Project for those who want to try

[utmachete]

Hey everyone as some of you might know I am moving to Tyler Tx on Thursday. I'm still going to make tanks when I move up there, and I'll actually have a real shop by then. So If anyone wants a Tank I'll still be an active MAAST member.

I am going to work on a project when I get to Tyler and I was interested in getting some advice from some of the members out there.

I plan on building 90 gallon tanks for $900 with everything included. So give me some feedback and tell me if any of you would be interested in the first couple of test tanks here is what they might include if I can get the right pricing together

-90 gallon acrylic Tank
-Black acrylic painted furniture grade wooden stand
-Acrylic hood
-14 gallon refugium in the hood
-2qty 4 gallon surge units in the hood
-250 watt Mh ballast/reflector/bulb
-Mag drive 900
-Acrylic skimmer with powerhead
-2qty 36 watt pcs for refugium
-dosing pump with container

I'm still trying to get all the pricing together and I'm cutting it real close on my profits so if anyone has any suggestions here is some stuff I'm trying to find

inexpensive quality MH ballasts and bulbs
inexpensive Magdrive pumps
inexpensive venturi valves that work
****inexpensive small dosing pumps with extra neoprene hose******

I am only interested in making money off the stuff I manufacture or have to keep in stock and I am willing to do some consignment with the LFS but they have to agree to use quality products. I'm going to make these units as non DIY looking as possible.

So give me some feedback I figure that if I could make some all included tanks that will also work I could prevent the beginner coral/fish killer problem that this industry has. I know I was one at first as well as most people.

[MikeP]

Bill - you can probably get PFO ballasts cheap in semi bulk quantities. Or you could go the MV ballast router with 6500k Iwasakis thats cheap.

Also on the refugium just use the screw in type PC bulbs and some kind of reflector - they work about as well for most kinds of macro and they actually seem to like the redder light.

You might ask Ed (Hammer) about dosing pumps to see if he still has a connection for buying in bulk. Other than that go to www.reefdosingpumps.com to compare prices.

[utmachete]

Thanks for the advice. Really what I want to do is just build the Tank, Stand, Hood (which contains the refugium, surge units, and dosing container), skimmer, and light hood.


Mike
MH- See in my design I use a single 250 Watt MH light hood that can open up kind of like an eclipse, but taller and with more ventilation.So really I just want to see if when I sell the tanks to the store that can just order the equipment in bulk from me or Tim.
Dosing Pump -I'll check that website out, it has to be a pump that is readily available.
refugium lights- AH Supply has a dual 36 Watt kit for $30 with the bulbs I bet tey have red bulbs also.

[utmachete]

I know everyone hates rio pumps but has anyone ever tried this auto top off device. If this would work it would be right in the price range I have set for dosing pump.

AT1 Water Replenisher

http://www.aquadirect.com/catalog/dosing/at1.htm

[utmachete]

I know everyone hates rio pumps but has anyone ever tried this auto top off device. If this would work it would be right in the price range I have set for dosing pump.

AT1 Water Replenisher

http://www.aquadirect.com/catalog/dosing/at1.htm

[matt]

Bill;

Great idea for the refugium in the hood. As far as the PC lights go, I think, but could be wrong, that the "screw in" type run a lot hotter. Ah supply uses the fulham workhorse ballast, which is available pretty cheap. Hellolights has a good deal on bare MH ballasts. As far as the auto top off goes, i think it's just an electric float switch and a cheap powerhead. You can get a AC float switch at McMaster Marr quite a bit cheaper. I'm going to order one for an auto-top off like this:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=140759

I'd like to see your design sometime. I think your idea of an all-in-one system is really good, and could sell well despite the intitial high cost to a beginner.

Matt

[longhorn_20m]

Where on AH supply do they have the 2x36 with bulbs for $30?

[JimD]

What type of surge devices are you refering to? Got my attention!

[adaminaustin]

This is a great all n one hood idea!
Bill would you consider building just the hood? My bro has a 100g that this would be great for.

[Trae]

Sounds Great.

May have to visit you when you get some made.

Trae

[utmachete]

I'll have some made late August right now I am between shops. I will also make some custom hoods for glass tanks but the hoods will have some weight to them. The only issue is if the glass tanks can hold them up because I know the acrylic can.

[utmachete]

Where on AH supply do they have the 2x36 with bulbs for $30?

THey are dual 13 watt, not 36 watt oops but I think that would work for what I'm doing.

[JimD]

Id still like some details on the surge device.