First tank

Clay&Chey · #1 07-17-2009, 03:58 AM

Your best bet is to watch the buy and sell hardware section here on this site for $500 you can get a pretty steller full system. You could probably score a $2000 used setup for 500

Snaz · #2 07-17-2009, 04:08 AM

While you "might" get a used 72 - 120 gallon system for $500.00 you have to consider the cost in stocking and running a larger tank too. $500.00 will get you a nice used Biocube 29 and you would have money left over to buy liverock, salt, test kits etc to get yourself started.

GongShow · #3 07-17-2009, 04:13 AM

Yeah i know i wouldnt be able to afford to stock live rock for a tank that big trying to even get close to the recommended 1lb of rock per gallon . The Biocube sounds like a good idea but from what i have read they seemed to have ballast problems and what would be recomended doind to it after stock that is cheap to make it a better system (i.e. remove bioballs add carbon filtration and buy the protien skimmer)

edikpok · #4 07-17-2009, 04:45 AM

I have a biocube and the ballasts are OK so far....

You can totally run the system WITHOUT any modification....All I did was to add a bag with carbon to compartment #2 and thatz it...
Of course you could make a refugium in compartment 2 with live rock which would be better than bioballs - but bioballs do work if you do the proper water changes and monitor the amounts of food that you give to your fish.

AND - biocubes look very slick and nice! ex. http://picasaweb.google.ca/edikpok/29gBiocube#

Also - check craigslist if you have it in Edmonton. Sometimes you can find cheap biocubes ()$300) there

mark · #5 07-17-2009, 05:51 AM

Buy and Sell here is great, lots of things come up.

What type of reef ? LPS/SPS etc, makes a difference in light. Have you thought on the on-going costs (salt, test kits etc)? Plan for water; treated tap, a ro/di system, buying store water?