questions about what and where I should purchase items

[forcefedcobra]

I just purchased a 75 gallon tank for my office. Currently I have some fish in my fiances tank that I will move over. The new tank will come with pretty much everything so I am looking to find out what some of you think I will need.

The tank will come with the light, filter, crushed coral mixed with sand, all the testing stuff, powerhead, and stand.

I am looking to purchase live rock but my local place costs 8 bucks a pound and its not that great. I am wanting to purchase enough rock for my tank and some extra for my fiances tank. I can cure it all in my new tank before I have to worry about my fish since they are already taken care of.

Where should I look for the best prices and best rock? Also is there anything else you guys suggest that I get before I get this thing started?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Brandon

 

[forcefedcobra]

Nobody can help me???????????

 

[Len]

Sorry. I'll move this to the New Reefkeepers forum for you where I promise you you'll get helpful responses. I'll try to chime in later when I have the time as well

FYI: The forum you originally posted in is designed for www.advancedaquarist.com article discussions ... specifically the "Reefkeeping Basics" column.

Oh, and ...

 

[Anonymous]

I just purchased a 75 gallon tank for my office. Currently I have some fish in my fiances tank that I will move over. The new tank will come with pretty much everything so I am looking to find out what some of you think I will need.

The tank will come with the light, filter, crushed coral mixed with sand, all the testing stuff, powerhead, and stand.

I am looking to purchase live rock but my local place costs 8 bucks a pound and its not that great. I am wanting to purchase enough rock for my tank and some extra for my fiances tank. I can cure it all in my new tank before I have to worry about my fish since they are already taken care of.

Where should I look for the best prices and best rock? Also is there anything else you guys suggest that I get before I get this thing started?

Brandon

I'll start the ball rolling for you, but I can't tell you where to purchase items, sorry.
We need more info.
Is this going to be FO ( fish only ) or Reef ( corals etc. )?
What type of filtration?
What size powerhead? I think you'll need more than one.
What type of test kits?
Does it include a hygrometer?
Does it include a heater?
What type of lighting?

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[forcefedcobra]

Fish only. I will be putting my medium sized lionfish, medium porcupine puffer, juvenile panther grouper, and medium snowflake eel. With them out of my fiances tank she will be making a reef.

The tank came with an emperor hang on filter, 400w heat?, coral-life 40w light. I am getting ready to purchase two penguin powerheads, timed for day/night power strip (since this is going to be in my office). It does have a hydrometer. We also have testing kits (not sure what kind) from my fiances tank. We have had good luck on her tank during the last year but I still want to make sure that I have everything ready and good to go.

I also plan on getting a skimmer so I am trying to research that as much as possible.

Thanks for your help.

Brandon

 

[Len]

I've purchased live rock from Marine Depot (www.marinedepot.com), Harbor Aquatics (now closed), FFexpress (now Live Aquaria), and Jeff's Exotic fish (www.exoticfish.com), and they've all been great. Prices are all comparable, so really, I'd pick the place closest to you. Premium Aquatics may be your best bet (click on our sponsors page for a link to their online store).

 

[Anonymous]

Whew, that's a BIG bioload. Just make sure as your system gets up and running you do your water changes religiously. Also, I'd really oversize the skimmer. For a 75 loaded that heavily, I'd look for a skimmer rated up to like a 250 gal tank.

I agree with Len about the rock--Premium Aquatics is local to me, so I go there in person a few times a year. They're great people do deal with, and their rock is very high quality. Another place you might check is Harbor Aquatics. They're the only place better than Premium that I've found. Again, great people to deal with, and their rock is absolutely loaded with life.

Cheers, and keep the questions coming!

 

[ChrisRD]

Just FYI, Harbor Aquatics is closed now (Len mentioned that above). From their site:

As of June 7th, 2004, Harbor Aquatics will close its doors forever.

 

[forcefedcobra]

Ok. I think I have decided to get rock from aquacon along with a cleaner crew from them. Any input on them? For the cost (shipping) they seem to be pretty fair. I dont have the ability to travel to Dallas to pick up an order of critters/rock and that seems to be the only airport that I can have items shipped to. Aquacon says they will pay shipping to overnight the items to my office??????

Are there any skimmers that you guys suggest for my tank? What about powerheads? I have been looking at rotating heads so I can get a better coverage on the tank. 2 powerheads????

As for the bioload is there anything other than a large skimmer that would help?

Thanks for all the help so far. You guys and gals are GREAT!!!

B

 

[Anonymous]

Just FYI, Harbor Aquatics is closed now (Len mentioned that above). From their site:

As of June 7th, 2004, Harbor Aquatics will close its doors forever.

Ahh, I didn't notice that when I read Len's post. Wow, that really sucks! Anybody know why they shut down?

 

[forcefedcobra]

I spoke with my LFS today and this is what he suggested to me. One 300 GPH power head since my tank is not very long, a seaclone protein skimmer, and a UV sterilizer.

I told him about the cleaner crew I was looking at on the net and he told me that I should split that between my tank and my fainces tank.
150 total hermits, snails, and some emerald crabs.

He said my lightning should be fine unless I decide to put some anemone or mushrooms in.

What do you guys think?

 

[Arch01]

I'd say the only reason he recommended a seaclone skimmer is because it is the only thing he has in stock. You would regret having bought it, IMO. If you decide to buy rock online, I would definitely look at buying a skimmer online first. I would recommend looking at Premium Aquatics or MarineDepot for a skimmer. Are you planning on having a sump where you can put a skimmer?
_________________
gremlin pics

 

[forcefedcobra]

Actually he didnt have any in at the time. They get them in and then they are out the door.

I dont plan on having a sump at this time.

I will check those other places for a skimmer. I have looked at the live rock on both places. My only problem is I cant travel to Dallas to pick up rock at the airport (5 hour drive there) and the cost at most places to ship to my door make it way more expensive than paying $8 a pound at my LFS.

Thanks for the help!

B