Tank equipment - any suggestions?

simmlink · 02/13/2007, 10:24 PM

Hi, I'm new to marine aquariums and am hoping to get some feedback on some solid choices for starting my aquarium - before I start it

. I've got 3 kids that just love fish and my wife and I are excited to start a hobby that we can all participate in together. My requirements are:

-looking for around a 50 gallon tank, I'd really prefer acrylic since it looks great and since I have 3 small kids.
-I can't have a lot of plumming and custom lighting running everywhere....due to the kids
-would like something modular that could in time be upgraded as the kids get older and we get more familiar with the hobby

I really like the look of the SeaClear tanks and am very close to purchasing a system II 50 gallon.... what would you all suggest? Go for a standard SeaClear 50 gallon instead of the system II? Would I be able to use either models for a reef aquarium down the road? Does anyone have any good arguments for picking one of these configurations over the other?

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!
simmlink

shag26272 · 02/13/2007, 10:52 PM

acrylic scratches easily, with kids I would be more likely to go with glass, I would say a 75 gallon rectangle glass tank would be a good choice for you and easiest to set up

piscivorous · 02/13/2007, 11:54 PM

Yeah...after starting up with a 55, if I could do it again, I'd at least go with a 75....the depth (front to back) of the tank and stand are much nicer in a 75 glass.

bertoni · 02/14/2007, 12:36 AM

To Reef Central

If you choose parts carefully, many will be useful in a larger setup. Most of the packaged setups are not particularly good for reef systems, though. Can you post a link to the system you're considering?

TekCat · 02/14/2007, 03:16 AM

I agree that most packaged setups suck. Decide on what you plan to keep in tank. This will drive your equipment requirements.

For example, FOWLR setup can forgive some filtration shortcomings (like high nitrates), reef on the other hand wont. Reef needs good lights, FOWLR doesnt.
In any case you'd for sure need RO/DI water source or distilled; refractometer, heater(s), powerheads.

simmlink · 02/14/2007, 08:44 AM

here are the two systems I am considering:

All In One System II
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...45524441778941

Tank Only
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...45524441778932

It sounds like people suggest doing a tank only, then add on the components I need. Does anyone have experience with the SeaClear 50 Gallon (non system II)? Is the tank modular enough to allow most parts to connect? I'd like to do a FOWLR tank, with the option of someday converting to reef.

thanks,
simmlink

bnhd3 · 02/14/2007, 09:21 AM

i would consider piecing the system together. these all in one deals aren't what they are cracked up to be. start pricing predrilled tanks. here is a place with pretty good deals on glass and acrylic: http://glasscages.com/
you can maybe build your own stand. price a good protein skimmer and consider a smaller tank of some sort for a sump. oh and don't forget a good light.

bertoni · 02/14/2007, 04:23 PM

I agree. Those systems would be okay for a fish-only setup, at best. The lighting and filtration are inappropriate for a reef. The price is very low, on the other hand.

There are so many options... I think I'd look at a tank with built-in overflows, so that a sump and refugium can be added easily, and work from there.

02/13/2007, 10:24 PM	#1
simmlink Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 39	Tank equipment - any suggestions? Hi, I'm new to marine aquariums and am hoping to get some feedback on some solid choices for starting my aquarium - before I start it . I've got 3 kids that just love fish and my wife and I are excited to start a hobby that we can all participate in together. My requirements are: -looking for around a 50 gallon tank, I'd really prefer acrylic since it looks great and since I have 3 small kids. -I can't have a lot of plumming and custom lighting running everywhere....due to the kids -would like something modular that could in time be upgraded as the kids get older and we get more familiar with the hobby I really like the look of the SeaClear tanks and am very close to purchasing a system II 50 gallon.... what would you all suggest? Go for a standard SeaClear 50 gallon instead of the system II? Would I be able to use either models for a reef aquarium down the road? Does anyone have any good arguments for picking one of these configurations over the other? Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks! simmlink

02/13/2007, 10:52 PM	#2
shag26272 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 3,088	acrylic scratches easily, with kids I would be more likely to go with glass, I would say a 75 gallon rectangle glass tank would be a good choice for you and easiest to set up __________________ .

02/14/2007, 12:36 AM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	*To Reef Central* If you choose parts carefully, many will be useful in a larger setup. Most of the packaged setups are not particularly good for reef systems, though. Can you post a link to the system you're considering? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/14/2007, 09:21 AM	#7
bnhd3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: central georgia Posts: 210	i would consider piecing the system together. these all in one deals aren't what they are cracked up to be. start pricing predrilled tanks. here is a place with pretty good deals on glass and acrylic: http://glasscages.com/ you can maybe build your own stand. price a good protein skimmer and consider a smaller tank of some sort for a sump. oh and don't forget a good light. __________________ "showing one's teeth is a submission signal in primates. When someone smiles at me all i see is a chimpanzee begging for it's life." -dwight schrute- Current Tank Info: 125g reef,20g frag tank, 200lbs. LR, 65g sump w/ fuge, mag 9.5 return pump, aqua c 240 ev skimmer w/ mag18, 2x250watt 15000k halides, 4x96watt pc's 420nm, 2 tunze 6000's w/ single controller, MRC CR-2 cal. reactor

02/14/2007, 04:23 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree. Those systems would be okay for a fish-only setup, at best. The lighting and filtration are inappropriate for a reef. The price is very low, on the other hand. There are so many options... I think I'd look at a tank with built-in overflows, so that a sump and refugium can be added easily, and work from there. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/13/2007, 11:54 PM	#3
piscivorous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Groton, N.Y. Posts: 801	Yeah...after starting up with a 55, if I could do it again, I'd at least go with a 75....the depth (front to back) of the tank and stand are much nicer in a 75 glass.

02/14/2007, 03:16 AM	#5
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	I agree that most packaged setups suck. Decide on what you plan to keep in tank. This will drive your equipment requirements. For example, FOWLR setup can forgive some filtration shortcomings (like high nitrates), reef on the other hand wont. Reef needs good lights, FOWLR doesnt. In any case you'd for sure need RO/DI water source or distilled; refractometer, heater(s), powerheads.

02/14/2007, 08:44 AM	#6
simmlink Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 39	here are the two systems I am considering: All In One System II http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...45524441778941 Tank Only http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...45524441778932 It sounds like people suggest doing a tank only, then add on the components I need. Does anyone have experience with the SeaClear 50 Gallon (non system II)? Is the tank modular enough to allow most parts to connect? I'd like to do a FOWLR tank, with the option of someday converting to reef. thanks, simmlink