Need Advice On Upcoming Purchase

[stchris]

Hello all, I'm new to MR and SW in general. I've strictly kept FW fish for about 15 years and ready to "take the plunge" into SW. I have a package deal that I'm pondering : AGA 120g WIDE (48x24x24) twin flow tank, matching wooden stand and 48" MH lights all for $550 Is that a steal or just a so-so deal ? The reason I ask is because I already have another bare 120g (not drilled) sitting next to a unused 125g in my basement. I just didn't want to deal with the overflow boxes & u tubes. Should I get it or just try to have my other tanks drilled ? (can anyone refer a place in NYC?) Thanks !

 

[KathyC]

Welcome to MR!!
I'd get the 120 you have drilled & buy the overflow kits for it as IMO 550 isn't a great price...though you want to take the lighting into consideration too..do you know the specifics of the lighting?
Lighting is typically one of the biggest expenses you wil have when setting up a SW tank.
Are you going reef or fowlr?
Btw a 120g at 48x24x24 is 'normal' size for a 120.
Has the 120 you have ever had copper based medications used in it?

And maybe narrow down NYC..it's a big place

 

[NYreefNoob]

tank

hof one of own vendors drills tank's and if you have 2 tanks i wouldnt buy another, spend the money on other equip, lights good skimmer ph's ect

 

[stchris]

Thanks Kathy for the advice. The lights are Hamilton 2x250w 10k and 2x65w CF hood. I heard they are in the neighborhood of $600-$800. I'm told that the tank was only up for 2mos, setup for SW. My own 120g is brand new and was never used therefore no copper med problem there. I'm located in Flushing, Queens NYC to be exact and want to find someone who can come to drill my tanks instead of me having to lug the tanks to the store. Thanks

 

[KathyC]

You can find lights like that here for less. Depending on what you want to keep in the tank (coral-wise) you might want to consider 250w MH's since the tank is 24" deep.
With that info..I'd get your own new tank drilled & buy the overflows for it.
And as NYreefnoob said..some of the vendors here drill tanks.
There are some really good skimmers alos up for sale!
Flushing...great place...I grew up there

 

[stchris]

Not sure which setup to go with ? FOWLR or reef ? What would you suggest for a SW noob ? From what I've read, RO water is a necessity as well as a good skimmer. I already have a wet dry and a fluidized bed filter. Do I need a refugium ?

 

[KathyC]

Reef or fowlr is a personal decision. It's good to look at some tank threads and see if you'd prefer a tank with just fish or if you really want to add corals.
RO/DI water is a necessity for a reef tank. That would be something you need to start.
Put the wet/dry in a corner & throw a sheet over it..you need a 'real' skimmer..imho.
I've seen some spectacular tanks that have neither a sump or a fuge.. the ones that pop to mind first are VERY well taken care of tanks and that reefer is adamant about doing water changes..hence his success.
There is debate on whether one is necessary..but again it depends on what you are keeping in your tank. That's key right now in what equipment you need to purchase

And ANY SW noob...needs to READ and LEARN a ton of stuff FIRST to be successful from the beginning..learning basic information afterwards is costly & can be very painful to the livestock & your wallet!

 

[stchris]

Thanks KC for the advice.

 

[KathyC]

Anytime! Keep those questions coming!!
Best to keep them all on this one thread so everyone who drops by can see a 'history' of what you're doing with the tank

 

[stchris]

Do you think I should pass on the tank package ? AGA 120g twinflow tank (w/ overflow kits), AGA wooden stand and Hamilton Metal Halide lights (2x250w MH & 2x65w CF) all for $550. When I break down the individual prices, it seems like a steal.

 

[KathyC]

Yes, I'd pass mostly beacuse you already have a new one sitting there what just needs to be drilled. It's only a steal if you end up with one tank

As I mentioned above the lighting that you need depends on what you want to put in the tank..if you are doing corals you'd need stronger lighting (according to many people) to keep SPS, but could easily use 175W Mh's if your tank is going to be fish only or LPS.
The $ you save on buying the pkg could be put towards your other purchases...rodi, skimmer, lighting..(in that order). You don't necessarily need to have your lights until after your tank is cycled anyway, so you have time on them to save up more $..and you definitely don't want to have to buy things to constantly upgrade your tank. Buy good stuff from Day 1.

 

[cbrsorlo]

can you tell me where this "deal" is ?

thanks

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Do you think I should pass on the tank package ? AGA 120g twinflow tank (w/ overflow kits), AGA wooden stand and Hamilton Metal Halide lights (2x250w MH & 2x65w CF) all for $550. When I break down the individual prices, it seems like a steal.

I would say that's a great deal. IMO. You might want to buy that and sell the other tanks for some cash and use that cash to buy some equipment.

 

[Wes]

sounds like a great deal to me

 

[stchris]

..you need a 'real' skimmer..imho.

I bit the bullet and picked up the tank package. I just ordered a RO/DI from Ebay and now looking for a good skimmer. Any suggestions ? I'm looking for one that will take me from this 120g to a much larger tank one day (250g+). I'm not trying to break the bank but looking for a highly efficient model that has a good price/performance ratio. What you guys think of a ASM-G3 skimmer ? Thanks in advance !

 

[150reef]

I bit the bullet and picked up the tank package. I just ordered a RO/DI from Ebay and now looking for a good skimmer. Any suggestions ? I'm looking for one that will take me from this 120g to a much larger tank one day (250g+). I'm not trying to break the bank but looking for a highly efficient model that has a good price/performance ratio. What you guys think of a ASM-G3 skimmer ? Thanks in advance !

First, welcome to MR!! I myself have recently setup a 150gal. and have gone with the BubbleMaster 250 (app. $750 + shipping), the newer model for this year has the gate valve mod. I have been able to tune it with ease from day, and have not really needed to mess with it (just keep my sump water level at a consistent height). The BM250 produces a massive amount of tiny micro bubbles and skims very well (the stuff this skimmer pulls out of the tank is just plain nasty). I know some others had issues with the older BM 250, but this one with gate valve is sweet.
Best of luck and keep us posted with your progress.

 

[stchris]

I've heard great things about the BM, ER, BK and Deltas but they are alittle more than I want to spend right now. I've been offered a used ASM-G3 for $200. Is that a good deal ? I also see a new Coralife Superskimmer w/needle wheel 220 for only $167 online. (rated for 220gals). There are plenty of 6 stage RO/DI w/ UV units listed on EBay, anyone have any experience or bought one of these units ? Thanks, Chris

 

[Aquatic Life Direct]

we drill tanks and carry livestock... I can drive over to you! My parents live in flushing and I visit regularly. Also we delivery corals and fish to your door. PM me if you need anything!

 

[stchris]

....we delivery corals and fish to your door.

Now that's what I call service !!! I have a hard time getting Domino's to deliver ! LOL. Any input from MRer's regarding the ASM or Coralife would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Chris