Wanted: Items to start my first reef tank (Tank/Stand/Equipment/ect)

[Nataliek2270]

Hey all! Wanted to start acquiring everything I need for my first reef tank. Thanks to everyone who has helped enable me I have someone who has tons of great stuff but of course he is 2 hours away I want to start with a 55 gallon but if anyone has a set up thats a bit bigger or smaller let me know. I already have lights but I have literally nothing else! Send me a pm or post what you have that you would like to get rid of, thanks!


Natalie

 

[NeveSSL]

There was a guy selling a 58g for a good price. Can't remember his name, but it should be just a page or two back. I would HIGHLY recommend the 58 over the 55 because the 55 is only 12.5" deep, which trust me, makes it a pain to aquascape!

Brandon

 

[james3370]

not to mention that the majority of 55s are tempered on all sides so drilling for overflow & such can't be done.

if ya need 3/4" ball valves, i have 6 laying around i'm not gonna use

 

[commonstranger]

Natalie trust me and watch how many people will agree with me when I say : Get a reef ready tank. I would buy the biggest tank I could comfortably afford. A larger water volume is easy to manitain and you will thank yourself later. I will be selling some rock soon I guess thats about all I could help with besides livestock and you probably need to let your tank mature before you put SPS in IMO.

 

[andywe]

Well, RR is some peoples opinion. I ,like RR for large tnaks, but small ones doesn't really matter. RR is a more expensive way for a small tank. It depends on your budget and preference. I just took down a tank an now have an external overflow, and a sump large enough to handle a 55. I also, happen to have a 55 lying on the floor in my garage empty. So let me see..I have a 55 gal tank, reeflo overflow, sump w/built in skimmer that does a pretty darn good job, return pump....hmmm..

let me know if your interested.

 

[Nataliek2270]

You are definitly right about waiting on livestock commonstranger, I want to have the tank running for a while before I start throwing in my new inhabitants.

NeveSSL, thanks for the info about the 58G- I had looked at that too but alas, it has been sold.

James, thanks for the offer, and as soon as I figure out what I would use them for, I will let you know if I need one! I feel totally clueless and that made me laugh for a good while

Thanks all!


Natalie

 

[Nataliek2270]

I'll send you a pm andywe

 

[andywe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352852#post15352852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nataliek2270
I'll send you a pm andywe

I will look for it Natalie.

Ya see James!! good things come from when I swap one tank for another. BTW, the 24 I bought last night is already up, running, and pupulated LOL...and before you yell, I used the sand, rock, and water from my 20L frag tank which I replaced with the 24 nanocube.

 

[james3370]

yeah, sooooo tempted to buy one of those 24 barebones...if only i had dimensions from somebody to see what i need for the led fixture
LOL

 

[andywe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352901#post15352901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by james3370
yeah, sooooo tempted to buy one of those 24 barebones...if only i had dimensions from somebody to see what i need for the led fixture
LOL

You lil S__T! I was jsut typing those into a PM for you but now I am gonna make you wait! HAH! :lol:

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352837#post15352837 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nataliek2270
James, thanks for the offer, and as soon as I figure out what I would use them for, I will let you know if I need one! I feel totally clueless and that made me laugh for a good while

Thanks all!


Natalie

the 3/4" ball valves would be used in any 3/4" pvc that you would either need to control the amount of flow thru (reactors etc) or turn off/on completely (pumps)

typically 3/4 is an average size used on return lines to the tank on average sized tanks. the ball valves i have run about $6/each at lowes & i have 6 of them....but no need for them or receipt to return so they can be had for cheap if ya need 'em LOL

 

[james3370]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15352910#post15352910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andywe
You lil S__T! I was jsut typing those into a PM for you but now I am gonna make you wait! HAH! :lol:

 

[gsusfreak]

natalie, would you be interested in a 90 gallon setup?...im gonna be moving soon, probably in the next few weeks....but haven't made up my mine if i want to get out of the hobby for now.....i'll be posting more info soon, so keep an eye out

 

[skirossi]

Would you be interested in a 40 breeder? It has a custom built stand and hood, and has a 20 gallon (IIRC) sump.

 

[Nataliek2270]

I'll pm you here in just a second skirossi for more info...

I will keep my eye out gsusfreak, I know I would love a 90, but budgets are tight and I'm saving up without the husbands help Thanks for the heads up!

 

[TitansFan]

I have a 65 gallon reef ready with sump, plumbing, stand, and canopy for $200.

 

[james3370]

apparantly, it's a buyers market

LOL

 

[Nataliek2270]

I know James, but then again, I think that with this obsession everyone has smaller unused tanks and equipment because when the bug hits you, it hits you HARD You quickly find yourself with a 200 gallon deluxe setup with half of the caribbean in your living room! And it seems that everyone in this passion is very understanding because we all were newbies just like I am right now. I am getting way too philosophical for my own good, that's the whisky and coke talking. Have to have my night cap on mondays :rollface: Anywho, you all are great, I sure am glad I married someone from Nashville, cuz memphis is the pits compared to this place!

Natalie

 

[andywe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15354816#post15354816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nataliek2270
You quickly find yourself with a 200 gallon deluxe setup with half of the caribbean in your living room!

Natalie

Someone called my name..Nat, I ahve 8 tanks..2 of which are 180's. Some it hits hard..others....it sends to another planet

Let me know if you are interested in what I ahve got for you. Pricing is reasonable.

 

[MVlk]

Natalie, Nashville is definitely a great place to start in reefing. Great club as you can see here. My first Reef tank has been up for 9 months and it is filling out nicely... mostly due to the generosity of our club members.

Stay away from Andywe though... he has a bad case of 'more tank-itis' and it may be contagious. I hang with him a lot and have found myself thinking a nano or two would be nice.