Planning Phase Help...

cjworkman

cjworkman

Member
Hi there.. I'm brand new to this. A good friend of mine had a saltwater tank and I fell in love with the idea of having one of my own... I have a few questions though before I even buy a tank to start out;
1) Acrylic or Glass tank?? Any and all opinions are welcome. Also, what does "reef ready" mean? I know coral is tough for a beginner, but I'd like to have a coral tank and I will be keeping what I buy or should I say create :) for awhile.
2) I want to start with either a 55 or a 70 gallon tank? I'd like to avoid wanting to upgrade later.. should I just start with the 70 even though I am a beginner?
3) With a 55/70 gallon tank is getting one that's drilled necessary?
4) is a bow front tank just a preference? or does it actually help with anything?
Some other advice I've already hunted down myself is to use all live sand for the bed and use the MH lights... but any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
Last thing, is it o.k. to get a used tank... i found a very clean 70 gallon acrylic tank with a stand for 380$ that looks almost new... was thinking about buying it. Although I don't know if it's "reef ready" and I know it's not drilled.
 
pontius

pontius

Active Member
Originally Posted by cjworkman
Hi there.. I'm brand new to this. A good friend of mine had a saltwater tank and I fell in love with the idea of having one of my own... I have a few questions though before I even buy a tank to start out;
1) Acrylic or Glass tank?? Any and all opinions are welcome. Also, what does "reef ready" mean? I know coral is tough for a beginner, but I'd like to have a coral tank and I will be keeping what I buy or should I say create :) for awhile.
2) I want to start with either a 55 or a 70 gallon tank? I'd like to avoid wanting to upgrade later.. should I just start with the 70 even though I am a beginner?
3) With a 55/70 gallon tank is getting one that's drilled necessary?
4) is a bow front tank just a preference? or does it actually help with anything?
Some other advice I've already hunted down myself is to use all live sand for the bed and use the MH lights... but any other advice would be greatly appreciated.
Last thing, is it o.k. to get a used tank... i found a very clean 70 gallon acrylic tank with a stand for 380$ that looks almost new... was thinking about buying it. Although I don't know if it's "reef ready" and I know it's not drilled.
1) glass. I hate acrylic with a passion. however, Phixer will tell you different.
2) if you can afford a 70 gallon, then get a 90 gallon. the price difference isn't much. believe me, you probably won't have your tank setup long before you'll be wanting to upgrade. so get absolutely as big as you can get to start with.
3) I would recommend one that is already drilled. if you can't, get some hang on back overflows so that you can have an in-cabinet filter. either way will probably cost about the same, so just get the drilled tank to begin with.
4) it's just a preference. I had a bowfront tank that I didn't like because the bowing area will obstruct and change the actual view if you're looking at it upclose.
 
ray28576

ray28576

Member
I prefer glass as well. To me an acrylic tank looks like it turns yellow over time. They are also a lot easier to scratch.Hope this helps.
 
cjworkman

cjworkman

Member
I don't know what size it is.. i just e-mailed the guy to find out.. but i'm guessing it's a 55 or 70.
the only thing i'm iffy on it is the depth... i like the look of the shorter and longer show tanks.
 
ryanhayes9

ryanhayes9

Active Member
you could also search ----( and if im not allowed to say that please remove mods) they have a lot of tanks for sale just put in ur area and search for like aquarium or aquarium tank
 
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