How big can I go while keeping the same light?

TheReefGeek · #1 03-08-2006, 06:31 PM

You dont have a tank on your list.

What are you currently using for a skimmer? It may or may not suit a larger tank.

If you are upgrading, I always recommend a drilled tank with sump, and a closed loop if you can.

Dont add too much live rock at once, or the die off might spike your tank, add is slowly if you add live.

OCDP · #2 03-08-2006, 06:40 PM

D'oh haha.. your right, a tank might help huh. Also added a couple buckets to the list. I am sure I'll need 'em.

I am using an AquaC Remora right now . I am very pleased with it. I planned no keeping it as I am not going any bigger than 50g anyways.. should do me alright eh?

I know I really should do the whole sump thing, but like I mentioned I am a light sleeper heh. My next tank.. which I know there will be one, will definitely have a sump and fuge. But that's for a tank that's not in my bedroom. Althgouh I may make a modded AC500 fuge, not sure yet.

I'll be okay with adding all my current live rock, then I only plan on buying a few more pounds, so I am sure what I have right now will do and I can slowly add from there. Maybe I'll add only a couple to begin with if I do.

TheReefGeek · #3 03-08-2006, 06:47 PM

The remora will work great for you.

As for your change-over plans they were good, if you replcae the sand, keep some of the old stuff to seed it with.

OCDP · #4 03-08-2006, 06:48 PM

Cool.. I figured the Remora would be okay.

Thanks for the reminder, I would have just ended up throwing it all out.

I will call over to some places and get quotes on tanks.

Anyone know a good place in Calgary to buy stands? I just need something simple really...

snaggle · #5 03-08-2006, 06:59 PM

just a thought why not get a tank that is 24L x 24W x 16H that would make you tank the size of 2 20L if the light is penitrating good to ends of the tank now the a 24 x 24 is not out of reach.

Brad

Johnny Reefer · #6 03-09-2006, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

Dont add too much live rock at once, or the die off might spike your tank, add is slowly if you add live.

Die off of what? The live rock? Why would this happen? Personally, I don't think it will, IMHO. I would put your Live Rock all back in the new tank at once. There is nothing better for cycling your tank than LR, IMHO. Heck, I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that you won't even get a cycle that way. I would also add more than just a few lbs, but you could wait on that. Try to match pound/gallon what you have in the 20, eventually, IMHO.

As for "cleaning the living hell out of it" (live rock)....why? IMHO, just swish each piece in some tank water from the 20 in a bucket and Bob's your uncle.

Speaking of tankwater from the 20....try to save as much of this as possible for the new tank so you are not going with 100% new mixed SW.

As for the tank plans and the lighting....it seems a common trend to me, with most reefers, that one upgrade leads to another. My point being that once you get the new tank going, are you sure you won't want to upgrade your lighting? IMHO, I would research lighting now also, with the idea that an upgrade here just might cross your mind later. No? This way, maybe you will avoid some grief on lighting decisions if you've planned and purchased the appropriate tank.

That's great that you are upgrading. Now you will have a QT tank with the 20g!

Good luck and cheers,

TheReefGeek · #7 03-09-2006, 01:43 AM

Yes, of course put all your live rock back in at once, the live rock you already have that is. And you dont need to clean it, just swish it around as stated.

Nobody said the tank was going to re-cycle. Unless you add a whole bunch of new uncured live rock at once. THEN the die off from that might spike the tank. By the time "live" rock makes it to Edmonton, it aint to live. It smells horrible from everything rotting on it. So if you are adding uncured live rock, dont add to much, IMHO.

Johnny Reefer · #8 03-09-2006, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheReefGeek

..... Unless you add a whole bunch of new uncured live rock at once. THEN the die off from that might spike the tank. ..... So if you are adding uncured live rock, dont add to much, IMHO. .....

I would never even consider putting uncured Live Rock into any system. Consequently, the thought did not enter my mind when I read your post and I thought you were talking about the cured established rock.

Do you mean to say that there are no LFS's in Edmonton that cure LR and sell it as such?

There's also the option of the aquarist curing it themselves.

Like I said...I would never put uncured LR in any system.

Glad we got that cleared up and cheers

,

OCDP · #9 03-09-2006, 02:48 AM

Yup, I will be adding all my Live Rock.. and the reason I said I was going to clean the hell out of it is because there's some algae (hair, weird macros [ugly] macros.. ) that I want off. I like to see purple on my rocks.. not algae. I will be adding a small amount of LR though.. and it's for the most part cured. I'm not worried really.. it wont be too much rock.. or if I do need lots, I'll be sure not to add lots at a time.

I will be using 100% newly mixed water in the new tank..

I got the OK to do the upgrade.. 24x24x18. Just need to build a stand. It won't be anything fancy.. just a basic look. The downside is I may not be able to start building until the beginning of April.. or shortly after. BUT in the meantime I may start buying all the equipment I'll need and getting some of that stuff out of the way.

I'm looking forward to this.. I'm really looking forward to starting out fresh and CLEAN... keeping on top of it 100% . I want the tank to look as new as possible at all times. I'll be able to design an aquascape I've always wanted to try, just not able to do so.

I may fill the tank with the water you can get at the grocery store, is it just RO water? Anyways, I am going to use that to fill the tank, then in a couple months I am going to look into an RO/DI unit.

Lighting is staying the same. I haven't had this fixture long, and to be honest.. I like it. I like the way it looks... and if all goes according to plan, it should do me well with the new tank. Only thing I'm changing in lighting is my bulb, the brand, and K rating

I also just added a 1 3/4W lunar light to the tank, and it suprisingly looks great. Perhaps because my fixture goes high up and I taped it on (yes taped.. it looks okay though) and it spreads very nicely throughout the tank.

TheReefGeek · #10 03-09-2006, 04:21 AM

Mark, the LFS here do have holding tanks for live rock. But they don't cure it before selling it per say.

You never know when the shipment came in, and the good stuff sells long before it is cured, because you get to pick out your pieces.

What is left over that IS eventually cured is dense crap with no life on it.

This is of course in general, and just my opinion.