KyRo Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Hi, Ive been keeping basically a FOWLR tank for over 2 years now in a 3 feet tank. As my wife and me have recently purchased a new place, we were planning to built a 6 x 2 x 2 tank to keep SPS. ive been reading alot on SPS and i understand that the requirements are pretty money intensive. I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough breakdown on some items that is required such as 6 feet 250 watt MH lights and what size of a calcium reacter is required and rough estimate of how much. Or mayb some experienced SPS keepers have the same tank spec i suggested ( a 6 feet one) could share with me the costs they have incurred for equipment. I dunno if this is the correct place to post. im jus looking for some direction to go abt my research further. Thanks a million Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV-65 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Seriously bro... if u wanna keep SPS well, prepare to soend at least $10K for a 6 footer... Quote People do not plan to fail; Often they just fail to plan... Wat I do to prevent myself from tearing my hair out... My stress remedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Chris Posted November 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 10, 2005 Seriously bro... if u wanna keep SPS well, prepare to soend at least $10K for a 6 footer... Vins, you must be joking or you have lost count. My 4 footer has breeched this amount long ago. Basically, Marine tanks are about 2X more Exp tp keep than freshwater (except Aro of course). SPS is another 3X more Exp than normal marine tanks. And this amount is elastic according to your skill and expectations of colour. Quote I think (marine) therefore I am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV-65 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Vins, you must be joking or you have lost count. My 4 footer has breeched this amount long ago. Basically, Marine tanks are about 2X more Exp tp keep than freshwater (except Aro of course). SPS is another 3X more Exp than normal marine tanks. And this amount is elastic according to your skill and expectations of colour. Bro, at least mah.... plus only basic setup, excluding fish/rocks etc etc... I tink $10,000 can set up lah... dun scare Kyro mah... Come to tink, my 3 footer also breached that amount some 1 year plus ago?!?! Quote People do not plan to fail; Often they just fail to plan... Wat I do to prevent myself from tearing my hair out... My stress remedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member ervine Posted November 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 10, 2005 not to mention the electrical bills for a 6footer... 250W might not cut it... might need 400W, and not just one.. for 6 feet tank maybe 3-4 bulbs?? That's like 1200-1600W just on lights alone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV-65 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 not to mention the electrical bills for a 6footer... 250W might not cut it... might need 400W, and not just one.. for 6 feet tank maybe 3-4 bulbs?? That's like 1200-1600W just on lights alone!! And the chiller?!?! :( Quote People do not plan to fail; Often they just fail to plan... Wat I do to prevent myself from tearing my hair out... My stress remedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member madmac Posted November 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 10, 2005 KyRo, you will need some money. ... It is my hope that your passion in keeping these is bigger than your wallet, most times it is not the money that forces one out. ---- "Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyRo Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 Thanks for all the reply guys! Yes im aware of the costs of running a 6 footer. i think ive spent like 6-8 k on my setup for my 3 footer marine tank alone. Yea i was thinking of putting aside 10k. BTW is it true that 250W bulbs wont substain for a 6 footer?? Cos i had the impression that if it was only 2 feet in depth it would be alrite. I understand that over time the collection of SPS and all will cost much more due to the overgrowing marine tank passion ehhe. But im really curious abt lights and calc reactor cos i spent like 700 on my 3 footer 150 W lights and was wondering what the dmg is for a 3 bulb 6 footer set of lights. As for calc reactor i have never used it before. Ive spoken to a few LFS and to be honest i really dunno which brand or model to look carefully at as i feel some of them are jus pushing it for sales.... Other than that i intend to slowly create a SPS heaven. Probably in 8-12 mths after i setup the 6 footer. At the start im jus planning to port over all my fishes and get the system stable and running first.\ or possibly look into a DIY solution. Thanks for all the advice guys. This community is awesome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightningstrike Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 IMHO, effectively; a good single 250W MH (assuming good ballast/reflectors/etc) shldn't hv any problem giving a coverage surface area of 2ft by 2ft. as for depth coverage, it is dependent on the intensity and "punch factor". i wld say u need at least 3x 250W MH for ur 6 ft setup. HTH. Quote Austin the Westie: "I may be your best friend, but you are my everything". Lightning Strike's Back!!! Reefkeeping Is Not My Hobby, It's My Obsession. Austin's Birthday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponsor dr evil Posted November 10, 2005 Sponsor Share Posted November 10, 2005 U dont need to fork out so much cash for the initial start as you still need time to ensure your tank is mature for SPS. Basic equipment like tank, lightings, skimmer. etc.... Than u can follow by CR, wave makers etc when ur tank is ready U definately need 3 sets of 250watts atleast to have a good coverage. It depends on how hard core u are in Marine fish keeping.... some guys here have more than 1000watts of lights in their marine tank... u know who u are,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veliferium Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 IMO,3 feet is ok enuff for starting sps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member wa_lanz Posted November 10, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 10, 2005 if u planning to go sps, go for bigger tank... 3ft would nv be enough... trust me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyRo Posted November 10, 2005 Author Share Posted November 10, 2005 hmmm, it seems that i would need the following equipments at the initial phase: Tank, skimmer, chiller, lights, pumps. (dunno if i left out anything else, gotta check) And only when the tank is matured and stable should i add in a calc reactor?? BTW is having 2 skimmers good? cos im planning to get a beckette and i hav a ASM G3 skimmer in my 3 feet atm which i believe is pretty handy as well since i will prob shut down the 3 feet and give the tank to my dad to rear his goldfish lol. Anyway thx for the advice guys!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV-65 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 U dont need to fork out so much cash for the initial start as you still need time to ensure your tank is mature for SPS. Basic equipment like tank, lightings, skimmer. etc.... Than u can follow by CR, wave makers etc when ur tank is ready U definately need 3 sets of 250watts atleast to have a good coverage. It depends on how hard core u are in Marine fish keeping.... some guys here have more than 1000watts of lights in their marine tank... u know who u are,,, Who?! better own up! Quote People do not plan to fail; Often they just fail to plan... Wat I do to prevent myself from tearing my hair out... My stress remedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV-65 Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 hmmm, it seems that i would need the following equipments at the initial phase: Tank, skimmer, chiller, lights, pumps. (dunno if i left out anything else, gotta check) And only when the tank is matured and stable should i add in a calc reactor?? BTW is having 2 skimmers good? cos im planning to get a beckette and i hav a ASM G3 skimmer in my 3 feet atm which i believe is pretty handy as well since i will prob shut down the 3 feet and give the tank to my dad to rear his goldfish lol. Anyway thx for the advice guys!!!! Bro... if u intend to stock up with lots of corals, suggest u go for calcium reactor, its gonna save you money in additives in the long run... Quote People do not plan to fail; Often they just fail to plan... Wat I do to prevent myself from tearing my hair out... My stress remedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member mUAr_cHEe Posted November 11, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 11, 2005 Who?! better own up! me... using 20 tubes of T5s..... Quote *translated from Hokkien* "If say no bang wall, this idiot will never ripen" - Mr Quah Siew Kow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member ciaolong Posted November 11, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 11, 2005 400w is the best > i running 1 atm for my 4ft but i may add another one later on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV-65 Posted November 11, 2005 Share Posted November 11, 2005 me... using 20 tubes of T5s..... Wah!! Quote People do not plan to fail; Often they just fail to plan... Wat I do to prevent myself from tearing my hair out... My stress remedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Ancelot Posted November 28, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 28, 2005 Wah!! HAHA Well, SPS is an endless tunnel. But your money and efforts definitely pays off very well in another form. Look at those marvellous tanks around. U will get what i mean Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member andysho Posted November 28, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 28, 2005 i think beside money , need passion too~~~ If no more passion for this sps stuff , even they looks nice in other ppl opinion , to you is just nothing at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member mUAr_cHEe Posted November 30, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2005 ###### woonming looks nice to me.... Quote *translated from Hokkien* "If say no bang wall, this idiot will never ripen" - Mr Quah Siew Kow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Ancelot Posted November 30, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2005 ###### woonming looks nice to me.... HAHA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member iantoh Posted November 30, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2005 ###### woonming looks nice to me.... hahahah! and twenty T5s!!!!!!!!! Quote My Goniopora Nano! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekky_erian Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 tats why reef keeping is just for reefcholic only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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