Hi everyone, I've always wanted a reef/fish aquarium and I'm finally in the position to have one. There is really only one store here that specializes in this. Can you tell me if this price I have is resonable? 180 gallon tank, oak cabinat and valance. Lights, trickle filter, skimmer, UV, 10 gal complete hospital tank along with the aragonite and 180 pounds of live rock (its ten bucks a pound here) Basically everything I will need to start..right down to the fish net. He will come out and set it up as well. The total price is $7,000. Canadian dollars. Thanks ahead of time. Oh, also is there a chat line that is good for people who are starting out and need to learn? thanks again. Lynn
Just starting out...I think!
- Thread starter Lynn
- Start date
Absolutely not.
If this LFS is trying to sell you all this stuff he is not an expert.
Seriously Lynn spend a lot of time reading the stuff on this and other boards BEFORE you buy. Ask lots of questions here.Get some good books.
Than you will know exactly what you need and you can order specifically the equipment recommended rather than what he is pushing on you most of which is not necessary.
If you are from Calgary there are reefers on this board that probably will be more than happy to help you with your purchase.
This hobby takes patience. Take this advice. You will not regret it and it will save you lots of money.
If this LFS is trying to sell you all this stuff he is not an expert.
Seriously Lynn spend a lot of time reading the stuff on this and other boards BEFORE you buy. Ask lots of questions here.Get some good books.
Than you will know exactly what you need and you can order specifically the equipment recommended rather than what he is pushing on you most of which is not necessary.
If you are from Calgary there are reefers on this board that probably will be more than happy to help you with your purchase.
This hobby takes patience. Take this advice. You will not regret it and it will save you lots of money.
Lynn,
The first think I have to ask you is what exactly do you want to keep in your tank. Do you want a reef tank or a fish only tank. The lighting is very different for each of these tanks. So if you are going to keep a reef tank, then your lighting has to be intense, You also didn't mention a sump. This is another very important part of a reef tank. It would house your heater, protein skimmer and it is a good place to dose the chemicals that all reefs need, not to mention topping off the system. Actually a sump is good for either system because it will add extra oxygen to the water. UV's don't go on a reef tank. Live sand bed about 4" is good for the system, not crushed coral. If you are to have live rock and live sand, you won't need a trickle filter. There are several books on the market that are good, one of my favorite is Robert Fenner's the consceintous Aquariust. Get it and read read read. He goes over all the different types of tanks and covers all the equipment. His book is like a guide telling you what each piece of equipment does and doesn't do. Then when you are ready, he even tells you what fish will work in what system. It's like a beginers bible IMO.
Tracey
The first think I have to ask you is what exactly do you want to keep in your tank. Do you want a reef tank or a fish only tank. The lighting is very different for each of these tanks. So if you are going to keep a reef tank, then your lighting has to be intense, You also didn't mention a sump. This is another very important part of a reef tank. It would house your heater, protein skimmer and it is a good place to dose the chemicals that all reefs need, not to mention topping off the system. Actually a sump is good for either system because it will add extra oxygen to the water. UV's don't go on a reef tank. Live sand bed about 4" is good for the system, not crushed coral. If you are to have live rock and live sand, you won't need a trickle filter. There are several books on the market that are good, one of my favorite is Robert Fenner's the consceintous Aquariust. Get it and read read read. He goes over all the different types of tanks and covers all the equipment. His book is like a guide telling you what each piece of equipment does and doesn't do. Then when you are ready, he even tells you what fish will work in what system. It's like a beginers bible IMO.
Tracey
I don't know how I ever can figure this all out...I'm having a hard time figuring this board posting thing out!!LOL OK, I want a reef/fish tank. That would include the sump etc. I don't have the sheet with me right now that tells the spec's on on the equipment. Actually my husband and I have read a fair amount about this, but to be honest the actual pumps, lights, filters etc interest me very little. What I've been reading about and am very interested in is the invert
s and fish etc. I'll post all the spec's on Monday. Also I'm thinking that I should be changed 10% or so of the water every week. We are on a acreage and have well water..which of course I would never use, but that means bringing in jugs of distilled water??? how does everyone do this?? there's got to be a easier way?? thanks
s and fish etc. I'll post all the spec's on Monday. Also I'm thinking that I should be changed 10% or so of the water every week. We are on a acreage and have well water..which of course I would never use, but that means bringing in jugs of distilled water??? how does everyone do this?? there's got to be a easier way?? thanks
Lights may not interest you but they are the most important piece of equipment in keeping some coral.
If you don't take the time to set up your system properly your tank will end up a looking horrible.
We are not talking about a piece of furniture here we are talking about looking after some of God's creatures under our care.
If you don't take the time to set up your system properly your tank will end up a looking horrible.
We are not talking about a piece of furniture here we are talking about looking after some of God's creatures under our care.
Lynn,
A couple of things:
1. Go very slow.
2. Read a good book before you start. Tullock's Natural Reef Aquariums is excellent
3. Lighting and those other things that "don't interest you much" will make or break your tank. Lighting is the single-most decision to make in setting up your tank. It will be critical that you pick right the first time or you will be spending big $$ for nothing. Plan on about $1000 canadian for lights. Check out this link:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PA&Category_Code=Lighting
4. Are you or your husband handy? Does he do any woodworking? If so, you can save literally thousands of dollars. He could make you a stand, a hood for your lighting and a sump easily with standard wood working tools.
5. On water, you will probably want an RO/DI unit. Some people in this hobby use well water, but I would have it tested before I used it.
6. A 10% water change weekly is probably too much. A monthly water change of 15-20% is probably sufficient depending on bio-load.
7. A sand bed is a must in my opinion. You will probably want a bit more than 180 lbs eventually.
8. Is the tank reef-ready? What brand is it? Is there a warantee? Does it have overflows?
I have a 180 gallon and I have about $2500 US invested and I have built my own stand, hood and sump. I would be glad to share any of my personal experiences with you. Keep in mind that the items mentioned in the package deal are just the tip of the iceberg as far as costs are concerned. I think you could get a better deal if you bought the things seperately, and you would also learn more (which is critical in this hobby) in the process.
Ernie
A couple of things:
1. Go very slow.
2. Read a good book before you start. Tullock's Natural Reef Aquariums is excellent
3. Lighting and those other things that "don't interest you much" will make or break your tank. Lighting is the single-most decision to make in setting up your tank. It will be critical that you pick right the first time or you will be spending big $$ for nothing. Plan on about $1000 canadian for lights. Check out this link:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PA&Category_Code=Lighting
4. Are you or your husband handy? Does he do any woodworking? If so, you can save literally thousands of dollars. He could make you a stand, a hood for your lighting and a sump easily with standard wood working tools.
5. On water, you will probably want an RO/DI unit. Some people in this hobby use well water, but I would have it tested before I used it.
6. A 10% water change weekly is probably too much. A monthly water change of 15-20% is probably sufficient depending on bio-load.
7. A sand bed is a must in my opinion. You will probably want a bit more than 180 lbs eventually.
8. Is the tank reef-ready? What brand is it? Is there a warantee? Does it have overflows?
I have a 180 gallon and I have about $2500 US invested and I have built my own stand, hood and sump. I would be glad to share any of my personal experiences with you. Keep in mind that the items mentioned in the package deal are just the tip of the iceberg as far as costs are concerned. I think you could get a better deal if you bought the things seperately, and you would also learn more (which is critical in this hobby) in the process.
Ernie
Thanks everyone. We have been reading up on this for awhile, and get the magazines every month etc. It's just seems that everyone has their own opinion on whats best to use and it gets confusing. The owner of this store is saying that I do not need live sand..only live rock, some books say the same. He says I can go with the new 10k compact lights. According to the website you just sent me to read, it sounds like this is OK too. We don't mind paying for the right stuff and are not looking for a cheap way to do so, we just don't want to be paying way too much. We have nothing really to compare it to except petstore's like PJ's which are a lot higher priced. Once this is set up we wont be adding anthing for approximetely 3 mmonths. thanks Lynn
You can go without sand if you have a protein skimmer, it's called the berlin method. You just need lots of rock.
As far as the costs, You'd need to detail everything it included. I would tend to agree with people so far, though, and say that you'd probably end up having to replace some of it with better stuff, so it may not be much of a deal....
As far as the costs, You'd need to detail everything it included. I would tend to agree with people so far, though, and say that you'd probably end up having to replace some of it with better stuff, so it may not be much of a deal....
First rule of reefing. Do not trust the LFS. Their business is to sell you stuff. Sorry for being so candid. I just want you to avoid the learning curve.
Although there are differing opinions on this board everyone has your interest in mind. Choose the one you feel comfortable with, but the experience is here both for equipment and livestock.
Do a search on this board for all the questions you have and ask questions. We love to help.
Buy and read the books recommended on this thread before your purchase. Don't rush into this hobby.
Although there are differing opinions on this board everyone has your interest in mind. Choose the one you feel comfortable with, but the experience is here both for equipment and livestock.
Do a search on this board for all the questions you have and ask questions. We love to help.
Buy and read the books recommended on this thread before your purchase. Don't rush into this hobby.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote
Sheesh.....
Make that don't trust every LFS. Or don't trust someone just because they work at an LFS. Granted their job is to "sell you stuff" but a good LFS also wants you to be successful. The goal is to make a regular customer out of you and in order for that to happen you must trust them.
So the first rule of reefing is "find a LFS you trust."
Glenn
[ November 10, 2001: Message edited by: Rover ]</p>
Sheesh.....
Make that don't trust every LFS. Or don't trust someone just because they work at an LFS. Granted their job is to "sell you stuff" but a good LFS also wants you to be successful. The goal is to make a regular customer out of you and in order for that to happen you must trust them.
So the first rule of reefing is "find a LFS you trust."
Glenn
[ November 10, 2001: Message edited by: Rover ]</p>
Hey Lynn,
First I've read of your post, and welcome to the board! It's a GREAT resource! It's JUST as valuable as ANY book you can buy! Lots of experts here, and all are more than willing to help!
Where are you, and who are you dealing with?
Like Naesco says, patience is KEY, and going slow will ultimately benefit your corals and/or fish.
I've got a friend with well water in Strathmore, and the excess minerals are staining all his plumbing fixtures pretty bad. Water quality is a huge issue here because of the runoff water from the rockies.
Email me privately, and I'll be more than happy to help!
I know reefers in Edmonton, GP, and here in Calgary that would be more than happy to help as well.
Mitch
First I've read of your post, and welcome to the board! It's a GREAT resource! It's JUST as valuable as ANY book you can buy! Lots of experts here, and all are more than willing to help!
Where are you, and who are you dealing with?
Like Naesco says, patience is KEY, and going slow will ultimately benefit your corals and/or fish.
I've got a friend with well water in Strathmore, and the excess minerals are staining all his plumbing fixtures pretty bad. Water quality is a huge issue here because of the runoff water from the rockies.
Email me privately, and I'll be more than happy to help!
I know reefers in Edmonton, GP, and here in Calgary that would be more than happy to help as well.
Mitch
Just a word of warning. The ability to buy the best of the best from the beginning in now way guarantees success. Your sports car anaolgy really isn't a good one. To make it more accurate, you are buying your sports car piece by piece so it is essential to know what makes it drive in order to get the end result you are looking for. What I usually reccommend people who have the money to do everything at once is to go buy a current book (or borrow one.) Not only will it have good information but it will have lots of pictures so you can find out what you like window shopping if you will. Decide what you want to keep, fish-wise, invert-wise, and so on. Build the thing on paper first. Draw pictures, have a plan. Follow the reccommendations of others on equipment who have tanks similar to what you want once you know basically what you want to be able to keep. And then you build it piece by piece. Similar to building a house.
Good luck.
Glenn
Good luck.
Glenn
Hmmm. PC lights. I have them on my 58 gal and wish I had gone the way of MH lighting. I think there are some real benefits to MH, plus they just plain look better. If you want to go the way of SPS corals and clams, I'd go for MH lights to start with. For fish w/live rock, some soft corals and LPS corals and a couple of clams, you could do PC lights, but I think they may limit any future aspirations and you may well end up buying them later. I'll be setting up a 125 soon and will definitely follow the route of MH lighting. My PC lights will go toward a simple fresh water planted aquarium.
~t
~t
Hi Lynn,
Circa is a reefer in Edmonton that is on this board, but I don't know how to look up his email here. I'll go through my own email files and email it to you. A while ago he was looking for Edmonton reefers, too, and was in the process of setting up a nice system as well.
You will have mail soon.
Mitch
Circa is a reefer in Edmonton that is on this board, but I don't know how to look up his email here. I'll go through my own email files and email it to you. A while ago he was looking for Edmonton reefers, too, and was in the process of setting up a nice system as well.
You will have mail soon.
Mitch
If you mean that Power Compacts, then they WILL NOT be enough for a tank as deep as yours. With power compacts, you will not be able to keep clams, anemones, nor the more colorful SPS type corals. You will only be able to keep very low-light corals. Trust me, once you see a couple of clams, you will want them!
Can you tell us more about the lighting? How many bulbs, how many watts? What kind of skimmer?
On the sand, I would highly recommend 4-6" deep sand bed. If you decide to add it later, it will be so much work. (see this thread: http://www.reefs.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=029053
I know that there are many opinions out there. There are some people who run without a skimmer, for example. Most people on this board use a good skimmer, and most use a DSB (Deep Sand Bed.) You don't need to use all live sand. If you use fine, aragonite sand and put a thin layer of live sand on top then the sand will seed itself in time.
I know that this is tough, and that you are excited about getting your tank. It is very exciting. We are trying to save you alot of trouble, money and heartache when thigs don't go exactly as advertised.
I think that Glenn would agree with this statement: "Don't blindly trust everything that your LFS (or anyone for that matter) says about reefkeeping. Learn about it for yourself."
I will also tell you straight up that if you get the tank before your first book on reefkeeping (magazines don't count) then you are doomed for failure.
Good luck. Give us a more complete list and we will give you more input. Maybe your LFS can swap some things for you.
[ November 10, 2001: Message edited by: esmithiii ]</p>
Can you tell us more about the lighting? How many bulbs, how many watts? What kind of skimmer?
On the sand, I would highly recommend 4-6" deep sand bed. If you decide to add it later, it will be so much work. (see this thread: http://www.reefs.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=029053
I know that there are many opinions out there. There are some people who run without a skimmer, for example. Most people on this board use a good skimmer, and most use a DSB (Deep Sand Bed.) You don't need to use all live sand. If you use fine, aragonite sand and put a thin layer of live sand on top then the sand will seed itself in time.
I know that this is tough, and that you are excited about getting your tank. It is very exciting. We are trying to save you alot of trouble, money and heartache when thigs don't go exactly as advertised.
I think that Glenn would agree with this statement: "Don't blindly trust everything that your LFS (or anyone for that matter) says about reefkeeping. Learn about it for yourself."
I will also tell you straight up that if you get the tank before your first book on reefkeeping (magazines don't count) then you are doomed for failure.
Good luck. Give us a more complete list and we will give you more input. Maybe your LFS can swap some things for you.
[ November 10, 2001: Message edited by: esmithiii ]</p>
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr> I think that Glenn would agree with this statement: "Don't blindly trust everything that your LFS (or anyone for that matter) says about reefkeeping. Learn about it for yourself."
<hr></blockquote>
Bingo.
<hr></blockquote>
Bingo.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Lynn:
<strong>Actually my husband and I have read a fair amount about this, but to be honest the actual pumps, lights, filters etc interest me very little.</strong><hr></blockquote>
They may not directly interest you but pumps, lights, filters, etc... are necessities that support all of that interesting stuff going on in your tank and should spark your interest as such. Having good reliable equipment is an absolute MUST. There's a lot of junk equipment out there, some snake oil too. I've bought some of it. It's either in the garbage or sitting in my closet 'cause I spent to much on it to just throw it out. (I'm sure my fiance will help me throw it out before we move)
You must learn about the equipment so you can choose it properly and match it to the type of aquarium you want to keep.
Read this board. Lots of people have made mistakes and posted them on this board so you won't follow in your footsteps.
Read alot. Then read some more. There's lots of knowlege to be learned. You'll be learning about chemistry, biology, eco-systems, and even a little physics. That's one of the best things about this hobby.
Good luck and enjoy this hobby. It's fantastic!
~Todd
<strong>Actually my husband and I have read a fair amount about this, but to be honest the actual pumps, lights, filters etc interest me very little.</strong><hr></blockquote>
They may not directly interest you but pumps, lights, filters, etc... are necessities that support all of that interesting stuff going on in your tank and should spark your interest as such. Having good reliable equipment is an absolute MUST. There's a lot of junk equipment out there, some snake oil too. I've bought some of it. It's either in the garbage or sitting in my closet 'cause I spent to much on it to just throw it out. (I'm sure my fiance will help me throw it out before we move)
Read this board. Lots of people have made mistakes and posted them on this board so you won't follow in your footsteps.
Read alot. Then read some more. There's lots of knowlege to be learned. You'll be learning about chemistry, biology, eco-systems, and even a little physics. That's one of the best things about this hobby.
Good luck and enjoy this hobby. It's fantastic!
~Todd
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