Opinion on purchase

[nacl-man]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my tank and would like an opinion from the members of this board.
My paychecks come at two week intervals and I can't afford to buy everything all at once (I know I am not alone here).
Should I:
a) Buy my 45 pounds of live rock
b) Purchase my first (of two) 125 watt MH lighting ballasts
I currently only have 30 watts of normal flor. lighting (10k and a 50/50). I've already got the sand and RO water in the tank.
If you were in my shoes what would you do?
Cheers!

 

[nybyrne]

If it were me, I would get the rock first. This will help establish your tank and some coraline should grow with your no light. When you get your halide it should really take off. It will also help establish your sand bed. Just my humble opinion

 

[sebae0]

i would get the rock so i could start cycling the tank, imo your not going to need the halide ballast till a little later down the road when the tank has had time to stabilize.

 

[dreeves]

Limited budgets...they really suck!!!
Anyways...always buy your hardware before any live items...rock, etc...once you get all your hardware...then get it running and get your live stuff. This will also allow you extra time for adjustments, replacements, etc.
Good luck.

 

[petem]

Yeah, I agree with the budget stuff.....
I'll first buy the 72g tank, then probably buy the wet/dry protein skimmer filter/combo a month later. Try to save something somewhere. I probably wont be ready for fish much before Thanksgiving at this rate. LOL.

 

[mightyoxjuice]

I would buy the rock first to help cycle your tank.

 

[dreeves]

You know Pete...I was cranking fresh water for many years...then one day with the influence of a friend...I decided to go salt. Anyways...as most do with something new...dive in head first...after nearly drowning, the swim back up to the surface was a chore...everything has turned out alright.
Two things in which did save me was the freshwater experience and the countless hours of study on the subject.
It has been an "enjoyable" hobby...

 

[petem]

I'm glad to hear that! I'm hoping the same will happen for me. I spent weeks trying to rescue my Comet goldfish that was in my outdoor pond. We would have weeks of hot weather, and he/she would be upside down in the plants. Boy! what I did for that fish, and the money I spent. So, I'm looking forward to starting my own saltwater environment.

 

[nacl-man]

thanks for all the replies folks!
It seems the resounding opinion is "buy the rock" first... so that is what I will do. I was pretty much leaning towards that option in the first place.
The MH ballast will only be 1.5 to 2 weeks after my rock... The tank will take at least that long to cycle.
Anyone have opinions on keeping the lights on or off during your cycle? It seems that everyone has an opinion on this one and I'd like to know what you would do with only 30 watts of NO lighting.
Thanks again and happy reefin'
Cheers.

 

[php]

i think it all depends...if you get something now and two weeks later your going to buy something or if your goin to wait more than 2 wks.If you do it in 2wks with out waiting more time than that then i think you should get live rock, but if your going to wait longer than 2 wks then i say go for the lights

 

[sebae0]

jmo but why buy the lights with nothing in the tank for it to support? get the rock cycle the tank and while thats going on look for a good deal on the lights. that way when the tank is ready you will have enough info on the lights so you can get a good deal. i don't know which type of lighting you really want but email me and i will give you some good sites. jkinsman@wideopenwest.com good luck dude.