Back AGAIN!!

[ironman58]

Hey y'all, Well, my FIRST attempts at creating a saltwater tank failed miserably, so i went back to freshwater. NOW I'm getting the itch to try again. It's been a couple of years but I'm debating on whether I want a fish only, fowlr or reef tank.

I think I just rushed the last attempt. I stopped by the Reef store in Woodstock and the guys there said a LOT has changed in the past couple of years. For example, LED lighting. IF I went with a reef tank, what would y'all recommend?? They said that I could be successful with the RIGHT equipment, etc and I'd need around $750.00 to do it right. It's a 46-gallon Marineland bowfront...Seems a little pricey eh?

Good to be back!
Gary

 

[heyitsmirix3]

Go cube. And price with led isn't too bad.

 

[wbrown]

$750 and patience, you could have some nice stuff, gently used.
I have 2 bowfronts, unless you are okay with looking through distorted glass (front) I'd reconsider the bowfront idea. Besides they usually are only 36inch wide, so lamps etc, are not the most common sizes.
First thing on the shopping list should be a RO/DI water maker, a good pump and skimmer, lighting.. then use whats left on the tank.

 

[crobattt]

Welcome again!

 

[bob brown]

I have a 92 gallon corner aquarium. My biggest regret with it is the curved glass front. Oh, it looks good, except using a Magfloat to clean the glass is a problem. With the curved shape and a flat abrasive, it’s a long process. Then, it’s also too easy for sand to lodge between the glass and the ‘scraper’, causing the sand to scratch the glass. If anyone knows of a gently curved (just the right arc) scrapper, that could be the answer. I don’t think you can go very far with $750. That may need a multiplier of 8 to 10.

 

[frantz]

with a limited budget (sadly $750 is quite limited) you can still make a really sweet FOWLR. Lighting is one of the more expensive differences between fish and coral. By using LR you will be readying the tank for a future switch if you would choose to upgrade your lighting. While I'm a fan of avoiding the purchase of equipment you will need to replace later, many people have FOWLR tanks for years and when you would naturally upgrade light fixtures you can make the switch then if you are so inclined. That being said, I set up a 10g nano for my bedroom for $150 minus livestock. Now it has a single clown, several shroom types and a few zoa frags from my main display. Originally I planned it as an ultimate budget build (but that quickly changed) and I figured smart used shopping i could have a mini reef for $50-70 bucks minus livestock (still the lighting is taking up almost all of that). Good luck and enjoy!

 

[dakota9]

$750.00 is very do'able with the right set-up.

$30 cubes would fit that budget well!

 

[cr500_af]

Dakota9;721103 wrote: $750.00 is very do'able with the right set-up.

$30 cubes would fit that budget well!

If you didn't mean to type 30 gallon cubes, I'm in! Where are they?


To the OP: If you want to do it all at once and not do the upgrade-later game, yeah, I'd go LED. If you want to keep the initial cost down, the proliferation of LEDs means there are some deals on used T5s and metal halides.

I would agree to avoid a bowfront... odd widths (for lighting), and the shape of the stands really limits your choices of sumps.

 

[skybird]

I too rushed my first attempts, and am just now getting back in, and plan on doing things 100% differntly than before.

Utilize these boards. They have very good reviews on brands, and great DIY prjects which can save hundreds. The knowledge on the boards is limitless as well. Just read up on the FAQ's and use the search function before you post! Other thn that post away! and We will all answer what we can!

 

[snowmansnow]

400w Hqi reefs star pendant $200
Octopus skimmer $200
Dry rock $75
24" cube : 60g used prolly around $100
Sump $50
Stand?
Substrate $50
RODi unit $100ish
In tank circulation $175 ish
Return pump $80

I'd say it would be hard to get going for UNDER this. This is basically my first real reef tank.

B

Edit: Go 250w instead of 400 though... My bad

Edit: Use www.bulkreefsupply.com for dry rock and order pukani

 

[combsatl]

There's someone on here selling a 72g bow front with all the fixins' for $400. Great deal, especially with sump, skimmer, pump, etc.