Taking the plunge

bugsy

bugsy

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hi all, ok after 1 year in cape town , and doing my homework , i have finally decided to take the plunge ! , well you know whats it like financially, just when you think you have saved enough , something come's up and you gotta blow it all all something else.

So as i have gathered, reef keeping is like a bottomless pit - financially.

however i have decided to purchase a fish tank from palau - t/a Phuturelabs. Does anyone own one of their M range fishtanks ?

If yes, i would really appreciate comments or feedback on their products.

So i am going to order one this week, and hopefully will get it in the middle of January 2008.

I promise i will post pics as soon as i get it and will need all the help i can get to start up as this will be my first marine tank setup
:thumbup:
 
Hey Bugsy, welcome to this wonderful bottomless pit.

In all honesty If the PhutureLab tank is the one with the filter at the back, i would rather consider a straight forward Display tank with sump underneath, allows for a much bigger DSB as well as more space for skimmers reactors etc etc etc (the etc is where all the money goes;)

I am not saying the Phuturelab ine does not work, this is purely what I prefer
 
hey kanga

thanks for the feedback

well there are two options , one with the filter at the back and the other with the normal sump at the bottom, but much more expensive.
i will try to go for the latter.


oh yes their website is www.palaulab.co.za.
 
If finance is an issue i would scan the second hand section of the newspapers, junkmail etc.... the rest copy Kanga Welcome... may the polyps stay with you
 
Hey Bugsy, welcome to MASA. I would have to agree with Kanga and would also go for the remote sump as it is far more versatile in the long run.
 
Welcome Bugsy even though this hobby requires a bit of loose capital and a healthy credit card the pure joy of having you own slice of the ocean inyour home far outway's any of the costs incured to get it.

Good luck dude.
 
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bugsy said:
hey kanga

thanks for the feedback

well there are two options , one with the filter at the back and the other with the normal sump at the bottom, but much more expensive.
i will try to go for the latter.


oh yes their website is www.palaulabs.co.za.
Click to expand...

Link wont open, however, running the risk of sounding like I am badmouthing a product, I have to be honest and say there are better ways of getting a good system.

How good are you at a bit of DIY?

two tanks, one for display and one for the sump, 2 holes with overflows, I am sure there are many LFS's in CT who will build to your spec.
A cabinet made, some wiring and thats the extent of it.

If you need help designing it we will all jump in.
 
thanks guys, i will definitely go for the seperate sump at the bottom,

I was very impressed at the quality of their work, once again decisions, decisions decisions, wether to go for a 90cm x 45 x 45 or 120cm x 60 x 60 - 2 grand difference.
i know, i know the bigger one , but i could use that 2 grand for something else like a better protien skimmer - don't you think.

sorry website is palaulab.co.za
 
bugsy said:
thanks guys, i will definitely go for the seperate sump at the bottom,

I was very impressed at the quality of their work, once again decisions, decisions decisions, wether to go for a 90cm x 45 x 45 or 120cm x 60 x 60 - 2 grand difference.
i know, i know the bigger one , but i could use that 2 grand for something else like a better protien skimmer - don't you think.

sorry website is palaulab.co.za
Click to expand...

What is the price of the 4 ft set up?
 
Sorry the website is www.palaulab.co.za

Well its a tough decision i have to make, i wouldn't mind going the d.i.y route but with the missus expecting our 2nd bebe in three weeks time , and my hectic work hours - 6 days a week - i just don't have the time matey.
 
the 90cm one - filtration system , and cabinet included - 6000.

the 120cm - filtration system, cabinet incl - 8000
 
bugsy said:
Sorry the website is www.palaulab.co.za

Well its a tough decision i have to make, i wouldn't mind going the d.i.y route but with the missus expecting our 2nd bebe in three weeks time , and my hectic work hours - 6 days a week - i just don't have the time matey.
Click to expand...


Get the lfs to do the tank
a cabinet maker the cabinet the reat is just assembly and look like you wont get it for a good few weeks from them.

Sorry not Uberfond of that system, but thats just my opinion. I loved the idea when I just started, however not anymore
 
ok thanks , will decide in the next few days, promise i will keep u all updated.:)
 
Hey Bugsy, welocme to MASA.
 
thank you -

still deciding - might go for a cube as opposed to normal rectangular , cube has separate sump.
 
Hey Bugsy

I have a custom made tank from Phuture Lab (it is for sale coincidentally). I think Phuture Lab definitely make the nicest looking tanks in Cape Town. I liked the look of their tanks, especially with the black silicone. Those tanks with the integrated/hidden "sump" work out a lot cheaper as you don't need a big return pump, plumbing, overflow, etc.

The biggest problem to me is that there isn't an easy way of adding a *decent* skimmer (ie. none of the hang on ones) besides having it standing right next to the tank, which would be rather unsightly and ruin the point of paying a little bit extra for a nice looking tank. I'm not saying the hang on skimmers are totally rubbish, they are ok for tanks with low stocking, fish only or softies tanks...

How big is the cube you just mentioned? Zayn did mention after doing mine he would like the offer a similar cube as an option...
 
Welcome to MASA Bugsy. Some good advice above.
 
Hi Bugsy - welcome! Glad to see yet another Cape Town reefer! (even if only - to be.... ;-)

Just to give you a rough idea on prices - my 2 metre tank (built by LFS in Bothasig) cost 1800 for the glass tank only. My stands (the cheap route) cost another 1300...
Skimmer only: R1560.... life-stock - dunno - one heck of a lot....
power-heads/pumps to move the water around - another +-2000 (incl. sump return pumps,etc)... Sump itself, R360....

You can have a much cheaper glass aquarium, with a very nice hood/cabinet to round it off.... in the end it's about the finished product.

A cube would be 100% fine.... Just remember that the more water volume you have, the easier for your system to "buffer" and recover from "mistakes" (very quick changes in the water parameters: i.e. temp, pH, nitrates, ammonia, phosphates, etc, etc,)...

The smaller the water volume, the quicker for a disaster to happen....

Good luck, and ask away!
 
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