Potential Purchase

[tybenner]

Hey guys. I found this online and I wanted your input. The total cost of this will be $475.

Tank: 55 Gallon, 50" Wide x 14.5" Front to Back, 21" Tall

Stand: Width and Depth Same as above, 28" Tall

Filter: Wet/Dry Filter w/800gph return pump, basic protein skimmer /water and air pump, Heater()

Lighting: Compact Fluorescent, 2x65W(blue/white); One extra
bulb(65W blue/blue).

Coral: Pulsing Xenia, Mushrooms (red, green, green striped),
Green Star Polyps, Button Polyp

Animals: Foxface, Midas Blenny, Black Sea Cucumber,
Snails(assorted), Hermit Crabs

Plant: Spaghetti Algae, Calcium Algae

Food: 2/3 Full Pellet Food, 1/3 Full Flake Food, (should last months with current inhabitants)

Salt: 1/3 Bag Reef Salt

Chemicals: Supplemental Calcium, Test Chemicals(PH, Nitrates, Nitrites, etc.), PH Balance Crystals, Stabilizer(used for adding new fish)

Misc: Thermometer, Salinity Tester, Gloves, Nets, Various Tubes used for water changes, partial tube of marine cement(used to keep rocks from moving), 22 Gallon Tub, 10 Gallon Tub, ~5Gallon Bucket, Power Strips, Power Timers(to automate lights)

Thanks!

 

[BKSS709]

Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[tybenner]

Do you think I would need to add anything (other than buying more salt, etc.)?

 

[Fireworm]

you can always use more toys

 

[tybenner]

I love me some new toys! I think the first thing I might get is a powerhead with a wavemaker to get my fish and corals moving!

 

[Fireworm]

Thing with the wave makers is that they are expensive, and you really don't need it. If i was going to get one, I would save my money to get the vortech system.

 

[tybenner]

I've seen that they are expensive... but the Drs.FosterSmith people have these attachments that you can snap onto your blower that basically changes the direction of the "wave" 360 degrees... it's waterpowered, so there are no moving parts. It was only like $10 plus shipping.

 

[Fireworm]

They cut your flow back a lot from what I have heard. But i have only know one person to use them and that was Klaus. I have to believe him though.

 

[tybenner]

I have heard that too. That's why I would probably have to buy 2, or buy a more powerful one than what I need to make up for the lost flow from the wavemaker. I'm pretty excited to see the tank on Saturday. I'm bringing my camera so I can take some pictures... I have a crappy camera, but hopefully it'll do it justice!

 

[Fireworm]

What tank are you seeing on Saturday?

 

[tybenner]

Well, I was planning on seeing the tank that I listed at the top of this thread, but I've hit a major snag. Turns out that the new lease I signed didn't include an important paragraph that noted that I was not allowed to keep a tank larger than 30 gallons at my place. Apparently, it's categorized as a major infraction and would cause immediate eviction. Apparently owning a 55 gallon SW tank = growing pounds of pot. So, I have to change my plans... ugh!

 

[Fireworm]

That sucks. have you thought about just doing a nano cube to start with. They take up little space for a complete system. There are a few of the local stores that sell various models of them, and they are vey close to the online vendors in price.
Just something to think about.

 

[tybenner]

I really feel bad for the guy that I was going to buy it from. We went to the same school (he graduated 2 years earlier than me), and I feel just awful. I was going to deposit for it and everything.

Thanks for your thoughts about the BioCube. I'm thinking about turning my 10 gallon FW into a SW. I've been doing a little research on nano reef.com and can see that there are quite a few people that have these little tanks. I'm thinking I can fit a little bit of stuff in there... probably a few soft corals, some inverts, and maybe a goby or something. I have a little more research to do, including what equipment would be necessary to maintain the tank properly... because I'm sure it's different than a 55 gallon.

Today has really not been that good of a day, since I talked to my landlord. I understand her concern, but wish she could just look the other way on this. UGH!

 

[Fireworm]

I have seen people take a bigger HOB filter and were able to put their bags of charcoal or chei-pure in there, as well as a small heater. That is all that you really need. Then you have to figure what light you want to run. You can run the same bulbs as your FW tank, you just might not get the color pop as you might with other lights. I am thnking about doing the same thing for a 10 that I have been working on.

 

[LOVETHISHOBBY]

Hey tybenner,

I have a 28 gallon glass bow front that has only been used for saltwater. I purchased it from someone local when I got back into the hobby about 3 or so years ago. I took it down about a year or so ago and it's been taking up room in my house ever since. There's nothing wrong with it...I just upgraded to larger tanks. I have the tank, stand, glass top (cracked), PC light, protein skimmer, heater, & canister filter. I would be willing to let it go cheap, if you wanted it. PM me and I can get you more specifics. I've even got some pictures I could send you.

Later,
-Rob

 

[Fireworm]

Sounds like a deal to me

 

[tybenner]

Rob, I pm'd you. I have to go talk to the LFS today or tomorrow to see what they would give me for the fish I have (3 cichlids and 1 plocastome (sp?)). Then I'll look into getting a little biowheel filter thing. The hood that I have right now is only rated up to 25 w, and I have 2 CF 10 w lights... they look really nice for the FW... I may have to upgrade the whole thing. Just off the bat, I'm thinking zoos... lots and lots of zoos!

 

[LOVETHISHOBBY]

Pm'd you back.

 

[LornaS]

You won't need any biowheel or anything like that for a filter. Just get some live rock and a couple of maxijet powerheads along with a hob skimmer and you are all set. All for less than you would have paid for the 55g. Btw I have a outer orbit 2 x65w pc light fixture I could let you have for a great deal.....probably needs new bulbs but has moonlights and fan and I kept most corals under it in my bowfront except sps that is. lps, leather, polyps, frogspawn, etc. all did fine under this light. Let me know.....I could always bring it to the first meeting...