mylady
Member
Our trip to petsmart for catfood today turned into quite the all day affair. When we walked in we had no idea they were running a huge sale on their 56 gallon tanks! We saw at the first one the tank and then saw that the tank and stand were marked down to a mere $199. But the tank and stand they had there, the stand had a lot of knicks and dings in it. Plus they didn't have the cat food I needed, so off to the next petsmart (which had the cat food) we go. They had the cat food, but not the tank and stand, but called another petsmart not too far away and they had just put a brand new one up and on the floor, so on the the next one. Phew, now hubby has his tank. It's not the 60 gallon cube, bit it's not a 4 foot long tank either, it's only 30"x18"x24" so it will fit where we need it to. So then we started looking for everything else that needs to go in it. Off to the LFS to get some prices and shop around. Wow, their sump was $400 and had bio balls which hubby didn't want. He and I started talking. Told him he either had to wait a bit longer to get what he wanted or we had to go a cheaper route which made him start thinking of a canister filter. I am the shopper in the family. I refuse to pay full price for anything. So I got online and started searching. Found a brand new acrylic sump, refugium, with all the baffles, tubing, pumps, even lighting for only $187 and $20 shipping. So, after he looked and gave the okay (since as I said before I want little to do with the tank set up and maintenance) I ordered that. He doesn't think the pump will be strong enough to use as a return pump but will be perfect for the protein skimmer. See, I'm not cheap, just frugal and I will search until I find what I want at the best price. My husband on the other hand likes to get in and out and not waste too much time on the search, so tends to pay full retail. The LFS has a cherry canopy that is the exact right size for our tank on clearance for $60 which he told me is a steal. our stand is black but I told him I can paint it. He found an easy to do lighting retrofit kit (though I have yet to search myself to find the best price) but it's something he's confident he can do.
Now, our argument on the RODI unit. He told me before we can get the water at Walmart and our Walmart is right around the corner, so yes, I told him I thought that was the way to go. If anyone can tell me a reason why this would be detrimental, please speak now or forever hold your peace! I believe he said the water there is RO but not DI.
So, we have the tank and stand ($200) the sump/refugium/pump/light is on it's way ($205 with shipping) and we are going to order the two powerheads, the heaters, the CPR overflow and the retrofit lights, probably tonight since he can't wait. I guess there goes the new stove I was going to buy tomorrow. But he is going to be able to get started on this and it has become such a passion for him, how could I tell him to wait any longer?
I appreciate all the wonderful advice so many of you have taken the time to give about setting up this new tank and getting started. I am sure we will be continuing to post many questions as we continue this journey.
Oh, one more question. Do you perform water changes while the tank is cycling in the first 4-6 weeks?
Now, our argument on the RODI unit. He told me before we can get the water at Walmart and our Walmart is right around the corner, so yes, I told him I thought that was the way to go. If anyone can tell me a reason why this would be detrimental, please speak now or forever hold your peace! I believe he said the water there is RO but not DI.
So, we have the tank and stand ($200) the sump/refugium/pump/light is on it's way ($205 with shipping) and we are going to order the two powerheads, the heaters, the CPR overflow and the retrofit lights, probably tonight since he can't wait. I guess there goes the new stove I was going to buy tomorrow. But he is going to be able to get started on this and it has become such a passion for him, how could I tell him to wait any longer?
I appreciate all the wonderful advice so many of you have taken the time to give about setting up this new tank and getting started. I am sure we will be continuing to post many questions as we continue this journey.
Oh, one more question. Do you perform water changes while the tank is cycling in the first 4-6 weeks?
