Now that things have settled down

[Reefdaddy1]

Frugal Reefer < How to.....

Since my Move I have been tankless . But that is going to change. MY 125 has been waiting very patiently for me to start on it so I am begining this thread to show how its going to be done. But there is also a Purpose to this thread, and that is to go about having a great tank for alot less money. Most people getting into this hobby has found out that it can get really pricey for some stuff just because it has Reef written on it. Well thats why Iam doing this. I will post pics of the progress and the "how to" of every step. Lets call it "the Frugal reefer"

Now lets get into what I have right now specific for this tank.

Tank 125 All Glass Tank
Stand
40 Gallon Long for sump.

Thats it!! The tank is not currently drilled but its going to be. Thats going to be one of steps to this process. So to start this off, First thing is first, I have to refinish the stand and Mount doors on the stand. That will be the very first thing I do.

Now "The Frugal reerfer" part to this story. MY belief has always been you can have a SYstem that will upgrade easily and maintain all sort of life for a little money. You Dont have to be Howard Hughes or Bill gates to get into this. So the way I am going to do this is a step process it will be done on a time line that wont hurt any pocketbook. So shopping is in order, especially on Corals and fish. The equipment I will buy and post cost on the thread with a total breakdown at the end of this.

My hope is when newbs looking to get into this hobby see it can be done for a little money, We will have a larger community to Talk and share with.

Bob


P.S. Day one starting This week.

 

[Krish]

Does this mean all your equipment will be bought at regular retail price like we all have to pay??? Good luck on the setup Bob! I'll be tagging along

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Yep , Its gonna try to be a Guide for new reefers that are looking Costs being way to much. This Hobby can be done without all the gadgets and expense alot of us have got to.

Retail costs will reflect in this thread. I want show what can can be done to have a nice tank with Retail. But it also will be from adds in the paper internet (ie..ebay) and what not. Not just AE.

So my hope is it will be imformative and a learning tool for alot people that Browse this forum.

Bob

 

[Meche]

I'll be taggin' along too. I assume you will include some simple DIY projects to keep the budget in check too.

Thanks Bob, defiantly a worthwhile thread.

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Yep Meche, Some DIY is always in order. But it will be simplified for the more the non-skilled people. I will give some examples:

DIY sump: Made from a 40 Gallon Long
Retro Lighting for Fuge and Canopy
DIY Phosphate reactor


The rest will be straight forward, but at a Frugal rate. AS my Company has relayed to many already, I will not sell or purchase anything that I feel is overpriced just because its reef or salt oriented.

I will be starting the new thread as soon as I get the glass for the sump. It will be called the Frugal Reefer.

 

[LCATTIN]

I'm going to tag along as well. This looks like it is going to be good. Thanks for starting it.

Les

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Thanks LCATTIN , I will be posting pics soon, Got my camera back now have to get batteries, But it will start this week. I have more time to mess with stuff now.

 

[ronj]

pics, pics, pics!!!!!!!!

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Comming Ron Comming i promise.

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Ok Pics starting, The tank is getting drilled tommorrow, I will taake after shots of that. I just hope this guy knows what he is doing, he would not allow me to borrow it, so he is doing it for free. Wish me luck. By the way he is a professional Glass worker, That gives me something to hang on anyhow.

The forty next to it will be the sump, Ill be doing that DIY myself.

 

[Krish]

PICTURES!!!! I love the dimensions on that tank Bob! Good luck!

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Well MY glass Dude came by just now, he said he got the 3 1/4 bit but the 2 3/8 he could not get, so he nabbed a 2 1/2. Not sure if that is gonna work or not, have to do some checking on that.


Krish- Yeah man I like the dimensions as well. It gives me alot of latitude as far as lighting goes. Thanks man.

 

[LCATTIN]

That 2 1/2 should work ok. I have a sump drilled like that it there are no leaks.

I am outside building the stand for my 336 gallon right now. Still a little cold but what the heck.

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Yeah I found that most sizes are only recomended. As long as it close it should not be a problem. Waiting on my Glass guy to pick up the tripod he uses to hold the drilling machine. So still holeless fo the moment.

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Project idea.

I had intended to buy the skimmer, But more and More I leaning to doing a DIY Airstone type external. I know Iam going to be upgrading down the road in tank size, So I figured i would build a skimmer that could handle either Tank. In this Hobby Bigger is better. Still weighing the issues but would like some input.

 

[Krish]

Sounds like a plan Bob! I've never built my own skimmer, but have seen quite a few around the forum that seem to kick butt like the one Tom and Todd built for Todd's tank! Really nice! Also, Mojo built some himself and all were airstone driven like you plan on. Good luck on what you decide! There are quite a few people on here I'm sure can help you with any questions you may have on building one...That is if you need any help

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Could alwasys use help Krish , Just trying to decide if would really benefit the new person to reefing or not.

 

[Krish]

Not sure if you've seen this Bob, but if not, browse though it

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10217&highlight=skimmer+todd

Could alwasys use help Krish , Just trying to decide if would really benefit the new person to reefing or not.

Well, my take on the whole idea for going this route for someone new to the hobby is...Unless they are really skilled with their hands, have all the info infront of them (which I'm sure you will provide, but it will definately need to be there) and they are very patient, chances are a newbie would probably rather just buy something than build one. First off they may be intimidated by the idea of building something totally new to them which they may not know much about and secondly, I hate to say it, but the majority of newbies are very impatient and want their tanks set up like yesterday so chances are they won't want to wait to build one You never know though...I think it would be cool to see a cost effective way to build a skimmer! I'm sure it will help a lot of people (just maybe not newbies as much as people who have been into the hobby for a while).

Just thought I'd throw out what ran across my mind

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Not sure if you've seen this Bob, but if not, browse though it

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10217&highlight=skimmer+todd




Well, my take on the whole idea for going this route for someone new to the hobby is...Unless they are really skilled with their hands, have all the info infront of them (which I'm sure you will provide, but it will definately need to be there) and they are very patient, chances are a newbie would probably rather just buy something than build one. Just thought I'd throw out what ran across my mind

I would have to agree with that statement fully, Iam still working the plan but should have nailed down really soon.

 

[Krish]

Sounds great man...Good luck