starting need help

bubashrimp

Member
hello
im pretty new to this hobby.i dont even have a tank yet but i was thinking of getting a ten gallon or 20 gallon to get started.. i think i want to have clown fish and some hermit crabs.. how much will this whole ste up cost me ruffly.i think i want to make it a reef one to. iv seen some reef ones and i thought they were the coolest ones.although i dont realy know how to set one up
 

seannmelly

Active Member
Originally Posted by bubashrimp
hello
im pretty new to this hobby.i dont even have a tank yet but i was thinking of getting a ten gallon or 20 gallon to get started.. i think i want to have clown fish and some hermit crabs.. how much will this whole ste up cost me ruffly.i think i want to make it a reef one to. iv seen some reef ones and i thought they were the coolest ones.although i dont realy know how to set one up
if you're gonna do something that small get a nano tank or a aquapod. the aquadpod is all self contained. a 12 gallon at the store w/ protein skimmer runs 199.99. it has 2w sunpack and 27w actinic w/ lunar lights. its a pretty nice set up for a mini reef.
 

saltfan

Active Member
Lets see here...20gallon tank, $40: skimmer $100: filter $70: LS, depends on where you get it. 2lbs of Live Rock per gallon, again depending on where you buy it. On a sight you can get it for $3.50 a lb. VHO lighting $100. Look ok?
 

pallan

Member
hey bubbu still looking i see so i didnt scare you off after all lol

above prices all look right and i know you like most of us here are on a budget but honestly just want to make sure you understand a smaller tank can be done for cheaper than a large tank but they will require more attention to detail though.
in a larger tank there is more water volume and room for error (hense why i told you to get the largest tank you can afford. ) in a small tank you have to be on top of very small changes before they cause a crash.
IMO saltwater on a budget means watch those classifieds, or save and do it right the first time. I spent more money than i needed cause i went cheap now i got to change stuff if i had done it right first although initially would have cost more in the long run it would have saved me.
Good luck with what ever you get. it is a facinating and addictive hobby.
 

bubashrimp

Member
huh ,u kinda did scare me off thats why i went to the lower tanks..this is still alot of money though i mean your takling 400-500$ for a ten gallon tank..hmm maybe ill get like a hermit crab by it self how much would it cost to get a tank for 2 hermit crabs
 

seannmelly

Active Member
Originally Posted by Pallan
hey bubbu still looking i see so i didnt scare you off after all lol

above prices all look right and i know you like most of us here are on a budget but honestly just want to make sure you understand a smaller tank can be done for cheaper than a large tank but they will require more attention to detail though.
in a larger tank there is more water volume and room for error (hense why i told you to get the largest tank you can afford. ) in a small tank you have to be on top of very small changes before they cause a crash.
IMO saltwater on a budget means watch those classifieds, or save and do it right the first time. I spent more money than i needed cause i went cheap now i got to change stuff if i had done it right first although initially would have cost more in the long run it would have saved me.
Good luck with what ever you get. it is a facinating and addictive hobby.

bubbashrimp, pallan is 100% right. after going from a 55 to 90 aggressive and 37 reef and now a 125 reef, it is much better to get the RIGHT equipment the first time w/o spending so much extra money like...we have :mad: . if you're gonna b satisfied w/ a small tank for a while then its fine. but if you want a big tank eventually its better to spend the money on it now instead of going through a ton of tanks and equipment
 

bubashrimp

Member
ya u see im not realy on a budget im only 16 and i have about $300 to work with..but it seems as if u have to have alot of extra money to make anything.and about the hermit crab thing how much would that cost
 

seannmelly

Active Member
Originally Posted by bubashrimp
ya u see im not realy on a budget im only 16 and i have about $300 to work with..but it seems as if u have to have alot of extra money to make anything.and about the hermit crab thing how much would that cost
haha deff dont have alot of extra money. i got the deal of a lifetime and he's letting us pay payments on the tank. but im serious w/ it will save you alot of money in the long run. save up some money and get your dream tank. if ur on a budget the aquapod will run you 199.99 w/ skimmer. the whole thing is self contained. you will have an extra $100 for livestock. ive seen hermits for 1.99 a piece and 2.99 a piece. on this site they have 10 for $9 or suttin like that. i have actually bought some from this site it was a good deal
 

bubashrimp

Member
k so your saying i can get a tank and every thing i need for 300 because pallan gave me a list last time of all the things i need and i almost cryed!!i mean all i realy want is like a couple hermit crabs and mabye 1 or 2 clownfish
 

pallan

Member
the list i gave you was for a medium to larger salt tank 55 on up
the aquapod is the small tank you are now asking about it is a self contained unit (ive heard) ive no experience other than the fact that small tanks are harder to keep. IMO
 

seannmelly

Active Member
Originally Posted by bubashrimp
k so your saying i can get a tank and every thing i need for 300 because pallan gave me a list last time of all the things i need and i almost cryed!!i mean all i realy want is like a couple hermit crabs and mabye 1 or 2 clownfish
aquapod w/ skimmer 199.99 (dependin on lfs prices thats what it is at mine)
comes w/: 57w total w/ sunpack and actinic and lunar lights, filtration, pump for return, protein skimmer which is a lil extra. its self-contained and is VERY neat and tidy looking. it has the capascity to sustain anenomes, polyps, soft corals (not sure bout sps or lps)
if you want live rock ull need a whole whopping 24lps max.
sand is $18 for 20lb bag at lfs
false perc 19.99
hermits $9 for 10 at swf
its all on ur preference. instead of lr you can get reef bones or dead rock to save money. but yes for 300 you can get a whole set up w/ a perc n hermits.
i understand it can be overwhelming at times. but i am an advocate for doing everything right the first time b/c i have learned from my mistakes.
 

bubashrimp

Member
so for this tank it controls it self like i dont need to buy heaters or anything..and where can i get one send me the link at my email evilzone2@gmail.com and the live stock thats rocks right and sand??alos how do i set up the rocks.do i put them in before i have water or do i have to like put on gloves and put them in the tank with the water. all i have ever set up before has been a freshwater tank so im kinda lost
 

seannmelly

Active Member
Originally Posted by bubashrimp
so for this tank it controls it self like i dont need to buy heaters or anything..and where can i get one send me the link at my email evilzone2@gmail.com and the live stock thats rocks right and sand??alos how do i set up the rocks.do i put them in before i have water or do i have to like put on gloves and put them in the tank with the water. all i have ever set up before has been a freshwater tank so im kinda lost
email sent hope it helps on ur discission
 

pallan

Member
heres a 6 gallon and a 12 gallon nanocube
cant post links to other sites here
but pics came from a place you already know.
 

seannmelly

Active Member
Originally Posted by bubashrimp
wtf i swear i just seen pallan post a pic on here wierd
the link i gave you is the link to view the aquapod w/ specs and everything. they aren't that uncommon but we just started carrying them. totally self contained. i tried helpin
 
Top