Ok Everyone after staying up all night and thinking about the 1st tank setup that I would like I have decided just to go with a 75 gallon or a 120 gallon Reef Ready with drilled holes ready for a sump system! I am still debating on if I want to buy it New or Used. If someone could plz help me on telling me what kind of brands are good for everything else that I would need I would Appreciate it. and what size Sump would be good for this system I know I will need a R/O System b/c where I live I would have to travel over a hour to get R/O water. But if anyone could make a list of good items to use for this system let me know so i can be prep. when I start buying everything I need for my 1st system! Rusty
The very FIRST thing you need to do is setup a quaranteen tank and get it cycled. I prefer aleast a 30 gal. for tank sizes you mentioned as the fish can get big enough to need that size QT. Get a aqua clear box filter to hang on it and a package of filter floss so you can cut it to fit. A mesh bag and some good quality carbon to put in it. You well need a good heater and thermometer. Once you get that setup and cycled you well be ready for the bigger stuff. The skimmer and lights and other stuff well depend on what size tank you end up with and the rest of the items well kinda depend on what kind of corals and animals you well be keeping. The main thing is to do alot of reading and searching. Reef central is a really good site to learn. The main thing is to go SLOW and take your time and ask questions, so you don't get frustrated. This is a very rewarding hobby, but can be very frustrating and maddening if done in a hurry and wrong. Wish you good reefing.
Well to get a quar. tank I need to have the stuff to make R/O water b.c I live in the country and our LFS uses Tap water on their SW Tanks. Plus what are some good Brands Of Heaters. and the type of corals I want are gonna be a Mixture of soft and hard. Or Should I say What is the first things I need to get before I start setting up "Note" This will be going in my Living Room I do have a 12x20 Storage Building Insulated and Wired and Heat and Air I could put a Quar. Tank in but I am very New to this! Thanks, Rusty
Is there a Walmart near by? thats where I get my RO water. At the one in cabot it has a RO water dispencer in the back of the store. bought a 5 gallon jug for a few bucks and fill it up for .37 a gallon.
Rusty - check out this thread... lots of great info ! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...rs/33555-look-frequently-asked-questions.html
hello Rusty I have an opinion that i wanted to put out there to see how everyone else feels as well. To me there is four up front big ticket items needed, and may make for a good gauge to size your system. the tank, lights,protein skimmer, and live rock. figure the cost for these four items, for a 120 and then for a 75. im not sure what the spread is between the two. but i think it would be a good start as to how much different the cost will be. I have not done this myself. i just jumped into a 125 and didnt consider the cost. i dont know if there is a big diference between the two sizes, but i would recommend taking a quick look between the two I would like to hear from others on this topic Greg
I would figure the price for those four items as suggested above. That will give you a pretty good idea of how much you will be out of pocket from the start.
Yea, tank, a good skimmer, good lighting(which also depends on type of animals) really adds up. If your keeping coral than you have to keep calcium, ph, alk, and salinity in check, which requires chemicals, test kits, etc. I would for sure get ro/di unit with a 32 gal brute trash can with float valve to make you own water. This will make life much easier. Buckeye field supply sell 4 stage unit that is rated for 75 gal/day I think is a good deal. You should also go look at fellow reefers tanks in the area to get more ideas, which may help you make better decisions. The better you plan the more rewarding (and cheaper) the hobby. Good Luck! Eddie
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Sub=124&showspecials=124 If you can afford, I would get a 5 stage unit using a 5mic. sediment, 1 mic. sed., carbon block, ro unit, di unit. Call and talk to both of these, they well be able to help you with your RO/DI choices. Then get that QT going first, you well also learn some from setting it up for the larger one. Ebo-jager [eheim-jager] is a good heater, I have used for years and never had any problems with sticking on. But there are other good ones too.
