Full circle (equipment selection)

[carb850]

I started off reading up here on RC at the beginning of the year with the idea of doing a 25-30G Nano tank. Only reason I wanted to do a nano is because I knew a large tank can get expensive (actually found out even more than I imagined). I keep reading and figuring, I then talked myself into a 40G breeder. I convinced myself the cost is not really that much more, especially if I did a FOWLR setup. Afterall, I'm more interested in fish than I am in corals.

After a few weeks of planning toward a 40G breeder, I determined that going a 75G RR tank is the way to go. Not only would I not have to fool with drilling and making an overflow box, but the cost of a the 75G is not really that much more than the 40G tank. Everyone keep saying, get the biggest you can afford because you will want to trade up in time. This logic made since to me. Not to mention a lot of the skimmers and powerheads that work for the 40 will also work on the 75.

So then I started reading up on the equipment list I needed of the 75G setup. Every item I ended up talking myself into getting something a little nicer. After all, the cost is not that much more. My simple RR overflow turned into a need for a Tunze powerhead with controller. My 6 bulb T5 HO setup turned into a dual MH fixture. Everything just went up. Doing some rough math, I figured it will cost me about $1700 and that is with only water in the tank! I know a lot of you may laugh at that as you have many times that much money in your setup, but it is a far cry from the 55G tropical tanks I had growing up. Those cost $250 including a tank for a fish.

I took a step back, started thinking about my other interest and the things I wanted to do with the house, it will take me years to get the 75G setup I had in mind buying it a piece at a time. This was unacceptable and this past weekend I figured it would be best to postpone the tank indefinitely.

Earlier today, I started talking to my co-worker about this tank again. I would really like to have one, but how could I do it without dropping over 2K? A nano tank! I can get a nice 25G nano for about $500. The only hardware I need to add is a skimmer and heater. Down the road a powerhead might be nice, but I could get by without it for awhile. As I came to this conclusion, I sort of smiled as I have came full circle in my plans.



Then as I'm writing this post I think to myself... how much could I do a 40G Breeder FOWLR for?

 

[TheUndertaker]

I know where you can get a nice 24G nano with fish coral powerhead heater and all... even the water lol

 

[carb850]

If I do eventually go with a Nano, I will be giving the Cadlights 25G a long look. I believe it is glass (which I like), fantastic lighting (almost too much), refugium, seperate light for the fuge, and designed to accept the Tunz nano skimmer.

 

[1package]

Cheaper alternative

Cheaper alternative

A couple things to consider 1. alot of what you read is opinion not fact and 2. alot of the people even on this forum (CVRC) were not around 2-3 years ago and many who were no longer are. People are getting out all or upgrading all the time so there is plenty of used equipment floating around.

I have 2 tanks setup now, one with a $500 skimmer and $1500 worth of pumps, excluding auto topoff, timers, controller, etc.....

The other, 75g non-reef ready with 2 external overflows that I bought on Ebay, dumping into a 5 gallon salt bucket (with filter floss), sitting in a $6 rubbermaid container. It ran for nearly 2 years with about 260w of power compact lighting on a $6 mechanical style timer. The tank also has a relatively cheap (undersized skimmer) coral life 65g. Flow is produced from a cheap VIA aqua return pump and a used external pump on a closed loop. I do not believe in the need for a UV, although as with everything else opinioins vary.

There are a few people on here who have seen it and I think would agree after about 3 years it is doing well.

The tank houses a tomini tang, a couple of anthias, shrimp, crabs, snails, pygmy angel and a bunch of different soft and LPS corals - Mushrooms, zoos, hammer, frogspawn, leathers, zenia, trumpet, etc. With the exception of perhaps SPS, this tank without the high dollar skimmer, powerheads, controllers, lighting can happily keep about anything you want. Could it be doing better, with higher dollar equipment, perhaps. It could also be doing better with a hole in the roof for natual sunshine and if I trucked in natural sea water. You have to draw the line somewhere.

It can be a lot cheaper, depending on your wants. If you are wanting to keep the most delicate or want the very maximum growth, you likely need the higher dollar equipment.

If not, which is the majority of whats out there - buy used.

Fuji had a 75g RR with stand for $250. There are 55g tank stand combos in the ad bulletin every week. You can pick up a new return pump for $55. Used lights are certainly available, I even have one. There is a post on here now with maxi jets, perhaps a heater. Sump = rubbermaid, less than $10 and will work perfectly.

In summary, if only keeping soft corals and some LPS, buy some used components and only what you really need and it is not so bad.

Tank/ stand - used = less than $300 (Sixliner has a 72g bow front) His includes some lights, not sure of the price.

Return pump and either maxi jets or used external pump for closed loop = less than $100.

Used or less expensive skimmer = less than $100 - Phillip could show you how to make one, we all have modified sea clones sitting around, which will do the job if emptied/cleaned daily for closer to $40.

Live Rock - I would for sure only buy 1/2 live the other have reef bones. Other than tank/stand, this will be the biggest expense but you do not have to buy all at once.

Just something to consider, good luck.

 

[firefish2020]

I have to agree with Lloyd 100% on the above. Most of us here never snapped our fingers and had the ultimate serious reef tank. That can be done but it costs $$$. Most of us including myself scrounged for years to put together our systems. With few exceptions our tanks went through a lot of changes before they became the systems they are today. All of us have used a piece of used equipment and why not? Both of my waveboxes were used and my 6100. The best advice I can tell you is to spend time in the "buyer/seller" forum here. You can find everything you need to get off the ground for way less than what you think. Will you upgrade to more serious equipment? I don't know, and you don't either, our tastes change in this hobby. I used to like softies and did not need top of the line equipment. As I became more experienced I decided I wanted to try SPS. IME I could not do the SPS I wanted to without the right equipment. Your equipment list should not be what everyone else has, it should be tuned to your particular tank needs. Start small and work your way up. Zoanthids and mushroom require less light. IMO you could use 265 watts over a 75 and have a great soft tank. You could also use 265 over a 40 and have an incredible growing soft and LPS system.

Some things to remember:

The thing about RC is that you have to sift through the bad advice to find the truth. There are many who just spout off what they have heard and repeat it as the truth. As you learn you will be able to determine who is being honest and who is being bias.
My advice is to continue your research you owe it to yourself to experience saltwater.

A reef tank is an investment, it's expensive but no more expensive than any other serious hobby.

Each persons tank is a unique biotope which has it's own needs, there are a few general rules but aside from that there is only an equipment list based on common needs of systems.

Don't let others scare you off if you really are curious, it's simply not that difficult.

BTW: I recommend the equipment that I know will get you from point A to point B the fastest. By all means if you want or have to take the slow route like most of us here did then your results should be similar to ours in time.

Good luck either way.

 

[Altpers0na-old]

im a nano keeper, i do want to go big as soon as it hits the top of the todo list...

but, in the mean time, a nano isnt really to costly. i have my 20g hex tank (gift) a used bakpak simmer $40, 2 small pumps (rio 600 and aquavia 480) $40 maybe 20lb of rock (mixed LR and reefbones) , 1 actinic fluor light and 1 PC light, 2 bags of sand,2 emerald crabs, 2 shrimp, 1 goby , 1 molly (1 died), some anems (gifts, (grrr bryan)) and some of the cheapest soft corals i could get my hands on...

i might have 300 in that tank. i have more in it counting the stuff im not using... most of mine was peiced together...

i wont say my tank is perfect but it works... and it was cheap... very cheap compared to a full 200g setup like the awe inspiring ones we see on here...

 

[Lee_Bay]

:rollface:

 

[coralreefer]

My old 75 gallon was even more low tech than Lloyds :lol:
Non reef ready with 3 maxi-jet 12000s, a seaclone skimmer and 440w diy VHO lights.

It' funny I just found these pictures yesterday. Tank's third birthday.

btw for the tang police her house was upgraded to a 220 6 months later

 

[fishmon]

My first reef was a 20 long, with 4- 24" s.o. bulbs, 2 powerheads, a biowheel 330 hob and a bak pac skimmer, it kicked butt for a few years and was pretty much bullet proof for softies. You CAN get by cheap if you want to get your feet wet

 

[carb850]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. You have some very health looking tanks. I have been re-inspired, time for another full circle

Does anyone know if Fuji's still has the used 75G RR?

 

[firefish2020]

<b>
Im afraid no one can answer that question for you on this forum carb. Give him a call or pay a visit.

Again, not my rules but if it does not come from me it will from a mod so lets avoid that.
I know it's an honest mistake and nothing more
</b>

BTW: Glad to see you are deciding to trust yourself thats the first real step in this hobby.