Returning to the Hobby Soon

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by PharmrJohn, Mar 14, 2019.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    Messages:
    4,622
    Location:
    Shelton, Washington
    Greetings one and all. It's been awhile. I used to be a regular on 3reef, so I trust the advice given by the members of this wonderful forum. I missed y'all. So hello to the old-timers and to those who I will meet as we go.

    My old tank has been sitting in the same place for about 8 years give or take. Dead. And that's OK. It died almost overnight (cause unknown) and I didn't have the cash to revive it and move forward. In this time period, I have forgotten most of my knowledge base. It's there. I just need reminding. I'm going to start slow. Sloooowww. My Signature should remain visible (I'll know this when I post, so y'all will know what I had at the time). My plan is to use much of what I had. I am going to buy all new pumps, all the way around. I'll keep my lighting (a T5 array), but buy new bulbs (I used to run around 14K on the average if memory serves). I'm going to replace all the PVC. I'm keeping my old, very touchy, skimmer for the time being. I'm going to keep my tank if it's still good. It was relatively new at the time and 90G is a good size for me. I want to do corals. The livestock will center around what will be introduced in about 1 year from rebirth. Said livestock will be in place and stable before move in this direction. I have all the rock I need. I am unsure about a sandbed. I think that is what did killed my tank. My husbandry was excellent, so I cannot think of anything else that could have killed it so fast.

    Over the years, I am sure that new and improved methods of digital information can be gleaned from the water and sent to a smart phone. Back in the day, that sort of tech was a tad out of reach financially, but now, I am excited to see what is out there. Also, lighting equipment has probably changed (T5s and Halides were the mainstay back then, with LEDs too expensive to deal with). My skimmer was a good one and did the job well. But it will have to be changed out one of these years. So the plan is....

    1.) Break down the old tank and figure out what I had going and how I had it working. Also, break down the fuge and figure out what I had going there
    2.) Clean the rock and get it ready (I don't know how to do this)
    3.) Get the plumbing figured out and cut to fit for future build
    4.) Get a new return configuration
    5.) Get new pumps (figure out what is optimal in terms for, what was it, gallons per minute?)
    6.) See if the 90G tank is still seaworthy
    7.) .....That's the basic start up plan

    I am not planning on plugging this whole thing in until September or October, to give time to redo my flooring underneath where I want the tank to be and to buy equipment in such a way that the wife doesn't have a heart attack.

    Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. PJ.