$1600 Budget - Setup Advice?

dsustko

dsustko

New member
Friends,
I have decided to get a reef tank. I would like to keep it around 65 Gallon size and stick to a budjet of $1600. LFS is selling DSA 65 Gallon tank with stand, canopy, and sump for $950.
That would leave me ~ $650 for the rest of the equipment.
How would you suggest to spend the rest? (This is only for equipment - I have set aside more for live rock, sand, etc).
Thank you for helping us young enthusiasts be more educated!
 
dsustko said:
Friends,
I have decided to get a reef tank. I would like to keep it around 65 Gallon size and stick to a budjet of $1600. LFS is selling DSA 65 Gallon tank with stand, canopy, and sump for $950.
That would leave me ~ $650 for the rest of the equipment.
How would you suggest to spend the rest? (This is only for equipment - I have set aside more for live rock, sand, etc).
Thank you for helping us young enthusiasts be more educated!
Click to expand...

Get a sicce 3 return pump (100$) get an aquamaxx cone co-1 skimmer (250) and get a LET retro fit t5 from reef geek ( 6x39 watt 299$). All quality components that would allow you to have a very nice first reef tank. All you would need is a heater and a couple of powerheads. Your budget is very tight but for under 2000$ you could make it work. Don't worry about livestock just yet, let some quality dry rock cycle and age for a few months ( say 100 days or so).
 
Drae said:
Get a sicce 3 return pump (100$) get an aquamaxx cone co-1 skimmer (250) and get a LET retro fit t5 from reef geek ( 6x39 watt 299$). All quality components that would allow you to have a very nice first reef tank. All you would need is a heater and a couple of powerheads. Your budget is very tight but for under 2000$ you could make it work. Don't worry about livestock just yet, let some quality dry rock cycle and age for a few months ( say 100 days or so).
Click to expand...

Thats a great advice! As far as the powerheads, I know that vortech's are all the rage right now, but would two WP-10 be sufficient? its a standard tank size 36" x 18" x 24".
 
I'd advise go 100 gallons, because most people find the fish they want to keep can't live in a 50-60 gallon tank. If your ambition is for blennies and gobies, fine. Most species want more room.


Start shopping, but fix in your head what a proper reef tank looks like, how it drains, how it's pumped, what it takes. Then start looking for second-hand equipment. No few people get into this and discover it takes more research and work than they want to devote to anything: they ignore advice, take a short cut they thought of, kill half a dozen fish and out they go, selling off their equipment at fire-sale prices. This is a very good way to start. Look for somebody in your area that's moving---another big reason for selling a good tank---getting a larger tank (this happens) or is simply going off to take up knitting or hang-gliding.
For a basic reef you need: a reef-ready (drilled, with downflow box) tank of 100 gallons if at all possible; a T5 or better light kit that will support highlevel light; if you want stony coral or clams, needs to be 10000k light color or more; you need a skimmer for 200 gallons; you need a 30 gallon sump; a stand; a pump that moves about 1500 gph or more (you can valve it back, but not up); and a ro/di filter to turn tapwater into useable 0-content water; a 50 lbs bucket of reef salt mix; 200 lbs live rock/dry rock mixed; 200 lbs of aragonite sand, live or not, washed; and an ATO (autotopoff system with large reservoir [the evaporation rule is 1 gallon a day for each 50 gallons) and a very high-end heater (cheap ones are dangerous). I know that's a big list, but if you know what all these things are before you buy, and know the brands, you can save yourself re-buying and problems. The rig I outlined can sometimes be had for 700 dollars on Craigslist or the like, when somebody needs to move and get out of the hobby for a while (or forever) or upsize. That leaves you a lot of room. Don't be scared of second-hand: it's ok if you do your homework first.

Note my measurements on pump strength and sand/rock are based on 100 g. Divide by reality to get a proportional number.
 
Last edited:
dsustko said:
Thats a great advice! As far as the powerheads, I know that vortech's are all the rage right now, but would two WP-10 be sufficient? its a standard tank size 36" x 18" x 24".
Click to expand...

24" tall and 18" wide make for tall narrow tank. I don't think the mp 10's handle the 24" hieght very well but they handle the width just fine. Sk8r had some great advise also. Food for though, turn that tank sideways and you'd have awesome dimensions... 36x24x18= awesome aquascape. Nothing wrong with the setup your lfs has but you could do better imo. If you like that tank and dimensions then by all means go for it but I urge you to look for a 24" wide tank. JMO. Do you like fish or corals more?
 
I think you can do better on the price for tank, stand and canopy. I got a 75 rimless RR from a LFS they said it was only used for about 2 weeks for a show, for 300.00 and the stand (which is your standard stand you would get at a fish store that msrp around 250) for 50 bucks I don't really care for the look of a canopy I will be hanging LEDS from the ceiling.

With patience and some work checking out craigslist and local aquarium society's forums and website you can find some great deals.
 
Sk8r said:
I'd advise go 100 gallons, because most people find the fish they want to keep can't live in a 50-60 gallon tank. If your ambition is for blennies and gobies, fine. Most species want more room.


Start shopping, but fix in your head what a proper reef tank looks like, how it drains, how it's pumped, what it takes. Then start looking for second-hand equipment. No few people get into this and discover it takes more research and work than they want to devote to anything: they ignore advice, take a short cut they thought of, kill half a dozen fish and out they go, selling off their equipment at fire-sale prices. This is a very good way to start. Look for somebody in your area that's moving---another big reason for selling a good tank---getting a larger tank (this happens) or is simply going off to take up knitting or hang-gliding.
For a basic reef you need: a reef-ready (drilled, with downflow box) tank of 100 gallons if at all possible; a T5 or better light kit that will support highlevel light; if you want stony coral or clams, needs to be 10000k light color or more; you need a skimmer for 200 gallons; you need a 30 gallon sump; a stand; a pump that moves about 1500 gph or more (you can valve it back, but not up); and a ro/di filter to turn tapwater into useable 0-content water; a 50 lbs bucket of reef salt mix; 200 lbs live rock/dry rock mixed; 200 lbs of aragonite sand, live or not, washed; and an ATO (autotopoff system with large reservoir [the evaporation rule is 1 gallon a day for each 50 gallons) and a very high-end heater (cheap ones are dangerous). I know that's a big list, but if you know what all these things are before you buy, and know the brands, you can save yourself re-buying and problems. The rig I outlined can sometimes be had for 700 dollars on Craigslist or the like, when somebody needs to move and get out of the hobby for a while (or forever) or upsize. That leaves you a lot of room. Don't be scared of second-hand: it's ok if you do your homework first.

Note my measurements on pump strength and sand/rock are based on 100 g. Divide by reality to get a proportional number.
Click to expand...

I would agree with you on getting a deal on craigslist; however, I have some hesitations as well. It seems like most of the tanks listed have the overflow in the corner, which means that they are close to 10 years old. From my limited knowledge I know that the silicone is in poor condition around that age. Similarly, it's hard to tell the "true" condition of the equipment you're purchasing on craigslist i.e. RO/DI that has bad filters.
My point is, as much as I would love to save some money on used equipment, I would hate to have a bad experience with the hobby if I get poor equipment.
 
loui said:
I think you can do better on the price for tank, stand and canopy. I got a 75 rimless RR from a LFS they said it was only used for about 2 weeks for a show, for 300.00 and the stand (which is your standard stand you would get at a fish store that msrp around 250) for 50 bucks I don't really care for the look of a canopy I will be hanging LEDS from the ceiling.

With patience and some work checking out craigslist and local aquarium society's forums and website you can find some great deals.
Click to expand...

This is great feedback, I wasn't aware of looking local forums. Can you recommend a site for local aquarium community forum?
 
Definitely start with a 100 gallon tank! 48x24x20! Get a really nice skimmer (rated for 240-300 gallons just in case you want to upgrade down the road, which you will!!!), start with dry rocks and do a muriatic acid bath. Get two WP25 or WP40 for flow. Sicce, mag-drive, or Eheim 1262 for return pump. For lights, I'd suggest T5/LED combo. I'd suggest bare bottom, or shallow sand bed of 1-1.5" and start with dry sand (don't buy those live-sand bag). I'd spend about $400-500 for a used, great condition tank, stand, and sump combo set-up. $300-400 for a skimmer. $300 for flow. And the rest for plumbing, rocks, sand, ATO, and controller.

Don't buy Craigslist rocks and sand! If you do,kill everything, you never want bad hitchhickers! Be patient with your purchases, don't settle for cheap stuff because you'll end up upgrading anyway.
 
dsustko said:
I would agree with you on getting a deal on craigslist; however, I have some hesitations as well. It seems like most of the tanks listed have the overflow in the corner, which means that they are close to 10 years old. From my limited knowledge I know that the silicone is in poor condition around that age. Similarly, it's hard to tell the "true" condition of the equipment you're purchasing on craigslist i.e. RO/DI that has bad filters.
My point is, as much as I would love to save some money on used equipment, I would hate to have a bad experience with the hobby if I get poor equipment.
Click to expand...

Overflow in the corner doesn't mean it's old. I just bought a brand new 75 rr tank with a corner overflow.
 
dsustko said:
. It seems like most of the tanks listed have the overflow in the corner, which means that they are close to 10 years old. .
Click to expand...
They still make new tanks with corner overflows, I just bought a 90 with a corner overflow.

OP, I have purchased a few tanks on craigslist and they worked just fine. You can definitely get a better deal on a tank. you can get a 90 gal tank pretty easily. Also I do like my MP10's, but everyone seems to like the WP's and you can get 2 for the price of on MP10.
 
Things You Need:

Things You Need:

Tank, stand, sump set-up
Protein skimmer- I'd suggest a reef octopus brand
Return pump
Flow pump- 2x WP25
Heater- jäger 300W
Dry rocks (I love pukani but need a muriatic acid bath)- minimalist aquascaping for me
No sand for me (or 1" sand if you don't like barebottom)
Plumbing- (bulkheads, pipes, etc.)
ATO- (JBJ if you're on a budget or the Tunze Osmolator for another $100)
Test kits- API is fine to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate; salifert or Red Sea for cal, alk, and mag; Hanna for phosphate
RO/DI unit and salt
Refractometer
GFO&Carbon reactor
Lights
Fan or chiller to cool down your set-up
Controller
QT set-up

and I think that sums it all up!
Oh and a table shrimp to start the cycle! And A LOT of patience and research!

Good luck and happy reefing my friend! :)
 
Arnel0387 said:
Tank, stand, sump set-up
Protein skimmer- I'd suggest a reef octopus brand
Return pump
Flow pump- 2x WP25
Heater- jäger 300W
Dry rocks (I love pukani but need a muriatic acid bath)- minimalist aquascaping for me
No sand for me (or 1" sand if you don't like barebottom)
Plumbing- (bulkheads, pipes, etc.)
ATO- (JBJ if you're on a budget or the Tunze Osmolator for another $100)
Test kits- API is fine to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate; salifert or Red Sea for cal, alk, and mag; Hanna for phosphate
RO/DI unit and salt
Refractometer
GFO&Carbon reactor
Lights
Fan or chiller to cool down your set-up
Controller
QT set-up
Lights
Refractometer
Test kits- API is fine to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate; salifert or Red Sea for cal, alk, and mag; Hanna for phosphate

and I think that sums it all up!
Oh and a table shrimp to start the cycle! And A LOT of patience and research!

Good luck and happy reefing my friend! :)
Click to expand...
This stuff is all niceties. You can buy premixed saltwater from your LFS and RO water from them too.
ATO- (JBJ if you're on a budget or the Tunze Osmolator for another $100)
RO/DI unit and salt
GFO&Carbon reactor
Fan or chiller to cool down your set-up
Controller
 
I'm useless on your original question, but I will offer this little bit of opinion. If you go used and you're picky be sure you check the tank out VERY thoroughly. I've never been happy with a used display tank that I've purchased. Seems like I always find some little scratch or blemish that I missed when I first looked them over and it annoys me to no end. At least when I scratch my new tanks I know who to blame.

That said I've never had a problem with any other used equipment. You can find people who have gotten tired of the hobby or had a crash or something similar selling tons of stuff for a little bit of nothing. Also bring along a little extra cash. I've had several times when I walk in to pick something up and they've got a half dozen other things laying around that they don't really want either and will take offers just to get rid of it and not deal with the hassle of bringing another random buyer into their home.
 
IF it was me....
Tank, stand, sump set-up(craigslist, no more than 500)
Protein skimmer- Aquamaxx CO1 or 2
Return pump: laguna
Flow pump- 2x WP25
Heater- eheim 300W
Dry rocks (I love pukani but need a muriatic acid bath)- minimalist aquascaping for me
No sand for me (or 1" sand if you don't like barebottom)
Plumbing- (bulkheads, pipes, etc.)
ATO-Jbj
Test kits- salifert or Red Sea for cal, alk, Hanna for phosphate
Refractometer
Lights DIY LED
Controller(if you have money Apex Jr to start with)
 
This is great information.
Although I have a lot of patience to wait for a nice used tank, I always wonder if I will be still here 5 months later waiting for a tank...

But that is my problem, not yours to solve. Anyway thank you very much everyone for the awesome feedback.
I can't believe how friendly and helpful everyone is on this forum. :love1:
 
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