Where to start???

[SFish]

If you want to go cheap then the first thing I would do is forget about LED lights. T5s will work fine and cost you way less money. For power heads you could just pick up some WPs. It's cheaper to run a fish only tank so I would think about saying forget the coral. A skimmer a lone could run you a few hundred. You can also look for used equipment to cut cost. An RO/DI filter will run you about $150 maybe you can find something for around $100. You could DIY the stand out of used wood or repurposed wood as well.

 

[FewestKitten896]

If you want to go cheap then the first thing I would do is forget about LED lights. T5s will work fine and cost you way less money. For power heads you could just pick up some WPs. It's cheaper to run a fish only tank so I would think about saying forget the coral. A skimmer a lone could run you a few hundred. You can also look for used equipment to cut cost. An RO/DI filter will run you about $150 maybe you can find something for around $100. You could DIY the stand out of used wood or repurposed wood as well.

All great ideas. I think I might just go with candle light though, much much cheaper. Instead of a fish tank I was thinking some repurposed pickle jars that I could chain together with some left over tubing I found. Haha. I am justing messing around. I am not saying I only have a few dollars to my name, I am just saying I probably won't get radions and probably won't get the top of the line protein skimmer. Most likely will go black box with the lights (but even some of those are quite pricey) and I have read some good reviews of SC Aquariums skimmers. Also Air water ice is relatively close to me so will probably get my RO/DI from them.

 

[GilliganReef]

Maybe i am coming up with excuses haha but at this point in my life a 100 gallon might be out of the question but who knows.

Just know after a couple of months of doing this. You will be upset that you didn't go bigger.

 

[FewestKitten896]

Just know after a couple of months of doing this. You will be upset that you didn't go bigger.

If only my wife understood this then i would be set. Haha.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[MiataRacer]

I just set up my first saltwater system, a 40B FOWLR tank, in May. So far it's not fully stocked yet. I went with the cheapest options I could when buying new equipment. If you don't grow coral, you can get cheaper lighting; I got a Coralife Aqualight with two T5 bulbs for $60 (with shipping) from Amazon. Overall, my system was set up with probably somewhere around $700 - $750. However, that price doesn't include the quarantine tank or the fish. One question to ask yourself: are you planning to move within the next few years? I'm planning to move in a few years, so I wanted to keep my system relatively small and easy to move.

 

[SFish]

I just set up my first saltwater system, a 40B FOWLR tank, in May. So far it's not fully stocked yet. I went with the cheapest options I could when buying new equipment. If you don't grow coral, you can get cheaper lighting; I got a Coralife Aqualight with two T5 bulbs for $60 (with shipping) from Amazon. Overall, my system was set up with probably somewhere around $700 - $750. However, that price doesn't include the quarantine tank or the fish. One question to ask yourself: are you planning to move within the next few years? I'm planning to move in a few years, so I wanted to keep my system relatively small and easy to move.

That was my point but what ever

 

[FewestKitten896]

That was my point but what ever

Sorry if I came off a little jerkish. I really didn't mean too. I hate rude people on these forums and definitely feel like I was one. I do appreciate your help and I know all in all you are just trying to keep me from spending more money in the long run. I guess I have just been waiting so long to get something started and everytime I feel like I have saved up enough, something stupid happens like wife's glasses break (new frames and contacts), cracked windshield (both vehicles), just never ending let me tell you. So I guess I will be waiting a bit more and hopefully learn more over that time. So with that in mind, I will be saving for the 100G, what are some lighting options, and I can tell you ahead of time, radions, kessil, and all upperend led's are out of the questions. Although they would be awesome, they might have time come quite a bit later in my life. So currently I am looking at SB Reef, Reef Breeders, I have read decent things about the Ocean Revive T247. Thanks.

 

[TheGodParticle]

Also Air water ice is relatively close to me so will probably get my RO/DI from them.

You mention Air Water Ice is relatively close to you. If you're in the KC area, you're more than welcome to check out my tank. I can give you some pointers and ideas. I can probably frag a few things for you too, when you're ready.

I too, have an Air Water Ice unit. They're great people and provide exceptional customer service. I'd highly recommend them. You can pickup from them locally as well.

 

[SFish]

The cheapest LEDs would probably be some kinda Chinese ones. Could probably find them on ebay or amozon. You would have to figure out what you would need power wise in an LED. Not sure how cheap as LEDs in general are not cheap. It would probably be even cheaper DIY an LED light but that will take research.

 

[FewestKitten896]

The cheapest LEDs would probably be some kinda Chinese ones. Could probably find them on ebay or amozon. You would have to figure out what you would need power wise in an LED. Not sure how cheap as LEDs in general are not cheap. It would probably be even cheaper DIY an LED light but that will take research.

Good information. I was thinking about going the DIY route but after pricing everything out, I might as well go black box. I do like me a DIY project though. I have been looking on amazon and ebay (mars aqua seems to be the one there). I have a friend who really likes the reef breeders (plus the two year warranty makes it more tempting over ebay items). I also spoke with someone at a LFS and they recommended the OR t247 to start with (I wish they had a channel for some moon lights but not a huge deal). While researching both of these brands, I found the SB Reef which looks like he does the same thing as Reef Breeders by taking a black box and manipulating the spectrum and they also have a 2 year warranty.

 

[FewestKitten896]

You mention Air Water Ice is relatively close to you. If you're in the KC area, you're more than welcome to check out my tank. I can give you some pointers and ideas. I can probably frag a few things for you too, when you're ready.

I too, have an Air Water Ice unit. They're great people and provide exceptional customer service. I'd highly recommend them. You can pickup from them locally as well.

Air Water Ice is super close. I live in South Olathe just south of 159th street. I had seen their name pop up on some threads and didn't realize until whenever I posted that, that they were only a couple miles from me. So save on shipping and super nice if I need something I would just have to make a quick pit stop and be taken care of rather than waiting a few days for shipping methods. Glad you like the unit, which one do you have?

 

[SFish]

Never heard of those brands so I'll let some else tell you if they are good or not. I only know the big names which all cost a lot of money. I do know there are some cheap fixtures out there but the LEDs are weak. They are not going to work for what you want to do. Make sure what you buy will work for coral.