Equipment input...what is your experience?

Beau is hosting the January Meeting this coming Saturday the 14th at 6PM.  It will be BYOB as well as a snack to share and raffle items are always welcome.  It has been requested that there be “NO SHOES” on the carpet due to it being a whitish color.

He doesn’t have a tank to view but we will have plenty to discuss in hopes that it will get the NEW YEAR off to a good start.  The annual membership fees are due, so now would be a good time to get them in to our Treasurer Stacey Hahn.   Fees are $20 per individual or $25 per family

Attendance was low at the election meeting in November and no votes were taken at December’s meeting so we have decided to take votes for anyone that didn’t get the opportunity in November and will be attending this meeting.  
We will add the votes to November’s ballots and the announcement will be made during the meeting so we can go forward.
NOMINATIONS:
President:  Jim & Nacho
V. President: Ed, Bo & Daniel Leigey
Treasurer: Stacey
Secretary: Carmen & Angie

Let’s hope the New Year brings new members, returning members and new ideas.  The club is always willing to take suggestions to get the most out of the hobby we all enjoy.

Please PM Nate C. by clicking here for directions if you are not a club member.  

Club members can click here to go to the club member only forum to get directions.

Hope to see you all there!

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[VickiG]

Okay, we are getting closer to making final decisions on our tank and some equipment.  What is your experience regarding:

1)  Acrylic vs. glass?
     We are looking at a custom IAP 150 gal (60"X24"X24") vs. Oceanic RR either 120 which is 48 1/2" X 25 1/2" X 25 1/2", or possibly their 140, which is same foot print, but 4" taller).  Not considering price, what does everyone say regarding just glass vs. acrylic, what pros cons to each in your humble opinions?

2)  Skimmers...who has what and what do you like/not like about it?

3) stand height?   standard height seems to be 28-30" in store-bought stands...if we have one built (by a club member who does great work by the way - you know who you are!) we could go as high as 36", which would allow a taller skimmer.   Any advice from others on that?

Just trying to get lots of input from experienced hobbyists before we take the final plunge!  Thanks everyone!

[Lucy]

Vicki,

I have no opinion on the subject, but as Rico's secretary, here his a reply:

Acrylic is much easier to work with, is much clearer unless you go with Starfire glass because glass discolors the corals.  Acrylic is a better insulator than glass for maintaining temperature stability.  I've had a large glass tank and a large acrylic tank and i like the acrylic tank better.  External scratches can be easily polished out or repaired; it is the internal scratches that are the problem so you just need to be careful inside the tank.  If you build a stable reef structure and are careful with the cleaning magnet, you should not have a problem.  

I would strongly recommend getting the custom tank that will completely fill your available space.  A larger tank is easier to take care of and maintain than a smaller tank.  Any tank over 24" tall will require 400 watt metal halides if you plan on growing SPS corals and clams at all depths of the tank.

As for the stand, the taller the stand the better if that gives you a taller skimmer because you want to put the biggest, baddest skimmer on there you can.  As a note, make sure you allow room for a hood that is tall enough for metal halide bulbs and reflectors preferably 16"-18" tall.

Plan for a lot of circulation with a closed loop system and a large pump because the more flow the better because flow removes waste from the corals and brings them food.

Rick (and his secretary Barbie)

[VickiG]

Thanks to both of you!  I appreciate Rick's advice and Barbie's typing! (glad to see there are other midnight madness reefers...someone else who spends too much time thinking/talking about reefkeeping and too little time sleeping!)

[Lucy]

Boy, you hit the nail on the head, at least regarding Rico!  He spends way too many late night hours on this hobby (a.k.a. obsession).  If he hadn't bribed me with a really good bottle of wine, I'd probably be sound asleep by now.  

He's reading a fish catalog right now while I've been researching fabric for bridesmaid dresses.  LOL

Glad to see you are closer to making the plunge Vicki.  

B

[The Apprentice]

Great to hear your getting close to your Tank Vicki!
I have 2 glass tanks and my lessons learned that If I ever go with another tank I too will switch to a Acrylic. My 150 All-glass  was very hard to get in the house and set in place .
Acrylic is lighter and easier on the BACK  :shock:
Skimmers: Depends on what you want IE: sump skimmer Versus hang on the back units.
If you go with sump unit will you have a auto top off?? If not as the sump raises and lowers you will have to adjust your skimmer accordingly for peek performance. Stand Height and access Are very important I went with Standard Island Tank wood stands and the access door are very in adequate to work with so make BIG doors  Hope this helps...Jeff

Okay, we are getting closer to making final decisions on our tank and some equipment.  What is your experience regarding:

1)  Acrylic vs. glass?
     We are looking at a custom IAP 150 gal (60"X24"X24") vs. Oceanic RR either 120 which is 48 1/2" X 25 1/2" X 25 1/2", or possibly their 140, which is same foot print, but 4" taller).  Not considering price, what does everyone say regarding just glass vs. acrylic, what pros cons to each in your humble opinions?

2)  Skimmers...who has what and what do you like/not like about it?

3) stand height?   standard height seems to be 28-30" in store-bought stands...if we have one built (by a club member who does great work by the way - you know who you are!) we could go as high as 36", which would allow a taller skimmer.   Any advice from others on that?

Just trying to get lots of input from experienced hobbyists before we take the final plunge!  Thanks everyone!

[VickiG]

I too will switch to a Acrylic.
Skimmers: Depends on what you want IE: sump skimmer Versus hang on the back units.
If you go with sump unit will you have a auto top off?? If not as the sump raises and lowers you will have to adjust your skimmer accordingly for peek performance. Stand Height and access Are very important I went with Standard Island Tank wood stands and the access door are very in adequate to work with so make BIG doors  Hope this helps...Jeff

Yes, Jeff, thanks!  Everyone's advice is very helpful.  I really have been wavering between glass/acrylic, but so far everyone seems to favor acrylic...maybe I am too paranoid about scratching?  We got an Oceanic 3 sump, 36 inches wide, but do you have to put the skimmer in the sump itself, or can it be next to it outside, in the stand?  Our tank will be in a niche, so we don't want anything on the back at all if we can help it.  Seems like going with a higher stand for more access is the way to go, once we figure out what the skimmer size will be.  Thanks again!

[angelscrx]

Ditto on everything here. I have a glass 150g but I like the that acrylic is lighter but have also seen the back breaking work of polishing acrylic. For smaller tanks (anything under 100 gallons) I would go with glass but once you get into anything over 100g acrylic is the best way to go.

36" height for your stand will be visually appealing and functional.  It raises the tank more to eye level and it gives you more room to work with.

[VickiG]

Ditto on everything here. I have a glass 150g but I like the that acrylic is lighter but have also seen the back breaking work of polishing acrylic. For smaller tanks (anything under 100 gallons) I would go with glass but once you get into anything over 100g acrylic is the best way to go.

36" height for your stand will be visually appealing and functional. It raises the tank more to eye level and it gives you more room to work with.

Thanks Angel - that seems to be the consensus - acrylic for larger tanks and the taller stand is better.  It is so great to get advice and suggestions from experienced hobbyists - we newbies get to learn from your mistakes and successess and that is the best way to learn!  We really want to set this thing up right the first time.  We're too darn old to be starting over if we get it wrong!   :lol:  :lol:   Thanks again!

[angelscrx]

Never too darned old to start over just too darned tired to get up and do it.
 

[The Apprentice]

Amen

Never too darned old to start over just too darned tired to get up and do it.
 

[VickiG]

Never too darned old to start over just too darned tired to get up and do it.

 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol: LMAO

[The Apprentice]

Vicki have you thought about a used tank i just saw this on RF and thought of you guys check it out


http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6589

[VickiG]

Vicki have you thought about a used tank i just saw this on RF and thought of you guys check it out

Hey, thanks Jeff - that is a nice looking set-up.  Yes, we have considered used equipment (and if we were to buy new, that tank/stand is definitely one we've looked at, along with IAP - still struggling with the glass vs acrylic decision!).  I sent the guy an e-mail to get more info...thanks for thinking of us!  (That is what is so great about this club - everyone is really looking out for others - never seen such a group of nice, caring people willing to share!)

[angelscrx]

Wow that is a good deal and a nice set up.

[VickiG]

Wow that is a good deal and a nice set up.

Yeah, it does look nice.  I think however, we've decided we are going to go with the new 5' IAP tank with the coast-to-coast (since we have the room, might as well get the biggest tank in there that we can).  If anyone is interested in this set-up, I did contact Ryan and here is the info he sent back:

"The $950 includes Tank, factory stand, glass tops and homemade canopy. I also have a 40+- refugium/sump that I was using (not factory) that I would make a deal on if purchased together. If you pick it up, I have a bunch of odds and ends you can grab. I also have some plumbing that I will include too. I'm asking $50 for a door to door delivery within the Puget Sound but am unable to come over the mountains. I live on Whidbey Island just 25 minutes from Mount Vernon.  I'm willing to make this work." - ryan@thenowickis.com  

For anyone who may be interested, better go for it!