Hello from So Cal

[SKMoss]

Hello, my name is Steve, I'm from So Cal, USA and I am just confused.


I recently reentered the fishy hobby. I wanted to go with a Planted Tank, but got talked back into a reef tank. To be honest it was 60/40 in my mind to begin with. Soooooo....... I have a 150 reef tank with plenty of bells and whistles..... and I am not happy with the decision. Either I or my family has had basic tropical community fish aquariums off and on since the 60's. I've done the reef tank thing before sold it all off when my job situation changed and my commute went from 10 minutes to 3 hours each way.

Retired now and busier than the legendary long-tailed cat, but the ability to prioritize what time I do have. So pulled the trigger and I did the new tank, again.

Seriously considering taking the fish and corals to a friend, and converting the 150 to a planted tank. With that opening, I'm sure open to opinions on how to get the planted tank I want.....

Thanks,
Steve

 

[OliveFish05]

Welcome!!!

If you are unhappy with the reef tank, you can list all the supplies and accessories on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or even here on the fish forum!
Planted tanks are so enjoyable! Very rewarding when the plants start growing Growing growing!

 

[SKMoss]

Welcome!!!

Thank you. I'm not sure, other than the skimmer, what I would remove. I know a sump isn't suggested for a planted tank, but having it and a whole bunch of bio media, 1/2 cubic foot of marine pure, in it can't hurt, umm, right?

I have 2 mp 40s I can keep dialed back, 3 gen 4 XR15s for lighting, APEX reef control system for monitoring (heat, Ph, Power, etc). (ya big over kill on the last, but helpful), and dual heaters on an inkbird.

My thought right now is just to empty it, clean it well and start the aquascape. I kinda know what I want to do, I just need to figure out plant names and such.

 

[OliveFish05]

Thank you. I'm not sure, other than the skimmer, what I would remove. I know a sump isn't suggested for a planted tank, but having it and a whole bunch of bio media, 1/2 cubic foot of marine pure, in it can't hurt, umm, right?

I have 2 mp 40s I can keep dialed back, 3 gen 4 XR15s for lighting, APEX reef control system for monitoring (heat, Ph, Power, etc). (ya big over kill on the last, but helpful), and dual heaters on an inkbird.

My thought right now is just to empty it, clean it well and start the aquascape. I kinda know what I want to do, I just need to figure out plant names and such.

I am not familiar with saltwater equipment unfortunately, but plant names I can help you with! What kind of lighting do you have?

 

[SKMoss]

I am not familiar with saltwater equipment unfortunately, but plant names I can help you with! What kind of lighting do you have?

Three Radion X15 Gen 5's

 

[OliveFish05]

Three Radion X15 Gen 5's

Hmm I am not familiar with that! I am not sure what kind of plants it could support

Low Light Plants

Water Sprite
Amazon Sword
Java Fern
Crypts
Java Moss
Anubias
Marimo Moss
Willow Moss
Christmas Moss


Other Plants:
Ludwigia
Bacopa
Cabomba
Vals
Sags
Dwarf Hairgrass
Pennywort
Dwarf Pennywort
Monte Carlo



and many others that other people can help with!

 

[I Like Rare Fish]

Welcome to the fishy family! I would like to add Susswasertang to @OliveFish05 's list.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Hello, my name is Steve, I'm from So Cal, USA and I am just confused.


I recently reentered the fishy hobby. I wanted to go with a Planted Tank, but got talked back into a reef tank. To be honest it was 60/40 in my mind to begin with. Soooooo....... I have a 150 reef tank with plenty of bells and whistles..... and I am not happy with the decision. Either I or my family has had basic tropical community fish aquariums off and on since the 60's. I've done the reef tank thing before sold it all off when my job situation changed and my commute went from 10 minutes to 3 hours each way.

Retired now and busier than the legendary long-tailed cat, but the ability to prioritize what time I do have. So pulled the trigger and I did the new tank, again.

Seriously considering taking the fish and corals to a friend, and converting the 150 to a planted tank. With that opening, I'm sure open to opinions on how to get the planted tank I want.....

Thanks,
Steve

Welcome to TFF!

I would keep the 150g saltwater, and get another tank for freshwater - best of both worlds!

 

[SKMoss]

Hmm I am not familiar with that! I am not sure what kind of plants it could support

Thanks for the list.

What I need to do is start on a spread sheet and keep adding plants and pictures to names, so as names come up i have a quick reference.


The lights are pretty high end LED and can spit out pretty much any spectrum and PAR value. And they can be controlled via an app and pretty sophisticated timer system.

 

[SKMoss]

Welcome to TFF!

I would keep the 150g saltwater, and get another tank for freshwater - best of both worlds!

I have had that thought as well. Just about pulled the trigger on a 130g rimless tank last weekend.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I have had that thought as well. Just about pulled the trigger on a 130g rimless tank last weekend.

If you have the funds/space, I would definitely try to do both.

 

[SKMoss]

If you have the funds/space, I would definitely try to do both.

Starting to think this is the right option. The best part of that plan is; with the reef tank up and running it will be easier to be patient with the planted tank. (a problem I have bad)

 

[SKMoss]

If you have the funds/space, I would definitely try to do both.

So decision made. Will have a 60” X 24” X 20” tall, starfire glass tank delivered on Saturday. Ya, best of both worlds.

The plan is to build out a custom stand for it. I have a good wood shop in the garage. Furniture repair, some cabinets, but mostly signs cutting boards, custom gun storage boxes, tack trunks etc.

This one has to be nice. The tank distributor needs a new custom tank builder so this one will be a show price.

So now I need to find a design for a stand that I like.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

So decision made. Will have a 60” X 24” X 20” tall, starfire glass tank delivered on Saturday. Ya, best of both worlds.

The plan is to build out a custom stand for it. I have a good wood shop in the garage. Furniture repair, some cabinets, but mostly signs cutting boards, custom gun storage boxes, tack trunks etc.

This one has to be nice. The tank distributor needs a new custom tank builder so this one will be a show price.

So now I need to find a design for a stand that I like.

Awesome!! Make sure to create a build thread once it arrives!

 

[Slaphppy7]

Welcome to the forum, Steve

Here's a nice basic plan for a wood stand, simple but very sturdy, 2X4's and 2X6's...easy to add on side walls, doors, etc