I'm Back (27gal build)

StirCrazy · #1 11-26-2008, 01:20 PM

One thing I forgot to mention. for stuff like skimmers and such. Normally I would build my own and it was hard to resist not building one for this tank, as I have an idea I want to try, but my goal for this tank is to only build the stand and some of the lighting, ect the normal stuff you see people doing. Also building a skimmer at this point in time would be hard as I can't move in my garage again.. going to have to clean it up some more so I can build the stand though.

I am hoping to get a realistic cost for some one to set up a medium sized system.

Canadian · #2 11-26-2008, 08:51 PM

Steve,

I might have a modified Tunze 6025 pushing around 1100-1200 GPH that I'm getting rid of. The motor block is broken so I'm sending it in to be replaced by Tunze. I had 2 modified 6025's in my 30g but I just bought a Vortech MP20 so now I intend to just use one modified 6025 and the MP20 and will put the replacement one up for sale.

Let me know if you're interested.

StirCrazy · #3 11-28-2008, 03:18 AM

Canadian, when you get it in let me know.

Ok so like I said the skimmer was a surprise, well today is the surprise day.

I went with the vertex after reading a tone of reviews. Original I was going to go with a PM recirculating skimmer, but then as I thought about it that would need two pumps, one for the needle wheel and another for the feed. I bounced this around in my head for a while and decided that is just another addition of heat which I don't need. I am trying to minimize pumps on this one so I can go more power on the lights. I also picked up some water proof T5 end caps and standoffs for the hood, I already have a ballast that will drive them so my Actinic lighting is taken care of now.

Does anyone have a single 250 watt HQI set up (either DE or SE) that they want to part with cheep?

Steve

Canadian · #4 11-28-2008, 03:24 AM

Steve,

I'm home now.

StirCrazy · #5 11-30-2008, 12:43 AM

Ok, so I wanted to keep a running budgit for this tank so I will do cost updates once and a while

1) two 27 gal tanks 75.00
2) Vertex 100 skimmer 244.00
3) water proof endcap sets for T5s 28.00

Steve

Skimmerking · #6 11-30-2008, 01:32 AM

Welcome Back STeve looks great so far.

StirCrazy · #7 11-30-2008, 03:51 AM

Thanks, feels good to be back.

Ok, decision time. How am I going to maintain my chemical levels in my water.

two options.

1) Ca reactor, cheapest one I found was at J&Ls for 450ish plus I would need a pump so 50ish well say. now media 20ish (say x3 for the year) and a fill on the tank 15ish

total is 575.00ish

2) Proflux plus II balling kit. maintains all levels and this kit should last more than a year. monitors temp, PH

total 699.00 with our crappy buck.

now to make this a fair comparison I would have to add to option 1, for the PH and temp so 170.00 will get me a pinpoint PH and temp. so the real price of number 1 is now 745.00 and I haven't even gotten into Kalk reactors yet.

To tell the truth I am leaning to-wards Proflux, but I am just waiting for Aqua Digital to answer a few question about there "package kits" as there are a couple more options I would like.

I will let you know what I am thinking here so if I am nuts you can tell me.

I was wanting the Proflux unit to also come with the level controllers and the pump unit to be a 4 pump unit instead of a 3 so I can use one pump for top off. I would also like salinity and redox monitoring (but I can live with out this one for now) and a digital power bar so the proflux can control my lights.

So I am basically waiting to see if the packages can be customized.

Steve