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pas13
Guest
Also, be sure to look on the famous auction site or in the classifieds on this site. 55g tanks are very commonly upgraded so I have seen a lot of them for resale.
Brand spankin' new...
- Thread starter monalisa
- Start date
taz_12777
Member
If you get a 55 gal tank you would need the Skilter 400. It is rated 400 gph and is around $50. They are very noisy!! To quiet it down you need to get an air pump$$ air hose$$ air stone$$ a valve or two$$. And then a new Skimmer because when you get it all done and hooked up you will say to yourself I should have done this differently. I have the Skilter 250 and although it is cheaper than most I will be upgrading to something different in a month or two.
monalisa
Active Member
Taz,
Sounds like the voice of experience.
I want to look over equipment to get an idea of pricing, what I need, what I don't need just yet (if anything), etc. I will need to buy piece by piece, so it would be nice to figure out what I will be needing to start.
Thanks again,
Sounds like the voice of experience.
I want to look over equipment to get an idea of pricing, what I need, what I don't need just yet (if anything), etc. I will need to buy piece by piece, so it would be nice to figure out what I will be needing to start.
Thanks again,
widowmaker
Member
hidy ho monalisa...
i read the dummy book and thought it had very interesting info in setting up the tank, and pretty good info on livestock explanation too. i'd say that if books were all the media you had, that book is a good one. but, my note taking really picked up when i got on this forum. i'm a reader moslty and don't post much (only because i don't have any useful info just yet), but the book you asked about, i knew of, so here i am. this forum is full of after setup type info which i handy, and also the forum allows for q&a that the book (unless you know the author) doesn't have. i'm still months away from even getting my tank and equipment, but have like 6 pages of info. even on this thread, i've been turned onto more books to read on....
i read the dummy book and thought it had very interesting info in setting up the tank, and pretty good info on livestock explanation too. i'd say that if books were all the media you had, that book is a good one. but, my note taking really picked up when i got on this forum. i'm a reader moslty and don't post much (only because i don't have any useful info just yet), but the book you asked about, i knew of, so here i am. this forum is full of after setup type info which i handy, and also the forum allows for q&a that the book (unless you know the author) doesn't have. i'm still months away from even getting my tank and equipment, but have like 6 pages of info. even on this thread, i've been turned onto more books to read on....
widowmaker
Member
indeed......everybody says it's easy when you get into, and that may be true, but from a pessimistic view...."i don't think so tim". from sumps to lighting to fish/coral compatability.....BOING! not to get dramatic....but why oh why did we ever decide to attempt this adventure. hehehaha......it should be fun, and if not, we can find somebody to hold responsible.
cowfishrule
Active Member
my best advice... dont plan for the now.. plan for the future. if your going to buy lights, go with mh's. buy the biggest tank that you can afford/house. because that 55 suddenly seems small, so does the 75 that you just walked into the house with.
nixpack
Member
Hi, Lisa
I'm new, too. I don't have an aquarium yet and am still doing all my reading and research...which I thoroughly enjoy. I bought one of the above mentioned books, "The New Marine Aquarium" by Micheal Paletta. It was published in 2001 so I felt that it was pretty up-to-date when I got it. I also picked up a copy of Michael Scott's Marine Fishes which has pictures and descriptions of all sorts of saltwater fish. I love leafing through it and picking out my favorites.
I'm also having a great time visiting LFS's and seeing all the creatures "in the fin." I keep going back and forth between wanting a reef aquarium with reef-safe fish and a FOWLR aquarium with a puffer. The puffers are so ugly they are cute and I am fascintated with them.
One thing that is exciting about keeping fish is that my husband is really into it with me so this is something we can share. I was a fancy rat breeder for years and well...I was on my own in that venture.
When do you hope to start buying your equipment? I'm quite a ways off still.
Claudia
IL
I'm new, too. I don't have an aquarium yet and am still doing all my reading and research...which I thoroughly enjoy. I bought one of the above mentioned books, "The New Marine Aquarium" by Micheal Paletta. It was published in 2001 so I felt that it was pretty up-to-date when I got it. I also picked up a copy of Michael Scott's Marine Fishes which has pictures and descriptions of all sorts of saltwater fish. I love leafing through it and picking out my favorites.
I'm also having a great time visiting LFS's and seeing all the creatures "in the fin." I keep going back and forth between wanting a reef aquarium with reef-safe fish and a FOWLR aquarium with a puffer. The puffers are so ugly they are cute and I am fascintated with them.
One thing that is exciting about keeping fish is that my husband is really into it with me so this is something we can share. I was a fancy rat breeder for years and well...I was on my own in that venture.
When do you hope to start buying your equipment? I'm quite a ways off still.
Claudia
IL
jonny bolt
Member
I agree, read....read....and read more.....
Once you've read for weeks on end lol, and feel that its time to start a tank, get the BIGGEST tank you possibly. Again, get the biggest tank you can afford, that you can fit into your living space, and afford to MAINTAIN in the future. If you cant afford and/or fit say a 125g tank, anywhere around 40 gallons is a perfect starting point in my opinion. Anything between 38g and 55g would be great to start with.
Once you've read for weeks on end lol, and feel that its time to start a tank, get the BIGGEST tank you possibly. Again, get the biggest tank you can afford, that you can fit into your living space, and afford to MAINTAIN in the future. If you cant afford and/or fit say a 125g tank, anywhere around 40 gallons is a perfect starting point in my opinion. Anything between 38g and 55g would be great to start with.
monalisa
Active Member
NixP, I agree this is something that I think my husband and I will really enjoy together.
I've done a lot of reading, both books and on this board, and I felt ready this past weekend to get some of my equipment. The largest tank I could possibly do with the space available was only a 37 gallon. I think it will be perfect for where we want to place it. My stand is coming in tomorrow, as it wasn't available when I was looking. I bought sand for my substrate, and I plan on eventually having about 20# of LR and 20# of base rock...I will start the cycle with shrimp.
Right now I only have the stuff, and I still need to get a power head or two. But in the meantime, I'm reading, reading, and more reading.
I've done a lot of reading, both books and on this board, and I felt ready this past weekend to get some of my equipment. The largest tank I could possibly do with the space available was only a 37 gallon. I think it will be perfect for where we want to place it. My stand is coming in tomorrow, as it wasn't available when I was looking. I bought sand for my substrate, and I plan on eventually having about 20# of LR and 20# of base rock...I will start the cycle with shrimp.
Right now I only have the stuff, and I still need to get a power head or two. But in the meantime, I'm reading, reading, and more reading.
puffer32
Active Member
Hi Mona. I am not new to the hobby, but was out of it for yrs. i had 4 salt tanks ranging from 20 to 120. I can tell you things have changed since I kept salt fish 10 yrs ago. I recently decided to get into it again, but must buy all new equitment and so I am taking it very slow. I did get good deals on all my new stuff though/ Go to the classified on this site. I got some great pc lighting, HOB filter, and a remora skimmer ( I hear its one of the best to buy) at really good prices. I would recommend going to the classified and buying there. i am just about ready to put water in my 75 gal (doesn't take up any more space length wise then a 55, so why not. I have my playsand, live sand,RO water, base rock, and am waiting for my filter and skimmer to arrive anyday. and my salt. This weekend i hope to get my tank up and then go get my LR and shrimp to start my cycle. I spent way less then if I had gone impulse shopping! You can get some good deals at a fraction of the price, but its still an expensive hobby, but well worth it when your tank is up and running. I still have loads of questions, things that have changed in the hobby, and things I forget. This site is truely amazing with all the help you get! Good luck.
nixpack
Member
Lisa
I'm so jealous that you have your tank already! It will be several months before we can get ours and we are still debating on a size. We will be moving in the next month or so and a lot depends on how things work out at the new house.
Post lots of pictures of your tank's progress. I willl have to live vicariously through you since you are a newbie like me!
Claudia
IL
I'm so jealous that you have your tank already! It will be several months before we can get ours and we are still debating on a size. We will be moving in the next month or so and a lot depends on how things work out at the new house.
Post lots of pictures of your tank's progress. I willl have to live vicariously through you since you are a newbie like me!
Claudia
IL
farmboy
Active Member
Lisa,
Congratulations on the new tank!
We are waiting on our new SW setup to cycle. Plenty of time to read and post.
BTW has anyone ever heard of little tank envy? I mean, when was the last time someone said, "This tank of mine is just too big. I need to get a smaller one." ??
Lots of luck Lisa, you are off to a good start by researching everything.
Congratulations on the new tank!
We are waiting on our new SW setup to cycle. Plenty of time to read and post.
BTW has anyone ever heard of little tank envy? I mean, when was the last time someone said, "This tank of mine is just too big. I need to get a smaller one." ??
Lots of luck Lisa, you are off to a good start by researching everything.