Newbie needs advice

[shandoli]

I am absolutely fascinated with aquariums and I took the plunge yesterday, af many years of desiring one.

Initially I thought that I wud go for freshwater but then I saw a marine setup and now I am torn inside. I want a saltwater setup.

I picked up a rio 180 from ebay for 80 pounds ( 160 us dollars) . Along with the tank I got the following:

Fluval 205 external filter
Gravel
Lots of stones and plants



Now , the problem is, I am a little short on cash (typical student) SO i have a few questions

- Is the rio 180 ne good for a marine setup? its 47 US gallons i think

- Whats the minimum I need to run a marine setup as cheaply as possible?

- I dont mind going fish only with some LR initially.but Are corals really expensive?


If you were to give advice to a total newbie who wanted the best balance between cost, somewhat low mantauinence and someone who is not going to go all out in the future, what wud you recommend he do to his 180 to get a good compromise between cost, looks, and ease of mantainece?

I would really appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Eagles]

Coming from someone also on a student's budget I would go with a fish only if you're a beginner. It really starts to get expensive if you're looking into getting quality equipment for a reef tank.

When you factor in protein skimmer, powerful lighting, RO/DI unit, refractometer, the LR, power heads and the like it really gets pricey. Most of those you don't have to worry to much about in a fish only tank, plus you can use your external filter for filtration without having to worry to much about the nitrates.

I was seriously thinking about going FO when I was first setting up my 4 foot tank. I did in the end decide to go deeper in the hobby with a reef tank and it's been very rewarding experience thus far, but I'm certainly seeing the hole it's been burning in my pocket! D=

 

[IslandCrow]

The first bit of advice I'd give is to start here: http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=1

I don't think marine tanks are significantly harder than freshwater, but they are quite a bit more expensive on average. A fish only setup would definitely be the cheapest. There are plenty of inexpensive corals, but when you factor in their lighting and water quality needs, you end up spending a good amount of cash on the equipment needed to support them.

As for your specific questions:
- The only Rio 180 I'm familiar with is a pump/powerhead. I think you're talking about a 180 liter tank here. If it can hold water, it should be just fine for a marine setup.
- You'll get more information in the link provided, but I'd say the absolute minimum you need that you haven't already mentioned is lighting (whatever you have is fine for fish only), 1 lb of live rock for every gallon of tank volume (anywhere from $4 to $10 per pound), Powerheads for water movement (around $20+), a protein skimmer (anywhere from $50 to $200), and sand (unless you decide to go bare bottom).

I'd suggest you don't use the gravel or the stones (live rock is more porous than freshwater rocks). Obviously, the plants won't do you any good in a saltwater setup. You can save some money on live rock by using some dry or base rock. It will become live over time. I'd suggest going with 50% live rock and 50% base rock. For substrate, I'd suggest using sand. Don't worry about getting "live sand". The stuff sold in bags probably doesn't have much that's actually alive. Just buy some dry reef sand. Most people use aragonite, a calcium based sand that's usually found around natural reefs.

A protein skimmer isn't absolutely necessary, but I'd highly recommend it. It's going to be your best method of mechanical filtration, so if you splurge anywhere, do it here.

Lastly, you may want to think about a sump. It's usually just another tank below your display tank where you keep all of your equipment (skimmer, heaters, other filtration). It also increases your total water volume, allowing for an overall more stable system. You can certainly run a tank without it, but if you're going to do it, it's always easier to add before you set up your tank.

Anyway, if you want to go saltwater (and I think you'll thank yourself later if you do), take your time and make sure you have a clear plan before you begin. It's so much easier to do it right the first time. Many people quit the hobby early on because they started off on the wrong foot. Once you finish reading the info in the link I provided, give us your next group of questions.

 

[Sk8r]

Definitely read the * threads at the top of the Newbie forum: they're the condensed straight info on how to set up and run, and that will tell you bundles about your alternative.

A middle ground for the impecunious student is a fish/mushroom/buttons/green star polyp tank. These kinds of corals (if you get the un-pricey discosoma mushrooms and plain brown buttons (glow green under actinic light) grow like crazy, multiply to cover all your rocks, and actually help with filtration if you maintain a modest fish load (smallish size, no heavy meat eaters) and moderately mind your ph, salinity and alkalinity. Two or three green or purple discosomas or a little thumb-sized piece of green star polyp will parlay into a tank-covering mass inside two years with good husbandry. Some fish stores will give you store credit for trading them rocks with some of these polyps on them.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

"Obviously, the plants won't do you any good in a saltwater setup. "

?????? please explain

 

[otrlynn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13012978#post13012978 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BurntOutReefer
"Obviously, the plants won't do you any good in a saltwater setup. "

?????? please explain

I'm thinking IslandCrow made the assumption that the "plants" and stones referred to by the OP were from a freshwater tank???

 

[Nano Chris]

<b><i><big><big>Welcome!</b></i></big></big>
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[nikon187]

plants and stones are more likely from old freshwater..so you won't need those. Figure $30-$50 per gallon to get the tank going. Cheap and saltwater don't go together..

All would bank at leas $1000 for a 47g but probably much more.

 

[shandoli]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13013714#post13013714 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikon187
plants and stones are more likely from old freshwater..so you won't need those. Figure $30-$50 per gallon to get the tank going. Cheap and saltwater don't go together..

All would bank at leas $1000 for a 47g but probably much more.

Damn....did i mention I was a student?

Most I am prepared to stretch is 200 dollars.

I really appreciate everyones advice.

I dont like the idea of a sump. Do not ask why.

I do not have an issues buying a protein skimmer.

 

[Playa-1]

Hi Shandoli,

I share your fascination with Saltwater tanks.

Rule Number one is to research before you make a purchase. It sounds like you already broke rule number 1

Your in the right place. ReefCentral is an excellent tool that you can use. I would suggest that you Start out by going with a Fish Only with LiveRock. It will be less expensive to operate and maintain. Then after you get comfortable and some extra money to burn then you can upgrade your lighting and get into corals if you choose.

The best advise I can give to you is to pick up a copy of
"The conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner
and read it cover to cover, before you do anything else. That will give you a good understanding of the basics. One thing you will find in the hobby is there are many different ways of doing things. This book helps you to understand the pros and cons of many of the different methods. It will also help you to separate fact from fiction.

The sticky threads on this site are loaded with gr8 information as well but in my opinion are not a substitute for a couple of good books on the subject. They compliment the books and even expand on the information but not a substitute.

Check out this link:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/tips/index.php


And

 

[IslandCrow]

Yes, I did assume the plants and rocks were for a freshwater setup, especially since there aren't too many marine plants. A simple saltwater setup doesn't have to be horrendously expensive, especially if you're prepared for a little "do it yourself". The sump definitely isn't a necessity. I started out without a sump myself, and added one later. The live rock is probably going to be one of your biggest expenses. The other big ticket items you want to figure in is the skimmer, and though I didn't mention it before, an RO/DI water purification unit. The latter is not essential, but there are a lot of problems associated with using tap water, and buying bottled water gets expensive very quickly. A good RO/DI unit will usually run you at least $100.

In other words, staying under that $200 budget is going to be difficult, though not necessarily impossible. I started off with an Aquarium Systems (the guys who brought you Instant Ocean salt) Protein skimmer that probably cost me around $50. Many local fish stores sell or even give away RO or RO/DI water, which would allow you to delay getting your own purifier. Of course, you could also go with tap water, but I wouldn't suggest it. Live rock can be ordered online, and that might save you some money. Also be sure to check out Ebay and Craig's list for people selling used equipment.