Need help and suggestions

hub81 · 09/13/2007, 08:40 PM

I have let my 75 gal tank cycle for two years with just one clown fish. I have 130lbs of live rock and 80lbs of live sand. I have only ran a small carbon filter and I am looking to purchase a new filter system and a skimmer. I have been told that the Octo 150 is good. I have also built a 39 gal sump but my tank does not have a built in over flow what should I do to get it up and running correctly.
I have been saving for this for a few months but my bugget is still tight so I need the best for the cheapest price.
Thanks for the help

skriz · 09/13/2007, 09:35 PM

the best will not come cheap. what's your budget?

you are looking for a skimmer and an overflow, right? what else?

what are you planning on keeping in the tank? this will make a difference on the skimmer. FOWLR doesn't need as aggresive a skimmer, imo, as would a reef tank.

AndyB4784 · 09/13/2007, 10:15 PM

probably your cheapest option would be a mag return pump and a HOB overflow for the drain. What are you looking to spend on the skimmer. IMO the Euro-Reef RS 80 would be great for that size tank and it's about $250.

reefD · 09/13/2007, 10:25 PM

as stated your tank not being drilled means you have to use what is called an overflow box. this will hang on the tank and drain water down to the sump. they vary but most are about 50 bucks. next a return pump from the sump to display. that will cost you around 50 - 300!. most people are so worried about overhead they over kill with a return pump and have to use a valve to slow down the flow. if your return line is straight and takes the shortest path to display with little to no turns then dont worry too much about getting a powerful return pump. i recommend at the least a mag 9 . they retail at about 90 bucks. so try to spend about 100$ on the return and your set!

kidchill · 09/14/2007, 05:28 AM

Wow, two years to cycle without adding anything? I would've gone crazy!!!! If you're trying to keep to a budget check the classifieds, craigslist.com, and ebay. A lot of times you can find decent stuff for real cheap prices. You already have a sump and the LR, so all you really need is an overflow box, protein skimmer, and return pump. This really shouldn't cost all that much. Also, check out proctor&gamble and petsolutions online. Their prices are usually better than the LFS. If you're handy, check out the DIY plans that are all over the internet. Also, what lighting do you have and what else are you planning on putting in the tank? Corals of any kind or just fish with the LR?

hub81 · 09/14/2007, 08:16 AM

I plan on several corals of all kinds with t5 lighting and around seven or eight fish.
My budget for a skimmer is only around 150.00-200.00.

Thanks for the suggestions

09/13/2007, 08:40 PM	#1
hub81 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 100	Need help and suggestions I have let my 75 gal tank cycle for two years with just one clown fish. I have 130lbs of live rock and 80lbs of live sand. I have only ran a small carbon filter and I am looking to purchase a new filter system and a skimmer. I have been told that the Octo 150 is good. I have also built a 39 gal sump but my tank does not have a built in over flow what should I do to get it up and running correctly. I have been saving for this for a few months but my bugget is still tight so I need the best for the cheapest price. Thanks for the help __________________ Hubcap Try Not Do or Do Not There Is No Try Current Tank Info: 150 gal reef 220lbs sand 125lbs live rock, with 55 gal sump Octo Diablo skimmer, quite one 6000 return pump, 39 gal quarantine

09/13/2007, 10:25 PM	#4
reefD Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Schenectady,New York Posts: 4,968	as stated your tank not being drilled means you have to use what is called an overflow box. this will hang on the tank and drain water down to the sump. they vary but most are about 50 bucks. next a return pump from the sump to display. that will cost you around 50 - 300!. most people are so worried about overhead they over kill with a return pump and have to use a valve to slow down the flow. if your return line is straight and takes the shortest path to display with little to no turns then dont worry too much about getting a powerful return pump. i recommend at the least a mag 9 . they retail at about 90 bucks. so try to spend about 100$ on the return and your set! __________________ DAVID Current Tank Info: it has four sides and a bottom...oh yeah and it has water in it. lol

09/14/2007, 08:16 AM	#6
hub81 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 100	I plan on several corals of all kinds with t5 lighting and around seven or eight fish. My budget for a skimmer is only around 150.00-200.00. Thanks for the suggestions __________________ Hubcap Try Not Do or Do Not There Is No Try Current Tank Info: 150 gal reef 220lbs sand 125lbs live rock, with 55 gal sump Octo Diablo skimmer, quite one 6000 return pump, 39 gal quarantine

09/13/2007, 09:35 PM	#2
skriz Moved On Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 502	the best will not come cheap. what's your budget? you are looking for a skimmer and an overflow, right? what else? what are you planning on keeping in the tank? this will make a difference on the skimmer. FOWLR doesn't need as aggresive a skimmer, imo, as would a reef tank.

09/13/2007, 10:15 PM	#3
AndyB4784 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: lansing, mi Posts: 309	probably your cheapest option would be a mag return pump and a HOB overflow for the drain. What are you looking to spend on the skimmer. IMO the Euro-Reef RS 80 would be great for that size tank and it's about $250.

09/14/2007, 05:28 AM	#5
kidchill Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 78	Wow, two years to cycle without adding anything? I would've gone crazy!!!! If you're trying to keep to a budget check the classifieds, craigslist.com, and ebay. A lot of times you can find decent stuff for real cheap prices. You already have a sump and the LR, so all you really need is an overflow box, protein skimmer, and return pump. This really shouldn't cost all that much. Also, check out proctor&gamble and petsolutions online. Their prices are usually better than the LFS. If you're handy, check out the DIY plans that are all over the internet. Also, what lighting do you have and what else are you planning on putting in the tank? Corals of any kind or just fish with the LR?