On a Budget

[90G Mark]

I dont have as much as experience as i would say 99% of the R2R do. but over the years i have learned that sometimes you need to fight evil with evil. nitrates and phosphates being one evil. and algae being the other. like the old saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer. a little algae is not bad. that is why Hobbyist who can afford to run a expensive set-up. they will have algae scrubbers. and refugiums with algae in it. im disabled and have a minimum budget but i have learned. that this all can be done with out the high end gear. i think most of it. is every one trying to keep up with whats hot and new, and their friends. I have a 90 gallon deep tank, Marineland HoB filter, with sponges crammed in it. a 10x8 HoB refugium, started out with a golf ball size of Cheato. now every 2 weeks i trade to local FS, for chems. i have a coral life 125 gallon Hob Skimmer, that for my Bio load does great.. 10 fish in a 90 Gallon tank, i dont over feed, I have a viparspectra 300W LED light, set 13inchs off water. granted the far edges of my tank dont get as much light. about 2 inchs on both sides. i could raise the light up an inch or 2. and get that covered. but how my Scape is set. i kinda like the contrast of fading light on the edges. i don't have expensive fish. 5 utility fish, and others that i like their look. granted im disabled also retired. i have no job to go to daily. so i can tend to my tank daily. and i do. I find that a hooby is not making it easy. its going through every bit of literature. and making it work for you. now im up in age im 72, so water changes are getting real hard. so i am considering to set up a automatic WC system, topping off i might do as well if i go this rout. I dont clean my tank all in one day. i clean it over a few days making sure not to remove good bacteria. you can have all the best gear there is to offer. but when it comes down to it. Bacteria surface area is the best thing for your tank. a sump. yes i will admit would be great. more surface area add more water volume to your tank. but you dont need a sump. i guesss what im trying to get to is you can enjoy this hobby without dropping alot of cash into it.

 

[jsker]

I dont have as much as experience as i would say 99% of the R2R do. but over the years i have learned that sometimes you need to fight evil with evil. nitrates and phosphates being one evil. and algae being the other. like the old saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer. a little algae is not bad. that is why Hobbyist who can afford to run a expensive set-up. they will have algae scrubbers. and refugiums with algae in it. im disabled and have a minimum budget but i have learned. that this all can be done with out the high end gear. i think most of it. is every one trying to keep up with whats hot and new, and their friends. I have a 90 gallon deep tank, Marineland HoB filter, with sponges crammed in it. a 10x8 HoB refugium, started out with a golf ball size of Cheato. now every 2 weeks i trade to local FS, for chems. i have a coral life 125 gallon Hob Skimmer, that for my Bio load does great.. 10 fish in a 90 Gallon tank, i dont over feed, I have a viparspectra 300W LED light, set 13inchs off water. granted the far edges of my tank dont get as much light. about 2 inchs on both sides. i could raise the light up an inch or 2. and get that covered. but how my Scape is set. i kinda like the contrast of fading light on the edges. i don't have expensive fish. 5 utility fish, and others that i like their look. granted im disabled also retired. i have no job to go to daily. so i can tend to my tank daily. and i do. I find that a hooby is not making it easy. its going through every bit of literature. and making it work for you. now im up in age im 72, so water changes are getting real hard. so i am considering to set up a automatic WC system, topping off i might do as well if i go this rout. I dont clean my tank all in one day. i clean it over a few days making sure not to remove good bacteria. you can have all the best gear there is to offer. but when it comes down to it. Bacteria surface area is the best thing for your tank. a sump. yes i will admit would be great. more surface area add more water volume to your tank. but you dont need a sump. i guesss what im trying to get to is you can enjoy this hobby without dropping alot of cash into it.

I have seen some system done very inexpensively, buy used and getting involved with a local reef club and trading.