New to hobby. Where to buy hardware etc?

[maverick_8teen]

Thanx for asing that Q Lastlight. Like you i am also trying to get into SW. I have been doing Fresh Water for 3 years now and am looking into SW because to say the least...its appeal is so much more beautiful and natural.

Anyway, in my years of experience of FW Tanks the only store that i have been to that i know sells SW is Big Als. Its kinda a tricky place to find as its in a strip mall. But don't be fooled its got lots to offer...atleast for FW anyway. I also know of a place on 32nd. Its called Franco's. Never been there myself but buddy i work with suggested it. I couldn't even recal if they sell SW. And Lastly Picies...can't buy SW fish there but they sell various items for maintaning your tank both FW and SW. (its just off McKnight).

This brings me to my questions
If you had 2 tanks. a 35 Gal and a 20 Gal. Your 35 Gal was up and running a FW Tropical Tank. You want to Start up a SW Tank. Do you Start it up in a 20Gal or move everything in your 35Gal to your 20Gal and make your 35 Gal your SW Tank??? This maybe an easy Question for you experienced people but i never have done SW yet so what would be best for me.

I understand that a smaller tank requires more attention and that i am willing to give (whats a hobby if your not willing to spend more time with it?) I also understand its cheaper in the start but i also am told that theres a better chance for a larger tank to survive if a small epidemic occurs. Whats the point on saving money to begin with when it could all get flushed down the toilet (litterally)? Would it maybe be worth my While to sell the 35 and all its components and buy a Larger Tank and then buy seperate peices for SW? If you feel this is what i should do...what size of tank do you feel would be a good size? Max I can do is 120 Gal when it comes to space. Do you feel this is too big for someone just starting out?

My Last Question... in your opinion what do i "NEED" for a SW Tank and what is "Optional" If it helps i was thinking about doing a Reef Tank, but not too sure yet.

[digital-audiophile]

Franco's doesn't have much for salt water.. a bit but I haven't been by in a while

Golds and Big Al's have already been mentioned, There is also Ocean Aquariums on Centre, and Wais on 16th. All have their own strengths and weaknesses, its up to you as the consumer to make the best buying decisions. When I started I spent too much on crap that I have upgraded since so avoid that trap.

Recently most of my purchases have been online and from other reefers (in my opinion the BEST source for livestock!)

- Re: moving into other tanks, it is a pain in the ass, im in the process of doing just that so I would recommend going as big as you can from the start as you know you will want to upgrade later.

[blood_hound]

Aside from jlaquatics and ebay for my hardware and golds fror my livestocks, I get most of my stuff off canreef buy/sell.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=11
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=31

[EmilyB]

Locally, some shops are coming around to the hobby. I spend some bucks at Gold and wish it was closer, Wais has changed a lot and I spend more there now. I won't shop at Big Als.

[Snappy]

I find the Ocean Runner pumps to be pretty quiet. I use 3 of them, a 6500 for my sump return and 2 x 3500's for my skimmer.
What size of tank? I have a used Aqua medic turbo floater 1000 skimmer FS. Let me know if you are interested.

[Paverdude]

Can someone post the link for oceansaquatics, couldn,t find it with my search engine

Thanks

[dreef]

I don't know worked for me with google ??

https://www.oceanaquatics.com/

[Paverdude]

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lastlight lastlight is online now
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I was in buying some plumbing stuff at Big Als and lo and behold they had parrotfish with "i luv you" tattooed onto them. Being ****ed as I was, I asked the guy there (who has been there forever and must be a manager or something) how they do it.

His eyes lit up.

"Oh they're tattoed on! We get them like that!"

All I said was "That is NOT cool" and paid and got out. He was silent.

Maybe others don't share my feelings on this...but that is totally cruel and is clearly aimed at preying on the below avg hobbyist / impulse buyer. And this froma a store that appears to know quite a bit and caters in some part to the more advanced hobbyist.

That's the last time I shop there.

Unfortunatly some DF'S will buy them and al's will bet more in, supply & demand, but i'm totaly with you that's some sick s**t