Here are the spec's

[Lynn]

Hi everyone, I got the spec sheet. It doesn't list alot of the brand names of things. Anyways this is it. Don't forget these are Cdn. prices.

1-180 gal deluxe tank (smoke blue on the back wall
$995.00
1-metal custom stand $315.00
custom build oak false front and valance (don't have an exact price, but around $900.00
1-36x18x20 trickly filter packed=$349.00
1-four 160 watt VHOretrolfit unit with Icecap electronic ballast, four-72"VHO 160 watt bulbs, metal reflector, wiring harness, water tight endcaps and hardware (will achieve 3.5 watts per gal) $1,236.74
(optional upgrades -add 503.16 to upgrade VHOto 6 lamp achieving top wattage goal of 5.3 watts per gallon.)
2-1.5 bulkheads 14.69 @
2 1" bulkheads $11.69 @
2-prefiller sponge kits $42.99 @
4-30 lb. bags of aragamix $43.99 per bag (anyone know how many inches that will give me?)
1-300watt visi therm heater 49.19
1-turbo floater 1000 protein skimmer=$375.00
1-4MDQXSC little giant pump= 289.99
1-aerator booster and poserhead for protein skimmer = 60.00
2 flexi nozzle return line assembly 22.00@
UV sterilizer (which I don't think we'll get) =$299.99
1 -1200 powerhead 54.99
200 gal pail salt=99.00
master test kit $79.99
16 oz reef solution 29.99
seachern reef calcuim 250 g 12.79
hydrometer 15.99
bacter vital (bateria starter) 17.99
180 lbs of LR 9.75 per lb.
plumbing parts (hoses, valves, unions reducers,clamps etc.) $150.00
flap check valves $37.00 each
set up- billed at 39.00 per hour, approx. 8 hours.
let me know what you all think. thanks Lynn

 

[naesco]

Lynn this stuff is all in Canadian dollars which is very roughly 50% of the US dollar eh!

 

[Lynn]

Yeah, you can pretty much your dollars by 45%

 

[SPC]

Lynn,
1. What is the make of the tank?
2. I would highly recommend staying away from a metal stand with SW, I dont care how many coats of paint it has, it will rust.
3. The cost for the VHO set up, does that include the canopy?
Steve

 

[EmilyB]

Don't waste good money on the Turbo Floater 1000 for a 180g. Too small. Important piece of equipment, the skimmer so get a better one, IMO.

 

[Lynn]

It's a custom made tank garanteed for as long as I have the tank. Remember that I wont see the stand because of the oak front. By canopy? do you mean the ballest? or the canopy that hides the lights?
Emily what is a IMO?

 

[SPC]

Lynn, I mean the part that hides the lights.
IMO = In My Opinion

 

[Carpentersreef]

Hi Lynn,
looks like a typical list that a LFS would put together. Here's my opinion, don't take it as criticism:
tank and hood - looks about right
stand - I prefer wood ones, the rust from a metal stand could corrode and fall into the sump/trickle filter
trickle filter - no, prefer simple sump
lighting - I can pretty much guarantee you will want MH's in the future - does your LFS has an MH "package"?
prefiller sponge kit - no - it could be a source for nitrates
120 lbs sounds too little for a 4" DSB, but you can always add more at the time you're setting up
heater - sounds too cheap. I would rather see you get 2 200w. That way, if one fails, it's not so much of a panic. Also look at Ebo-jager brand of heaters instead.
skimmer - way too small
little giant pump, should be fine
booster and powerhead for skimmer - just get a bigger skimmer
UV, don't get one until you learn more about them, and make an informed purchase on that item
1 mj1200 ph - you should have 3 or 4
master test kit - no way, if it's the one I'm thinking of, hagen. Stick to Salifert, if you can
everything else seems fine, as long as the installer does quality work. Can you get any references from him/her?

HTH,
Mitch

 

[Lynn]

Oh Lordy!!!do I have a lot to learn!!LOL I need a course on puter lingo! I thought IMO was some form of pump!! Too funny
The canopy price is included (I believe) in the cabinet price.
I'm just leaving for a meeting now, I'll talk a bit later. thanks Lynn

 

[naesco]

You don't want the metal stand even if it is hidden because eventually salt will get on it and rust.
Lynn I had a carpenter build a very sturdy multi 2 by 4 stand with rust free nails. The 'valance from the ceiling to about 2 feet above the tank was also made of 2 by 4.
Underneath houses the sump plus shelving for food etc.
All was covered with smooth black arborite with moisture proof glues. Very happy easy to clean and looks great IMO. Total for 3.5 meter size tank was 1500.00
Just an option for you.

 

[Lynn]

Hi Mitch,
OK I'll pass on the iron stand. Can you explain a few things. Why pass on the trickle??just a sump?can you explain the difference. Doesn't the heater go in the sump? I'd put two in there? Whats wrong with the lights? I don't want hanging lights, I want them to be hidden. How much bigger of a skimmer? Where do all these powerheads go?
Sorry, but to me (even after I've read about this stuff) I still can't seem to make heads or tails of it. Pretend your explaining to a 10 year old..better make that a 6 yr old. LOL thanks Lynn

 

[Lynn]

Also wanted to ask...how much moisture are we talking about. This tank is going to be in our living room on beautiful hardwood flooring.
thanks Lynn

 

[EmilyB]

Lynn, where are you in Alberta ?

 

[Carpentersreef]

Deb,
She's in Edmonchuck, i sent her Circa's email.

Mitch

 

[Carpentersreef]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Lynn:
<strong>Hi Mitch,
OK I'll pass on the iron stand. Can you explain a few things. Why pass on the trickle??just a sump?can you explain the difference. Doesn't the heater go in the sump? I'd put two in there? Whats wrong with the lights? I don't want hanging lights, I want them to be hidden. How much bigger of a skimmer? Where do all these powerheads go?
Sorry, but to me (even after I've read about this stuff) I still can't seem to make heads or tails of it. Pretend your explaining to a 10 year old..better make that a 6 yr old. LOL thanks Lynn</strong><hr></blockquote>

Lynn,
If you have detritus trapped in your trickle filter and water is constantly passing through it, you don't get the required anerobic conditions necessary for the bacterium nitrosomonas and nitrobacter to fully process the detritus into nitrogen. It only winds up as nitrate. I'm not an expert, but I do know that the incomplete processing can be a bad thing. DSB's DO provide the conditions necessary for complete processing of detritus.
For my sump on my 180, i just used a simple 20 gallon tank, but I have put in a 50 gallon refugium before it, specifically to act as a settling tank for the detritus, with a DSB and live rock. I'm currently raising baby Bangaii Cardinals in the refugium, and in the sump I keep my heaters, have my PS (protein skimmer) feed and return water, non-photosynthetic sponges, corals and oysters. Plus the sump is where I add any additives, and put any new SW from water changes.
I recently made a hood for EmilyB, and she posted a picture tonight, and she will be using 3 250w MH's.
As for a skimmer , i use an Aquamedic 5000, which is a VERY large skimmer. EmilyB, here in Calgary uses a smaller , but just as effective, in-sump skimmer and you might want to email her about it.
The numerous powerheads should be hooked up to a simple and inexpensive wavemaker, your LFS should carry it, and all should be in your main tank.
As far as the humidity and your hardwood flooring, the only damage it will do is if you have a flood, and if the floor is wet for a few DAYS. The excess humidity from our aquariums, in our climate, will actually help the floor, and it won't shrink and crack from our drier days. You should keep a window cracked open when the temperature drops, otherwise you will get condensation, depending on how old/new your house is. What is it's age, anyways? Black mold due to improper ventilation/moisture barrier is a bad thing, and I've got lots of knowledge on that subject. Don't hesitate to ask me! I'm more than happy to help!

Mitch