Newbie saying HI.....????

kenyon1313

kenyon1313

New Member
Picking up my tank etc 2morrow. Got a 75 gal with wood stand, Wet/Dry filter with overflow box U tube and Return Pump no bio balls, Jebo Lights 4 bulbs (2 x 10,000k Daylight Bulbs, 2 x 10,000 Actinic Blue Bulbs) TOTAL WATTS IS 4X55 =220W. Used for about 6 months, Hang on protein skimmer which I fit in the sump, pumps to run the skimmer and return for the overflow, 2 extra power head for water movement and a heater for 500.00 - hope it was a good deal.
Anyways, just really beginning to look into what is next......my 1st big question..what do I do first??
Really just saying hi.....will be around ALOT!!!
 
cain420

cain420

Active Member
you will now want to purchase one of the most expensive parts of the hobby... LIVE ROCK! look around for a good deal, and please do not cycle with fish - it is very toxic to them.. uncured live rock will start your cycle for you, or if you buy cured live rock, simply put in a dead cocktail shrimp from the grocery store (raw of course) and that will jump start it for you... Welcome to the board and happy fishing!
and yes, sounds like $500 was a pretty good deal to me.. 75gallon tank new = 170. The lights would be a little more then that new. protein skimmers are expensive, the cheapest i have seen is the seaclone 100 for $75 - new. heater is around 30. powerheads, at least 20 each, making 40. so that alone adds up to over 500. then u also have a sump.. another 200 or less... not too bad of a deal if u ask me..
p.s. dont go with crushed coral sustrate.. you will switch to sand eventually if u do, so save that money now....
 
shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
You will want to read a lot and a lot... and then when you think you know what you're doing read more!! I'm still reading... as for I know that you will be way too excited and will want to try and start either way... which I totally understand... search for threads that talk about cycling a tank... that is the first step.. you will need your water source... which are a bunch of different approaches you can take... tap, distilled, ro/di... etc... get your sand... and LR and a very good kit of test kits... don't skimp here plz!! gl and hf!! and read!!
 
mikeyjer

mikeyjer

Active Member
Originally Posted by kenyon1313
Picking up my tank etc 2morrow. Got a 75 gal with wood stand, Wet/Dry filter with overflow box U tube and Return Pump no bio balls, Jebo Lights 4 bulbs (2 x 10,000k Daylight Bulbs, 2 x 10,000 Actinic Blue Bulbs) TOTAL WATTS IS 4X55 =220W. Used for about 6 months, Hang on protein skimmer which I fit in the sump, pumps to run the skimmer and return for the overflow, 2 extra power head for water movement and a heater for 500.00 - hope it was a good deal.
Anyways, just really beginning to look into what is next......my 1st big question..what do I do first??
Really just saying hi.....will be around ALOT!!!
It sounds like a good deal to me. It all depends on the stuffs that comes with it. Like me, I'm purchasing a used 55 gallon tank with stand for my best friend's husband. It comes with 4x55w power compact and 2xT-5's with ballast all for $175. Now, that's a good deal!! I'm keeping the T-5's for myself though...

Next thing you need is start cycling like the above posts have mentioned and read read and read!!! Welcome to the forum!!! :happyfish
 
jerth6932

jerth6932

Active Member
Welcome..... and I agree with the consensus of the rest who have answred ya..... it was a good deal!!!!!!!
 
kenyon1313

kenyon1313

New Member
Thanks for all the "hello's". I got the deal on ---- and I am picking it all up tonight. The guy lost his setup in huricane Wilma and doesnt have the time needed o get it all going again. The big plus is that I have already spoken to him on the phone and he is going to take time tongiht to show us how it all hooks up.
He was getting his sand from the ocean - we are in Florida - but I have already read alot on that and I have decided NOT to do that.
We rent and I spoke to the landlord who DOES NOT want us to put a RO unit to the sink - other options? buy from walmart?? others??
Started looking for deals on Live sand - gonna check a few salt water stores around my house
I spent half the night reading and reading..........i am soooooo excited!!!!
 
scotts

scotts

Active Member
You might want to do a search for "Southdown" I know it sounds stupid but it might save you some money in the long run. It is a type of sand that can be used for aquariums. But then it takes a little longer to cycle your tank.
There are many people here who get their RO either in little jugs from walmlart etc.... Or they use the RO machines and 5 gallon jugs.
 
shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
Yes check out southdown sand... I'm not sure if they have stopped making or not by now because there was word I remember awhile ago... I actually bought some bags awhile ago... and it wasn't called southdown... but its made by oldcastle.. which is the stuff... I actually found it at walmart awhile ago... it will become live after awhile by seeding it with some live rock.. as for RO you will get a lot of different opinions.. but I say it depends on what you are deciding to do.. if you want coral it is no doubt that you will need ro water but if not you may not need it... imo... although you can pick it up at walmart for not too much.. and at the supercenter walmarts they actually have machines that you fill up gallon jugs like scotts said... gl.. and let us know if u need any help!!
 
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