New reef...lots of questions

itnerd · 12/28/2008, 08:59 PM

I have been out of the hobby for the last several years and have decided to get back in. I have lots of questions and look forward to your input.
I'm looking at a 60x24x30 190g and a 72x24x30 240...comparing perfecto, glass cages, and ocean view. Any thoughts on these?
Also, I'm really interested in placing my sump in the garage and wonder if the Memphis heat will create problems.
I want to stick with softies and LPS...keep a close eye on operating expenses...I know...just work with me...and diy several components like the stand, lighting and sump.
While I settle on a tank, I'm real intersted in a skimmer....I'd like an in sump model and I can't afford a bubble king or cone job...I'm looking to spend @$400 or less on this.
The wife is watching..
I recently picked up a 100GPD RODI setup from a retired reefer. So far so good....your suggestions are appreciated.

noahm · 12/28/2008, 09:36 PM

Personally if I had the room, I would go with one of these deep dimension marineland units just for the aquascaping footprint. Maybe a 4x3 or 5x3. If you get bigger, the operating expense and responsibilities get bigger.

http://www.marineland.com/sites/Mari...spotlight.aspx

If you do a bunch of research and limit your questions to more specific things such as 'Good skimmer for around $400 bucks for a 200 gal system?' you will probably get more input. I went with ASM and would recommend them.

A lot of people will tell you the high end products are the best, but the reality is there are a lot of very good middle of the road brands in all departments. It depends a lot on ease of use, your maintenance habits, finances etc.

I spent a crud load of time reading about each type of product, so that I could make and informed decision, then looked for personal experience with my two or three choices in each category (pumps, powerheads, lights etc.)

Good luck,

bump

itnerd · 12/28/2008, 10:05 PM

Does anyone have their sump in the garage....does the summer heat or winter cold cause any problems?
I would like to pipe the drains through the wall and into a large rubbermaid sump with a smaller container in the center as a fuge.
Anyone doing this?

crny1 · 12/28/2008, 11:05 PM

itnerd,
I have my sump in the garage exactly as you have described! Plumbed through the walls to the sump. I have a 55 gallon sump. Our garage is not heated and gets VERY cold. I used a piece of 2 inch pink insulation styrofoam on the floor beneath it to isolate it from the cold concrete and wrapped 3 sides of the sump in 1 inch foam board. I have a 300 watt heater and a 400 watt heater in the sump and my DT stays within 1 deg in the winter. I am also running a ReefKeeper Elite though so this is why its so steady. I would reccommend a controller of some type to be safe. Even a Ranco would work just for the heaters.
As for the summer months a fan on top of my sump kicks in if temps start to rise via my reef keeper and also if it rises more then 2 degrees then the Reef Keeper shuts down the MH lights. Never had a overheating issue..........
ONLY downside to having it in the garage is you cant have a car in there running to warm the car up due to the CO2 concentration that would be in the garage regardless of the door open or not. We have a car parked in there but it only gets started the minute its pulling out and shut off the second it comes in!

Wes

reidcrandall · 12/29/2008, 08:21 AM

There are a good many people who keep their sumps in the garage. I think you would be fine if you planned it right. Get a good heater, and probably a chiller for the summer.

As far as the skimmer goes, the Octopus Extremes are very, very good skimmers for the money. I have the 250 myself on my 120g. It's overkill for me, but would probably be just right for you. I just didn't want to have to buy another one in a year or two when I upgrade tanks again.

Here is a link to the skimmer:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=Octopus

12/28/2008, 08:59 PM	#1
itnerd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Murfresboro,TN. Posts: 126	New reef...lots of questions I have been out of the hobby for the last several years and have decided to get back in. I have lots of questions and look forward to your input. I'm looking at a 60x24x30 190g and a 72x24x30 240...comparing perfecto, glass cages, and ocean view. Any thoughts on these? Also, I'm really interested in placing my sump in the garage and wonder if the Memphis heat will create problems. I want to stick with softies and LPS...keep a close eye on operating expenses...I know...just work with me...and diy several components like the stand, lighting and sump. While I settle on a tank, I'm real intersted in a skimmer....I'd like an in sump model and I can't afford a bubble king or cone job...I'm looking to spend @$400 or less on this. The wife is watching.. I recently picked up a 100GPD RODI setup from a retired reefer. So far so good....your suggestions are appreciated. __________________ What if the "Hokey Pokey" is what it's all about? Current Tank Info: Empty

12/28/2008, 10:05 PM	#3
itnerd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Murfresboro,TN. Posts: 126	Sump in the garage? Does anyone have their sump in the garage....does the summer heat or winter cold cause any problems? I would like to pipe the drains through the wall and into a large rubbermaid sump with a smaller container in the center as a fuge. Anyone doing this? __________________ What if the "Hokey Pokey" is what it's all about? Current Tank Info: Empty

12/29/2008, 08:21 AM	#5
reidcrandall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 976	There are a good many people who keep their sumps in the garage. I think you would be fine if you planned it right. Get a good heater, and probably a chiller for the summer. As far as the skimmer goes, the Octopus Extremes are very, very good skimmers for the money. I have the 250 myself on my 120g. It's overkill for me, but would probably be just right for you. I just didn't want to have to buy another one in a year or two when I upgrade tanks again. Here is a link to the skimmer: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...y_Code=Octopus __________________ Reid There is no more red house! Click my name and see my homepage for my 120g Reef w/ custom stand build! Current Tank Info: 120g Oceanic Tech In Progress

12/28/2008, 09:36 PM	#2
noahm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,736	Personally if I had the room, I would go with one of these deep dimension marineland units just for the aquascaping footprint. Maybe a 4x3 or 5x3. If you get bigger, the operating expense and responsibilities get bigger. http://www.marineland.com/sites/Mari...spotlight.aspx If you do a bunch of research and limit your questions to more specific things such as 'Good skimmer for around $400 bucks for a 200 gal system?' you will probably get more input. I went with ASM and would recommend them. A lot of people will tell you the high end products are the best, but the reality is there are a lot of very good middle of the road brands in all departments. It depends a lot on ease of use, your maintenance habits, finances etc. I spent a crud load of time reading about each type of product, so that I could make and informed decision, then looked for personal experience with my two or three choices in each category (pumps, powerheads, lights etc.) Good luck, bump

12/28/2008, 11:05 PM	#4
crny1 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 468	itnerd, I have my sump in the garage exactly as you have described! Plumbed through the walls to the sump. I have a 55 gallon sump. Our garage is not heated and gets VERY cold. I used a piece of 2 inch pink insulation styrofoam on the floor beneath it to isolate it from the cold concrete and wrapped 3 sides of the sump in 1 inch foam board. I have a 300 watt heater and a 400 watt heater in the sump and my DT stays within 1 deg in the winter. I am also running a ReefKeeper Elite though so this is why its so steady. I would reccommend a controller of some type to be safe. Even a Ranco would work just for the heaters. As for the summer months a fan on top of my sump kicks in if temps start to rise via my reef keeper and also if it rises more then 2 degrees then the Reef Keeper shuts down the MH lights. Never had a overheating issue.......... ONLY downside to having it in the garage is you cant have a car in there running to warm the car up due to the CO2 concentration that would be in the garage regardless of the door open or not. We have a car parked in there but it only gets started the minute its pulling out and shut off the second it comes in! Wes