Found on cl for $40? Good deal or no?
After many starts and stops I'm finally going. Awful I know.
This is what I can't decide.... a 20g or 40g. I know most people will say go bigger but I'm not sure it is worth the energy. I currently have the 20g stand and tank. I like the layout of a 40g. I'm struggling to find a stand for the 40. The ones petco/smart/lfs offer are crazy expensive and DYI means I will lose a finger and a couple of nails. Ha. IF I can find a suitable replacement stand for the 40 I will do it. Otherwise I've got the 20.
What I do have!
750 koralia power head
50 lbs of caribsea base rock
305 fluval filter
30g HOB filter
30 lbs of Pfs
120w taotronics dimmable led fixture
A bottle of ammonia
The rock, fixture, and ph are being shipped via amazon.
Not sure of stocking as it depends on the tank. Any ideas?
Yea!!! It's starting!! so exciting, isn't it??!!
A few things:
The light will work fine for corals. Many people on here have them and like them. You'll have to fiddle with the dimming at first to find the right strength for your corals so they don't get burned. Just don't start at 100% right off the bat. How high your fixture needs to be will depend in the tank dimensions. Hang it high enough that the light covers the whole tank and isn't just spilling onto the floor/ stand.
The 750 ph might be a little much for a 20g. In my 30g, I have a 500 and a 250, and that seems to be good. In a 40, the 750 would be ok, but I would add another one to help make random flows and prevent dead areas.
The tv stand looks ok, might be a little low for viewing, though. And I'm not sure where you could put the filter or sump without tearing out the center brace, which wouldn't be a great idea. :/ The drawers would be good for storing testing supplies, food, etc, though.
A lot of people are very against canister filters For sw. I have one, and my tank is fine. It just needs to be cleaned weekly to prevent nitrate build-up. Only takes me 10-15 min to clean it. I have the Fluval 406 on my 55g reef. Iw ould use the canister and change the 30 hob filter into A mini refugium. What brand hob is it? I did that with an aqua clear 30. It was easy, let me know it you need help with that.
50lb of rock for a 20 might be a little much. Lol. Can always save some of it for when/if you upgrade, and lets face it, almost all of us do! Lol.
BTW, ya got a heater? Test kits? To start you'll need ammo, nitrite and nitrate during the cycle.
You're almost ready to set up!! Let us know what other questions you have!!
Make sure it's all wood and you be fine. The TV stands are great. I will say that it's a bit on the low side. Which was ok for me because my daughter is only 4 and I wanted her to be able to see every thing.
For lights....some may think I'm crazy but I am running 4
http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-1&storeId=10702&catalogId=10051&productId=3122291&store=0086&view=detail
With 23w 6500k CFL light bulbs. Also from lowes
Tank is planted and doing well. I'm of adding two lights just to have better coverage.(lights are just resting on the glass) or hanging what I have 2 maybe 3 inches off the glass. Just haven't decided.
I do have a thread on it. "My 40g ram build begins" you can find it under my
Posts. Sry on my phone or I would link it for you.
Awesome!!!! You'll be so much happier with the 40B vice the 20. I had my 20L running for about two months and then kicked myself in the hind parts for not just going with a 40B like I first wanted to. More room for scaping, coral placement, more water volume, and of course more room for fish buddies.
I have a 40B in storage now that I'm going to drill and then build a stand to go with it once the weather gets better outside since I don't have a garage.
Lol! Its a money thing right now. I originally told him not to worry about the tank and then surprised him. Oh well.
He said maybe end of this month or early next month. That is not soon enough for me. So I asked him if he could just buy the stand for now. He said that may be possible. If he does that then I will buy the tank myself.
The reason why is everything I ordered is already here!!! The rocks are in my leasing office as they were delivered while I was not home. I'm excited to see what they look like as I wasn't able to see them.
Did I mention the lights were bright? Lol!!
A couple of questions:
1. Do I need the 305? I've got 50lbs of base rock, 750 power head, and a hob?
2. How do I hand the lights? I've looked online but am drawing a blank
3. Has anyone had any problems with the taotronics catching fire? I scared myself while trying to find info on hanging them.
4. Is using PETCO brand salt okay for the cycle?
If you have he LR and a good skimmer, that would work, but if you don't have a skimmer, I would use the 305, as least until you get a skimmer (IF you want one).
Don't know how to hang the lights. I thought it came wit a hanging kit.
Never heard if any taotronics catching fire. Interesting.
I didn't realize Petco has their own salt brand. It would probably be ok. Most start with instant ocean, then some change from there to Kent's or others.
"I have NO idea on when the tank will be purchased though. the bf said I must wait."
Tell him not to wait. Petco dollar per gallon sale is on until the 19th of the month. You will get the tank for 40$ vs. 129$. That's a no brainer! If he says no. You need to trade him in. Lol
I may by the tank and wait on the stand.
Crazy stoopid question :
How do you do a water change without exposing your live rock and coral??