Phantom Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 So I got a call from EQC saying they're processing my claim (yay). I have about $5000 worth of tanks they're paying out on and I've decided I want to switch from freshwater to marine. I've got a Juwel trigon 350 and a Juwel trigon 180 already, both are freshwater killie tanks. I'll keep them. To keep the look going, I'd like to get a Juwel vision 450 tank with my EQC money and set that up marine. So since this will be my first real venture into marine and I've got a bit of money to splash on it, what would people recommend purchasing to do so. I could spend more than $5k, I am getting more than that from EQC, so money isn't so much of an object in this case. Ideally I'd like to keep the elegant design of the Juwel tanks and I'd rather not drill the glass if I can help it. Thinking I'll have to go with a HOB skimmer of some sort that doesn't look too bad. Trigon 350 (350L) looks like this: Vision 450 (450L) looks like this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Ideally I'd like to keep the elegant design of the Juwel tanks and I'd rather not drill the glass if I can help it. Thinking I'll have to go with a HOB skimmer of some sort that doesn't look too bad. Elegant design and HOB skimmer is a bit of an oxymoron IMO. I'd seriously reconsider going for a Juwel tank, the options with glass are unlimited and having a sump is almost essential if you're going reef (again, IMO). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navarre Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Talk to Bob at Redwood he builds Jewul marine tanks and they look stunning They have sumps tho as he drills them and sets this all up for you if you want. Also see his latest shipment of Corals etc Stunning Navarre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Elegant design and HOB skimmer is a bit of an oxymoron IMO. I'd seriously reconsider going for a Juwel tank, the options with glass are unlimited and having a sump is almost essential if you're going reef (again, IMO). I've had regular glass tanks before, I just don't like them as much. The Juwel's look awesome and I already have 2. I just don't think I'd like it as much if it was a plain glass tank. Then there is the stand etc too. Maybe I could get it drilled, Bob's pricing on the tanks is a bit expensive though compared to others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navarre Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 talk to him and get a quote. cant hurt and he will have it all set up for you a complete system or not your choice just would be where I would go in christchurch for a marine jewul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jettin Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 Custom tank - you pick the size for your viewing pleasure Custom sump - store as much equipment as you can fit, expand your water volume & stability Custom stand - will look far better than many of the complete stand / tank / hood setups available in NZ In my opinion those jewel units are so dated, and do not suit a modern environment. Build a piece of art to suit your lounge, unless its also really dated? :digH: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Custom tank - you pick the size for your viewing pleasure Custom sump - store as much equipment as you can fit, expand your water volume & stability Custom stand - will look far better than many of the complete stand / tank / hood setups available in NZ In my opinion those jewel units are so dated, and do not suit a modern environment. Build a piece of art to suit your lounge, unless its also really dated? :digH: I don't own my own house, so can't build one to suit. Already have asked Bob, he's about $600 more than other places for the tank alone without any modifications. Maybe he'd do a deal on the works, I'll ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 These look tempting, but I have not done much research on them to date... http://reefbuilders.com/2010/05/17/red-sea-max-s-500-440-liter-116-gallon-aquarium-specifications/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-obstacle Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 My vote would be for a red sea max also. They're all in one and they're awesome apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 pm lambo and see if he will let you go look at his tank i think its a rio 400 has 2 sets of twin t5s and hob deltec quite cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaFever Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 the red sea max isnt due here for at least another 8 - 12 months and will cost upwards of 6k according to our rep. ever thought of the aqua reef 400 by aqua one, much cheaper than the juwel and look very much the same give or take a few details and its all set ready to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 I've considered the other tanks, but I already have Juwel tanks and I love them. I've never really been that impressed with the look of the red sea max tanks. I've asked for prices on the 500L and so far people think it will be around the $7000 - $8000 mark. OK so assuming I will have the Juwel .. and I might drill it, what gear would people recommend using? Skimmers, sump design, pumps, wave makers etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Id just get the smaller RSM tbh. Good size, going huge raises the $$ exponentially, not just in initial cost, but in upkeep also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 There used to be an estimate of approx $15 per litre to equip a marine tank... Gear wise I would go Deltec or Reef Octopus for skimmers and Tunze for streams and controllers, but that is just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 There used to be an estimate of approx $15 per litre to equip a marine tank... Gear wise I would go Deltec or Reef Octopus for skimmers and Tunze for streams and controllers, but that is just my opinion. I can afford $15 / L. I lost a lot of tanks, my EQC cheque is pretty decent. Replacing them all with just 1 tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 good on you for willing to spend the money! like most hardcore marine people will know that this is not a cheap hobby from setting up, maintaining, live stock...etc Drilling and sumping is highly recommended but the only thing is that the juwel cabinet isnt the biggest so your sump design will be limited. Brands that i would recommend would be deltec, tunze, ecotech vortech take it slow, do alot of research and have fun good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzy Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 i would definitely do some research on pumps/skimmers etc and ask on here before making big purchases. With that sort of money to drop on a setup it will be a great setup if done right. I would suggest buying decent quality equipment so that it lasts and does the job properly. Cant wait to see it all setup and running! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcculloch Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Deltec skimmers all the way, The hang on the back one they do works well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Hang on the back are a compromise, deltec are good, but look at the Bubble Magnus - trick skimmers at a very good price - if you can fit them in the sump. Tunze, ecotech are again great brands, but again look around depending on budget. Not too long ago, i would have agreed, but I have had and know of issues with these "high end" brands and the rise in the quality and technology of other brands have definitely made them a viable option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks. Yesterday I got my notification that the EQC cheque is in the mail. If I really really had to, I can spend up to $10k on this. I'd prefer to keep it around the $6k region though. I've been speaking with some people about the Aqua One skimmers. I know Aqua One is normally considered to be a cheap option, but the 5 people I've talked to say they have no problems with them and they do a great job, they wouldn't consider a more expensive one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jettin Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Thanks. Yesterday I got my notification that the EQC cheque is in the mail. If I really really had to, I can spend up to $10k on this. I'd prefer to keep it around the $6k region though. I've been speaking with some people about the Aqua One skimmers. I know Aqua One is normally considered to be a cheap option, but the 5 people I've talked to say they have no problems with them and they do a great job, they wouldn't consider a more expensive one now. Not so sure if id put aqua one and marine in the same sentence. What is the cost of one of their skimmers? As Puttputt mentioned have a look at bubble magus on http://www.deepblueaquarium.co.nz, they are a quality skimmer at a very good price. Ive had 3 myself with various setups and not 1 problem with any of them. If there are specialised marine shops in Christchurch id recommend taking a look around there and having a chat with them reg a setup. For a decent 4foot setup id recommend a budget of 3-4k. That includes live rock too. Have a look around on the forums there are always people breaking down tanks and swapping out equipment / live & dead rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 i own a bubble magus it works great and was good value for money too. i dont think id look at a aqua one skimmer some of the products they advertise for marine systems look dubious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted September 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 Not so sure if id put aqua one and marine in the same sentence. What is the cost of one of their skimmers? As Puttputt mentioned have a look at bubble magus on http://www.deepblueaquarium.co.nz, they are a quality skimmer at a very good price. Ive had 3 myself with various setups and not 1 problem with any of them. If there are specialised marine shops in Christchurch id recommend taking a look around there and having a chat with them reg a setup. For a decent 4foot setup id recommend a budget of 3-4k. That includes live rock too. Have a look around on the forums there are always people breaking down tanks and swapping out equipment / live & dead rock. I agree, I wouldn't normally consider them. However, I was told HFF run them on their marine setups. HFF have also advertised them here yesterday and had a reply from someone saying they were good. Talking around $300 mark for on Aqua One G224 which is 1850L/hr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzy Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 hands down i would go with a bubble magus over a aqua one, to tell you the truth i wouldn't even consider one for a marine setup. like its been said before have a look at the BM range of skimmers, or the newer model Reef Octopus stuff any of these would much better than the aqua one range. last time i was in at HFF im sure they were using a deltec skimmer but its been awhile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puttputt Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 +1 to what they said, dont touch an aqua one or redsea, they really don't stack up against some of these other newer brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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