New to the hobby....

[Popytoys]

hi everyone,

I plan to set up a salt water tank and like to raise some fishes but mostly with shrimps and coral reefs.... My budget is within $500-700... My home is not big too so the tank size is should less than 30 gallon.

I would like to ask what type of equipments I should get? And what do I need to do...like cycling the tank and raise water first.... Also, I am not sure if I need skimmer people talk about?

I have little experience in doing test like ph, GH, KH...and raise fresh water shrimps (although they die sometimes ).

Any advise or suggestions would be great...

Thank you very much!

Popy Toys

 

[Roshan8768]

Hi! The best thing you can do is read the stickied threads on this forum, there is a ton of good information out there. A budget like that can be challenging, but is totally doable. I would say buy good quality equipment first up. Otherwise you end up having to replace stuff later on and you've effectively paid twice for the same thing

If I were you I would try to find a good used setup with tank and stand for something between 20 and 40 gallons. Lighting and Pumps will take the biggest chunk out of your budget.

You need:

Tank
Stand
RODI unit
Brute or container to store fresh RODI and mixed saltwater
Light
Water pumps
Refractometer
Reef master test kit from API is useful

Salt mix
Rock
Sand

 

[Teenreefer15]

Hi! The best thing you can do is read the stickied threads on this forum, there is a ton of good information out there. A budget like that can be challenging, but is totally doable. I would say buy good quality equipment first up. Otherwise you end up having to replace stuff later on and you've effectively paid twice for the same thing

If I were you I would try to find a good used setup with tank and stand for something between 20 and 40 gallons. Lighting and Pumps will take the biggest chunk out of your budget.

You need:

Tank
Stand
RODI unit
Brute or container to store fresh RODI and mixed saltwater
Light
Water pumps
Refractometer
Reef master test kit from API is useful

Salt mix
Rock
Sand

you'll also need a few heaters for the tank and saltwater mixing station

 

[gone fishin]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

Try this link, good luck.

 

[MMacro]

you'll also need a few heaters for the tank and saltwater mixing station

You don't need a heater for a sw mixing station. Good luck staying with that budget by the way. Your lights alone will probably cost around $200-$300.

 

[MMacro]

For equipment:
Heater- (You should go with 2 for safety reasons) $40

Lights- (Check out reefbreeders leds)

Sump-How much space do you have under your tank?

Return pump- depends on what sump you go with

Powerheads- what kinds of corals would you like to keep?

Protein skimmer- depends on size of sump

Thermometer- coralife thermometers are good

Test kits- API works

Refractometer- usually within $30-$40

Quarantine tank:
Small tank
Heater
HOB filter
Light
Pvc pipes

 

[Popytoys]

Hi Everyone, thank you very much for your advise. I will try to do more research on the info you provide.... I am looking forward to my first tank setup!

Thank you again!