Faithbleed Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hi Guys, I'm looking at starting a reef tank and am completely new to this, so have a few questions, if you lot will humour me: + How well do marine tanks cope with power cuts and what can you do if one does happen? + How easy is to to move/transport tanks + fish + coral, lets say to a new house? + What are the pro/cons of plumbed in sumps vs hang ons? + Anyone one on here have any objection against Hollywood Fish Farms and/or are they reasonable to deal with/source gear and fish from? Any other advice would be most welcome. Cheers in advance Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 depends on you really and you have to be willing to put the money and time into it.biggest concern are you experienced with fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithbleed Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm willing to put the time in, when I commit to something I see it through and do it properly. I hate cutting corners and do my research first. As for experience with fish, not much more serious than goldfish really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinefish4life Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hi Guys, I'm looking at starting a reef tank and am completely new to this, so have a few questions, if you lot will humour me: + How well do marine tanks cope with power cuts and what can you do if one does happen? + How easy is to to move/transport tanks + fish + coral, lets say to a new house? + What are the pro/cons of plumbed in sumps vs hang ons? + Anyone one on here have any objection against Hollywood Fish Farms and/or are they reasonable to deal with/source gear and fish from? Any other advice would be most welcome. Cheers in advance Dave more space for naughty fish, less messy at the top (skimmer,heater,filter) and easier to do water changes with and add fresh water and more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithbleed Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 more space for naughty fish, less messy at the top (skimmer,heater,filter) and easier to do water changes with and add fresh water and more Thanks for this, but I'm a little confused. I'll be doing a sump, but want to know the difference between plumbed in (part of the tank) and just the ones that hang over the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosco Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Do your research first, it helps to have owned a tropical fw before as it helps you with getting to terms with water chemistry. In marines you have to keep good chemistry to give things the best life possible while in your care. If not your looking into the wrong hobby. Otherwise if your willing to spend the money, research a hell of alot and provide your marine life with a good quality of life then well start here.... http://www.youtube.com/user/newyorksteelo?feature=g-all-u#p/u thats what I have done along with alot of other research on others have done but you cant go wrong with this guys approach but start at his early videos, very informative and I have mine set up very similar to his and never had any problems. :nilly: cheers and goodluck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 I'm not going to try marine until I have at least 6 years experience with freshwater tropicals. From what I have seen, Marine is easier to maintain once it is set up, but it is an absolute mission to get set up (and very costly). Lots of experience will be your biggest tool. Have patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirio Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hey Faith, Power cuts I wouldn't be too sure about ,the only thing I wouldn't be too sure about is how long the fish/corals will survive without flow, maintaining temperature would be a factor but I think that's not as difficult as maintaining flow. But the flow aspect I'm not experienced enough to tell you about. I would imagine it would be emulating a transport eg: being in a bag from store to home + acclimation etc. So I would say 5hrs+ without flow maybe? But yeah, presuming you can maintain heat. Short term loss of light shouldn't be a biggie. Presuming the max the cut lasts is a day or so. With moving It really just depends. Overall not that hard if you have time and a few spare hands. But still a job, especially if you have alot of stock and have to mix new water etc etc. But presuming it's around 200L or so. A job, but not an impossible one, especially if you pre plan everything. Just will need a hand to help make sure it goes all smoothly. Pros of a sump include larger skimmer, which would be a direct link to better water quality, HOB Skimmers are good, and some fantastic even. But I would rather use a In Sump skimmer, where I can get more skimmage. The overflow system can help stop the build up of that oily / water surface skum if you're a clean freak. Sump will also hide all your other peripherals or whatever you want to call them. Heater, mediareactors, overall. Just adds alot of room for you to add things that will make your tank run smoother. Aswell as adding more water volume. Nothing wrong with HOB, more than possible to do everything HOB. I just would have a sump if given the choice. Personal pref. And Hollywood Fish Farm, never had any problems with them at all, always fun to visit there stores. Also Try Aquaworld, specialist Marine shop primarily and there staff there are really great. Large variety of corals / equipment too. The owner Alex is really knowledgeable too. They should be able to provide you with all you need. Other then that man, it's not too hard to do, IMO not as hard as some people think it is. Just learn to keep your water parameters crisp and get good equipment and you have the foundations for success. Extremely rewarding hobby. Once you see all your work pay off and you successfully simulate a piece of nature in your home, get to watch things grow /interact. It's worth it. But yeah, welcome to the forums, and there is a heap of people here that can help you if you need anymore help along the way. PS : Rosco, I'm also a NewYorkSteelo subscriber, I would also reccomend him as a great source of informative videos. Great guy too, always updates his Facebook fan Page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithbleed Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hi guys, I appreciate the replies, thanks. I'm taking my time and I do understand the amount of work/time/expense involved and I'm happy to do things properly. Thanks for the link rosco, I've been checking out heaps of vids and online material. :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 After 30 years of fishkeeping I am yet to make the move to marine although I have been considering it, moreso of late. The one big thing I have learnt from reading this forum is to go slowly when setting up a marine tank. Other tips I have read are to be patient and purchase decent quality equipment. I have gotten the impression that if you can't afford decent quality equipment then you possibly will not be able to afford to run a marine set up. You will find all the salties on this fishroom helpful and willing to answer any questions you have but remember that they may not all do everything the same way, yet still get a good result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithbleed Posted February 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hi Adrienne, Thanks for your kind words, I've found this forum very friendly and helpful so far, so I hope that continues and I hope to eventually be able to contribute back some day. Our focus is primarily on the fish's well being, so we're happy to get good quality gear and not skimp, we're also taking our time before committing to anything before we're happy we know what we're doing. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 and make sure you are aware of ongoing costs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 What lighting are you thinking of getting? Marine tanks make quite a dent in the powerbill, and most of this is caused by metal halide lights and chillers. Metal halides are also really hot, which is usually why a chiller is needed. I think you should go with LEDs. They use less power, provide heaps of light, and don't need to be replaced for ages. There are a few really good modular systems out there. From what I have read, the EcoTech Radion and Aqua Illumination Sol Blue look to be about the best ones out there. If I was starting a marine tank I would go with the AI Sol Blue because it is cheaper than the Radion, and you can use it to its full potential with the AI controller, whereas the Radion needs to be plugged into a computer and you need to download software for it, so in my opinion the Radion is best for serious reef junkys who are obsessed with all the technical stuff. Although I have never kept marines, I do a lot of reading on the internet about it because I would really love to keep reef aquariums one day HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithbleed Posted February 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Cheers Joe, was looking at metal halide, but LED sounds like a valid option. Where in NZ would I buy them from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I'm not sure if you can get the AI Sol Blue in NZ, but Ecoxotic LED stips are available, and so is the EcoTech Radion; http://www.reefsmart.co.nz/lighting.html?limit=32 But if you want to get the AI Sol Blue there are plenty of places overseas where it is available and shipping shouldn't be too bad because they are very small (30x14cm) and also it doesn't matter where you get it from because LED lights don't require a specific voltage or frequency to work I think. I'm not to sure about the controller though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirio Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Definitely, Lighting is a key element for coral growth etc, LEDs are a good option , but those two definitely are not the only ones. EcoTech is a good brand, but there is plenty of other units that will grow corals just as well. Never used Metal Halides but I don't think there is anything wrong with them. Chillers are are a good tool to have but by no means required in my opinion. I know plenty of people who don't have chillers, and own smaller marine tanks which are more prone to temperature change. Having said that, they don't use Metal Halides. Of which can emit alot of heat, but if it's not too close to the water surface I don't think it will be a huge problem. But yeah. I would choose LEDs over MH, just plainly because I've had success with them, they don't emit much heat, and just overall are fun to use. So I will continue to use LEDs. There is a multitude of options when it comes to LED hoods now, there are generic Chinese ones (Of which I have, and worked magically.), Maxspect, Kessil, kits to create your own. Fish street has a heap of options too, I know Fay from Reef Reflections was pleased with the ones she chose from Fish Street. Should you order a unit on-line you will be able to get a much larger selection to choose from. On-going costs aren't that high, new salt mixes, chemical buffers, food, perhaps replacement media/membranes? Nothing too back breaking as far as I know. Can't think of much else. http://www.deepblueaquarium.co.nz has a good selection of equipment, I really reccomend the Bubble Magus Protein Skimmers. He also stocks Maxspect LEDs. But first it is a good idea to decide on tank measurements, then choose the lighting that will be right for you. Hope this helps. Edit : Forgot to mention T5's/T5HO's etc as a viable option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Personally I wouldn't use T5's. They lose intensity over time, and contain harmful gases. Also they need to be replaced every 8-12 months depending on the needs of your corals, and the type/brand of tube you are using, and it is quite expensive to replace them. But I have seen some amazing tanks on the net that use just T5's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirio Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Neither, I'd always be inclined to get LEDs or Metal Halides. But it is still a very viable option , and as you said there is loads of beautiful tanks using them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raeh1 Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 Marine is a big step up from goldfish or even tropical. But with research and smart purchases it can be done successfully for cheapish. But take your time patience is key.. Take everything people say with a grain of salt (so to speak) but do research (books are very good compared to websites if you get the right ones). All systems have strengths and weaknesses, if you know you weaknesses of your system then you can work around them. I import marine livestock and I know one of my skimmers is weak so I make sure that I comensate and reduce the load in otherways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithbleed Posted February 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Couple more questions: - Wheres the best place to get RO/DI water and/or is there an alternative? - What kind of power bill increase will I be looking at for a reef system? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinefish4life Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Couple more questions: - Wheres the best place to get RO/DI water and/or is there an alternative? - What kind of power bill increase will I be looking at for a reef system? Cheers join http://www.reefkeepers.co.nz amd ask there they will help you :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 I don't think the powerbill will be too bad if you use LEDs. The main thing that will suck electricity I assume would just be the chiller. And there are a lot of energy-effecient pumps out there like Tunze, and a lot of other things you will probably get are just little gizmos and gadgets which don't use a lot of electricity at all, and just take up plug space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 The main thing that will suck electricity I assume would just be the chiller. A chiller should be more efficent than a heater to move the same volume of water the same temp. diff. That is why the same technology is used in heatpumps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithbleed Posted February 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 join http://www.reefkeepers.co.nz amd ask there they will help you :thup: No offence, but why can't I ask here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marinefish4life Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 No offence, but why can't I ask here? them aswell :sml2: , but they only do marine, just another option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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