Help with new reef.

nogoodnamesleft · 11/20/2008, 07:42 AM

Hi Everyone. My son has expressed his interest and desire to set up and maintain a reef tank. So I figured I would make this happen for Christmas. With that in mind I found and purchased a 120G three sided starphire rimless tank. This tank has not been drilled yet and was not manufactured with an overflow which I will need, correct?
So my first question is when I have it drilled will drilling the bottom be OK. It is a glass cages tank. What sort of template would be suggested to follow for optimum flow, I know as his knowledge and the tank matures corals will be desired.
Secondly will I need to install some sort of overflow?
My biggest quandry is how we will plumb this tank properly. I am going to have him do most of the labor so he can get the experience and understanding but I need to know what needs to be done.
Any help and suggestions are appreciated.
Matt

sassafrass · 11/20/2008, 09:10 AM

Your question is very complex in the answer, as far as drilling goes ,Is the bottom of the tank tempered? if so no drilling. If you are willing to do a LOT of reading and get some good books for reading and reference ,you may be able to get started by x-mas. This is going to be an expensive hobby and quite complex as well best of luck . If you have some specific questions we will do our best to answer them for you.Welcome to reef central!!!

nogoodnamesleft · 11/20/2008, 09:25 AM

Reccommend any good books?

nogoodnamesleft · 11/20/2008, 09:25 AM

Recommend any good books?

sdietz2469 · 11/20/2008, 09:47 AM

saltwater for dumies(dont take this the wrong way... it puts things in terms you will understand) being a newbie this book is awesome!!!!
shane

Playa-1 · 11/20/2008, 09:53 AM

I agree with sassafrass

This tank has not been drilled yet and was not manufactured with an overflow which I will need, correct?
I personally wouldn't operate a large tank without it being drilled and having an internal overflow installed. It may be a good idea for you to have a local person with experience to perform this task for you for a small fee. It is however not absolutely necessary to drill the tank. There are other options.

So my first question is when I have it drilled will drilling the bottom be OK.
You can consider drilling the bottom or back as long as the glass panels are not tempered. There's a method to check for tempered glass using polorized glass. It might be easier to give the MFG a call and see if they use tempered glass and how they would recommend proceeding.

What sort of template would be suggested to follow for optimum flow, I know as his knowledge and the tank matures corals will be desired.
You can buy aftermarket overflows that can be siliconed into place. You will have to decide how many overflows to use and what size plumbing. I would suggest that you research the different manufacturers ReefReady tanks and note what they are using.

My biggest quandry is how we will plumb this tank properly. I am going to have him do most of the labor so he can get the experience and understanding but I need to know what needs to be done.
There are many different ways to plumb the tank. I would highly recommend that you be involved in this part. Some ways are much better then others.

Recommend any good books?
I would start with "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner. There are some other good books in this link:
Library List

The DIY forum and the Sticky threads may be helpful to you. You might want to upgrade your membership so that you have the preferred search engine status. Otherwise your will find that it rarely works for you.

Check out these links for other valuable information.

www.melevsreef.com

www.dursostandpipes.com

matthewscars · 11/20/2008, 09:55 AM

Depending on the age of your son, 120g might be too big. Reef tanks aren't just setup a tank and filter and there you go.

especially in a 120, the estimated price of just starting it and stocking it with rock only will be in the 4 - 5 thousand dollar range.

Unless your son, or you, are seriously comitted to the hobby - i wouldnt bother. Or at least start with a Aquapod 24 gallon or something.

I digress, you will need a hang on the back overflow. You can buy one off drsforestsmith.com or the like. You want the return from the HOB to be about 1 1/4" - 1 1/2"

I learnd everything from this website. Ironicly, I dont own a single book on reef/fish aquaria. I just google or search RC/RC Archives for everything I dont know.

Hope that helps.

nogoodnamesleft · 11/20/2008, 09:59 AM

Thanks for the info. I will buy "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" today. I have been in contact with an aquarium driller and will not attempt this my self. As I learn I will pick up accesories as I go such as protein skimmer and such.
This forum in invaluable, and it is great that people are willing to share their knowledge. Thanks again.

nogoodnamesleft · 11/20/2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by matthewscars
Depending on the age of your son, 120g might be too big. Reef tanks aren't just setup a tank and filter and there you go.

especially in a 120, the estimated price of just starting it and stocking it with rock only will be in the 4 - 5 thousand dollar range.

Unless your son, or you, are seriously comitted to the hobby - i wouldnt bother. Or at least start with a Aquapod 24 gallon or something.

Regardless of 120 being to large or not it is what I have and what I will go with. I have had salt tanks in the past not a reef. I enjoy the hobby as well as my wife, we will pick up the slack if need be. Valid points, thank you for your thoughts, and the money will hopefully be worthwhile.

Playa-1 · 11/20/2008, 10:04 AM

I would highly recommend that you read the books before you do anything else. Use the internet to build upon that base of knowledge. I agree with Matthewscars in the Google can be an excellent resource to get some differing opinions and ideas. Unfortunately you can also get some bad information and ideas. So like with anything else you need to thoroughly research and make your own decisions.

matthewscars · 11/20/2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nogoodnamesleft
and the money will hopefully be worthwhile.

It certainly is! I didnt need that BMW anyway... ;D

sassafrass · 11/20/2008, 07:51 PM

A lesson that I laerned is that when it comes to equipment (skimmer,lights pumps,etc...)buy the best you can afford or you will end up buying it later after wasting your money on cheap stuff. Also I learned to not take advice from someone who stands to make a profit on the answer they give.

46FiatYamaha · 11/20/2008, 08:31 PM

Absolutely agree with sassafrass, I've been told a tall tale many times at pet stores to get me to buy something

11/20/2008, 07:42 AM	#1
nogoodnamesleft Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CA Posts: 21	Help with new reef. Hi Everyone. My son has expressed his interest and desire to set up and maintain a reef tank. So I figured I would make this happen for Christmas. With that in mind I found and purchased a 120G three sided starphire rimless tank. This tank has not been drilled yet and was not manufactured with an overflow which I will need, correct? So my first question is when I have it drilled will drilling the bottom be OK. It is a glass cages tank. What sort of template would be suggested to follow for optimum flow, I know as his knowledge and the tank matures corals will be desired. Secondly will I need to install some sort of overflow? My biggest quandry is how we will plumb this tank properly. I am going to have him do most of the labor so he can get the experience and understanding but I need to know what needs to be done. Any help and suggestions are appreciated. Matt

11/20/2008, 09:47 AM	#5
sdietz2469 stickhead n chalice freak Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Milwaukie, OR 97267 Posts: 529	saltwater for dumies(dont take this the wrong way... it puts things in terms you will understand) being a newbie this book is awesome!!!! shane __________________ King Of Aquatico Island corals are like crack, but more expensive, and you cant OD on them.... Current Tank Info: 300DD sps dominant, ATB Med ext w/airstar 4-6105s, apex, geo 618 CaRx, PM 620 kalk, 500 gal total water. Check out my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2116897

11/20/2008, 09:55 AM	#7
matthewscars Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Astoria, NY Posts: 657	Depending on the age of your son, 120g might be too big. Reef tanks aren't just setup a tank and filter and there you go. especially in a 120, the estimated price of just starting it and stocking it with rock only will be in the 4 - 5 thousand dollar range. Unless your son, or you, are seriously comitted to the hobby - i wouldnt bother. Or at least start with a Aquapod 24 gallon or something. I digress, you will need a hang on the back overflow. You can buy one off drsforestsmith.com or the like. You want the return from the HOB to be about 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" I learnd everything from this website. Ironicly, I dont own a single book on reef/fish aquaria. I just google or search RC/RC Archives for everything I dont know. Hope that helps. __________________ A plane passed silently overhead, the streetlights, and the buds on the trees and the night, were still. Current Tank Info: 90g Reef/35g Sump with Foam Rock Wall. 10g Propagation Reef. 55g Goldfish Tank.

11/20/2008, 09:10 AM	#2
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	Your question is very complex in the answer, as far as drilling goes ,Is the bottom of the tank tempered? if so no drilling. If you are willing to do a LOT of reading and get some good books for reading and reference ,you may be able to get started by x-mas. This is going to be an expensive hobby and quite complex as well best of luck . If you have some specific questions we will do our best to answer them for you.Welcome to reef central!!!

11/20/2008, 09:25 AM	#3
nogoodnamesleft Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CA Posts: 21	Reccommend any good books?

11/20/2008, 09:53 AM	#6
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I agree with sassafrass This tank has not been drilled yet and was not manufactured with an overflow which I will need, correct? I personally wouldn't operate a large tank without it being drilled and having an internal overflow installed. It may be a good idea for you to have a local person with experience to perform this task for you for a small fee. It is however not absolutely necessary to drill the tank. There are other options. So my first question is when I have it drilled will drilling the bottom be OK. You can consider drilling the bottom or back as long as the glass panels are not tempered. There's a method to check for tempered glass using polorized glass. It might be easier to give the MFG a call and see if they use tempered glass and how they would recommend proceeding. What sort of template would be suggested to follow for optimum flow, I know as his knowledge and the tank matures corals will be desired. You can buy aftermarket overflows that can be siliconed into place. You will have to decide how many overflows to use and what size plumbing. I would suggest that you research the different manufacturers ReefReady tanks and note what they are using. My biggest quandry is how we will plumb this tank properly. I am going to have him do most of the labor so he can get the experience and understanding but I need to know what needs to be done. There are many different ways to plumb the tank. I would highly recommend that you be involved in this part. Some ways are much better then others. Recommend any good books? I would start with "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner. There are some other good books in this link: Library List The DIY forum and the Sticky threads may be helpful to you. You might want to upgrade your membership so that you have the preferred search engine status. Otherwise your will find that it rarely works for you. Check out these links for other valuable information. www.melevsreef.com www.dursostandpipes.com

11/20/2008, 09:59 AM	#8
nogoodnamesleft Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CA Posts: 21	Thanks for the info. I will buy "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" today. I have been in contact with an aquarium driller and will not attempt this my self. As I learn I will pick up accesories as I go such as protein skimmer and such. This forum in invaluable, and it is great that people are willing to share their knowledge. Thanks again.

11/20/2008, 10:04 AM	#10
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I would highly recommend that you read the books before you do anything else. Use the internet to build upon that base of knowledge. I agree with Matthewscars in the Google can be an excellent resource to get some differing opinions and ideas. Unfortunately you can also get some bad information and ideas. So like with anything else you need to thoroughly research and make your own decisions.

11/20/2008, 07:51 PM	#12
sassafrass Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: capitola ca Posts: 1,729	A lesson that I laerned is that when it comes to equipment (skimmer,lights pumps,etc...)buy the best you can afford or you will end up buying it later after wasting your money on cheap stuff. Also I learned to not take advice from someone who stands to make a profit on the answer they give.

11/20/2008, 08:31 PM	#13
46FiatYamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Matthews NC Posts: 990	Absolutely agree with sassafrass, I've been told a tall tale many times at pet stores to get me to buy something