Help

U

untuchabalwun03

New member
i purchased a used saltwater tank and stand which i would like to start from ground zero all i really have is just the tank and stand nothing else so i i need to get all the ther supplies .. if possible i would like to know from everyones prior experience on the price ranges or if any of these things are important that im bout to name because i want to make sure i go in the right direction.. i have a 55gal tank and stand now i know the basics to get started just not too sure on the prices.. heres a list of things i think i need and again if possible if u would really help me out with.... (Things I Need) Protein Skimmer,Pump/Power head, Filter, Heater, Live rock and/ or sand, Hydrometer,thermometer, and Lighting... so if you have the time and patience to let me know if i missed or things on that list i dont really need it would help... anything else i would need and the price range for it would be very helpful.... again its a 55gal and thanks for your time everyone
 
Please read the permanent links at the top of the "New to the Hobby" Forum. This will give you lots of invaluable information. After that, you can ask any remaining questions. Another useful tool is to acquire a few books on reef keeping. Among the best is "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist", by Robert Fenner. It's not that any of us is unwilling to help, but your questions are too broad at this stage. Doing a little research will narrow the questions down to a level where we can help. Thanks.
 
Ellie and J trout are right. You have a pick a direction. And doing that will take a bit of reading.

Predator, or community, or reef. Then you have to decide is this 55 where I start and stop? Or is this until I get my chops up and buy a 200 or 300? In other words if you think the 55 is just to get you going and you know with all your might that when you get it together and keep this going then buying the stuff that will transition towards a larger system from the start is probably best. If this is a lark or a hey why not then maybe caution and info and see where it goes? Fiscally knowing that answer and or buy alot of used stuff after you have picked brains for what's good and what's junk for your needs that your semi-informed answers will help others to help you get the grail of truth that you seek.

Start with refined search and then you'll get things dialed in. Another thing I would do is head to a C-Sea meeting. Talk amongst the saltiest of us and you'll get alot of info there too.

Oh yeah. Welcome to our foray.
 
thanx for all of you input i kinda actually know what to get and what to buy i just dont want to buy something thas useless but i will read some more and go from there but the tank im looking to start is fish and reef..
 
i read two books and still have questions, but it was a good start. read cover to cover!! i might have live sand over the weekend if you want some to start out with. not quite sure how much i should sell a 5gallon bucket of live sand for but its there.
 
You could ask us what kind of equiment we use and like.You need to figure out what type of coral your wanting to do.If your going to do a reef you have to do reef safe fish
 
I have lots of stuff for you cheap def enough sand to fill your 55 heaters pumps fuge skimmers i want to get rid of some of this stuff and would like to have it go to someone whos starting new. let me know. But as the previous guys said read read read theres so much info available on the net i spent weeks reading and trying to absorb it and def ask questions lots of them.
 
If you are not in a hurry to get equipment, wait and buy stuff that other members put up for sale. It is a whole heck of a lot cheaper than buying brand new, because this hobby get expensive really fast IME.
 
Protein Skimmer - $200-400 (anything cheap (asm or similar) may need to be slightly modified, if you want something to work, $500+ potentially.)

Pump/Power head - $30-60 each, will want at least two, TUNZE ($60 for the 6025's), or Koralia's (#3's or #4's)

Filter - Dont need this protein skimmer is closest thing to a filter you will have.

Heater - Two, Jagers are nice, I also just use hagens, at least two.

Live rock - 1.5-2 lbs per gallon (75-150 lbs for a 55g) marcorocks.com would be cheapest route, but it is not live rock, so you would need to take things slower, local stores will sell it to you for 6-12$ a pound. can buy online for 2.50-5 # a lb shipped to your door.

sand - just get dry stuff in a bag, whatever the pet store has, do NOT buy bags of "live" sand, if you REALLY want to spend a bit more money buy ONE bag only, no need to buy ALL live sand, no need to buy any live sand really.

Hydrometer - yes $45 from dr f&s do NOT get a swing arm

thermometer - just get a mercury that you can check the temp whenever, no need to alwyas be able to see the temp.

Lighting - totally depends on your tank if you want corals you will need to go with HO t5's and/or metal halides. for a 55g two 250w metal halides or 4 to 6 x 54w t5's would allow you to house anything and everything. if you are handy you can save a good bit of money by buying retrofit lights to put in a canopy or you can buy complete hoods. if you are not having corals, then the cheapest light that makes you fish look good to you. cost est $300-1200.

I would buy the following:

(2) Tunze Turbelle NanoStream Pump 6025 ($140 (i think you can find them about 60 each tho)

(1) ASM G-2 Protein Skimmer w/ Sedra 3500 Pump $290 (i would modify the needle wheel pump and turn it into a mesh wheel, these skimmers work pretty well then. (you could also get away with the g-1x for a few less $$$)

(1) Marine Depot Refractometer $50 ( i am looking on marine depot for prices right now.... can buy the same one from anywhere, dr F&s sells them for $40 sometimes)

(1) merc thermom $2 ... from wherever (petsupplies plus)

(1-2) Red Sea Reef Base 44lb. Bulk Box prolly want about 80lbs of sand these at $100 each, a bit steep you can do better on the price locally, carib sea or whatever agra doesnt matter.

(2) Hagen Aqua Clear Compact Preset Heater, 200 Watt $26 each, i have maybe 3 of these in my tanks, a stealth and a jager, doesnt matter to me, never had problems with heaters, i just have a lot of them to keep my temps up at night (also have 250 ish gallons of water to heat)

(1) Live Rock - http://www.reefhotspot.com/store/index4.php?cPath=60 $100 for 44 lbs not bad, plus whatever shipping.

(1) marco rocks base rock - http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=40 this is 50lb box for $130.. i know you are like, wait thats more expensive for dead rock... but no this is DRY rock, nothing in it so it is really light. you get a lot of rock.

(2) 250w Lumenarc Stealth (HQI) Metal Halide Retrofit Kit from hellolights.com $578 i would select the pheonix 14k bulbs. also this would be in my own custom cuilt hood so i would buy...

(1) 48" 2 x 54w T5 HO Retrofit Kit with one actinic r and one reef blue bulb $148

You will also need a sump/refugium to put most of this ugly equipment (skimmer, heaters, extera rock, more sand etc.

I would buy a nice sized tank that fits in yoru stand and turn it into a sump/refugium combo (melevsreef.com) either a 20 or 33g long aquarium should fit.

then you will need a return pump.. a quietone series pump would do.

if your 55g is not drilled you will need an overflow box or drill the tank, drilling 55's is a no-no d/t most being tempered glass which means BOOM shatter. so lifereef.com pricey... but not something you want to skrew around with.

I will look over this after posting and see what else you need to buy.

Oh yea, airwaterice.com typhoon III ro/di unit $200 appx. you will want one of these. i love mine, you can buy whichever you want, there are many out there. i constantly get 0-1 TDS from my typhoon tho, not sure everyone can say that about their ro/di unit.
 
I think that should give you a realistic idea about costs. Sure you can save money by buying used for locals, I would not but used lights, pumps, heaters locally. I would buy sand, rock, tanks local as this will be much cheaper (you can buy rock for as little a $1/lb from people, and even if their tanks are algae farms, it really isnt too big a deal, a month in your basement without light and the algae will be dead.

oh you will also want a 32g BRUTE trashcan from lawes/hd to mix fresh salt water in, as well as a mag5 or some pretty strong pump to mix the water with.

dont ask about SALT mixes, they are all fine, i guess if you are having a reef tank reef crystals is what i use, but for no real reason other than slightly higher calcium and it is cheap from dr f& s.
 
you should also strongly consider an R/O unit. (Reverse Osmosis). This will become your most valuable piece of equipment that you buy. It is impossible to to maintain a successful reef tank without 1st starting with the appropriate water. A good unit with R/o and Di can be found for under $250. you'll spend that in less that six months buying water and hauling it home.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Choosing Between Innovative Marine and Waterbox for a 200-Gallon Mixed Reef – Your Input Wanted!
Replies
6
Views
3K
griss
griss
D
DIY Stand Help
Replies
6
Views
251
kharmaguru
kharmaguru
jeffrey_ropp
System Replacement - Lost in Eaton Fire in California
Replies
2
Views
175
albano
albano
J
WTB: 100-200g tank (ideally starfire glass)
Replies
1
Views
1K
yoyoyoo123
yoyoyoo123
J
PO4 can't get it right
Replies
3
Views
1K
Timfish
Timfish
Back
Top