So, I don't know how many people have stuck around long to remember me.... (1 Viewer)

[APynckel]

But I used to have a 180g SPS reef about a decade ago. Got into the hobby with my brother and dad and it became an obsession. Wound up moving to DFW, and parted out the tank eventually.

Here she was in her glory days before everything got split up...

I really want to get back into reef keeping (and do it right with a 120g, 24x24x48) but man, just remembering the electricity bills to keep those corals alive is enough to keep me at bay. Not to mention the capital investment to get going. I suppose I could start back up with something relatively smaller, like a 60g 24" cube.

I just don't know. I miss the beauty of the systems and the animals, but unless I stumble on some monster deals on equipment, I don't think I can justify it.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Keep an eye on CL. I find full systems all the time. I saw a fully stocked system that was about the size you mentioned for a grand.

 

[reeftopia]

With leds the and high efficiency pumps the pain is a little more bearable these days.
Don't go too small you will only regret it.

 

[Reefahholic]

I agree with reeftopia. A lot of options these days!

I can get you a brand new 120/G with the deminsions you want for around $500.

Like mentioned above, keep an eye on Craigslist. Also keep an eye on all the forums "for sale" sections. Seen a lot of people coming and going with tons of good deals.

Welcome back!

 

[Reefahholic]

I gotta ask, what lighting were you running? The colors looks very unique!

 

[APynckel]

I gotta ask, what lighting were you running? The colors looks very unique!

It was a mix of overcharged german t5s and 2x actinic vhos. It's been too long for me to remember specifics.

 

[Reefahholic]

I could tell it was T5's with a lot of white. Looks awesome!

 

[APynckel]

Here is a rather poor picture of the rack of T5's and one of the VHO's

 

[APynckel]

Ugh, why can't I edit my posts?

So if memory serves, we were running 1x Icecap 440 and 2x 660's so we were limited to a total length of bulb for a certain PAR (and T5 overcharge) we were trying to achieve. So our T5 setup was 4x 60" and 1x 48" with 60" VHOs.

 

[APynckel]

Or maybe it was 4x 60" and 2x 48"...

I just don't remember. Slept too many nights since then.

 

[Mark L.]

Once a reefer always a reefer! Hope you jump back in! Oh and welcome back. I'm close to you in the Woodlands so let me know if you ever need anything. The average person that gets in the hobby only lasts 2-3 years then gets out. Lots of great deals on used equipment out there. Those of us that make it a life are ALWAYS upgrading so you have those sales to find also. I've seen BEAUTIFUL SPS tanks running on a very low budget and I've also seen $2989234829.00 systems where the owner can't keep anything alive. There's also a full range in between. Pick your comfort level and enjoy. We are here to help.


BTW, as a MARSH guest you can't edit post. After becoming a paid member you will have a host of benefits to enjoy including saving a ton of money from our sponsors.

 

[Mark L.]

Oh and at first I thought was was two tanks side by side. LOL!

 

[Reefahholic]

So I'm not all that familiar with those VHO's. Are they a more white light?

 

[steveb]

vho = very high output... historically T12 sized - what the ice cap ballasts were orginially designed for. Phillips 03 Actinic is the classic bulb all other sizes and types of fluorescent bulbs have endeavoured to copy. Other colors were also available. Daylight and 50/50 come to mind...


here is an example.. VHO Aquarium Lighting: VHO Actinic White Fluorescent Tubes


Non VHO example

 

[Reefahholic]

Thanks Steve! I knew it looked like a large T5 bulb.

 

[jqsquared]

Welcome back! Yes there are good deals if your patient to wait! a lot of the pumps and equipment have gotten very efficient and economical with a lot of the chinese offerings that they have today. FWIW i still run MH and VHO combo but the T5s are still very prevalent as well. The LED options are endless at many many different price points. Welcome back!

 

[APynckel]

Once a reefer always a reefer! Hope you jump back in! Oh and welcome back. I'm close to you in the Woodlands so let me know if you ever need anything. The average person that gets in the hobby only lasts 2-3 years then gets out. Lots of great deals on used equipment out there. Those of us that make it a life are ALWAYS upgrading so you have those sales to find also. I've seen BEAUTIFUL SPS tanks running on a very low budget and I've also seen $2989234829.00 systems where the owner can't keep anything alive. There's also a full range in between. Pick your comfort level and enjoy. We are here to help.


BTW, as a MARSH guest you can't edit post. After becoming a paid member you will have a host of benefits to enjoy including saving a ton of money from our sponsors.

Thanks Mark. I think you were president of this community back when I was bringing up my reef. It lasted a good 8 years before we tore it down.

I will probably slowly accumulate hardware over time to get my tank the way I want it. Big thing I learned from the 180 is, instead of having enough room to put everything you want into your tank, get a tank concise enough to put a small number of very high quality pieces in. Quality over quantity.

 

[reeftopia]

Have a 700 and 3 more in the 350 range, you never can find enough room for quality.
some of us are just bigger crazies than others.

 

[Mark L.]

Thanks Mark. I think you were president of this community back when I was bringing up my reef. It lasted a good 8 years before we tore it down.

I will probably slowly accumulate hardware over time to get my tank the way I want it. Big thing I learned from the 180 is, instead of having enough room to put everything you want into your tank, get a tank concise enough to put a small number of very high quality pieces in. Quality over quantity.

You may have me mixed up with someone. I've been pres for 2 years now. One the board for 4 almost 5. Geez time flies LOL. That's a good way to look at it for sure. Definitely make yourself a budget and TRY to stick to it. When you are up and running I'll probably need to frag some stuff. Let me know and I'll have you some piece to get you started.

 

[APynckel]

You may have me mixed up with someone. I've been pres for 2 years now. One the board for 4 almost 5. Geez time flies LOL. That's a good way to look at it for sure. Definitely make yourself a budget and TRY to stick to it. When you are up and running I'll probably need to frag some stuff. Let me know and I'll have you some piece to get you started.

Maybe it was a different Mark? I don't remember. I thought the pres' name was Mark back then too. This would have been in the 2004-2005 era.