The Puffer Forum

Or you could just be a patient girl & wait for the exact right RR tank with sump, skimmer, etc for the right price & do it right.

*GSP*Fan* wrote:Also finding it hard to spend $600 on the drilled 90g when I can get another 90g and stand for $200, not drilled though. I also haven't seen that one.

Would it be a bad idea to run a 90g without a sump, or maybe without one for a while and add it later?

This is what I do on my 4 tanks.... No drilling required and works as designed... DIY but has not failed us yet despite multiple power outages...


http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/show ... p?t=367635

Pufferpunk wrote:Or you could just be a patient girl & wait for the exact right RR tank with sump, skimmer, etc for the right price & do it right.

Haha, I could and should. Being patient has never been easy for me. Not good for this hobby, I know.

I really just dread a sump in general, I don't know why, I just do. I'd say once I can see someone else's or even purchase a drilled tank with everything and can see it in person I'll feel better about it all.

If drilled wasn't better or easier than I'd just get the other 90g and stand that is not drilled and not set it up right off. Like slowly get the equipment I need. I am having a hard time letting the setup for $600 go, even though it isn't exactly what I want, because who knows when there will be another available. There have been a few other setups but with most people asking ridiculous amounts, like twice as much. Guess this falls back into being patient again..

Or even get the one that is drilled and not rush into setting it up, I think I could move things around in my spare bedroom to store it for a bit. It is more or less a pet room on top of it (guinea pigs, two freshwater tanks, most of the aquarium supplies, cats liter box and other various items in that room). Then take my time modifying the wet/dry into a sump and looking for a skimmer. Thought about offering $500 because it isn't exactly what I want and seeing what he says.

PufferGhoti wrote:

*GSP*Fan* wrote:Also finding it hard to spend $600 on the drilled 90g when I can get another 90g and stand for $200, not drilled though. I also haven't seen that one.

Would it be a bad idea to run a 90g without a sump, or maybe without one for a while and add it later?

This is what I do on my 4 tanks.... No drilling required and works as designed... DIY but has not failed us yet despite multiple power outages...


http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/show ... p?t=367635

Thanks for that. I'll be reading (watching as well) through that when I'm able to sit down to, looks like an awful long read.

Apparently I'm not the best at navigating/searching craigslist. I swear I had searched with every term I could think of in the last few days (tank,aquarium,saltwater, reef ready, etc.) but I searched tonight and found several other listings. Only one with a 90g and the others with larger tanks. I've emailed all the ones I'm interested in and have gotten a response from two so far. I'm leaning towards a 90gallon, don't think I want anything bigger, for one because I would have to upgrade my lights with much more depth or width than a 90g.

Anyway, they're asking price for the 90g is $400 and that would include the tank,stand,canopy, and whatever lighting they have. They weren't specific but did give me a number to call so I'll contact them later over the phone. There are a couple other items listed on their post including a New Eshopps refugium sump $200.00 and a 20gal tall sump they made themselves for $50, no picture of it in the post. Now it does not say this tank is drilled but does say it has a built in overflow. I'm not quite sure what this means in terms of setting up a sump or anything.This person has emailed me and mentioned they have a new pump as well, no other info. I'm assuming its better than not having one on a tank that is not drilled as well and a step down from a tank that is drilled. Any insight on that would be great.

I emailed on two or three other tank, all larger than a 90g.

One is a 120g that is listed as reef ready with stand. The post says it was used as a reef aquarium but does not say anymore. This one is $500 OBO. No photo.

There is a another 120g that says overflow style tank and comes with a stand and canopy. Don't know about lighting. It also mentions filters and pumps. This one is still setup and it very obvious from the picture they posted they have a bad outbreak of what I believe is hair algae, like covering the front glass. It also mentions there are still fish in there but thats it. The tank has obviously been neglected, anyway, their asking price is $500.

Then there is this one. A good bit of information here, more than the others, so I'll just post the link.

http://charlestonwv.craigslist.org/for/3623671805.html

I have received a reply from him as well and because I had mentioned I would be using it for saltwater he knew I wouldn't want the fish. He knocked the price to $500 because of that. I'm not completely sure how this one would be set up with the overflow and sump, could use help here as well.

I'm most interested in the 110g and 90g.

Try to get some LR off someone on CL with an established tank. I've got all my LR that way, and I can't tell you how many critters I have. Now have mysis shrimp in my refugium. I didn't know what they were, but saw them in a shrimp tank at my local reef/fish shop, and he told me they are mysis in his tank, and what I have are identical. The downside with established LR is you may likely get aiptasia (spelling?). I have lots popping up, and picked up a couple peppermint shrimp to help get rid of it. At first I thought it was "pretty" but it's pretty much growing all over, and I hear it can take over a tank.

Oh, and yes, I will work on getting some pictures up of my tank

Sorry I couldn't get pics to you earlier, was having issues with Photobucket.

Sump


Left side

See the pipe coming down from the bottom of my tank down into the sump on the top right? 2/3 of the water goes into the sump, to be filtered by the skimmer. Then it splits to the right & about 1/3 of that water goes to the fuge.
The 6" el-cheapo fan is over the most active part of the water, a sit will cool more surface area. I have rubble in the 1st chamber where the water flows from the tank, to reduce micro bubbles.

Right side

You can see the upper pipe continuing over the sump & the stand drilled go out to the fuge. The smaller pipe below is the return from the fuge, back to the last chamber & there is a large external pump to the right of that chamber that pumps all the water from the sump & the fuge back to the tank. There is a bend in the pipe going back to the last chamber, to reduce micro bubbles.

Fuge, plumbed next to tank

This was bought from a LFS. It has a hole about 3" from the top on the back left side with a strainer over it. The water pours into the fuge through the pipe on the right side, flows over the algae & rubble in there, along with a deep sand bed & out that overflow, back into the last chamber of the sump to be pumped back into the tank.

Mixing & RODI station


The large external pump mixes the salt in the 33g Brute garbage can (there's a heater hanging inside, not touching the rubber walls). With a turn of 2 valves, that pump will bring the water upstairs as far as my back bedroom. There is a hole drilled in the floor for the hose & I keep it rolled up next to the tank, when not in use.

Thank you for all the pictures and explanations along with them, it helps.

This other 90g setup I've found on Craiglist is much closer to me, maybe 30mins away, so I'm thinking I may even go see it for myself to help get a better understanding of sumps, overflows, and all. This other 90g I found I feel a little more hopeful about in terms of it having more of what I want and cheaper as well. It's also not currently setup and running which will make things easier compared to the other 90g.

I've still got to get a few more details thought before I know if it is what I would want/need. Unless I was to use my HOB skimmer I know I'd need to buy an in sump skimmer. They have one but its cheap and not worth the money or trouble. I know they have two difference sumps and then a pump was mentioned in an email, don't know more about it yet. It also says built in over flow and reef ready, so I've got to see more about what this means. Oh and see what lighting it does have, just curious as to what it comes with. I think it is metal halide.

I've emailed back and forth some but its the wife I've been speaking with and she says she's not too familiar with it all so I'm waiting for her husband to get home from work this evening to actually speak with him on the phone.

Just got off the phone with the guy selling the 90g setup. I think I've found a pretty good deal and basically everything I need.

It is a 90gallon tank with stand, canopy, and metal halide lighting.

It has a built in overflow and is drilled.

The sump is an Eshopps Advanced 300, linked below

http://www.thatpetplace.com/eshopps-adv ... mp-300-gal

The pump is a ViaAqua 3600. Not finding too much about it doing a search though. From ViaAquas site here are the specs though.

http://viaaquaoceanpure.com/pumps/ViaAq ... rhead.html

VA 3600
7" x 3 " x 4.125 "
1057 GPH
Max Head: 156 in.
80 w

Don't really know if this is a good pump or not.

The only skimmer he has is a seaclone, I know they're not really any good. He bought the setup not too long ago but then came across a 125g I believe it was so never used the 90 or any of the equipment it came with. He was told it was up and running for quite a few years beforehand though. I told him I hadn't heard anything good about those skimmer and that I wouldn't want to buy it.

We talked for like over an hour, I was asking a ton of question regarding the sump and such mostly. The only thing I'll need for setting up the sump is about 5ft of 3/4inch braided hose he said. When we were talking about what I'd need to get it set up that day a skimmer got brought up of course, trying to see if my HOB could be used and he said he'd just throw in the other skimmer until I could get one I want.

Any idea if my HOB could be used, at least for a bit until I can get a good in sump skimmer?


Also, one of the best parts for me, is that he's going to basically deliver it to me. He lives about 30min away but is coming up my way on Saturday to go to Rameys, which is literally like 2min or something from my house. This makes me happy as I wasn't sure if I'd be able to haul it in my SUV or not and he has a truck. Plus, he's going to hose it out before as well. That had gotten brought up and I don't have a connection to even hook up a water hose, odd huh.

Oh and he's asking $650 for all. Good deal right, I mean especially considering he's bringing it to me? Am I overlooking anything?


I've got a couple pictures he just sent I'll upload as soon as I can get them to photobucket.

Edit:

It looks very nice! What did he say about lighting? It would be nice to have a couple of T5s for color. The sump looks OK, how many gallons is it? You won't need that section for bioballs.

Keep in mind, I got everything you're getting + a very good, large skimmer, for $600. Which skimmer are you using now? You can always find a used skimmer on Craigslist. You can run a tank without a skimmer for now.

Pufferpunk wrote:It looks very nice! What did he say about lighting? It would be nice to have a couple of T5s for color. The sump looks OK, how many gallons is it? You won't need that section for bioballs.

Keep in mind, I got everything you're getting + a very good, large skimmer, for $600. Which skimmer are you using now? You can always find a used skimmer on Craigslist. You can run a tank without a skimmer for now.

I know its metal halides and the tank was running with corals before he got it. I didn't really ask much about the lighting because I intend to use my LEDs.

I want to say he mentioned another type, VHO maybe? I remember him saying he wasn't sure about the actinics, whether they would need replaced or not. Though if I was to use that lighting I wouldn't feel comfortable without replacing the bulbs anyway.

He's got quite a few tanks up and running, plus two up for sale, and seemed to know what he was talking about.

I didn't have any intention of using the bioballs. It has a space for a fuge as well which I couldn't set up right off. Its rated for use on a 300 gallon tank and according to the Eshopps site holds 40gallons. Theres a link in my last post of it as well, on a site for sale.

http://www.eshopps.com/?page=ADV_300

For just the tank, stand, canopy, and lighting he's asking $400. Then $200 for the fuge/sump (its goes for almsot $400) and then $50 for the pump.

If I skipped the fuge/sump from him and waited to find another or even build one, could the tank be used until then or no?

My skimmer is the Reef Ocotpus BH-2000. It is rated for 100 gallons, so including that sump it wouldn't be quite enough. I didn't want to just up and buy an in sump skimmer without looking into them more since I have not done any research on them yet.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octo ... immer.html

It on my tank



Also, he has some live rock, 70-80lbs he said he'd let go for $100. I'm not quite sure if I want it yet but it is being kept in water and I believe with circulation but no heat. I'm thinking no heat could possibly cause some issues, no?

I run my 50g with no fuge. You can also hold off on a sump but not with a RR tank, it has a hole at the bottom of the tank.

You could ask BRS if that skimmer could be used in sump. Not sure it's large enough to handle 90g though. Did you buy that new?

I'd ask for a pic of the LR. That's a great price & even if it's not totally attractive rock, you could use it for base rock & have an instantly-cycled tank. How much LR do you have now?

Always, offer much less & haggle with a seller!

Pufferpunk wrote:You could ask BRS if that skimmer could be used in sump. Not sure it's large enough to handle 90g though. Did you buy that new?

I'd ask for a pic of the LR. That's a great price & even if it's not totally attractive rock, you could use it for base rock & have an instantly-cycled tank. How much LR do you have now?

Always, offer much less & haggle with a seller!

Yes, it was bought new, lifetime warranty also.

Any suggestion on an in sump skimmer that isn't too expensive?

That was my thought on the price of the rock. He wasn't too worried about selling but did offer. He said he'd use it in one of his tanks or something if I didn't buy it. I didn't think to ask for a picture of it but I will tomorrow.

I know I should work with him on price but I honestly don't know where to begin on my offer. If he did lower his asking price after my offer, how low I should even accept? You can tell I've never done any haggling Spending less is always better on my side of course but I don't want to sound unfair/rude when making an offer. Especially since he is actually bringing it to me.

Right now I'm trying to make sure I'll even have someone there to help me. Will probably need someone to help get it inside, not sure if me and him could or not. Also, will need help moving my 60 out and the 90 in its space. Right now its not looking too good, which sucks. I'd hate to turn it away over something like that.

Edit: The setup you bought for $600 didn't come with lighting though, right?

I didn't really plan to used the metal halides but they are in the canopy...

I have a feeling you've got the "bug. Keep that skimmer. You can use it for the other thank--maybe as a QT. Look online for a used skimmer. Mine is a ASM G2 but Reef Octopus makes good ones, too.

I can't tell you how to haggle. Hubby calls me the "Bulldog", though!
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+ ... e&ie=UTF-8

Pufferpunk wrote:I have a feeling you've got the "bug. Keep that skimmer. You can use it for the other thank--maybe as a QT. Look online for a used skimmer. Mine is a ASM G2 but Reef Octopus makes good ones, too.
I can't tell you how to haggle. Hubby calls me the "Bulldog", though!
https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+ ... e&ie=UTF-8

I think so too Though I know I would do more tank setups if it wasn't for where I lived, not much room at all. Definitely look forward to when I'm able to get into my own house. I don't feel like I can do much about the 'bug' I've caught as of now.


I planned to keep that skimmer especially since it is new and all.

I know I can get a used one for a better price but do like the idea of having a new one, warranty for one.

Lol. I'm terrible at that sort of thing I swear. Its not just that though, but knowing what price is actually fair or not. I'll have to learn more in that area as well when it comes to this hobby.

He didn't exactly sound like he was going to budge on the price. Mentioned how he drove to NC or something to pick up the setup and all.

I know the biggest part is the price of that sump, I don't care to have one thats DIY so long as its done right.

I

Check www.melevsreef.com for info. He's a friend of mine.