To buy or to build.

Ron Stewart · Jan 4, 2016

Some may have noticed that I am getting back into this way of life after about ten years. Back in the day you built, you plumbed and configured and reconfigured. At my height I had a ~1000 gal biosphere that took me a decade to build. What I am wondering given all the progress in technology if I would not be better to buy than to build from scratch. I have noticed I can buy a totally self contained system, is it really? Confused and looking for answers.

melypr1985 · Jan 4, 2016

I have seen some AIO (all in one) tanks up to 90 gallons. They have a partition that has all the filtration behind it. It's pretty convenient, though I've never used one myself so I cannot comment on how easy or nice it is to use.

Ron Stewart · Jan 4, 2016

Can you provide some examples. A bit smaller than I am wanting but does not take a lot to go from 90 to 120

klesel · Jan 4, 2016

Ya things have changed a lot but I believe so what you know if it worked 10 years ago it still works now ya there are some new and great products technology has had a huge impact on the aquarium world . but I guess you need read and do your research. To me the 50 $ diy sump works just as good as the $600 sump guess it's how deep your pocket book is . I'm old school but loving a lot new school stuff as well . but again if it's not broke don't fix it . every one has there opinions and cuz it works for one don't mean works for all . but Love to see what you decide.

Ron Stewart · Jan 4, 2016

We shall have to see. At this point looks like I am grasping at straws again. Looks like the local community is not worth than they have ever been. They want to take but not willing to give regarding real advise. Guess I will do the same.

rygh · Jan 4, 2016

As an avid DIY-er, I tend to build.
But really for enjoyment, not because I have to.
These days, there is usually something I can buy that does the same thing.
And if not, I tend to second think my ideas.

Building it does not usually even save money. Components and tools add up.

So my opinion is this: Build if you WANT to and enjoy doing it. Otherwise buy.

That was a general statement.
You may want to add more detail on what you specifically want if you want detailed answers.

Stew18 · Jan 4, 2016

Check out Innovative Marine all in one tanks. They are awesome and I have had 2!

Ron Stewart · Feb 18, 2016

Thanks everyone the buy list is just about complete. Final decisions glass or acrylic. Pink white sand or black. Asthetically for clams the visual appeal of black can't be beat, but a bit worried about lack of reflectivity and how far I need to bump up the lumosity to deal with the obsorbtion of black sand.

jetmaker · Feb 18, 2016

Check out tanks from custom aquariums they have nice tanks. Glass and indigo pacific aragalive sand

tankstudy · Feb 18, 2016

Ron Stewart said:
Final decisions glass or acrylic.

I would go glass. No matter how hard I try to not scratch acrylic, somehow, I always manage to get scratches. At the same time, I just hate how heavy large glass aquariums are compared to acrylics, especially rimless ones.

PatW · Feb 18, 2016

Acrylic is absolutely clear. It has very little refractive index. But it scratches if you look at it hard.

Starfire and low iron glass is pretty good. I am fussy about colors and I really do not like the green tint on standard glass. The problem with this option is not many vendors do this so you are stuck with a limited selection or custom. The nice thing is it is hard and does not scratch easily.

Finally, there is the standard glass aquarium. They are widely available and often used on Craigslist. But they are really green to my eyes.

Ron Stewart · Feb 19, 2016

Got my first quote from my LFS. Waiting on one more. I have no experience with Broad Spectrum LED. Always used metal halide in the past. Trying to figure out the configuration since I always use a moonlight fixture to get a true lighting rotation. Looking at @ a 72" 120- 180gal tank. Any recommendations?

French27 · Feb 22, 2016

Hi Ron, and welcome to R2R!

I found the videos below really helpful with figuring out which lighting route to go. Granted they are trying to get your business, but I found the videos a great place to start.

T5HO

Metal Halide

LED

dacianb · Feb 23, 2016

I found RedSea Reefers as a good compromise between ready made systems and customization / even DIY.
Actually is a tank, a sump, a piece of furniture and all tubes between. Oh, forgot the ATO system, also included.

No lights, pumps, skimmers, etc - it is your choice, what you buy and what you build