I am not a descendant of criminals so speak for yourself 'vspec' proud to be the 6th generation of a setllers family. Dads family was on the first ship to settle is SA near Ceduna. Mums grandparents came from America sometime in the late 1800s.... So we are not all convicts damn it.[/rant]Makes no difference, we stole bread for them at some point in the past and ended up here, the rest is history they say. :)
Why does she need advanced LED lighting? How about starting with something like this, surely plenty sufficient for softies. I have one that I plan on using for my display fuge (probably switching out the blue tub). $189lighting will set you back 700-2000
as an example an illumagic 4 foot unit retails at M120 S/C/P $1,299.00
2xradeons is like 1500$?
maxspecs like 1600$ roughly
No reason for her to go above $150 in my opinion. $139.return pump 150-400 (can go cheaper although usualy use high power and noisy)
Can get great skimmers for $100-300 - Bubble Magus (check eBay - expensive postage but you can get a NAC7 for $190 plus $50 postage) , Reef Octopus again.skimmer 300-1500 (around 600-800 will get you a nice suitable skimmer)
Is NSW an option? At <$5 for 25L, it won't cost you much to get up and running.salt 120 (700L of salt water)
Which makes this not a necessity.RO unit 300-500 (necessity)
Assume you mean wavemakers? 1x mp10 or 1x mp20 would be plenty surely? Or 3x Koralias. Or any number of other cheaper options.pumps. now you could get away doing this with 150$ worth of cheap pumps although i have allways had problems with cheap units.
a tunze setup for that size tank would be around 700-1000
Thanks for all of that, it's that sort of information that I was really looking for. Basically the cheapest (but not worst quality) way to go would be the best for me, considering I'm still at school and don't have a lot of cash. I'd much prefer to just upgrade when I can afford it.I think some of you with big expensive systems forget that it is possible to run a fantastic mid-sized reef on a tight budget, and upgrade as you go and have the funds to do so.
I fully understand and respect what you're saying. It must be so frustrating for you to see so many people just waste time and money and kill their system by doing it impatiently and incorrectly. Which is why I have chosen to save up and wait a while. As much as I think you're incredibly wise with the products you've referred to me, some are fairly overpriced and after reading through a lot of peoples builds, sometimes the best isn't always the best choice for everyone. But you have been a really great help, so thanks a lot!!I am Mainly giving these recommendations on the fact that I and alot of people i know have wasted thousands and thousands of dollars on getting the incorrect equipment,
do it once
do it right the first time :)
constantly changing things on the tank causes issues, i have noticed this with all my systems the smallest change like a lighting change can cause dramas.
:worship not often you get a wrap like that is it folks welcome to the world of reefing.Thanks for all of that, it's that sort of information that I was really looking for. Basically the cheapest (but not worst quality) way to go would be the best for me, considering I'm still at school and don't have a lot of cash. I'd much prefer to just upgrade when I can afford it.
On the topic of RO, I get my water from the ocean. If/whenever I set up my 4ft I would be doing the same because I think natural is the best way to go. I am happy to do 50L water changes every week - not only good exercise but I live right next to the ocean anyway so it's convenient.
At the current time, I'm not going to be upgrading at least until the end half of the year. I've had a bit of a think and an intense arragement of funding and it's just not possible to do so safely, ensuring I don't kill everything, while I convert my tanks. I want to do it right.
I fully understand and respect what you're saying. It must be so frustrating for you to see so many people just waste time and money and kill their system by doing it impatiently and incorrectly. Which is why I have chosen to save up and wait a while. As much as I think you're incredibly wise with the products you've referred to me, some are fairly overpriced and after reading through a lot of peoples builds, sometimes the best isn't always the best choice for everyone. But you have been a really great help, so thanks a lot!!
You've all been so immensely helpful and I cannot thank you enough. I really do hope other newbies can read through this and gain enough knowledge as I have.