new to the hobby needs tank and equipment!

[Guest mark1102]

whats up guys? I am moving within 2 months and would like some info if anybody can help me out. I am looking for a saltwater tank new/used preferably long and not as tall. I have a spot in the basement where I will be putting it but I do not have the measurements. I was thinking around 150 or up? Please respond with any info on how I should start off and what kind of tank would be good. I like bowfronts but realize they are more pricey. I have some knowledge of saltwater tanks but could always use more advice. Please email me or respond to this post with any info on finding a tank within 2 months and/or the other necessary equipment. my email is mcomtoisjr@gmail.com

 

thanks wamas!

[lletellier]

150+ is a big starter tank and maybe more than you would want right away... but if you do decide to do a tank that big just make sure you plan ahead!! do a lot of research ahead of time to make it easier and ask a lot of questions!! good luck!

[djcerna]

Mark,

My first bit of advise is to join WAMAS as a paid member, this allows you view the Forum to post for sale and WTB items. Tanks and equipment are posted almost everyday with some giving fellow WAMAS members awesome deals.

Good luck

[jnguyen4007]

Mark,

 

You sure you want to start the hobby with a 150 + gal tank? I'm just now venturing into salt water with a 30 gal tank and a 20 gal sump. Even a small set up like that and with used equipment, it's still a bit expensive. Much more so than with all of my other tropical fish tanks. I'm not saying this to discourage you so please don't get me wrong. Like DJCerna said, you should join WAMAS as a paid member. The $20 you spend for the membership is the best you ever spent. Members here always have something for sale or trade, and a lot of the folks here are highly knowledgeable and be more than willing to help you along the way. Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

James

[Gatortailale]

since you are moving in 2 months - TAKE YOUR TIME buying a system and research - ask questions about difference b/w glass & acrylic, look at vendors websites - all-glass; oceanic; perfecto; miracles in glasss; aquarium obsessed; glass cagesss. Then ask opinions here on what members like about x brand .......

 

Worst thing you can do is buy a bunch of stuff without learning what each product does.

 

size, my first salt water tank was a 125. In some ways, bigger can make easier - more forgiving on errors, but costs more to stock and light.

IF your looking at a 150, be informed you may spend 2,000-3,000 or more on setting up tank and getting some initial stock.

 

Finally know your budget of what you want to spend. You can always look classified ads for next 2 months - some days there are good deals for complete systems.

 

Happy reefing.

[jason the filter freak]

 

Worst thing you can do is buy a bunch of stuff without learning what each product does.

 

Happy reefing.

 

pssshhhhttt says who craig My sequence dart, 6 x 54 T5's, grey seas kalk reactor, Knop Calc reactor, super squirt compact look very nice sitting on the floor of my closet

[rsarvis]

Is it clear this is a starter tank for him? He said he has some saltwater knowledge. Anyway...

 

I started out early this year with a 180, and I love it. It has its plusses and minuses. People told me to get as big a tank as you can afford because a) big tanks are more forgiving (which is true and probably has saved me a couple headaches already), and b) you're going to want upgrade (which is also true, I'd love to have a bigger tank, but there's no way I or my townhouse or my budget could handle anything bigger).\

 

So that advice was good and I'm glad I got what I did. If I have to move anytime soon, though......

 

That being said, it would have been useful for me to start with a smaller tank, mainly so that I would know, when I moved to a bigger tank, how to choose my own gear, used or online, to save money. I bought most of the starting-out stuff new at the LFS (chefthomasr on here was my guide to what to purchase, and he did a great job explaining everything to me), so obviously there's quite a premium over what you can get used on wamas or new online. But on the other hand, I don't regret paying more, because I was reading so much that I was getting overwhelmed and discouraged. I ended up shelling out several thousand dollars to get it all started, but I'm really happy with what I have and I might have just given up if I tried to do it all myself. (Also, I had the LFS's people do the plumbing, 'cause I didn't want to mess that up as a newbie. Now, I think I could do it myself.)

 

Anyway, I agree with the recommendation of joining wamas; as jamesbuf told me, the best $20 you'll spend in the hobby.

 

BTW - someone's selling a 50g for a good price right now. I'd consider checking that out. I thought about it for about 30 seconds, but realized my gf would kill me if I brought home another tank. I already have a 29g and 4 10g's in the garage. 50g is plenty big, to satisfy your instant desire for a significant-size tank; and small enough to be manageable while you learn more and wait for a hot deal on a 210g.

 

150+ is a big starter tank and maybe more than you would want right away... but if you do decide to do a tank that big just make sure you plan ahead!! do a lot of research ahead of time to make it easier and ask a lot of questions!! good luck!

[dschflier]

Well If you are looking at a larger tank and you said you liked the bowfront look, One of my favorite tanks is the 180 bowfront. I am only suggesting this size tank if you think you can offord it. Another beautiful tank is he 90 corner tank. I do think starting off bigger has some bigger problems associated with it but in the long run it is a tank you can stay with for a very long time. Being that you probbably wont be upgrading, in some ways you may be saving money in that you wont have to sell and re-buy everything again.

 

My suggestion would be to first research just the tank stand and where you want it located. I would do that first because I feel that is the easiest part and when members know what they are dealing with they can give you great suggestions on how they would set it up and what equipment they like. This way you could get many ideas and pick peoples brains with out any rush. I see so many people buy very expensive pieces of equipment and then a week later posting it for sale. Take your time and you can really have a great time with the hobby. Good luck

Edited July 19, 2007 by dschflier