Alec Berger
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2017
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 3
Hello reefers,
I wanted to share where I am with the hobby and where I would like to go. I need some help trying to get from point A to B and would appreciate some input. I started in the hobby about 3 years ago with a Fluval 12. I liked the little tank, and two years ago when I moved three states away, I was able to upgrade to a 50 breeder (my current tank). Things have been going OK. There have been a few ups and downs, but have stayed stable for a little while. Some of my corals are showing growth, some are just not doing well. Recently, I up'ed my water change schedule and maintenance and things have been generally improving.
When I designed my current system, I was afraid of overflows and sumps because I was moving to an apartment. Now that I have a house (and a few more years of experience) I want to upgrade my system to include a sump. The problem is, my current stand does not have a whole lot of room and I don't want a HOB overflow. So, I was thinking about getting a bigger system. My LONG term goal is to put a custom 200 gallon peninsula (5'x3'x2') in the basement which is currently unfinished. It's going to take 5 or 6 years before my fiance and I tackle that project, so I'd like something that will help me make improvements and grow in the hobby over the next year or so before I get to a "Dream Tank" in the basement. I don't mind making some upgrade slowly and I'd like to try to either use some of my existing equipment or buy equipment that I can then use for a larger tank. I am looking for something near the 100 gallon mark. I'm a bit limited on my current space and would like to keep any new aquarium under 4 feet in length. I also want to try to keep costs down a little bit knowing that this is going to be a transitional tank and not my "forever" tank.
My goals for the next few years is to:
1) increase stability by upgrading to a larger display and adding a sump.
2) Make changes that allow SPS in addition to my current softie/LPS setup.
3) Do as much as I can myself to learn more about the hobby.
4) Use quarantine measures for new (and existing) livestock. Make sure everything going into a new tank gets debugged.
Here is the equipment list that I am currently working with:
Marineland 53 Gallon (36x18x21)
2x AI Prime HDs (two years old, so not the 16s)
Tunze DC Comline 9004
Tunze Comline Filter 3162
Tunze Osmolator
Inkbird Temp Controller
Eheim Jager Heater
Tunze 6040 AC Pump
2x Ice Cap Gyre 1k
Sicce Nanostream (250 gph)
My current thought would be to upgrade to a 90 gallon short (3'x2'x2') with a 29 gallon as a DIY sump. I think I would re-use the AI Primes and add two or four T-5 lights to the mix. I might try to keep the pumps and just increase the intensity. I also have another 6040 that I could add to increase turnover and hit dead spots.
Does this sound like a solid plan, or is there something else that I should consider?
Thanks!
Pictures of current set up:
I wanted to share where I am with the hobby and where I would like to go. I need some help trying to get from point A to B and would appreciate some input. I started in the hobby about 3 years ago with a Fluval 12. I liked the little tank, and two years ago when I moved three states away, I was able to upgrade to a 50 breeder (my current tank). Things have been going OK. There have been a few ups and downs, but have stayed stable for a little while. Some of my corals are showing growth, some are just not doing well. Recently, I up'ed my water change schedule and maintenance and things have been generally improving.
When I designed my current system, I was afraid of overflows and sumps because I was moving to an apartment. Now that I have a house (and a few more years of experience) I want to upgrade my system to include a sump. The problem is, my current stand does not have a whole lot of room and I don't want a HOB overflow. So, I was thinking about getting a bigger system. My LONG term goal is to put a custom 200 gallon peninsula (5'x3'x2') in the basement which is currently unfinished. It's going to take 5 or 6 years before my fiance and I tackle that project, so I'd like something that will help me make improvements and grow in the hobby over the next year or so before I get to a "Dream Tank" in the basement. I don't mind making some upgrade slowly and I'd like to try to either use some of my existing equipment or buy equipment that I can then use for a larger tank. I am looking for something near the 100 gallon mark. I'm a bit limited on my current space and would like to keep any new aquarium under 4 feet in length. I also want to try to keep costs down a little bit knowing that this is going to be a transitional tank and not my "forever" tank.
My goals for the next few years is to:
1) increase stability by upgrading to a larger display and adding a sump.
2) Make changes that allow SPS in addition to my current softie/LPS setup.
3) Do as much as I can myself to learn more about the hobby.
4) Use quarantine measures for new (and existing) livestock. Make sure everything going into a new tank gets debugged.
Here is the equipment list that I am currently working with:
Marineland 53 Gallon (36x18x21)
2x AI Prime HDs (two years old, so not the 16s)
Tunze DC Comline 9004
Tunze Comline Filter 3162
Tunze Osmolator
Inkbird Temp Controller
Eheim Jager Heater
Tunze 6040 AC Pump
2x Ice Cap Gyre 1k
Sicce Nanostream (250 gph)
My current thought would be to upgrade to a 90 gallon short (3'x2'x2') with a 29 gallon as a DIY sump. I think I would re-use the AI Primes and add two or four T-5 lights to the mix. I might try to keep the pumps and just increase the intensity. I also have another 6040 that I could add to increase turnover and hit dead spots.
Does this sound like a solid plan, or is there something else that I should consider?
Thanks!
Pictures of current set up:
