What to do?

[Guest sUPERIDE]

I am on the fence about what type of reef tank to get. I spent about 4-5 hours at Congresional today debating between a All-in-one tank and one where you peice it all togeather. What do you guys think is best for noob?

[jamesbuf]

Don't buy an all in one. Its better to buy the separate quality parts. Spend $20 to become a member and get access to all the incredible deals on used equipment on the For Sale threads here on wamas. My first purchase on the boards was a $600 skimmer for only $200. I made my $20 back 20 fold on my first purchase. I just bought a $700 light setup for $300. Needless to say, a wamas membership would be a good start. There's a reason why hundreds of people continue to spend $20 a year for membership. Plus there's a bunch of other fish geeks on here to learn from and get to know.

[Guest sUPERIDE]

Here is what I was looking at Red Sea Max Reef System? It just seems like it would make things easier?

[Rascal]

I am on the fence about what type of reef tank to get. I spent about 4-5 hours at Congresional today debating between a All-in-one tank and one where you peice it all togeather. What do you guys think is best for noob?

 

Piece it all together. Best advice I could give you as a noob is to look around a bit more before you buy anything. Check out Scales & Aquarium One in MD; Fins&Feathers, Blue Ribbon Koi, and MarineScene in Virginia. Lots of knowledgeable folks at all those stores who can give you sound advice on a good set-up, depending on your budget.

[jamesbuf]

Another really close store is Aquarium One. Its right down the road from Congressional, and they blow congressional's prices away, sometimes being close to half what Congressional charges. Plus they will match internet pricing!!!! I haven't gone to Congressional in months.

[Guest sUPERIDE]

Aquarium One, do they have a web site? I cant seem to find them on google?

[jamesbuf]

http://rockvilleliving.com/pet_supplies

 

They also offer a 10% to WAMAS members who show a membership card.

 

They are in the shopping center with the Dunkin Donuts and the Boston Market on Rockville Pike. The mini mall next to the VW dealership. Even if you want the Red Sea system, I guarantee that they will beat Congressional's price.

[Guest sUPERIDE]

Thank you very much, I will be going there tomarow morning!

[treesprite]

It's Wintergreen Plaza, a couple miles north of Congressional on the same side. It's next to the Bloom grocery store.

[zotzer]

I had fully planned to do an all-in-one. A Finnex system that had both a refugium and a skimmer with it (RSM has neither, and those were what I really wanted for a reef tank). I joined WAMAS, found some great deals, and did a morph.

 

I created kind of my own all-in-one....a 46g, with a HOB refugium and a HOB skimmer. I'm delighted with the results...much happier than I probably would have been with the 30g Finnex system.

 

The cubes like RSM look cool, but I think that living with the tank, you see the fish more (and they are happier) with the extra swimming room.

 

That said, I *did* just buy a nano (all-in-one), and it's been fun setting it up and picking out teeny tiny fish to put in it.

 

Good luck, and join WAMAS, whatever you do!!!

Tracy

[Guest sUPERIDE]

I just joined, so I guess I have to wait untill the mods let me into the other forums for members?

[jamesbuf]

I just joined, so I guess I have to wait untill the mods let me into the other forums for members?

 

yeah, it usually takes around a day or so.

[YBeNormal]

I just joined, so I guess I have to wait untill the mods let me into the other forums for members?

 

Done. WELCOME TO WAMAS!!!

[jamesbuf]

Welcome

 

Not to bad of a turn around. I waited for 2 days.

[jason the filter freak]

WELCOME TO WAMAS!

[treesprite]

Welcome

 

Not to bad of a turn around. I waited for 2 days.

 

 

i waited I think even more than a week

[YBeNormal]

I try to process applications as fast as possible and I'm sure Howard did the same when he held this position. Like all other WAMAS officers though, Membership Directors are volunteers and do the job in their free time. When you have a full time job, a family, reef and FW tanks, dogs and other pets and at least one or two other hobbies, spare time is often difficult to come by. We do our best though!

[smarsh97]

I wouldn't go with a all in one either, but the Red Sea Max does have a skimmer.

 

Those Finnex tanks look nice. I loved the one they had set up at MACNA.

 

Sandy

[Guest sUPERIDE]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome!!! I hope to start putting togeather my tank in the next week or so. I just have some freshwater stuff I need to sell or trade first.