First time reef setup. Please help

godzen · 03/05/2012, 03:46 PM

Hi,

So, I finally got the green light to make the switch to SW from FW. Saw on Craigslist a "complete" setup which I think is a good deal for under $500.

Equipment:

50 gallon tank w/stand. No sump
CPR Aquafuge2 PS Refugium w/ Protein Skimmer 23.5" moded with maxijet 1200
Coralife 36 Inch Aqualight Pro 1x150W HQI MH Lamp + 2x65W PC + 2x1W Lunar LED which needs new bulb which probably total $100
titanium heater
50+ lbs Live rocks with some basic corals (he's generous on this as he has some extras)

So, whether this is a great deal or not, it seems like a good starter tank for me as it is bigger than the nano but small enough to be manageable. The problem is, when I came to check out the tank which was left neglected in the garage for a few months, there were algae all over the glass which he agrees to scrape out first. The other potential problem is there were aptasia all over the place. He said he put some Berghia in there to clean them out but my question is, should I just start over by drying out the rocks and scrape them off and recure or should I bring it home and wait out for the Berghia to do its work and add some meds to kill of the aptasia?

What is your general thoughts on this setup? Below is the photo he used on craigslist but I later found out it's a couple of years old and was taken when he first started the tank. Like I said, rock and setup is pretty much the same but tank is pretty darn dirty and just needs to be clean up. No scratches though. Is it good for a beginner? I know some of you will advocate for a sump but I heard unless setup correctly, a sump system is rather noisy and I need it quiet for wife's approval. Maybe later when I get the hang of things, I may add and overflow or go with a complete new setup. Also, is the filtering enough? I'm looking to stock 4-5 fishes at most with some basic corals to start out. I have an extra rena xp3 canister filter for my FW. Can I just migrate that over? Do I need to do anything first before putting it in this tank? Is it recommended to add this canister filter to the setup?

What else do I need to buy to get ready? These are all I could think of right now. Please help me add to the list so I will only need to order one time

RO/DI unit, new light bulbs,

kieffer_5 · 03/05/2012, 04:54 PM

i would not mess with a tank like this. its a good size tank and good light but you really want a sump with insump skimmer
ask yourself this...do you really want to start out with an awful tank and try to get it back up to par?
you really should just start over and if you decide to get the setup acid wash the rock and get new sand dont have any chance of getting aptaisia and hair algea

drparker · 03/05/2012, 05:28 PM

I would pass or he'd need to really drop the price. The work and time involved in cleaning it up and the risk of aptasia if not done correctly wouldn't be worth it unless it was a real steal. Compare what you saw to this and tell me if it seems like a good deal.

Yes you should get and RO/DI filter no matter what system you get. It is the best money you can spend on equipment for a saltwater systems.

0 tds · 03/05/2012, 05:42 PM

Do your self a favor and DON'T BUY THIS TANK!!!!! Save up if you need to and spend the time reading and make sure you get what you want. Remember a "deal" is only good if it is what you need and what you want. I would say that this is not a deal.

daplatapus · 03/05/2012, 05:52 PM

I noticed this is your first time posting. If you haven't bought this tank yet, you're to be generously commended for asking here first. Keep up that attitude and you'll do well. Always ask first then do like you've done.
Good job.

0 tds · 03/05/2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daplatapus

I noticed this is your first time posting. If you haven't bought this tank yet, you're to be generously commended for asking here first. Keep up that attitude and you'll do well. Always ask first then do like you've done.
Good job.

+1 Good point, Keep asking questions, it's a great way to learn.

also just found this on another post...

"Watch what you buy off of Craigslist: there could be a reason why they're getting rid of it."

ReLPSef · 03/05/2012, 06:02 PM

I agree. This is not a good deal. Keep looking for a reef ready tank and stay away from wet n dry filters w/bio-balls. You'll battle nitrates all d time.

godzen · 03/05/2012, 06:53 PM

ahhh...haven't even started yet and I think I'm going to loose some $$...already deposited $200 and he said he'll clean it up for me to pick up in a couple of weeks...

I'll ask for $150 back and $50 for his trouble and me visiting a couple of times and asking a bunch of questions. Although I would wish he originally mentioned about replacement bulbs and current condition in the ads. In my excitement, I guess I overlook everything else.

godzen · 03/05/2012, 07:48 PM

oh btw, by going sump with flexible tubing, how noisy is it? Is it as noisy as say, the typical light fan?

BigCountry74 · 03/05/2012, 08:48 PM

Most the noise in this comes from the protein skimmer. At least in my experience. Which is why most of us run sumps to put the skimmer in versus HOB skimmers.

drparker · 03/05/2012, 09:15 PM

Most of the noise people complain about with sumps is from the water sound in the overflows. Search and read about silent overflow designs.

03/05/2012, 03:46 PM	#1
godzen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 47	First time reef setup. Please help Hi, So, I finally got the green light to make the switch to SW from FW. Saw on Craigslist a "complete" setup which I think is a good deal for under $500. Equipment: 50 gallon tank w/stand. No sump CPR Aquafuge2 PS Refugium w/ Protein Skimmer 23.5" moded with maxijet 1200 Coralife 36 Inch Aqualight Pro 1x150W HQI MH Lamp + 2x65W PC + 2x1W Lunar LED which needs new bulb which probably total $100 titanium heater 50+ lbs Live rocks with some basic corals (he's generous on this as he has some extras) So, whether this is a great deal or not, it seems like a good starter tank for me as it is bigger than the nano but small enough to be manageable. The problem is, when I came to check out the tank which was left neglected in the garage for a few months, there were algae all over the glass which he agrees to scrape out first. The other potential problem is there were aptasia all over the place. He said he put some Berghia in there to clean them out but my question is, should I just start over by drying out the rocks and scrape them off and recure or should I bring it home and wait out for the Berghia to do its work and add some meds to kill of the aptasia? What is your general thoughts on this setup? Below is the photo he used on craigslist but I later found out it's a couple of years old and was taken when he first started the tank. Like I said, rock and setup is pretty much the same but tank is pretty darn dirty and just needs to be clean up. No scratches though. Is it good for a beginner? I know some of you will advocate for a sump but I heard unless setup correctly, a sump system is rather noisy and I need it quiet for wife's approval. Maybe later when I get the hang of things, I may add and overflow or go with a complete new setup. Also, is the filtering enough? I'm looking to stock 4-5 fishes at most with some basic corals to start out. I have an extra rena xp3 canister filter for my FW. Can I just migrate that over? Do I need to do anything first before putting it in this tank? Is it recommended to add this canister filter to the setup? What else do I need to buy to get ready? These are all I could think of right now. Please help me add to the list so I will only need to order one time RO/DI unit, new light bulbs, Last edited by godzen; 03/05/2012 at 03:58 PM.

03/05/2012, 05:52 PM	#5
daplatapus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Port Alberni, B.C., Canada Posts: 895	I noticed this is your first time posting. If you haven't bought this tank yet, you're to be generously commended for asking here first. Keep up that attitude and you'll do well. Always ask first then do like you've done. Good job. __________________ 130 lbs Tonga LR, GFO and Carbon reactors, Tunze ozmolator ATO, 2- 20 gal QT tanks, Current Tank Info: 80 gal display 48L X 24H X16D, 2 MP-40's, Odyssea 2-250W MH 4-HO T-5 Actinic's, 80 lbs Aragonite sand, 4 - 150W titanium heaters, Reeflo Baracuda return pump, 150gal sump, Filter Guys Reef Miser 6 stage + 1 Dual RO/DI, LifeReef 48" Skimmer

03/05/2012, 08:48 PM	#10
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	Most the noise in this comes from the protein skimmer. At least in my experience. Which is why most of us run sumps to put the skimmer in versus HOB skimmers. __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

03/05/2012, 04:54 PM	#2
kieffer_5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 66	i would not mess with a tank like this. its a good size tank and good light but you really want a sump with insump skimmer ask yourself this...do you really want to start out with an awful tank and try to get it back up to par? you really should just start over and if you decide to get the setup acid wash the rock and get new sand dont have any chance of getting aptaisia and hair algea

03/05/2012, 05:28 PM	#3
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	I would pass or he'd need to really drop the price. The work and time involved in cleaning it up and the risk of aptasia if not done correctly wouldn't be worth it unless it was a real steal. Compare what you saw to this and tell me if it seems like a good deal. Yes you should get and RO/DI filter no matter what system you get. It is the best money you can spend on equipment for a saltwater systems.

03/05/2012, 05:42 PM	#4
0 tds Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St Augustine Fl Posts: 138	Do your self a favor and DON'T BUY THIS TANK!!!!! Save up if you need to and spend the time reading and make sure you get what you want. Remember a "deal" is only good if it is what you need and what you want. I would say that this is not a deal.

03/05/2012, 06:02 PM	#7
ReLPSef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 169	I agree. This is not a good deal. Keep looking for a reef ready tank and stay away from wet n dry filters w/bio-balls. You'll battle nitrates all d time.

03/05/2012, 06:53 PM	#8
godzen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 47	ahhh...haven't even started yet and I think I'm going to loose some $$...already deposited $200 and he said he'll clean it up for me to pick up in a couple of weeks... I'll ask for $150 back and $50 for his trouble and me visiting a couple of times and asking a bunch of questions. Although I would wish he originally mentioned about replacement bulbs and current condition in the ads. In my excitement, I guess I overlook everything else.

03/05/2012, 07:48 PM	#9
godzen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 47	oh btw, by going sump with flexible tubing, how noisy is it? Is it as noisy as say, the typical light fan?

03/05/2012, 09:15 PM	#11
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	Most of the noise people complain about with sumps is from the water sound in the overflows. Search and read about silent overflow designs.