Shhh... don't tell my wife...

B

bishop_gideon

New member
I'm going to start looking into adding some coral eventually... I'm just trying to figure out how much it's going to cost me...

If I buy everything I need used, I should be able to save some money... But what do I need?

Just to make my life simple, lets assume this is all I have currently...

75 gallon tank
Wet Dry
No live sand
No live rocks

I'm not really that interested in changing to live rocks if I don't have to... I understand though, that if I have to, I have to...

I know I need new lighting... so that's my first concern. I'm sure that'll be the most expensive... and that's why I'm hoping to find something used eventaully.. not today... not tomorrow... not even next week... maybe next month or so...

I don't want to do anything spectacular... just a few simple corals... something for a couple clown fish (don't have yet... but eventaully)...

I'm also going to have to review my list of fish... ugh... lotta work... :)
 
IMO....

Just wait until someone is selling a small entire setup, keep an eye on ebay sales in the area. You can get the rocks, sand, cleaning crew, powerheads, coral, lighting etc... all in one purchase which is usually heavily discounted because they don't wont to part out. Then, sell off the stuff you don't need. It will feel like your passing a kidney stone when you cut the check but realistically, you'll be saving a ton of cash.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7436588#post7436588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Edward Smith
IMO....

Just wait until someone is selling a small entire setup, keep an eye on ebay sales in the area. You can get the rocks, sand, cleaning crew, powerheads, coral, lighting etc... all in one purchase which is usually heavily discounted because they don't wont to part out. Then, sell off the stuff you don't need. It will feel like your passing a kidney stone when you cut the check but realistically, you'll be saving a ton of cash.
Click to expand...

Check? Shhh no no no... gotta do this sneaky... without the wife knowing about it... no paper trail... :)
 
Re: Shhh... don't tell my wife...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7436520#post7436520 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bishop_gideon
I'm going to start looking into adding some coral eventually... I'm just trying to figure out how much it's going to cost me...

If I buy everything I need used, I should be able to save some money... But what do I need?

Just to make my life simple, lets assume this is all I have currently...

75 gallon tank
Wet Dry
No live sand
No live rocks

I'm not really that interested in changing to live rocks if I don't have to... I understand though, that if I have to, I have to...

I know I need new lighting... so that's my first concern. I'm sure that'll be the most expensive... and that's why I'm hoping to find something used eventually.. not today... not tomorrow... not even next week... maybe next month or so...

I don't want to do anything spectacular... just a few simple corals... something for a couple clown fish (don't have yet... but eventually)...

I'm also going to have to review my list of fish... ugh... lotta work... :)
Click to expand...

What is funny, is that is just how I got started. I don't want any corals!?! Next thing that I knew, I was off of the deep end and still going.

There are some people that keep FO without live rock and for the life of me, I could never figure out why. LR creates more of a natural habitat and provides the best in biological filtration.

Sand or no sand is a matter of personal taste, so that is up to you. However even before that you need to decide what type of corals you are going to keep and do not kid yourself it seems that mushrooms and zoo's lead to softies, softies lead to LPS and LPS leads to SPS.

Once you think that you have that figured out the 2 most important pieces of hardware are going to be your lighting and your skimmer. IMO I would not skimp on either, get the absolute best that you can afford and always try to look for good deals on used equipment and also IMO shy away from newbies to the board selling equipment. Stick with the old salty dogs as most of them have gained a good reputation for their advise and help and would not chance having that ruined by making a quick buck.

Jimmy
 
Bishop, I agree with the above on the LR...if you keep your eye out for tank break downs you can get it at a real good price...IMO it's one of the best realizations in the reef keeping world, that LR is not only aesthetically pleasing...but the amount of surface area it provides allows a lot of the bacteria needed to complete the nitrogen cycle room to live. the life that comes on live rock will also feed your corals/fish over time also. you can buy base (dry lifeless) rock at very cheap prices, and just add a cup or 2 of live sand from other local reefers tanks...it will come to life in no time. Or you can DIY...make your own for even cheaper!

Get a good skimmer. Used is the way to go.

VHO retro kits or T5 lighting will do fine for anything you want to keep now, and will allow you flexibility if you ever decide to upgrade to more demanding corals.

HTH
PK
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7436615#post7436615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bishop_gideon
Check? Shhh no no no... gotta do this sneaky... without the wife knowing about it... no paper trail... :)
Click to expand...

I think she'll eventually figure it out when something looks different. :lol:
 
IMO there is a natural progression in reef keeping
1st Fo
2nd fowlr
3rd softies
and eventually sps
my opinion is setup for sps from the start it will save you in the long run
you definatly need LR aboyt 1 to1.5 lbs per gallon
the best skimmer you can afford
in no time you will want to sell a kidney for this addiction
 
Does it have to be my kidney?


__________________

If not a kidney then a lung or what ever body part you have with value.:)
 
Get her involve w/ the hobby. Take her to every fish store in town and let her pick up a fish, corals she likes. Before you know it she would want you to set up a big one.:D ....Works for me LOL:beer: .............PEACE
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7437741#post7437741 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by menard
Get her involve w/ the hobby. Take her to every fish store in town and let her pick up a fish, corals she likes. Before you know it she would want you to set up a big one.:D ....Works for me LOL:beer: .............PEACE
Click to expand...

Tried that... she only likes the fish...

she comes with me to every fish buying expidition and has helped pick out 4 out of the 6 fish we have...

She's under the idea that we can't afford the lighting and such yet... which I agree with... I need to save up some money and get a decent lighting system... or sell something... I dunno... anyone want a 1990 Kawasaki Ninja 600... in pieces? :) $500... small ding in the tank, but all the parts are in decent condition... :)
 
Get your ballast from StealitBack.com 40-50$for a 400 watt MH.Reflector and bulb from Hellolights.com 125$.wiring from Home Depot 20$.ASM makes a great skimmer for about 200-250$.Use a 30 long for your sump{make your own baffels}.Quite One pump in the right size 60-100$.2 sieao 800 for water movement 100$new,50-60used for both.You are not that far away.PS dont take time away from her to work on the tank...Do that while she is at work or sleeping.You know its really bad when you catch yourself walking around the house looking for things to sell on ebay so you can buy something for the tank.Good luck.
 
I shred my receipts when I get home from fish shops! Everything I buy is on sale or.... is it for sale. On sale sounds better!

I agree, it's all about the lights. (Ouch) and the skimmer. I just bought an ASM. Great deal!
 
Take her on a romantic holiday to the Atlanta Aquarium, wine, dine and when you get back---say you want a fish tank together?
 
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