First Tank Purchase?

[fishfeeder]

Went to a fish shop about 45 mins from my house...they had a 70 gal reef ready tank, stand, overflow kit (plumbing), light (1 bulb flouresent) for $450. This one has drilled tank for the overflow kit! This tank is only 36" long.
They also had a 90 gal tank, stand, light (1 bulb), gravel, power filter, glass canopy, heater, thermometer for $550. He said he would knock off $85 for the gravel and filter if I wanted to buy sand and wet/dry. The light he said he would have to ask his boss, but thought he might change bulb & ballast to a saltwater type for an additional charge. This is not drill for a wet/dry but he showed me a hob overflow that I could use.
One more! 55 gal tank with the same accessories as the 90 gal. Would also trade & configure to a salt water for the same deal as the 90. Stand includes top cover to match the bottom wood stand. 90 gal didn't. All for $350.
any thoughts on any of these...my wife is allowing me to up the ante on startup cost! Was $500, but she said I could maybe do $600-$700! I kinda want the 90 but the 70 i like the best because of the overflow but it's not that long, on the other hand the 55 looks nice and is much cheaper to add other things?
Give it to me, guys, I am to undecided to choose!

thanks!

 

[fishfeeder]

They also have a wet/dry for $175...don't remember the brand? What other equipment should I buy with my setup? Protein skimmer, right now? What else?

 

[robert dri]

feeder -
I'm new to the hobby....I have a 72 gal bow front in the 4th week of cycle.....my only regret to this point is that I didn't go with a bigger tank. Two reasons....the larger the tank, the more forgiving the water to improper balance and #2, several species require a lot of swimming room....so in short...the largest tank that your budget will allow is the better.
Also...don't spend your money on a skimmer right now but without a doubt, add one once your tank has gone through the complete cycle.
Good luck, ask plenty of questions and most importnt....be patient!

 

[fishfeeder]

The 55 gal was $499...They had another 55 without the canopy just bottom stand for $349...same accessories though!

 

[crystalsta]

go for the 90 and forget the gravel and get the sand and wet/dry. I wish I had the wet/dry. what kind of light? I just put in compact flousecents in a canapy for incandencets and what a differance!!!! the bigger the better.

 

[blemmy_guy]

Always go bigger, and im personally a big fan of the wet/dry. Especially for the first yr or so of your tanks life. After that you may want to change over to refugium or Sump/ But i still run my Wet/dry on my 125. gal 1 1/2 yrs now with no problems. Make sure you het a really good Protein Skimmer!! Very important!! And go with Live Sand and about 1 to 1& 1/2 lbs of Live rock! Another important thing, Take it all really slow!! Patience will definately be tested!! Goodluck! And your at the right place to get started!. . Just listen to everyones Opinions and go with what ever you feel the most comfortable with! Oh and one more thing! Trade those lights in and get some Metal Halides or at Least Power Compacts!!! You will geet a better trade on them while there new!
Todd

 

[fishfeeder]

So everyone thinks that a hob overflow w/ wet/dry will be ok?

 

[blemmy_guy]

Sounds like a deal to me. Just remember about the Protein skimmer which you will need as soon as the Cycle is done, about 6 weeks, and get better Lights! Good Luck! Todd

 

[jdragunas]

GO FOR THE 90!!! That's a great deal... i purchased my 55 tank and stand for $500... that didn't include anything else.
As for the lights, you're planning on doing a reef, correct? If so, i wouldn't upgrade the light for extra $$$, unless it's a power compact or better. Maybe see if you can cut a deal where you just get everything but the lights, and get the lights off of that great auction site... you can find PC lighting for pretty cheap there.
I agree with Robert, i wish i woulda gone bigger too!!!
I also have a wet/dry, and i wouldn't change it for anything in the world! It's great, and it keeps my levels in check. Some wet/dry setups come with a protein skimmer (mine did), so maybe you could find out if they have a wet/dry setup like that.
Jenn