Charity Case

[nanoid]

Well not really. (i know this post may seem out of place but in the end it will make sence)

About 4 years ago i became fascinated with this hobby. I researched for about a year before I decided that i would go with a fresh water planted 15g setup to get my feet wet with aquariums. After 4 years my tank as been extremely successful and can't wait to get into a salt water nano.

Here is my plan natural filter nano reef: (please feel free to critique, keep in mind cost is of the essence)
-15g 24x12x12 w glass cover
-Lunar Aqua lights Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights 24" 2x65w
-Aqua clear Mini (during cycle period)
-Power head or two
-10lb premium figi small size live rock. (30 lb total goal see below)
-10lb 30# Aragamax oolitic sand (new) + (5lb live sand see below)
-testing supplies ($ouch)
-I do not plan on skimming and i will be using distilled water mixed with seachem reef salt (do you like this salt mix?)

eventual live stock
clean up crew
some corals (not sure which yet but i have time!)
2 clowns (not sure which type yet) and a Anemone (probably bouble tip)
more corals

Now for the charity request: (I?m so pathetic)

I have been so impressed with how nice every one here is so i thought i would ask for some help; my wife will kill me if i spend all this money on this stuff.

I could use some live rock, live sand, and eventually some coral frags. I know i should have more like 30 lb of LR to make a good natural filter and i know bio diversity is extremely helpful. I will need the live sand to seed the bed. The above list maxes my budget so if i could get some help to make up the difference that would be so amazing. If anybody is taking down a tank in the near future or what ever and want to donate your live rock/sand. I am not in a huge rush so i can wait for the gifts even if they are down the road a little. or if 20 people could spare 1lb of rock (within a few week of eachother) that could do it too.

Looking for:
1)20lbs live rock:
since i am going to get the 10lbs premium rock all i really need is 10lb base rock and 10lb of good bio rich rock to make my 30.
2) 5 lbs live sand (i could always get a 10 lb bag of Natures Ocean if I have too but is it any good?)
3) After cycle, some coral frags to get me going and to see how they do before i go spending money.
4) if anybody could spare some cleanup crew members when the time comes that would be great too.

Thanks in advance for any offers. I would be forever grateful.

Or if anybody has cheap sources for stuff on my list let me know.

Even of this does not work out i still say that you are some of the nicest people i have seen in any forum. BTY i am in NYC. and can pick up.


-The Nanoid

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Welcome to MR. Guys sell things here dirt cheap, that should help you out.

 

[barebucta]

yea like Chief said, keep your eyes open :bigeyes2:. Although freebies may occasionally come, all would agree that this is def not a poor mans hobby. I've skipped/missed meals and broke plans many a times to do fish related stuff. That's why I'm always in the :dog: house. If you want to save a bundle, try and buy someones setup who's either moving/leaving/or upgrading. you'll save a ton of $$ and can still take the misses out to keep her quiet.

 

[inkblue]

loTs of saLes here... looK around, coZ unLess peePs know yoU, i dont tHink they'LL be lining uP to giVe yoU stuFF.

sorry to bE bLunt, but true :happysad:

 

[cali_reef]

Don't start the tank unless you think you can afford it in the long run..

Your tank will cost more than you think to run with your plan of using bottle distilled water and electricity for lights, pump, heater, etc....

 

[nanoid]

lets get serious

I have been running a planted tank with filter and 96 whats of light and buying plants and what not (and paying nyc taxes and parking at the same time) Its not that i cant afford to run the tank its just the initial set up fee. So when my wife says how much did you spend on that crap i can say only $400 or so in stead of $1,200. and thats before fish and the other good stuff. So when she comes home from shoping with a pocktbook and pair of shoes for $800 i can still freak out that she just spent $800. If i blow $1200 on a fish tank i loose my credibility.

Just looking to shave a little of the start up ya know. If i had a tank running with 30-100 lbs or live rock and 60lb of live sand and someone wnated to get into the hobby i would say "swing by our next event and im sure a few of us will bring a rock and a pinch of sand for ya." Well that was after i saw people giving away all kinds of stuff here.

It was just a thouht, i'll probaly wind up just buying the whole 30lbs of rock and the additional sand and i'll go slow with stocking it. Maybe i will even get lucky and find someone selling some cheap.

Any body know of any good deals on live rock?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Listen if my wife paid 200 for a pair of shoes they would be out the front door with her, back to the store and getting MY money back, If she paid 800 she'd just be out. I'd have the shoes and I'd go get MY money back! 800 more to spend on the tank

We all are in the same boat here, yeah people give stuff away here but most stuff is sold here at way cheaper prices than the stores. People sometimes throw in free stuff on trades so keep that in mind too. Thee is a Freebie thread in the for sale forum and we do come to eachothers aid with free stuff when tragedy occurs.

Wanna get serious, I'll get serious, Welcome to MR hope you get out as much as you need to have a great tank and hope you have fun doing it.

 

[nanoid]

thanks chief. I'll keep searching for deals. Just thought i would give begging a try.

 

[barebucta]

Listen if my wife paid 200 for a pair of shoes they would be out the front door with her, back to the store and getting MY money back, If she paid 800 she'd just be out. I'd have the shoes and I'd go get MY money back! 800 more to spend on the tank

Damn Chief, you run a tight ship...:lol2: lol

 

[LeslieS]

So when she comes home from shoping with a pocktbook and pair of shoes for $800 i can still freak out that she just spent $800

Nanoid!

If she paid 800 she'd just be out

Cheif!

I can handle all the other guy talk, but when you start talking about limiting a girls shoe budget...

Jking

 

[inkblue]

:theyareon

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Nanoid!




Cheif!

I can handle all the other guy talk, but when you start talking about limiting a girls shoe budget...

Jking

Hmm, I wonder why is it like this. I used to have a girl friend who makes more than me in a show. She makes couple thousand singing couple songs while I run and manage the whole show for only couple hundred dollars and at the end of the night, I still pay the bill for dinner. I just wonder where does the girl's money go-really to all beauty stuff? Leslis, you got to tell us this secret.:biggrin: :kiss:

 

[LeslieS]

I still pay the bill for din

W - you need to find a girl who can afford shoes and dinner

 

[LeslieS]

:flirt: