buying a tank today...last suggestions
- Thread starter 0verfl0w
- Start date
1journeyman
Active Member
Can't help you as I'm not aware of that brand. I'd say get a lot of advice before you buy a tank though. I wouldn't rush it.
snailheave
Active Member
all-glass aquarium?
0verfl0w
Member
Originally Posted by Birdy
I would recommend another size other than a 55gal honestly. Either a 58 or 65 (36" long, 18" wide) or a 75 or 90 gallon (48"long 18" wide).
55 gallon tanks are just too narrow.
Those mega flow tanks by All-Glass are nice.
I dont have the room for anythin bigger. I'm kinda worried about the narrow thing. What are the negatives about it?
I would recommend another size other than a 55gal honestly. Either a 58 or 65 (36" long, 18" wide) or a 75 or 90 gallon (48"long 18" wide).
55 gallon tanks are just too narrow.
Those mega flow tanks by All-Glass are nice.
I dont have the room for anythin bigger. I'm kinda worried about the narrow thing. What are the negatives about it?
bigb
Member
Originally Posted by RumRunner
Why is 75 impossible? It is the same length as the 55 only 5 inches bigger depth-wise? Also, I would save your money on the ecco system and DIY a sump/fuge. It should save you a bunch of money.
I'd have to agree with RumRunner. How can you have a problem widthwise if you have the room lengthwise?
What size ecosystem? is it sump/fuge or hob?
Why is 75 impossible? It is the same length as the 55 only 5 inches bigger depth-wise? Also, I would save your money on the ecco system and DIY a sump/fuge. It should save you a bunch of money.
I'd have to agree with RumRunner. How can you have a problem widthwise if you have the room lengthwise?
What size ecosystem? is it sump/fuge or hob?
hot883
Active Member
Originally Posted by 0verfl0w
Bought a 65 gal (36*18*24) much better fit. I wasn't thinking earlier, you guys are right, the 75 and 55 are the same length. The tank, canopy, stand and overflow kit cost me $500.
Glad ya got what YOU wanted. Good for you, I am excited and it's not mine. Ha! Good luck with it and TAKE YOUR time setting it up. The cycle is the hardest 4-6 weeks there is. Except if you are on Okinawa, or maybe in the desert. Ha!
Anyway, decide what you are going to do and then post a thread with your fish list etc. and see what ppl think. Maybe they will bring up some questions that you have not thought of.
Bought a 65 gal (36*18*24) much better fit. I wasn't thinking earlier, you guys are right, the 75 and 55 are the same length. The tank, canopy, stand and overflow kit cost me $500.
Glad ya got what YOU wanted. Good for you, I am excited and it's not mine. Ha! Good luck with it and TAKE YOUR time setting it up. The cycle is the hardest 4-6 weeks there is. Except if you are on Okinawa, or maybe in the desert. Ha!
Anyway, decide what you are going to do and then post a thread with your fish list etc. and see what ppl think. Maybe they will bring up some questions that you have not thought of.
danedodger
Member
Don't mind everyone. Seems like most saltwater hobbyists are the "bigger is better" variety or go completely opposite in trying to see just how tiny a tank they can successfully run
They're not wrong of course in that the bigger you go the easier it can actually be but the 65 you got will be plenty adequate.
I'm interested in hearing what you plan for it too :happyfish Are you doing fish? Liverock? Reef?
Oh and to cycle the tank many people buy a few damsels but I'm a big believer in cycling with only a raw shrimp from the grocery store! I did mine this way and it worked like a charm without risking a fish! Not to mention that later damsels can get pretty nippy which makes getting some other types of fish difficult unless you find something else to do with the damsels. Although a few chromis would also do the trick and they're much more peaceful.
I'm interested in hearing what you plan for it too :happyfish Are you doing fish? Liverock? Reef?
Oh and to cycle the tank many people buy a few damsels but I'm a big believer in cycling with only a raw shrimp from the grocery store! I did mine this way and it worked like a charm without risking a fish! Not to mention that later damsels can get pretty nippy which makes getting some other types of fish difficult unless you find something else to do with the damsels. Although a few chromis would also do the trick and they're much more peaceful.
0verfl0w
Member
I'm planning on doing a reef. I'm not gonna cycle with a damsel or any other fish...seems cruel. Hopefully, it'll cycle with just LS and LR and a ghost feed. As far as fish go, I really haven't given it a lot of thought. I definately wanna get a yellow or blue tang, the standard clown fish, a gobie and that's all I've got for right now. In a 65 I can probably have 5-6 fish...right? I'm planning on doing soft corals since I don't wanna fork out the extra money for MHs and a chiller. I'm in Miami so the chiller is probably a must.
I need help with setting up my filtration system. I wanted to get an ecosystem but I had 2 different LFS tell me they're a pain to keep. They said keeping the Caulerpa alive after a year can get tricky. Plus if it dies then you have no filtration, the caulerpa is seasonal, and they mentioned a bunch of horror stories of people losing everything.
They showed me some Sunpaq PC retrofit 2*96 watt lights. Is that enough? Anyone have experience with them? Thanks for the responses.
I need help with setting up my filtration system. I wanted to get an ecosystem but I had 2 different LFS tell me they're a pain to keep. They said keeping the Caulerpa alive after a year can get tricky. Plus if it dies then you have no filtration, the caulerpa is seasonal, and they mentioned a bunch of horror stories of people losing everything.
They showed me some Sunpaq PC retrofit 2*96 watt lights. Is that enough? Anyone have experience with them? Thanks for the responses.
0verfl0w
Member
So much for taking it a little bit at a time
. I just purchased a pro clear aquatic systems refugium (ill post pics later) w/light, a rio 3100, and some aqualight coralife 2*96 watt PCs. They threw in a 10lb bag of mud and a piece of caulerpa. I've already broken the thousand dollar mark and I haven't even started :scared:
birdy
Active Member
Sounds like a nice setup, I really like a 65gallon tank.
As far as lighting, honestly with a 24" tall tank I would recommend you go with Metal Halides, I had one 250w MH over my 58gallon (same size just a little shorter). with fans in the canopy I never had trouble with heat.
Power compacts are fine if you want to keep softies and some LPS, but if you want to keep clams or some higher light corals on the bottom of that tank, the pc's may not penetrate deep enough for you.
As far as lighting, honestly with a 24" tall tank I would recommend you go with Metal Halides, I had one 250w MH over my 58gallon (same size just a little shorter). with fans in the canopy I never had trouble with heat.
Power compacts are fine if you want to keep softies and some LPS, but if you want to keep clams or some higher light corals on the bottom of that tank, the pc's may not penetrate deep enough for you.
bret61081
Member
Not sure how far you want to go...up if you go up to Beaverlys in Pembroke pines, they have a lot of tanks to choose from....but if you want to see pretty much every possible setup...go to Big Als in Tamarac...its at the corner of University and McKnabb...its HUGE...they have pretty much every possbile tank in stock and set up. Beaverlys had a 4' 110G with stand for 450$....and Big Als will beat any price by 10%, so let them know if you find something cheapers. Also if you get your lights there, they will give you a 1 year instore warrenty....if you have enough room for a 4' 55G...thye have plenty of other 4' tnaks to choose from that I am sure you could work with...Good luck and let us know what you choose...