New toys! (okok, used ebay stuff)

[mistah]

Hey! how's everyone doing?

I'm starting a sw tank, possibly reef if the funds permit it..

I found a place here in Montreal, that sells ALL their tanks at COST price!

So, I'm picking up the largest Hagen tank, which is a 135gallon tank (480$cdn)..

I bought some items off of ebay recently, waiting for them to arrive.

Can anyone tell me if they're any good? Here's the links..

I picked up a decent skimmer. A turboflotor (pin wheel one) for a 150gallon tank. Comes with a rio 2800 ss pump and a 402 power head.. for the price of 125$US (about 200$).. good deal??

http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2053659663&ssPageName=ADME:B:BN:CA:1

Here's the other item I got.. would this be good?
"Iwaki WMD20RLT 420GPH pump"
It's a small pump from what I can tell, compared to others, but for 50$ it cost me.. thought it may be useful.
(link)
http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2053785676&ed=1032451813&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOA:US:2

Would the pump be any good in my setup?
I want a 135gallon SW, custom cabinet (base)..
What size sump do I need? I have a spare 20 and a 40gallon here. Or is it better to buy a sump?

I don't want to drill my tank, what size of overflow box would I need? whats recommended?

A sump to hold that skimmer is a good idea? or the skimmer beside the sump a better idea?

Any infos would be appreciated! help this newbie =]

thanks!

[Ocean Images]

Mistah, I have had nothing but good luck with the items I have bought on Ebay lately:D
As far as a sump goes, leftover aquariums work well, if you are a do it yourselfer you can easily create your own sump, to buy one can be expensive:(
As far as a internal skimmer (in sump) compared to an external (outside sump) there is no difference in the overall performance. I am curently setting up a new 180 gal system that is going to have an internal skimmer only because of a space issue, there is a little more plumbing involved with external but nothing you can't handle yourself.
I have used many overflow boxes, I find a 1" "U-Tube" works well for my needs, the only trouble with the overflow boxes is keeping them clear of debris. If you can, you may want to consider getting your tank drilled, it makes for a very clean setup and its much easier to get it done now than to wish you had it drilled 6 months from now.
As far as setting up your system, there are many VERY experienced reef keepers on this site that will be more than happy to help you out along the way:cheers:

Good luck,

[Dman]

I picked up a decent skimmer. A turboflotor (pin wheel one) for a 150gallon tank. Comes with a rio 2800 ss pump and a 402 power head.. for the price of 125$US (about 200$).. good deal??

I don't know about the price as to whether it was a good deal or not, but I can tell you that everyone I've talked to who has owned a TF swears by them.


Here's the other item I got.. would this be good?

Iwaki make excellent pumps, you are aware that they are not submersible? That they need to be plumbed "in-line" ( I am currently using a 1/2 HP Iwaki that I bought on ebay almost five years ago and at a price so cheap it would make your head spin) I would plumb the Iwaki as a closed loop cirulation pump, nice size for a tank like a 135.




What size sump do I need? I have a spare 20 and a 40gallon here. Or is it better to buy a sump?


Get or use as big a sump as you can fit wherever you plan to put the sump; be it under the tank in the cabinet or 65 feet away under the cellar, the more water volume you have the more stable your water parameters will be.


I don't want to drill my tank, what size of overflow box would I need? whats recommended?

I made this mistake with my first tank, and I will never do it again, all my tanks from now on will be drilled. You pretty much can't beat the reliablilty of a freakin hole :D Overflows can be tricky, and at times unreliable, but I have to admit it was an unending source of amusement for wife as I seemed to be forever moping up 15 gallons of saltwater caused by a siphon break.

(ps if you dont think 15 gallons is very much take a 5 gallon pail of water from the tap right now and pour it on the floor and see if the wife is still smiling, I dare ya ;) then triple that)

HTH
Dman
:spin:

[Kenzy]

I just want to second what Dman said and strongly recommend getting the tank drilled. U-tubes and HOB style overflows are simply a disaster waiting to happen. Talk to the place where you are getting the tank from and see if they will look after getting it drilled and set up.

[mistah]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies! I didn't know I had any (no more email notifications??)

Yeh, I finally received my skimmer (turboflotor) classic. It has suffered some shipping damage tho.! =( DAMN UPS. The collection cup (the cone on the inside) is cracked at the top, but still works (hope), and one of the output nozzles (there are 2) is slightly cracked (but repairable). =( But atleast the rio 2800SS and the other pump work fine, ATLEAST. =]

I also received my iwaki pump today, REALLY nice unit. From what I know, it only pumps about 500 gallons an hour.. I'm a a bit worried if that'll do the job??

And for the overflow box. YEH. I know.. I'm currently bidding on one on Ebay. I would rather get my tank drilled, but anyone I ask here won't do it. So still searching.. where do you get the bulkheads to fit into it (with the plug) in case one day someone doesn't want to use it for SW?

I'm looking at sumps. I have a 40gallon, 20, 10.. the 20 and 10 are empty for now..(fishless) but running with filters, etc.. just gotta decide what I wanna do. I'd love to find nice clear plans, with pictures / diagrams to build one. A unit with bio balls (better?)

Yeh, I've managed to drop 5 gallons on my floor here once, THANK god it was on a ceramic floor and it didn't seep down stairs to my aunts place!! HAHA.. she just renovated!

thanks for the replies all!

[ajx22]

We can supply any and all the bulkheads you need. Also...the easiest way to convert it back to a FW tank is to remove the bulkhead, and silicone a cut piece of glass over the hole. No leaks, and nothing protruding in/out of the tank.

I'm sure that someone will drill the tank for you...KEEP LOOKING!! I will 3rd the nightmares you will incounter with a HOB overflow! :eek2:

Check out the Web Links to the left side of the forums - then select the DIY links link - and check through the list I have there...there really are some great plans for DIY items (sump).

Cheers,

[Qman]

mistah , what is the place that sells those tanks at cost in Montreal? I was looking for a used 180-200 gallons used tank down here with no avail. So might as well go with a brand new thank :thumbsup: ! Please let me know.
Tx,

[mistah]

I don't know if I'm allowed to mention businesses?

I'll give it a shot, it's called "octopus" located on papineau / near mont-royal.

I don't have the # handy, but look it up..! the entire place is salt water filled (300+ aquariums, see the back store!) lol..!!

It's a little rough, but they know what their doing.

enjoy.

[Qman]

Thanks for the Info. Anyway, I don't think Aquariumpros.ca sells tanks online here in the province... do they?:confused:

[ajx22]

Yeppers! ;)

http://aquariumpros.ca/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A&Category_Code=T

[mistah]

whoohoo! hehe. I just picked up a little giant 4-MDQX-SC for 60$ (us$ but damn! good price) no?? =]

Now, I've gotta wonder what I should use and where.

I've got that iwaki pump and a little giant 4-MDQX-SC. The iwaki is good for high pressure and the little giant is made for circulation.

Can I use one of these plugged to my skimmer (instead of the rio pump thats attached to it?) Which pump would be better? the iwaki for this?

Then use the little giant to use from the sump -> return to tank?