lduncan Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 just on heaters i'd recommend using two or more lower power heaters ( RAIH ). If one gets stuck on it reduces the chance of you're tank frying. Or alternatively use a separate electronic heater controller. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I think saying "no imports" is a little off (PetPlanet does own a pet store, (and I think Bruce does as well??) hence the protest to importing). I see no 'legit' reason to put people off internation/internet purchases. Why bother to list prices if your not going to list the 'street' price, which is quite different to the NZ Retail store price. Anyone can do it, look in the T&E section Chimera has organised a shipment for all of us so we can avoid the retail margins. Pies I'm thinking this is to normaise the price. If everyone quotes retail prices we're not comparing apples with oranges... I could be way off here but since retail is the price the majority will pay, why not use it as the standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I would say a temp controller is a must have, not only means you can use whatever cheap crappy heaters you can find without worring, but also turns on your fans/chiller etc. I think I paid $120 for mine, dont know what normal retail is. timers, good quality that will handle lights etc retail at about $30-$40. I currently have 6 on my tank. RCD $120, I have two could get away with one. Oftem forgotten but would you put a fan heat on the edge of your bath without one?? Yet people are happy to stick their hands in a tank full of 240v heaters and pumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I might be up for a temp controller in a month or two if they're $120ish. But, I don't consider them necessary. With a chiller I think most have their own thermostats? If they don't it would probably be necessary, otherwise if you just have a fan, leave the fan going. I leave mine on, helps keep the MHs cool too, otherwise my big pendant gets too hot to comfortably touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I must admit that I love my AquqController 2 for being able to control these things. But this is the basic setup. I think we need to be carefull that we don't put to many extra's on here. Aaron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 if you leave the fans running then the heaters have to run more wasting power costing you in the long run. you can connect the fan to the light timer but adding a heat controller has made heaps of difference to the temp in my tank. no more swings between 24- 29 degrees. A good investment in my boks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 Actully you can buy fans that have their own adjustable thermostate built in. This would be the best way to go for the basic setup if their price is right. I don't know there price, If someone has a chance have a look in Dick Smiths site www.dse.co.nz for them they should have some. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 you can connect the fan to the light timer oops, yeah, that's what I meant, with the lights. By the time the lights are out it's usually cool enough that the tank doesn't need any cooling and when the lights and fan are on it usually doesn't need any heating. I use a big(ish) box fan from the warehouse. I just run it on the lowest speed usually but turn it up a bit when it's really hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petplanet Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I think saying "no imports" is a little off (PetPlanet does own a pet store, (and I think Bruce does as well??) hence the protest to importing). I see no 'legit' reason to put people off internation/internet purchases. Yeah but 3/4 of ppl stating basic set ups are newbies, no ? the will go straight to the LFS, rather than import. I have to agree with dogmatrix. You can save heaps if you import but it is more hassle especially if you have not done it before. Even the super cheap heaters are only really cheap at the moment for one reason. A change in the electrical standards. All the wholesalers had to off load their stuff with the old plugs. They now have to be half teflon coated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted April 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 in my opinion, i would consider a basic reef setup something like the following: a 4x2x2 foot main tank (or thereabouts) a 3 foot sump 1 x eheim 1060 or 1262 for return pump 2 x hagen 802 powerheads or seio's M820's for main tank circulation (i've included brands here as an example of flow) 1 x 300W heater 2 x 150W metal halide or T5's a small/medium sized skimmer Fan cooled (or optionally a chiller if budget allows) 25 - 75kg of LR (amount depending on bioload/budget and aesthetics) a mixture of lps and soft corals 2 - 6 fish/inverts anything else im missing? if you like, copy and paste the above and reply with changes or inclusions (and put them in bold if you can) we can add approximate prices later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 I wouldn't bother with 150W halides. 2 x 250 Watt would be better. for the small price difference. running costs are obviously higher Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted April 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 i believe there is little price difference and would agree with this purely for the fact that they can keep a few sps as well. lets just say 2 x 150W or 2 x 250W or better if you are planning on keeping SPS corals as well (and not saying that 150W aren't sufficient for SPS - it is purely based on the price differential so why not get a higher intensity lighting system) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 what is the cost difference in running a 150w versus 250??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted April 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 not sure on running costs - layton or warren maybe able to answer that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted April 28, 2005 Report Share Posted April 28, 2005 You will probably find that 400s work out cheaper. The running gear is cheaper to get started and bulbs are cheaper. They will cost more to run, but probably cheaper when you consider the difference in bulb prices. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Just for electricity the price difference between a 150 and a 250 will be about $7 each per month. So let's call it $15 per month for the pair. Depends on electricity prices, obviously. Electricity costs per month for... 2X150de=$20 2X250de=$33.50 2X400se=$53.60 Costs for bulbs(about, don't have exact prices) Replace every 9 months 2X 150de= $300=$33.33/mo 2X250de=$320=$35.55/mo 2X400se=$180=$20/mo So, total 2X150=$53.55/mo 2X250=$69.05/mo 2X400=$73.60/mo Cost/watt/month(Dunno how important this is given the differing efficiencies of DE and SE) 2X 150de= $0.1785 2X250de=$0.1381 2X400se=$0.092 I've seen info that says that 250 watt DE is up near the same intensity as 400 SEs, so I'd call 250 and 400 pretty much equal. Maybe still a slight advantage to the 400s, but not enough to make rule out personal preference as a deciding factor. Now, I've started seeing ads recently for 400W DEs, those would be massive for light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 My tank costs around $130 a month in electricity to run. 3 x 400W halides are the majority of the costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 My tank has 2x150w & looks reasonable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Pies Wrote I think saying "no imports" is a little off (PetPlanet does own a pet store, (and I think Bruce does as well??) hence the protest to importing). I see no 'legit' reason to put people off internation/internet purchases. Most people arent as anti retail as Pies, No protest from me if you want to save a few bucks and import, deal with warranty issues from over seas, pay duties GST, internal freight etc Its a wonder you go to the effort of buying Visi therms from your LFS, should import them and save yourself a fortune Yes I do own a pet store (retiring next week after 6 months in business to go and spend my fortune) /Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 the importing issue with reeftanks is that most of the stuff is not available at most pet stores so importing your self opens up not only lower prices but also equiptment not available locally example- seio's, MH bulbs (at least not in hamilton) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted April 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 the importing issue with reeftanks is that most of the stuff is not available at most pet stores so importing your self opens up not only lower prices but also equiptment not available locally exactly. or if it's a higher priced item its generally a rip off. take my iwaki for example, $1200 here, $600 from marinedepot. i gladly welcome the Internet for these types of purchases - and it's not just fish products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Control Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 I agree with importing for yourself. I got my AquaController off the Marine Depot but not every one has a credit card. Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 Hey Bruce - I'm not anti retail, just rather see the money in my bank account than in yours. So don't think of me as anti-retail, more anti-being-ripped-off. Its a wonder you go to the effort of buying Visi therms from your LFS, should import them and save yourself a fortune Yes I do own a pet store (retiring next week after 6 months in business to go and spend my fortune) I feel your sarcastic tone, so just to be clear, as I would hate for their to be a misunderstanding. Its not worth the hastle of importing heaters, the saving would not even pay for a pack of cigarettes. However if it was say a $300.00 dollar Ehiem filter or pump that I could have delivered to my door for less than $150.00 - what should I do, buy it from an LFS like yours, or go through the 'hastle' of sending an email and waiting for it to arrive...? Everyone is different, i'd send the email and save the $150.00, but clearly I am in a minority. Its my system to get twice as much of exactly the same thing for the same amount of money. Now I assume your being sarcastic again and not really retiring and that you havn't actually made a fortune from your business in the last 6 months, right? Thrifty Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted April 29, 2005 Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 exactly. or if it's a higher priced item its generally a rip off. take my iwaki for example, $1200 here, $600 from marinedepot. i gladly welcome the Internet for these types of purchases - and it's not just fish products. Chimera - Its just because your anti-retail. Opps sorry, isn't Marinedepot a retail store? Still, think of all the hastle that you could have overted and all the extra value buying locally would have got you for your $600.00. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted April 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2005 :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.