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-   -   Newbie to buy an existing old tank set up or start new??? (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=7199)

IluvHockey 12-25-2003 03:45 AM

Newbie to buy an existing old tank set up or start new???
 
I have kept a freshwater tank for over ten years and have been yearning to go to marine. Should I buy an existing small setup 33 gal. Or should I buy new and start fresh with a bigger tank and slowly build. Would a $500.00 budget be reasonable??? Would like to be able to do a nano reef tank with small fish. Any suggestions?

Aquattro 12-25-2003 03:58 AM

Hi, welcome to Canreef! The first thing you need to do is decide what you want to keep in a marine setup. This will determine the requirements (cost) for setting up a system. A decent nano can probably be built for $500, or a good powerhead could also cost $500. Lighting is amajor cost in reef setups, and again, depending on what you want to keep, that could eat up a big chunk of your budget. There wasa thread a while ago about the costs of setting up a nano vs. larger systems; I'll try and find it for you.

Jack 12-25-2003 05:43 AM

You could probably get a lot more equipment for your 500$ if it were used, I say go that route.

Chad 12-25-2003 05:46 AM

I agree with Jack, go on the buy N Sell or through here and you can find some decent setups to purchase outright.

Aquattro 12-25-2003 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad
I agree with Jack, go on the buy N Sell or through here and you can find some decent setups to purchase outright.

The problem is getting exactly what you want in the paper. I've done it before and was able to sell off the parts I didn't need, but again, know what you need before you go buying a setup that may not work for you. Overall, it is more economical to buy used (most of the time).

Quinn 12-25-2003 07:39 AM

I said $500 a year ago and by June had spent close to $3,500. :lol:

EmilyB 12-25-2003 10:09 AM

Learn to love SW slowly.

Buy a

couple pieces of nice live rock and sit back...
:mrgreen:

Jack 12-25-2003 05:06 PM

Nice equipment comes up for sale on the Canreef buy/sell forum so keep your eyes peeled there too.

IluvHockey 12-26-2003 02:19 AM

Thanks for the tips guys. I will look throught the classified forum and the buysell. The other thing. How loud is a typical setup?

Bartman 12-26-2003 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvHockey
How loud is a typical setup?

What?

:mrgreen:

Bob I 12-26-2003 09:01 PM

Why not post a request in the Buy and Sell forum. Decide on what you want, and post it. Most reefers have enough stuff sitting around to set up a nano sysstem. I know I have enough to do a 10 gallon nano, and except for the tank I could do a 20H. I am sure you piece together a system by asking for specifics. :biggrin: :eek:

BCOrchidGuy 01-01-2004 12:18 AM

Loud is a relative term, I can hear water running etc but it's not like being at the beach on a windy day.
One thing you could do to save money is to keep your tank for the first part as a low light tank, a couple of fluorescent lights (marine glow etc) and you can keep mushrooms, sponges (although I wouldn't really recomend them for beginners) and a host of other lower light loving stuff.

The thing I don't like about used is, you can take a look at power heads etc, they look fine but they can die within a few hours, also people will tell you that something is in great shape, you drive over and find out "the last time I saw it it didn't have that big crack in it". Or, "wow lookie there lots of spider webs huh."

You can get a decent 33 gallon/50 gallon set up for close to your $500 budget if you keep your bioload low, (IE NO SKIMMER) keep your lighting needs low, and ask alot of questions before you buy stuff.

Thats my two cents worth.

Doug

reefhawk 02-18-2004 02:30 AM

why wouldn't you reccommend mushroom to beginers. After i year i am still a rank ametuer , some of my first bought mushrooms have propigated and are all over my tanks. Was so worried about getting clams cause i heard they were expensive and required pristine water. Well i got two for 30$ from a guy shutting down his tank and they are doing well, one has actually noticably grown. also heard manarine gobies were far above newbies well i have two of the fattest gobies i have ever seen -one in each tank. Read somewhere its tough to have two in the same tank true or false? Advice from one newbie to another - everyone talks about lighting, current, water chemistry, and water changes, my humble opinion is buy as much good live rock as you can afford or fit in your tank. And a thick substrate (lots of sand) is a good base to build on.

BCOrchidGuy 02-18-2004 03:11 AM

Sorry, should have been more clear. I wouldn't recommend sponges for beginners.

Doug


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