Looking to start-up

[ecal468]

Hey guys, let me first start off by saying that this a wonderful forum and I have learned so much already just by looking through it!

Instead of the 20L I have decided to go a bit bigger and am thinking about a 46 gallon bow front. I have only checked Beverlys and the tank was $149 while the stand was $289. Is there any place cheaper or is anyone looking to get rid of one?

In your opinion, would this be a good tank to start with? Thanks for any help!

 

[ninjamini]

People are selling tanks to go bigger here all the time. Keep your eyes open. There is often good deals.

 

[illal]

theres a huge sale at big al's thru sunday ... you might wanna check there

 

[str8clownr]

ya id wait until someone is selling used stuff , much MUCH cheaper than getting raped by fish stores

 

[ninjamini]

With that all said I prefer a new tank. That way you know the seals are all new and there are no scratches. You can build a stand.

Can I give you a recomendation. Deeper is better and I dont mean top to bottom but front to back. I like a tank that is 2x2x2 or 3x2x2 or 4x2x2 or 5x2x2. Get the idea.

But buy someones set up to get all the stuff inside.

 

[ecal468]

I got the e-mail from Big Al's I might have to take a ride over there and look around. I've kept my eyes on craigslist and ebay, so eventually one will come up I suppose.

The limiting factor in my tank size is space. The 36" length and at the widest it being 16.5" is perfect for the space I have for it. It is replacing a standard 45 gallon.

I am planning a 20L refugium so that's going to be a project as well as lighting, drilling, and plumbing, but it's a long road ahead.

Thanks for the quick responses and help!

 

[palawan]

Craigslist, if you don't mind used tanks. You can get good deals there.

 

[carlosngloria]

65 gallon

 

[invertigator]

Good Luck, and welcome to our forum. Remember get as big as you can right now and avoid losing your a$$ when you sell the first tank to upgrade. Most of us here have upgraded and sold their initial setups cheap. I too thought I only had a small area for the tank until the addiction started. I went from a 34 to a 210 in under 5 months, and there was no way I could fit it at the time.

This is me 6 months later, and lots more to add.

 

[Bernie21]

I would just wait til some one post a tan for sale here, they will!! you can find outrageous deals if your patient.

 

[isistius]

i have a 135 for sale if you're interested

 

[Ludwigia73]

Check with Beverly's on SW corner of Pines Blvd and University for new ones... they've got good prices. Personally, I don't buy livestock from them, though.

 

[ecal468]

isistus- The 135 is a bit large for me. Thanks though

Beverly's is where I got that price from, but I think I might have found a pretty good used 46 bowfront with just the stand and tank for 150. What do you think?

I was also looking at making a refugium and saw this on ebay. What do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-L-MegaPro-Re...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

 

[ninjamini]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11486821#post11486821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ecal468
isistus- The 135 is a bit large for me. Thanks though

Beverly's is where I got that price from, but I think I might have found a pretty good used 46 bowfront with just the stand and tank for 150. What do you think?

I was also looking at making a refugium and saw this on ebay. What do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/24-L-MegaPro-Re...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Ahh that is a build it yourself. I shure hope that its water tight.

 

[Malice229]

I have a 75g that I am selling. PM me and let me know if you are interested. I am selling the tank,stand and canopy for $275. It has no lights so you must get those on your own.

 

[Malice229]

<a href="http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/malice229/?action=view&current=IMG_3292.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/malice229/IMG_3292.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here is a pic and I have sand too... It is black/white fiji sand.

 

[ecal468]

The 75 is a bit big for the space that I have as of now. Thanks for the offer though. It sure was a nice tank when you had it setup!

 

[Reefer26]

dude bigger is easier to maintain and stablize and your gonna regret it later your gonna want to go bigger trust its happened to all of us here LOL

 

[ecal468]

I really appreciate the advice to go bigger, and I respect it, but at this time I cannot see myself going larger. Thank you though!

On a separate note, once I have the tank and lights, what else do I need to start getting this tank cycled?

I don't know whether to get a HOB overflow and make a refugium underneath, or get a HOB refugium?

Would I be ok with just a skimmer until I figure it out while the tank cycles?

I'm uncertain where to go after the tank and lights. The tank is undrilled. I really appreciate all the advice and time everybody is offering for my help!

 

[Malice229]

I agree with Reefer... once you start you will want bigger. I once had 2 12's and a 24 in my room... I had three tanks running before I got the 75 just because I thought smaller was better and easier to maintain. A lot can go wrong in a small tank real fast!

I wish you well with your first tank! Please post pics when you get some life in there

Happy New Year!