New Hobbyist

[mattyjatz]

First off, I wanted to say thank you all on the saltwaterfish.com forums for being so damn smart with Saltwater Aquariums! I've done nothing but read, read, read since I took interest in the hobby.
I've been searching all over trying to find the best deal on a sw tank and found this deal on craigslist. She is selling this 29g Biocube without the bulbs. Would it be worth buying without the bulbs and then purchasing bulbs online or at my LFS? Not sure how much individual parts are for the Biocubes. I was able to talk her down to $150. I thought I would try and get opinions on here first before making a deal with her.
Craigslist Article:
29 gallon biocube aquarium and lid.
Light bulbs not included in lid.
Brand new in box , never used.
No stand.
$175 OBO
Reduced price!
Opinions would be awesome. Thanks a lot everyone.
-Matt

 

[deejeff442]

is this you first try at salt fish?
personally if you have the room i would start out with something a little bigger.
you can find 55-75 tanks and stands for that money.
i just found a 55 with lights,stand ,pumps for $100
it is easier to keep a tank with more water bigger margin for error.
i have never had a cube but i have heard they a very tough to keep as a first tank.

 

[teresaq]

What kind of bulbs. power compact or MH
T

 

[mattyjatz]

Originally Posted by deejeff442
http:///forum/post/3068159
is this you first try at salt fish?
personally if you have the room i would start out with something a little bigger.
you can find 55-75 tanks and stands for that money.
i just found a 55 with lights,stand ,pumps for $100
it is easier to keep a tank with more water bigger margin for error.
i have never had a cube but i have heard they a very tough to keep as a first tank.
Appreciate the quick response. This is my first try at SW. I have read that the larger the tank, the easier it is for beginners. The reason why I was interested in the biocube is because I figured having everything (lighting, filtration, etc) in the lid already would be great for a newbie like myself. Unlike this particular tank, without the lighting. Thanks for your opinion and I hope I have others reply as well.
Also, with having a larger tank like that, wouldn't it be recommended to have a sump as well?

 

[teresaq]

new those are around 280. but new bulbs are going to cost about 30-40 bucks. Does it come with the pump and ballast??

 

[mattyjatz]

Originally Posted by TeresaQ
http:///forum/post/3068167
new those are around 280. but new bulbs are going to cost about 30-40 bucks. Does it come with the pump and ballast??
From what her ad states, I believe the tank has everything brand new except the bulbs.

 

[deejeff442]

sumps are nice to have for more water volume and hide the equiptment but not nessesary.
you can just run hangon filters and skimmer no problem.
although when i see the biocubes in the lfs they are pretty sweet.
you can post on this forum in the cube section and the people with them can help also.
if thats the way you decide to go.

 

[bulldog123]

If I were you I would post this in the Nano Club(just down the page). Some of them have amazing cubes. And you can flip though and get some ideas.
Welcome