Budget Reef setup

There is nothing wrong with "going cheap". Deals are everywhere, you just have to know where to look. You live close enough to me that you are welcome to come over and check out my tank for some ideas. And if you're up for the challenge of it, DIY most of your equipment. Hell, i'll even get you started... i have a sump you can have for free, now all you need to find is...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10168337#post10168337 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MandM
You may want to look at the new Red Sea Max, I saw one a Fish Planet for about $600 I think. Start with good water and live rock and don't think of putting a fish into it until you have read Bob's book and have cycled and settled for a few months.
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I would strongly recommend against the Red Sea Max. I bought one and returned it due to a slew of production and engineering related issues. Great concept, poor execution.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10164488#post10164488 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Unarce
Whether you choose a fish only or reef tank, the most expensive initiall cost will be the live rock (with a 75g+ tank). You can't really avoid this, as it's the most important part of the filtration process. You may be able to find a deal with a teardown (i.e. $1 a pound), but that's rare, and the quality may not be up to par.

I like your original plan of a freshwater tank. The initial cost and monthly maintenance will be A LOT lower. When the baby is older and you have a 'settled' in and are more in tune with your situation, you can slowly change over to SW.

If you feel you can jump into this now, I'd recommend a softies (xenia, zoanthids, mushrooms, etc.) reef tank for the first few years.

-you won't need expensive lights
-a protein skimmer won't be necessary
-trace elements will be taken cared of by monthly water changes
-temperature and salinity aren't major worries
-soft corals are cheap and abundant

Just something to consider;)
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I was waiting for someone to say Live Rock:D

I will have to say though a FW tank is far less enjoyable IMO. I kept FW tanks for 15+ years and have no desire to ever have one again! Yes a Reef takes more time and money but the reward FAR out weighs it for me.

Here is my .02c

Live Rock

Good Lighting, maybe start with T5's that way you can upgrade to Metal Halides later and use the T5 for actinics or something

Good Protien Skimmer- DIY is fine just make sure it is large enough and has a large enough pump.

if you do run a CL I always reccommend Sequence pumps, very relaibe, quiet, energy efficient, and they pump some water!!!

Chiller- all depends on the type of lighting and what temp your house stays at

Oh ya don't forget a Heater and thermometer as well as a Hydrometer and figure in all your plumbing when calculating your budget.

HTH
Rob
 
Wow, there is way too much thinking going on around here. Do like most of us did, just start buying and realized that you are too far into not to complete the project. :D

Next thing you know, it will be time for an upgrade. ;)
 
Just the fact that bored4long is here tells me they're toast. For once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.
 
^ spot on! I for one think once he has the basics he can begin setting up the tank. He's not going to need all of the expensive items at the begining, and can be added later. I think with all of the talk about expensive chillers, expensive skimmers, .... we may have scared him off. However, a beautiful healthy reef can be setup and run with little money. It's all in how you feel about your setup that determines how much money you spend. All the expensive equipment in the world is not a replacement for careful husbandry, and a hands on approach to reefing.
 
Matt, that is the hardest thing about using a forum like this (RC in general, not the MARS forum) to determine system needs. There is so much bias towards the high-end gear that its hard for a newbie to evaluate the validity of some of it. (this is a problem I have found with most forums I join - AVS, SacPaintball, Snowboarding, etc - everyone pushes for top-of-the-line and anything else is just junk and a waste of time).

I have 2 main concerns getting into this hobby:

a) can I afford the monthly expenses just maintaining a system (biggest concern for me) - electricity for system, fish food and what not, added heat to my house, so AC runs longer... Is HUMIDITY a problem?

b) what is the preferred, but minimally required equipment I need to get now to get started
sub concerns from this:
i) the equipment I intially get should not be temporary crap, it should be quality equipment that I will keep and use for the life of the system
ii) the equipment I get should be easy to upgrade from as I want to get more technical and involved with my system and inhabitants
iii) the initial setup should not endanger the tank inhabitants just so I can save some $$.

Here is an example of what I mean:
It seems lighting is very important for the health and growth of corals. So does it make sense to buy a 'cheap' 760 watt Oddysea light for $359 right now or start out with 2 or 4 Tek T5s in the beginning and add my own IceCap MH later on. Sure the Oddysea will be cheaper overall and give more light in the beginning, but I think building my own and adding to it will result in a better lighting system over all, and can be done in increments to save on initial cost. That is how I'd like to approach the whole system.

If I can get away with a pair of T5s, a sump w/skimmer and a couple powerheads to get started, than that would be great.

I'm reading on RC every spare minute I have (and some I don't have) and am trying to figure this all out.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10171740#post10171740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by matttaylor
There is nothing wrong with "going cheap". Deals are everywhere, you just have to know where to look. You live close enough to me that you are welcome to come over and check out my tank for some ideas. And if you're up for the challenge of it, DIY most of your equipment. Hell, i'll even get you started... i have a sump you can have for free, now all you need to find is...
Click to expand...

I would be willing to help out too. I have a red sea berlin skimmer that is rated at 250g. I have the same one on my 50g ( I like to over skim) I also have some other stuff I would let go cheap. PM me if you are interested. Also check Craigslist and keep in mind what people want and what they will take are usually two very different numbers. You can get great deals. Alot of people get into the hobby, spend tons of cash on equipment then take it down. You can find great equipment for pennies on the dollar.
 
pv, just bought Plankton's RO/DI. So I'm good there, but thanks. Contact Doahhh about the RO/DI, though, he is needing one.

Thanks for the offer on the help. I will definitely need it as I don't have any friends that own reef systems.

As several have suggested, I'm hoping patience will land me a complete setup from someone getting out the hobby, so I'm trying to avoid purchasing bits and pieces at this time, but if I end up getting a bare tank, I will definitely ask about what extra equipment you have.

- Mark
 
I'm running the Odyssea 760w house-burner-downer. Corals are growing and the newer stock electronic ballasts reduces the hazards. There's an RC uberthread around about it. If you're DIY inclined, it's a cheap way in if you decide to build rather than buy a turnkey tank. You can upgrade components of the 760w as you can afford them. I'd stay away from it and just buy quality from the outset if you're not DIY friendly.
 
I spent about 3 hours skimming through most of that uber-thread last night...that thread is what got me considering the Oddysea lighting. But I'd like to determine at what stage I need so much light. If I don't need 760 watts in the beginning, then I'd rather build my own and add to it gradually over time. I've always thought I'd have a canopy on my tank, so building a lighting system with retro kits makes more sense, too.
 
I noticed no one responded to who supplied water to Rocklin,
Checked the internet, it's the Placer County Water Agency, www.pcwa.net, under customer service
their web site has details on water quality for Rocklin.
If still having doubts on going with Salt Water setup,
and need info on FW, check out www.sacramentoaquariumsociety.org ( local FW club).
 
Quasarlee, Thanks for the Rocklin water info. But I'm definitely going
SW. MARS has given me a very warm welcome and given me the confidence to tackle the challenge.

Update:
As you may have noticed, I'm torn between jumping into the hobby by buying a full setup from someone getting out versus building one up slowly. The impatient side of me wants it all and wants it now. I also know I might get the biggest bang for my $ by purchasing from everything from someone getting out of the hobby.

However, I'm also concerned that I am way too inexperienced to bring home an established system and actually expect it to continue to succeed in my newbie care. (and I expect most of the club are nodding in agreement) So I'm leaning again toward taking baby steps and starting out basic and slow.

In the end, I think Craigslist will make the decision for me. I'm watching it like a hawk, looking to score an awesome deal. Ideally, I'm looking for a 120 gallon 4 foot tank.

In the meantime I am in the process of putting all my paintball gear up for sale (its killing me). So with any luck, I'll have that stuff sold, and a whole lot more cash available to start building up my system.
 
bored4long - If you are ever in the Tracy area stop by as I still have ALOT of reef equipment and supplies. I also have a 30 gallon container full of now dry 'live-rock' which you are free to pull a few pieces out for your tank (or sump) for free if that would help out. Plus test kits, dry food, etc, etc, etc.

Like others have said, all you need initially it some good water, good salt mix, way of measuring salinity, heater/fan and a means of cleaning the sides of your tank as your SW system cycles and live rock/sand.
If you ask 10 people how long to let your system cycle for you'll get 20 different answers. Short answer is to wait as long as you can before adding light or any fish/corals. Then, when you do decide to add light, corals/fish go SLOW and easy on the addititives/food. Better to limit the amount of nutrients you add to a young tank lest the algae grows faster than the corals/fish!

Scott
 
Thanks for the link, Pete. I've called him twice and emailed once. It looks like the TruVu 100 gallon long. I'd much rather have the 100 wide, but that is a damn good deal. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Plankton, thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it. I'm sure I can find an excuse to make it down your way...where's Tracy again?
 
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