Scored a complete setup for $100

[CharlieDarling]

Hey,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I have kept various high tech planted freshwater aquariums over the last 15 years or so but have never had a marine setup. I’ve always loved them but figured it wasn’t “attainable” as I was always sort of broke in my younger years. I’ve always been incredibly interested in saltwater and have researched and watched hundreds of hours of reefing videos over the last 10 years. I wouldn’t consider myself a beginner in the fishkeeping world by any means, but this *is* my first saltwater setup.

I was sifting through aquarium supplies on fb marketplace (mainly in search of freshwater supplies I could snag for cheap) and actually came across a complete nano saltwater setup for just $100. I was truly suspicious being that this price point is far far below what I’d expect to see a setup to go for. But, it was setup in an office and the owner quit and literally abandoned the tank! The company hired another staff member and needed the space, so they priced it to sell! Unfortunately I wasn’t the first person to express interest. But just to my luck, the first person no showed and I raced down there to pick it up!

Setup is as follows:

-8 gallon AIO
-Small protein skimmer that came with AIO (it’s poop)
-crappy led light that came with AIO
-reef crystals salt
-sand & rock
-small return pump
-two heaters
-tiny hygger wave maker
-hydrometer
-carbon, sponges and some kind of ceramic filter rings

Stock:
-2 black and white clownfish
-1 hermit and one regular crab guy

Upgrades I’ve ordered:

-kessil nano tuna blue & gooseneck
-nano return pump (110 gph)
-test kit (Hanna checkers for alkalinity, ultra low phosphate, salinity)
-ph tester
-Red Sea calcium pro test
-af magnesium test
-nitrate refer kit
-miniQ nano internal protein skimmer
-coralline algae juice
-WiFi dosing pump
-all for reef
-prime conditioner
- microbacter 7
-tank leveling mat
-various jugs, funnels, tubing
-diy ato (gravity)

First order of operation is to get rid of the layers of detritus (diatom algae?? Not even sure. Like I said I’m used to freshwater). I don’t know how long the setup has been running nor do I know what any of the levels in the tank are as I only have freshwater test kits and new test kit is on the way. Ammonia is testing at 0 or very near 0.

My question is, if you scored this setup what would YOU do?? Need ideas! Would love to know what choice of corals would be suitable for such a small nano. Willing to go fish only, softie, lps (I like hammers), or sps for a challenge.

Also really pleased to see there’s a alkalinity solution that doesn’t involve two part or kalkwasser, seems like a pretty big breakthrough to the industry (I ordered the all for reef and am excited to try it especially if I’m going to try stony corals). My goal is to create a stable tank (I like the challenge and meticulous tinkering involved in a nano setup).

I’m super excited to experience the dazzling world of saltwater aquariums! I have always wanted clowns so this is a joy.

Let me know your thoughts!

Charlie

 

[T Diddy]

Nice find! I’d probably be tempted to add a couple of anemones for clown hosting, and maybe some interesting macro algae. Since you’ve already ordered other stuff geared towards stony coral, maybe opt for a hammer or torch as you suggested. Another coral I’ve always liked are elegance corals. The clowns would probably take care of any of those.

Keep us posted, and good luck!

 

[CharlieDarling]

Nice find! I’d probably be tempted to add a couple of anemones for clown hosting, and maybe some interesting macro algae. Since you’ve already ordered other stuff geared towards stony coral, maybe opt for a hammer or torch as you suggested. Another coral I’ve always liked are elegance corals. The clowns would probably take care of any of those.

Keep us posted, and good luck!

Hey thanks so much! I like the look of flowy type coral’s and love anemones! I hadn’t thought about macro algae, that sounds amazing! Certainly something I’ll look into

 

[Reefing102]

Agreed, good find. Also welcome to RC! You definitely seem to be on the right track. While anemones are cool, I would use caution in a tank that small as they can walk, even once settled in, which can cause problems moving corals or catching it on time so it doesn’t kill corals.

That said, I see no reason you couldn’t do any of the corals mentioned.

 

[griss]

Welcome to RC and great find. I'll definitely follow your progress. New tank builds are one of my favorite parts of the hobby.

 

[T Diddy]

Hey thanks so much! I like the look of flowy type coral’s and love anemones! I hadn’t thought about macro algae, that sounds amazing! Certainly something I’ll look into

Just to clarify, when I said anemone and macro algae, I meant that in lieu of coral. As was mentioned, anemones don’t stay in one spot…they’ll surely cause problems with other coral in a small aquarium. Looking forward to seeing it once you decide.

 

[CharlieDarling]

Just to clarify, when I said anemone and macro algae, I meant that in lieu of coral. As was mentioned, anemones don’t stay in one spot…they’ll surely cause problems with other coral in a small aquarium. Looking forward to seeing it once you decide.

Noted! Thank you. I’m stuck between going just coral or just macro algae (I think anemones, might be problematic in such a small nano). I’m trying to find corals and macro algae that perhaps stays smaller or grows slowly. In freshwater setups I’m used to just pruning plant overgrowth. But can you even prune corals? It’s certainly a new arena for me, lol! Much research is happening

 

[T Diddy]

Noted! Thank you. I’m stuck between going just coral or just macro algae (I think anemones, might be problematic in such a small nano). I’m trying to find corals and macro algae that perhaps stays smaller or grows slowly. In freshwater setups I’m used to just pruning plant overgrowth. But can you even prune corals? It’s certainly a new arena for me, lol! Much research is happening

Absolutely! Some are easier to prune, or “frag” as we say, but most are relatively easy to manage.

 

[griss]

I agree that an anemone could be problematic is such a small tank. Also, anemones (depending on the species) can be difficult to keep for even experienced hobbyists.

There would be nothing wrong with doing a mix of macroalgae and corals. Many of the pioneers in the salt/reef hobby did just this. I personally think a mix of the two looks more natural.

As T Diddy mentioned, we frequently share/sell frags of our corals with other hobbyists by fragging them.

 

[CharlieDarling]

Absolutely! Some are easier to prune, or “frag” as we say, but most are relatively easy to manage.

Awesome!! I figure there must be a pretty large market for selling/trading/giving away frags when they become too large for a tank.

 

[CharlieDarling]

I agree that an anemone could be problematic is such a small tank. Also, anemones (depending on the species) can be difficult to keep for even experienced hobbyists.

There would be nothing wrong with doing a mix of macroalgae and corals. Many of the pioneers in the salt/reef hobby did just this. I personally think a mix of the two looks more natural.

As T Diddy mentioned, we frequently share/sell frags of our corals with other hobbyists by fragging them.

Sweet!

 

[griss]

There were some good articles on fragging corals in our old online magazine Reefkeeping that are still relevant today. Scroll down and look for articles starting with, "Frag of the Month."

Reefkeeping Magazine

 

[CharlieDarling]

There were some good articles on fragging corals in our old online magazine Reefkeeping that are still relevant today. Scroll down and look for articles starting with, "Frag of the Month."

Reefkeeping Magazine

Hey, thanks!

 

[griss]

Hey, thanks!

You’re very welcome. A lot of us on here have been in the reef hobby for a long time and love to help new people out. Feel free to ask away with any questions.