Help Me Spend $500.00 ...my Wife Doesnt Know About!

[basscyn]

Everyone!
I am a newbie here and really appreciate all the expert advice I receive from this forum. I have an oportunity to spend $500.00 (on-line purchases only) for anything I want. Pretty cool eh? I have decided to invest in this... my new hobby. What I need from you guys is advice on what I am in the greatest need of.

<u>WHAT I HAVE</u>
Got this used.
<ul>
<li>75gal bow front and stand</li>
<li>Jebo reflector with 4-55w (2-blue 2-white)?? It has a little duct tape holding it together.Works fine though.</li>
<li>Wet/dry filter w/skimmer. Origionally had bio-balls that I beleive were giving me nitrate problems. I replace with live rock and red gracillia algae. So far so good.</li>
<li>Plenty of live sand and rock.</li>
<li>1 tang...1 damsel</li>
</ul>This is currently a fish only set-up. She has been up and running since November. Crashed in January (rookie) ...back on her feet now.

<u>WHAT I WANT</u>
I want to slowly turn this in to more than just fish only. I want those cool corals like you guys! But the one thing I <u>have</u> learned in my vast 4 months of experience... is patience. I am very content for now with fish only. But if some new equipment now can put me in better shape when I am ready...show me the way!!!

I will do my best to provide more specific information on my equipment if that would be helpful. As soon as I figure out how to post photos I will load some.

So...what do I need? Super cool lighting? Power heads?
Is this wet/dry gig gonna do it?

:thanks:

 

[purplegorilla]

Its best to take a picture of your tank and equipment. That way, we can see what you need. From the brief description, I would suggest you a new skimmer, new lights.

 

[blind1993]

get some power heads

maybe karolias, mj mods, or tunze nano streams.

 

[wbholwell]

Sounds like you need a real skimmer.

 

[msnajkowski]

How much LR do you have in the DT. I would get that. Would go a long way to the reef set-up.

 

[basscyn]

blind1993;155134 wrote: get some power heads

maybe karolias, mj mods, or tunze nano streams.

Uhhh..Take it slow Oh Great One... What exactly <u>are</u> all of those things you mentioned?

 

[blind1993]

i would get

 

[blind1993]

BASSCYN;155148 wrote: Uhhh..Take it slow Oh Great One... What exactly <u>are</u> all of those things you mentioned?

they are just power heads for flow
here ill post a link

has all 3

 

[basscyn]

msnajkowski;155143 wrote: How much LR do you have in the DT. I would get that. Would go a long way to the reef set-up.

I have about 80lbs in the tank and about 12lbs in the filter. I dont know what a DT is:huh:

Thanks!!!!!

 

[purplegorilla]

I saw the pictures you posted. You definitely need a new sump, skimmer and lights!. Thats will definitely go over that 500 bucks already.

 

[blind1993]

BASSCYN;155152 wrote: I have about 80lbs in the tank and about 12lbs in the filter. I dont know what a DT is:huh:

Thanks!!!!!

DT is Display Tank

 

[basscyn]

purpleGORILLA;155133 wrote: Its best to take a picture of your tank and equipment. That way, we can see what you need. From the brief description, I would suggest you a new skimmer, new lights.

Here ya go!
Wet/dry
http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267911874">http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267911874</a>
[IMG]http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267912732">http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267912732</a>
Jebo
[IMG]http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267911041">http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267911041</a>
[IMG]http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267912319">http://basscyn.smugmug.com/gallery/4534758_mdUUm#267912319</a>

 

[stroid]

well get new lights thats for sure...i have a set of jebo lights and trust me over time they will crap out on you. Depending on the type of corals you want will determine the light. Definitly get a new skimmer as said before. Nice tank and aquascape!

 

[basscyn]

purpleGORILLA;155154 wrote: I saw the pictures you posted. You definitely need a new sump, skimmer and lights!. Thats will definitely go over that 500 bucks already.

So what would be the wisest investment of the 5 spot?

 

[victor626nj]

i would upgrade my skimmer and lights first then power heads i recomend a korallia 4 ....you would want two of them they will be about 50 bucks new or you can find them used around here for like 35 40.....lights get them best money can buy you ..but that also depends on what kind of corals you want to keep....the link to aquabuys that blind sent you is really good and he is local he will be carring the octopus line and they make great skimmers for the price

 

[basscyn]

Big D;155165 wrote: <span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">First things first. I agree on the skimmer... it's one of the most important pieces of equipment you'll buy. Your lighting will need an upgrade as well, but you'll be fine for now as long as you only keep softies. Flow is another good suggestion, this can be accomplished fairly reasonable as well, I would suggest (2) Koralia 3's or 4's. As far as a new sumpo, that can be done fairly cheap as long as you DIY and not order one online.</span>

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">So... I'd spend $200-$300 on a skimmer, buy a couple of powerheads, and then look at buying a glass tank that you can add baffles to and turn into a sump. As far as lighting, keep your eyes open for a decent T5 setup or a halide fixture on the used forums.</span>



<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Just my .02...</span>



<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Big D</span>

Thanks "D". So could I buy a skimmer that will work with this wet/dry? Will any of them work with this filter? Or should I just begin working toward this glass sump? Are there kits for this? How big a sump should I get. how many questions can I ask in one paragraph? I dont now if I have room under here for much more the a 10 gal. Maybe 20.
Thanks man!

 

[basscyn]

Big D;155168 wrote: <span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Oh, one more to add... GET RID OF THE DAMSEL NOW!!! :yes: </span>





<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Big D</span>

Wow. That damsel is a criminal man. He is a horses behind! He attacks every fish I put in the tank.

Whats the deal? Do you know this fish?

 

[tnyga]

Soon as you get your new "toy" she'll know about the 500 trust me lol

 

[basscyn]

Stroid;155164 wrote: well get new lights thats for sure...i have a set of jebo lights and trust me over time they will crap out on you. Depending on the type of corals you want will determine the light. Definitly get a new skimmer as said before. Nice tank and aquascape!

Thanks.
Think any of this is worth anything on ebay? Might help ease the pain a little.

 

[basscyn]

blind1993;155134 wrote: get some power heads

maybe karolias, mj mods, or tunze nano streams.

By the way...really nice set up you have there. Like the moonlights.