Planning for an upgrade

[Mac1]

What are the Gotcha's and gimme's? Other's that have planned what they were going to do thoroughly... How close to budget did things come in? How many times did you re-work your plans before you set things up? What didn't you re-do, that you wished you had?

My Angelic wife told me I could go shopping for a bigger tank this weekend, so long as I get rid of my existing one's. So the plan is to get a 200 Oceanic (7-foot) w/ a couple holes for returns, a Palette of Southdown, and take the light from my Refugium (175watt 10K), two Big Boxes of Tonga, and when the cycle's done, start moving things over from my 90 gal. reef tank. Then, sadly, I'll have to tear that down. I will be able to position the new tank where I want it, while cycling, and not disturb the existing tank(s) (very lucky), so I shouldn't have to move anything until it's empty.

I'm just nervous about playing w/ those kinds of numbers, and 'forgetting' a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff once I get rolling. I hope to be able to sell off a lot of my livestock to help finance the new tank too, and am nervous that may fall-through as well (and it would be a $hitload of overtime to pay for this thing).

TIA

- Mac

 

[goldenboy]

Oh, uh sure honey, I'll get rid of the other tank. Yeah right :twisted: :wink:

 

[SPC]

Mac, I would say without question the best thing I did when I upgraded to my 180 was to install my sump/ref in an adjacent bedroom closet. I will never have another tank with the sump under the stand after doing this.
Steve

 

[ChrisRD]

Steve:

More details please...

 

[danmhippo]

Steve, let me guess, you don't like to see hairs down under, eh? :lol:

 

[SPC]

Posted by Dan:

Steve, let me guess, you don't like to see hairs down under, eh?

-Actually I love to see hairs down under :wink: .

Wolfman, my 180 is in our bedroom. I plumbed it through the wall into a closet that is located in an adjacent bedroom. I have a 75 sump/ref and all the noise that goes with it in this closet. I will try and get some pictures of this today, I don't think I have ever posted this.
Steve

 

[SPC]

I have no idea why that gray mass showed up across the bottom :? :? .

 

[Mac1]

Thanks for the Pic Steve. I actually get the entire run of the basement, which is where the tanks are now, so sound and aesthetic's aren't a primary concern. I do have an adjacent room however, where I have my RO/RI and water changing equipment setup. I planned to put my skimmer, refugium, and a few other parcels back there this winter, but w/ the OK to get a larger tank... pretty-ing the place up will happen later

I _had_ thought of absent-mindedly forgetting to try and sell my 90, once the transfer is complete... but to be honest, she's been so good about everything, I don't want to risk anything.. I mean, I asked out of the blue this weekend, and she said I could.. so long as the other two go. "It might take 6-9 months to get everything setup and transfer it over?", and she was cool w/ that... Just doesn't want 4 large fish-tanks in the basement. I'm half tempted to go w/ a 265 or 300 or something, as she'd never know the difference, nor do I think she would mind. I just don't think I can afford it. I'm talking w/ a local dealer now, and think I can get the 200 Oceanic w/ 2 holes drilled for under $1K, and that's about all I can afford. Will use my refugium light to get things started (and the contents of the 'fuge will seed the new tank). Then once the cycle's done, I can pull the pair of 250-watter's over my 90, and bring the VHO's w/ it. I _think_ that will be enough light. Perhaps for my Birthday, or Christmas, I'll ask for a 400watt PFO ballast to replace that Refugium light, and then get my refugium running again (She even said I could keep the 'fuge, as she recognized it as "part of the system", more so than a separate tank by itself! What a Girl, eh?)
I'm just getting nervous putting this stuff down on paper and attaching numbers to it. Nervous that I'll forget/miss something. If all works out according to plan, I can do this upgrade for under $2K I think. I'll have to steal almost everything on my tanks now, but.... Worth it in the end. I just have to come up w/ the scratch for the glass itself (will build my own stand and sump I think), and a couple Boxes of Fresh Tonga Rock. That's it. If I can sell off a frag-a-thon, and get some good money for a few of my choice pieces, I should be able to swing the upgrade by the end of the year!


- Mac

 

[ChrisRD]

I have no idea why that gray mass showed up across the bottom :? :? .

Could you try reposting it? I'd like to see the whole setup - I'm planning on doing something similar in a couple of years. Thanks Steve.

BTW - YGM...