My Venture Into The Dark Side

[rdp50734]

As you may now I'm in the process of starting my marine tank. The last of the FW fish leave me Saturday PM. Then I can get my tank clean and ready for the sump to be fitted. Although a cabinet modification will be needed.

Now I have had great fun in searching for bargains!
I bought James's Deltec mc500, dont know if he will mind me revealing the price so I will wait for his permission.
A 150W arcadia MH £50+£15 delivery but I will be selling it on as I just purchased this for £80 http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320615183751&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3754wt_1139
2 x 3000 lph delivered for £14
D+D refractometer for £15
Natural Reef Aquariums book by John H. Tullock for free!

I can also get a UV sterilizer quite cheap but is it really needed?

I will start a journal as soon as I start putting bits together!

 

[seffieuk]

You have been a busy little bee, looks like you got yourself some bargains

I wouldn't bother with the UV

Seffie x

 

[rdp50734]

Thanks seffie! I guess I will be picking your brains pretty soon!

 

[seffieuk]

Thanks seffie! I guess I will be picking your brains pretty soon!

Not much there to pick rdp

Seffie x

 

[rdp50734]

LOL it looks like we are both in trouble then!

 

[rdp50734]

Just to update, I picked up

2 x 6000 lph powerheads for £20

100 gpd RO system with piercing tap, cartridges and pipes £55

TDS meter £15

20KG salt £30

Nutrifin master test kit £23

However I have decided against fitting a sump. I don't like the idea of drilling the tank and the modification of the cabinet, its just too much of a risk in my mind!

Can anyone think of anything I have missed picking up?

 

[-Nemo-]

Just adding in that drilling the tank for a sump is not necessary... You can use an overflow box. Just puttin' it out there as sumps can make a huge difference.

 

[rdp50734]

Its mainly the cabinet modification. I really do not want to take the central support out. I did have the tank booked in for drilling but cancelled as I have been changing my mind about it constantly. To be honest I am still in between! The filtration possibilities of the sump are great.

The tank is the trigon 350 and the support runs right down the middle. The space either side is not big enough for the sump so the central support must come out.

 

[-Nemo-]

yikes... that doesn't sound good...
If you really want to do it, building a stand is fairly cheap.

 

[rdp50734]

Yeah thats the biggie! however I have seen a couple of other trigons which have had the support removed and 2 x 2" supports fitted, one even cut the support back and fitted a removeable leg at the front! I would be too scared if it failed I would be homeless!

 

[razer121]

Good luck, i've always wanted to move over to the salty side but the cost + experinence is lacking at my end lol

 

[rdp50734]

The experience I cant comment mate. However you can do it quite cheap Smaller tank is less cost but more work in maintaining it. Large tank has higher running costs and set up but is a bit easier due to the bigger water column.

If you only wanted fish its quite cheap but keeping corals too the price goes up! All about preference really.