Thanks for all the replies!
PaintGuru":2mxsasit said:
What are your plans for overflow to a sump (if you do a sump)? - snip - Not sure if that makes sense, but it will probably get the thought process going.
They come with a standard overflow set up - similar to the one I had in
my old tank, with overflow and return combined in a pillar type affair. I could get them to do a custom overflow - in fact I'm kind of drawn to the silent overflow concept Chris RD sets out
here, but this would obviously add to the cost and then there's the challenge of trying to explain it in Japanese!
Mr. McFeely":2mxsasit said:
A consideration for you expenditures; arent you only moving there for 4 years? What then, sell it? I'm all for the biggest tank possible for a long term residence, but if you go smaller/cheaper you can spring more for nicer equipment which you might be able to keep once you move back.
The tank would be the major expense and the thing I wouldn't be able to bring home (or take wherever work sends me next). The rest they would ship for me. I was lucky and sold everything as a job lot last time to someone I was introduced to that had just arrived in Japan. I might not be so lucky next time, you're right. I'm not sure how feasible it would be to ship a large tank. But on the other hand, there is a second hand tank market in Japan, from what I can see on Yahoo auctions...
Ben":2mxsasit said:
I used the new version of the
ATI Bubblemaster 200 and wasnt to impressed
- snip - IMO I would reconsider skimmers, although I not not sure about whats available in Japan.
As far as the tank size I think you need to pick a place in the house first, and then see what going to look best first. With out a feel for the space you want to put it, its hard to judge if you know what I mean.
BTW here is a nice 36 x 24 x18 tank,
http://slojmnsreef2.homestead.com/FullTankPictures.html
Good to hear your feedback on the Bubblemaster Ben. If not that, I'm currently rather confused about what would be best for a tank that size, that won't break the bank. I could buy a Precision Marine Bullet 1 there, but it would be pricier than a Bubble Master. The LFS I used to frequent has Precision Marines, Marine Technical Concepts HSA skimmers,
Red Sea Prism Pro skimmers, H&S skimmers, Reef Octopus skimmers, A.E. Tech Reef Devil skimmers and A.E. Tech Evolution skimmers. I have no experience of any of these, but they are probably doable in price terms (they range in price from around 40000 yen to 75000 for the range of aquarium sizes I'm looking at). Trouble is, I don't know if they are underrated as well. But I guess I have quite a few options with the skimmer - buy it here and get a European (i.e. probably German) make that is cheaper here than in the US and Japan (e.g. ATI, Deltec, Tunze etc), get one of those above in Japan and pay a bit more, but know it's going to run without a transformer and have superior Japanese customer service attached (at least in the sense of being a few miles away), or buy from a big supplier in the US and ask here for recommendations (I bought all of my previous equipment from Marine Depot). Any views on any of the skimmers I mention above?
BTW, your point about picking out a tank based on the house is a good one. My one remaining reason for deciding now (apart from giving me greater freedom to day dream in specifics!) is that lighting in Japan is phenomenally expensive (over $1000 for one 250w pendant is not unusual) and the choice quite different from what we see in either the UK or US (so again, the not knowing where to start thing). My plan was therefore to buy something before going out. This could be addressed if I buy both skimmer and lighting from a US site again. But finding just the right lighting at the right price is a challenge still! The beauty of the ATI powermodule option was being able to buy a 4 tube fixture that would light my tank/enable me to keep clams/maybe a BTA in certain places, all for £263 (what's that in dollars - $370?). If I buy from somewhere like MD, my lighting options narrow and either get more expensive or less powerful. If I order from various places, my shipping costs go up...
Oh, and before I finish this overlong ramble, thanks for the pictures of that tank! A really useful reference. Encouraging as well...
Louey":2mxsasit said:
Your aquascaping abilities are much greater with a 24" wide tank. That's more important that the lenght IMHO.
Louey
Thanks Louey. I think I'm now sold on the 24" deep tank. Now I just need to make my mind up about length!
coprolite":2mxsasit said:
[jedi mind trick] No. You want a full blown SPS tank. You want to feel like you're snorkeling steps away from a pampering Micronesian resort villa when you walk in your door. [/jedi mind trick]
:lol:
I did, to begin with. Then I started looking at the prices of calcium reactors, the fact that I would need more expensive lighting etc and I started thinking about other options. The thing is, I do think SPS are beautiful, but I'm not sure I can maintain a tankful of them without large amounts of stress (setting a calcium reactor successfully was beyond me last time and I think had a big impact on my alkalinity). Plus, I love the non-SPS corals and small fish that would do well in a lower-flow tank.
