Considering putting together a tank
- Thread starter mikeassad
- Start date
aidos
Member
Is that wat ur looking at spending just on the tank, i hope so because the rest of the gear will cost u alot more, considering u want a reef, the right lighting will be needed.
with that understood buy the biggest tank u can afford, figure out the bugdet u have for equipment (not including tank) and then see what the largest tank is that u can afford, and that the equipment will be sufficient for.
it will be a bit of a juggling act till u know definetly wat u want, but know that the bigger the better. (this is because it take longer for a change in the water to effect the entire tank.)
with that understood buy the biggest tank u can afford, figure out the bugdet u have for equipment (not including tank) and then see what the largest tank is that u can afford, and that the equipment will be sufficient for.
it will be a bit of a juggling act till u know definetly wat u want, but know that the bigger the better. (this is because it take longer for a change in the water to effect the entire tank.)
lion_crazz
Active Member
for a 100 gallon reef tank, you will be spending a lot more than $600. If that is all you are looking to spend, consider doing a fish only tank, or if you're really not willing or able to go over that budget, fresh water. Salt water is an expensive hobby.
I don't know if you already got a 100 gallon tank, but equipment for that alone will tally higher than $600 (spefically, lighting, which may run you at least $300, depending on how in depth a reef you are doing). Then, comes the live rock expense. You will be spending at least $300-$400 on live rock in a 100 gallon, because for a reef, it is essential to have 1lb. of live rock per gallon. And that is the very minimum. Next, you will need to buy sand for your tank, a heater, two or three powerheads, RO water, and the other small essentials (such as calcium, essential elements, salt, etc). In reality, just to get a 100 gallon reef tank started, I'd say you are looking at least at a $1000-$1500 expense.
Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to discourage you. A 100 gallon tank for a reef is an excellent size. For a beginner, it really is the bigger the better (and easier to maintain water quality). I am just trying to warn you about the expenses of a saltwater tank before you get fully into the hobby.
I don't know if you already got a 100 gallon tank, but equipment for that alone will tally higher than $600 (spefically, lighting, which may run you at least $300, depending on how in depth a reef you are doing). Then, comes the live rock expense. You will be spending at least $300-$400 on live rock in a 100 gallon, because for a reef, it is essential to have 1lb. of live rock per gallon. And that is the very minimum. Next, you will need to buy sand for your tank, a heater, two or three powerheads, RO water, and the other small essentials (such as calcium, essential elements, salt, etc). In reality, just to get a 100 gallon reef tank started, I'd say you are looking at least at a $1000-$1500 expense.
Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to discourage you. A 100 gallon tank for a reef is an excellent size. For a beginner, it really is the bigger the better (and easier to maintain water quality). I am just trying to warn you about the expenses of a saltwater tank before you get fully into the hobby.
ams153
Active Member
hey i just spent 200.00 dollars on a 30 gallon saltwater setup and it came with everything except the protein skimmer and its a pretty nice setup and then i got lucky cause they couldnt find the price of the stand so they threw it in for free and its a 100+ dollar stand but you could go with a 30-50g tank for under 500.00 and it will be pretty nice hope this helps
Andrew
Andrew
