mean a single unit which will effectively meet my system's needs as opposed to a battery of fancy gizmos. I don't mean ciruculation, just filtration. I'm thinking either a decent protein skimmer or a canister filter. My future plans don't include SPS, I'm a softie fan, so if I do as one normally would: maintain 0 readings on all nitrogenous compounds via routine water changes, monitor and correct calcium and pH on a regular basis, use wise stocking and feeding habits and provide plenty of current by means of several well placed power heads, is there really any need for more? vindication, condemnation, kind advice, ridicule or any other input is welcome. Also, perhaps a link to a thread rich in 80 gallon systems for me to feast my eyes upon and get some ideas would be welcome, if you know of one. I find that the search function never ever works when I try it. Maybe i should pay up and become a supporting member. 
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"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Rom. 5: 7-8 NKJV |
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#2
10/09/2007, 12:41 AM
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Sounds like you're pretty on top of things already. I think 2 x 150W MH will be just fine on an 80g. If the tank is 48" long, which it looks to be, it's perfect - a MH bulb will light up about a 24" x 24" area, so two on a 48" tank tends to be the norm. 150W bulbs should allow you to keep anything but the most demanding corals, and you said you're not into SPS so it's a moot point anyway
 As for filtration, all you need is a protein skimmer. If you're going to have a softy tank, you can probably get away with using your Remora, at least for now. I have a Remora on my 90g (also a softy tank) and I know it's underrated for the size of tank, but it does a pretty decent job. The corals we're keeping don't need or even necessarily want super-pristine water, and I find that a filter sock, a big ball of chaeto in the sump, and the Remora keep all my water parameters right where I want them. Really all you need is your skimmer, some powerheads for circulation, a bit more LR and sand, and you're ready. Gizmos are nice to have, but not always necessary for success - there are lots of folks here with beautiful low-tech tanks who will testify to this. Have fun, and please be sure to post pictures when you're done. Your 29g is gorgeous, I'm sure the 80g is going to be very nice! 
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"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen |
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#3
10/09/2007, 10:33 AM
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Thanks for replying,
Low tech is my goal indeed. As for the Remora, I hadn't really considered that but perhaps I'll keep it. I'd like to after all, since it's fairly new and works really well. If it'll fit, maybe I'll use the 29 for a 'fuge/sump and toss in some cheato as you've suggested. Will definitely post pics in the future, thanks again.
__________________
"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Rom. 5: 7-8 NKJV |
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#4
10/09/2007, 10:43 AM
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for filtration (besides LR and flow) I would suggest this:
1) skimmer 2) phosban reactors for carbon and phosphate remover 3) refugium with macroalgae no need for anything else. mechanical filtration (skimmer) is just as important as chemical filtration (carbon/phosban). and you cant beat a fuge for natural filtration and something neat to look at. |
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