Reef Discussion

[aussieant32]

thanks heaps guys. Gives me a good idea what to aim for. Argh wish I had the money now!

 

[NiCd]

In theory yes but in practice (and maybe this is just a Sydney thing) the more you go away from the standard the more things just dont go to plan and it seems to end up even further from where you wanted it to be.

 

[aussieant32]

sorry, not sure what you mean?

 

[NiCd]

Custom tanks being exactly what you want. I dont know if a few friends and myself have just had bad luck, but it seems to be as soon as you move away from an off the shelf set up, it turns into a massive nightmare that goes on forever and costs three times what it was meant to in the first place.

 

[aussieant32]

that is my concern. I love the look of the red seas but not sure on the built in stuff. Would prefer an actual sump

 

[NiCd]

The Red Sea S's that have just come out are a full fledged reef tank, starphire, sump, ato, hidden wall intank circulation, lights that can bleach acros etc.

But I cant help but feel your paying a bit of a premium for things that you would want to upgrade anyway like the skimmer and 10xt5's lights etc. At $4k done and dusted with everything but a chiller I guess its not too bad, but I get the feeling if this isnt your first tank you will always be wishing you did things from the ground up

 

[aussieant32]

yer thats my concern. I think doing it 'custom' is the way I want to go, just not sure on a custom tank

 

[NiCd]

How sexy are you looking at going? ie braceless/rimless, euro, single peice euro, starphire, polished edges, mitre joined, clean line silcon, multi segment base, bean animal overflow, coast to coast, closed loop .....

 

[Joshwaaaa]

You just have to make sure you think EVERYTHING through or you'll be kicking yourself further down the track

 

[aussieant32]

rimless is a definite, not that worried about braces, starphire isn't really that big of a concern either. I am one of those people that look at a tank and would rather save money on the glass if it allows me to put more into the equipment

 

[aussieant32]

actually, one thing I do like is the edges to be one piece, like so there isnt a join, not sure what its called. Not vital but would be nice depending on cost

 

[NiCd]

Are you talking about these?

http://glassbox-design.com/2011/ada-cube-garden-superior/

I think the 4x2x2 versions are around $20k just for the tank

 

[aussieant32]

same concept yes. My QT has these edges and cost $150 :P

 

[NiCd]

Id be interested if there is other people out there doing these on a cheaper scale

 

[aussieant32]

it isnt as clean as this but I have a 80L tank that has this style of corner on them at the front. Several companies are starting to do them on smaller scales. Fluvals are nice looking and radius have a decent nano just out. You would think that once they get it right it wont be long until they make larger ones. Cant really see the edges in mine as I took it for another reason!

 

[chimaera]

I say save up and buy everything when you are ready. Yes things like heaters, pumps etc haven't changed much over 2 years, but I'd expect the price will fall and you never do know what developments will come along. I don't see the point in sitting on equipment for 2 years. Just find a way to save that you can't dip into!

 

[NiCd]

hehehe ok let me rephrase that, I wondering if there are people doing these on a cheaper scale not in a bow front :p

 

[aussieant32]

look realistically I can save, I just get really tempted! I am thinking of getting my wife to set my up an online account and then just give me the account number etc. That way I have no idea of any passwords etc and cant be tempted!

 

[aussieant32]

yer the fluval and radius are not bows, just the one I posted that I have it.

 

[NiCd]

As you know I have a bit of a thing for them and am horribly bias, but the money you are talking your in Elos territory if you dont mind the wait....