kgehrke Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 It's finally time to start this thread. I've been dreaming about it for months now, and I think it's almost time to execute. Pics of parts to follow as soon as they start coming in. The overall theme is QUALITY and COST EFFECTIVENESS. Here's The Initial Parts List: Lighting: 250 watt Ice Cap ballast LumenArc III Reflector Hamilton 14000K Single Ended Bulb Flow: To start 2 1200 Maxi's with Sure Flow mods Heat: Hydor Theo 400 watt submersible Cooling shouldn't be an issue, as it will be set up in a basement, in Iowa. I plan on starting out without a fuge, but adding one within a month or two. I will have cheato in the fuge and eventually a skimmer. I am also going to put a remote deep sand bed on using a 5 gallon bucket and a maxi 1200. I don't know what size tub I want to start out with yet. I have to do some shopping still. I might go anywhere from 80 to 150. We'll see. I have some cool tricks hidden up my sleeve still so stay tuned. Let me know what you think! Link to comment
dtfleming Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 see my frag tub thread, I have two 40gal. Do you have a TSC near you/ they have 40, 55, and 125 tubs. Link to comment
krankykris Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 tagging along as i have plans for this too. Link to comment
bucknellreefer Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I'm hoping to set up something similar myself, can't wait to see what you come up with! Link to comment
kgehrke Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 There are a ridiculous amount of farm stores around here with endless tub options. I saw the exact ones you have, dtfleming, on Sunday, and I agree, they are nice. I might use one for my fuge. I'm looking to go bigger for my main tub. I forgot to mention I already have the Ballast. I picked it up used like 3 months ago. I've had this idea in my head for a long time, haha. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Ordered the lumenarc today. The bulb is back ordered, but I found a place that has them for 59.99 plus shipping. Anyone know where you can get them cheaper? Link to comment
dtfleming Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 hellolights, aquabuys maybe. Im also getting a lumenarc mini setup from a local reefer. and a used skimmer also. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Awesome. Thanks dt. I was going to buy it off of aquabuys, but it was back ordered. Just ordered it on hellolights. I think it was an even better deal. Next week is going to be big. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 Check out the new lighting supplies I got today! Hamilton 250Watt 14000K Bulb This thing is way bigger than I thought it would be. Lumen Arc III Reflector This still has the plastic on it, I'm gonna take it off right after I hang it. I've had this for a while, but here's a pic for good measure. 250 Watt Ice Cap Ballast It looks like I only have a few things to attain before I can set this up. Here's the rest of the list: 400watt heater Rubbermaid Tub 2-modded maxi jets Future Plans Include: Plumbing in a 50gal+ fuge Good skimmer 5gal rsdb someday possibly- calcium reactor Link to comment
cp3823 Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 this is going to be a badass buid thread. Keep us posted with LOTs of pics ;-) Link to comment
dtfleming Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Looks good, got my ballast and bulb today, Have my ato up and running on my tub. I will need a ca reactor down the road also. Im looking at the Korlain 1502 package. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted July 23, 2008 Author Share Posted July 23, 2008 Yesterday I received my maxi mods and heater. RAGBRAI was in town so I got preoccupied. I'm currently renovating the basement, and the room that this tub is going to go in. I've only got a few more things to get before its ready to go. RODI filter Rubbermaid tub possibly some dead rock (I have live rock to seed it already) I've also been shopping for skimmers. I wish there was a list in order of how good they are by brand. I'm not sure which route I want to take yet. I've seen some people build there own with success, which seems like a cool idea, but it's still expensive. I'll figure it out sooner or later.. Link to comment
Burks Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Nice reflector. My buddy uses one over his frag tank. Got his second hand but would have gladly paid full price now that he knows how good they are. For skimmers, MRX has been getting a lot of buzz lately. That "other" place has a great thread on them. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 I just looked into msx, and wow. I'm impressed. I think I'll end up shooting for the msx 200. I just need to raise $310, haha. It might be a few months, but I definitely want one. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted August 13, 2008 Author Share Posted August 13, 2008 UPDATE: I know it's been a little while, but the frag project is still very much alive. Things finished: Lighting is wired and working. 40 Gallon tub Purchased Frag Room finished Waiting on the room to be finished was the biggest part. We completely cleaned out an old room in the basement, repainted the walls, epoxied the floor, and ran electrical to it with GFCI. It is the bomb. The light is very close to being hung. Things I still need to do: Buy RO-DI Decide if I want a bigger main tank Build stand (have the materials) Plumbing (probably an all day project running back and forth to Lowes) I'm still deciding on what I want to run as a return pump, I'm thinking a mag 9.5 Pictures soon.. Let me know what you think Link to comment
dtfleming Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Sounds good, I think I went with the Mag 9.5. If you have the room I would def go bigger on the main tank. a 40gal tub fills up quick. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 I ordered my ocean wave plus ro-di system today. I got it from thefilterguys.com I've heard a lot of good things about this place, thought I'd try it. Other than that, I've still been busy working on this house. I've got the stand ready and am just waiting on some cash to come around to buy the pump and other tub. It's almost time for me to sell some more stuff just to get this thing running. I'm getting frustrated with the wait! Link to comment
AcroporaLokani Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I'm getting frustrated with the wait! Well just look at it this way, the longer you wait the more you will love seeing all the frags you will produce . Link to comment
kgehrke Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 Big News! I picked up a 110 gallon tub this weekend. I've got everything I need. I'll be plumbing it all together this week. Right now everything is in the 40 gallon tub. I just got a powder blue tang for my birthday and he's awesome. I'm gonna have massive amounts of pics to post soon. Link to comment
eshook Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Congrats on the new tub! What was the design decision on the maximods over something like a koralia? Just to have easy replacements or b/c of cost? Where's your basement in iowa? I'm in illinois now, but just moved from iowa. Link to comment
kgehrke Posted September 29, 2008 Author Share Posted September 29, 2008 I live in Ames. I went with the maxi mods because of both cost and curiosity. I already had 2 mj 900s on hand, so that helped sway me. I'll have the plumbing completed tomorrow or Tuesday. I have all of the equipment, I just need to put it all together, and run to Lowe's for some adapters. Here's a pic of the room right now. Next weekend I'm going to rehang the light so that it's closer to the water. Link to comment
PBUEHH Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 I wish i had a basement, they dont make those here in Az... But dont tell my gf that or she'll have another argument to go to Missouri Link to comment
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