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02f350psd
Guest
What brand names do i look for and what do i stay away from and for which piece of equpiment? As i stated in another post i am a complete noob and need direction. Thanks everyone
T
thomas712
Guest
All depends on what you are going to do or going after.
Power heads for instance. I like to recommend the Maxi Jet power heads, the 900's are really good cause they use much less power than the 1200's, but that also depends on what you have and what you want to set up.
What size tank do you have?
Is there a sump?
Is it drilled?
What do you have now?
Thomas
Power heads for instance. I like to recommend the Maxi Jet power heads, the 900's are really good cause they use much less power than the 1200's, but that also depends on what you have and what you want to set up.
What size tank do you have?
Is there a sump?
Is it drilled?
What do you have now?
Thomas
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02f350psd
Guest
Well here's the thing, i have nothing as of right now. Have been shopping around and found a 65gallon tank i am going to buy and need to know where to go from there. It is NOT reef ready. I need to know what i need for the 65gallon tank to do fish only with live rock. Thanks! :joy:
murph
Active Member
Unfortunately equipment is a sore point for me. I have had issues with just about everything I have bought excluding your basic U Tub overflows. Even this piece of equipment can be screwed up. All you have to do is ask owners of CPRs version. I know what you are thinking, how did they screw up the concept of gravity? but they managed to do it.
IMO the whole industry is suffering from either to much corner cutting and cost cutting (there own cost not ours) that much of it is junk right out of the box and has made me want to quite this hobby on several occasions.
And if its not equipment issues its live stock issues. I have just finished setting up my fish room and a unstocked 75 gallon that has been ready to go for some time sits empty of any thing but a few soft corals due to my inability to find appropriate or uncompramised specimens to stock it with.
Every LFS in my area seems to be running just enough copper to keep the parasites in there holding tanks at bay but as soon as they are purchased and placed in quarantine (something I have not done in the past but thank god I decided to do it this time) there bad condition becomes evident. I have lost two fish in QT so far. One an angel that I suspect was exposed to to much copper somewhere along the line and its digestive system was toast. Fish ate a little less each day until dieing on the ninth day of QT. Then a scopas tang that was so covered in parasites after its removal from the coppered tanks at the LFS that I was done on its second day in my possession.
It may even be that the use of copper is so prevalent now that copper resistant parasites are starting to develop. I know this dos not seem possible but in the case of the scopas it was obvious that he had been exposed to parasites that the coppered tanks at the LFS had only kept in check and not killed off completely.
IMO the industry is in a state of shambles and if it were not for the constant influx of newcomers to the hobby that are basically unaware of the situation they would be in serious financial trouble. All one has to do is pick up the classifieds that have systems in them every week that people are looking to unload when they discover just how up hill a battle this hobby can be.
IMO the whole industry is suffering from either to much corner cutting and cost cutting (there own cost not ours) that much of it is junk right out of the box and has made me want to quite this hobby on several occasions.
And if its not equipment issues its live stock issues. I have just finished setting up my fish room and a unstocked 75 gallon that has been ready to go for some time sits empty of any thing but a few soft corals due to my inability to find appropriate or uncompramised specimens to stock it with.
Every LFS in my area seems to be running just enough copper to keep the parasites in there holding tanks at bay but as soon as they are purchased and placed in quarantine (something I have not done in the past but thank god I decided to do it this time) there bad condition becomes evident. I have lost two fish in QT so far. One an angel that I suspect was exposed to to much copper somewhere along the line and its digestive system was toast. Fish ate a little less each day until dieing on the ninth day of QT. Then a scopas tang that was so covered in parasites after its removal from the coppered tanks at the LFS that I was done on its second day in my possession.
It may even be that the use of copper is so prevalent now that copper resistant parasites are starting to develop. I know this dos not seem possible but in the case of the scopas it was obvious that he had been exposed to parasites that the coppered tanks at the LFS had only kept in check and not killed off completely.
IMO the industry is in a state of shambles and if it were not for the constant influx of newcomers to the hobby that are basically unaware of the situation they would be in serious financial trouble. All one has to do is pick up the classifieds that have systems in them every week that people are looking to unload when they discover just how up hill a battle this hobby can be.
daj0424
Member
Lets not scare anyone off. Just remember what keeps us in the hobby. The beautiful fish and corals, the feeling of accomplishment, and the enjoyment of the challenge. Of course this hobby is not for everyone but if you do it right it can be very rewarding.
I have been in this hobby for 3 years and I have learned a great deal in that time. Also, reading posts on this site and others will help you understand the do's and don'ts of this hobby.
As far as equipment goes, I have used some of the cheap brands and some of the good brands. In this hobby you get what you pay for. I would reccomend you get the most you can afford. This will save you money in the long run. A good skimmer, a good filter and lighting are going to be very important and bigger purchases. I would reccoemnd getting mid to top of the line for these items. If they break down it is not fun to replace these and typicaly you will find that the better ones will last longer and produce better results.
Power heads are easliy replaced so if you need to save on costs this is where you can. Lighting is a touchy subject but if you just want fish and LR you will be able to save some money here as well. I used the standard bulbs you get with a hood with my FOWLR setup for about a year before I upgraded to a PC lighting fixture.
The main thing to is be patient. I remember when I just started and wanted the coolest fish right away. After my tank cycled (about 6 wks) I added fish after fish after fish and they just would not make it. I would get my water tested and everything would be fine. What was wrong? I was stupid. I just was not patient. If I had to do it all over again I would have a few damsels in the tank for about 4 months with no loss and then trade those in for your cool fish once you know your tank is ready. Even after that, I would take it very slow adding 1 fish every couple weeks.
Important things to consider:
1. LS VS CC I had both and love that I switched to LS
2. What kind of lighting? I now have PC and am happy with it
3. UV sterlizer? I use one even though some say it is not needed
4. QT tank? I do not use one but some people think it is very important. If I could I would have one but my LFS keeps fish a long time before the sale so I get quality fish.
5. Sump/fuge Vs HOB all my stuff hangs off the back of the tank and looks crowded. I will be upgrading to a sump/fuge system soon.
6. What type of filter? HOB, Wet/Dry, canister I use a HOB filter.
I hope this helps and good luck!
I have been in this hobby for 3 years and I have learned a great deal in that time. Also, reading posts on this site and others will help you understand the do's and don'ts of this hobby.
As far as equipment goes, I have used some of the cheap brands and some of the good brands. In this hobby you get what you pay for. I would reccomend you get the most you can afford. This will save you money in the long run. A good skimmer, a good filter and lighting are going to be very important and bigger purchases. I would reccoemnd getting mid to top of the line for these items. If they break down it is not fun to replace these and typicaly you will find that the better ones will last longer and produce better results.
Power heads are easliy replaced so if you need to save on costs this is where you can. Lighting is a touchy subject but if you just want fish and LR you will be able to save some money here as well. I used the standard bulbs you get with a hood with my FOWLR setup for about a year before I upgraded to a PC lighting fixture.
The main thing to is be patient. I remember when I just started and wanted the coolest fish right away. After my tank cycled (about 6 wks) I added fish after fish after fish and they just would not make it. I would get my water tested and everything would be fine. What was wrong? I was stupid. I just was not patient. If I had to do it all over again I would have a few damsels in the tank for about 4 months with no loss and then trade those in for your cool fish once you know your tank is ready. Even after that, I would take it very slow adding 1 fish every couple weeks.
Important things to consider:
1. LS VS CC I had both and love that I switched to LS
2. What kind of lighting? I now have PC and am happy with it
3. UV sterlizer? I use one even though some say it is not needed
4. QT tank? I do not use one but some people think it is very important. If I could I would have one but my LFS keeps fish a long time before the sale so I get quality fish.
5. Sump/fuge Vs HOB all my stuff hangs off the back of the tank and looks crowded. I will be upgrading to a sump/fuge system soon.
6. What type of filter? HOB, Wet/Dry, canister I use a HOB filter.
I hope this helps and good luck!
T
thomas712
Guest
Nicely worded daj0424
02f350psd ~ as you learn and come close to your purchases, check here and see what other folks think first, at least a few may have tried the piece of equipment your looking for and have had some experience with it.
Two equipment purchases I'd say get the best you can afford are the lighting (depending on the type of tank you want) and protien skimmer. Don't skimp on those two things. Now you say you are not going to have a reef tank, so lighting becomes less important for you. But a good set now will allow you to upgrade later.
Just a few points to consider.
Thomas
02f350psd ~ as you learn and come close to your purchases, check here and see what other folks think first, at least a few may have tried the piece of equipment your looking for and have had some experience with it.
Two equipment purchases I'd say get the best you can afford are the lighting (depending on the type of tank you want) and protien skimmer. Don't skimp on those two things. Now you say you are not going to have a reef tank, so lighting becomes less important for you. But a good set now will allow you to upgrade later.
Just a few points to consider.
Thomas
glowplug
Member
i was in the same position as you, only wanting fish, some live rock, but once you spend more time in the shops and on the net,eventually you will want to try a little frag of mushrooms, maybe some star polyps,so cheap you dont care so much if you lose them, if your water is good, they will probably do ok ( they dont need much light) and then.......awww yes- then.......you will kick yourself because you wont be afraid of corals anymore and youll wish you had a better light. Step by step what happened to me, get a reef capable light, even if you have to wait a month to afford it
[hr]
serioulsy youll get pissed
[hr]
serioulsy youll get pissed
fishy7
Active Member
Originally Posted by 02f350psd
What brand names do i look for and what do i stay away from and for which piece of equpiment? As i stated in another post i am a complete noob and need direction. Thanks everyone
hEY 02f. Good old Boston/lived there for 29 years and loved every minute, any whooooo.
I am also a newbeeee but have had execellent luck with the following:
won brothers II heater
iwaki pump
Reeflo sequence Dart pump
Aqua C EV240 skimmer
Trigger systems
Good luck
What brand names do i look for and what do i stay away from and for which piece of equpiment? As i stated in another post i am a complete noob and need direction. Thanks everyone
hEY 02f. Good old Boston/lived there for 29 years and loved every minute, any whooooo.
I am also a newbeeee but have had execellent luck with the following:
won brothers II heater
iwaki pump
Reeflo sequence Dart pump
Aqua C EV240 skimmer
Trigger systems
Good luck
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02f350psd
Guest
Thanks everyone! Appreciate the imput. Need all i can get as a newcomer to the sport!