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psymongreen psymongreen
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  • Posted on: 17/9/2012 10:59
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #11
Well, as my laptop is tied up running reports for me, I thought I would put down a list of everything I have so far spent on my "budget" marine cube. Just to give any newbie an indication as to costs

Tank & Stand - Dennerle Marinus 60: ?350
Heater - included: ?0
Surface Skimmer - included: ?0
Lighting - T5 10,000k included: ?0
Sump - Custom made: ?50
Protein Skimmer - Tunze 9002: ?120
Return Pump - TMC Rio 1700: ?50
Sump Light - TMC Aqua Ray micro LED 200: ?30
Sump cooling - Azoo Twin fans: ?20
Moon Lighting - TMC Aquaray blue strip: ?25
Marine grade egg crate: ?25
Extra test kits (Salifert Iodine, Magnesium, Calcium): ?40
Auto top up - TMC V2 Auto Top Up: ?35
Circulation - NeWave 1000 Circulation Pump: ?15
Pipework - Ocean Life v2: ?120
Salinity - D-D Refractometer: ?35
Water container - 10l food safe: ?5

So, up to this point I have managed to spend just over ?900

Still to come:

Live rock - 8 kgs: ?100 (approx)
Phosphate remover - chaeto: ?5
Livestock - CUC & Fish: ?150 (ish)
Corals: Who knows

I expect my budget tank will have cost me about ?1,250 by the time I'm done Ever get that feeling you regret starting something??
psymongreen psymongreen
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  • Posted on: 10/12/2012 11:23
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #12
Progress update...

Tank is now "wet" and salt is currently mixing at home. I've only used the included hydrometer to get it approximatly correct, but will be getting the refractometer out after work to make sure it's ready for live rock.

Oh, and I also need to upgrade my heater I think. Any recommendations for 100w? I don't need anything too fancy as I will be connecting it up to a temp controller that will run the fan and be a backup for the temp sensor on the heater.
suey2 suey2
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  • Posted on: 10/12/2012 14:16
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #13
Excellent progress Not sure about the heater though, I've been through a fair few different brands, unsurprisingly all failures have been down to user error on my part! Tip - never drop a dirty water pump on a glass heater, they really don't stand up to it
It's Not Just A Fish
cathie cathie
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  • Posted on: 10/12/2012 19:43
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #14
I've had the 200w one of these for years
[url=http://www.bigfishcam
Critch Critch
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  • Posted on: 10/12/2012 21:42
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #15
Wow that's a cheap little project then
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I dont keep fish i keep water the fish are only there for decoration
Fishlady Fishlady
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  • Posted on: 10/12/2012 21:56
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #16
I knew there was a good reason I'm delaying setting up another marine tank - Psymon you've reminded me: it's the huge mount of ????s needed. I think I'll have to be satisfied with watching yours on here for the time being
psymongreen psymongreen
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  • Posted on: 11/12/2012 8:47
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #17
I'm thinking I could have got a purpose built much bigger tank for this :-s

But it woulnd't have been as fun

My replacement lid should be turning up on Friday, and I need to sort out some sound proofing for the cabinet. Water noise is just a bit too loud for my OH at the moment - she's just fussy

Then I think the only thing left is some reliable digital timers. It would be nice to find some that don't lose more than a second a month. I know it's not much really, but I'm fussy too
psymongreen psymongreen
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  • Posted on: 17/12/2012 10:51
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #18
I only went and spent a small fortune on live rock on Sunday...

And I've already seen my first hitch hiker - a tiny starfish! I think it's Asterina and was happily exploring the glass last night. Once I'm happy with the rockwork, I'll pop some pics of my rockery up
Critch Critch
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  • Posted on: 17/12/2012 17:20
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #19
I think you should have a web cam set up on the tank,

So Fishlady And I, can sit and watch it lol,
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Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad!
I dont keep fish i keep water the fish are only there for decoration
psymongreen psymongreen
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  • Posted on: 17/12/2012 18:27
Re: Psy's little Marine Cube #20
That's very tempting - I won't get much work done myself though...

I've got a mix of Fiji and bluestone live rock which I think should look very nice once matured. Think I might need a little more but will wait and see