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marine tank advice


arly

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Yup...the best places to go for marine stuff in chch would be Petworld, Organism and Redwood... I got my marine setup for around $600... got it 2nd hand.... just to start learning... it is only a small 3 ft tank.... i think it is better to start learning at a smaller scale...rather than spending $5000 on your first marine tank...and learning from that....would be very expensive....

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$600 for a marine tank??

I think my plumbing cost more than that.

my view is if you cant afford it , don’t try to attempt the marine hobby as I cant see the point of experimenting on the coral/fish as they are delicate and most reefs are already being destroyed by the yanks as they get everything so cheap and just replace the stock when they die.

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My personal costs..... tank $750 steep i know but a new crnr bowfront!

stand $800.. custom jobby,lighting $1100 and i shopped around,skimmer a NECCESITY $1200, test kits $160 minimum, pumps to run the shebang $500, sand$60, chiller a luxury $1200, heaters $120,live rock $$$$$$$, corals & fish $$$$$$ there are lots of little bits & bobs you need but some things you MUST have ....a damn good skimmer is one. Live rock works as a filter way better than a trickle filter, i,m sure you culd buy a lot of s/h stuff but it's still a pricey hobby. Good luck.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I agree its expensive if you want to keep inverts, but fish only is about 2/3 cheapers.

Its an awesome hobby, but if you can't afford it don't do it. You may loose everything you put into it. I am not rich, but when I decided to 'take the plunge' I did some because I wanted a successful tank. I have yet to prucahse something I haven't needed, I am avoiding gimicks etc.

I have been extremely lucky as I've met a few people who have been very generous with there time and helped me source a lot of stuff cheaper than if I was paying full retail. But even then it is expesnive. But if you can afford to do it, you should, its the best thing I have ever done. I like my reef so much I am in the middle of breaking down my freshwater, the reef is so much more satasifing.

I hate to talk about costs but this will give you an idea... I have purchased as much 2nd hand as I can, but have refused to skimp on anything. Most people I have spoken to, who have done things on a tight budget have found it a very unsussessful hobby, and they have wasted what money they have put into it.

COSTS APPROX:

1x Deltec Skimmer ($900)

2x 250 Watt Metal Halides (150 watt would have also been 'OK') $900

4x 5ft Tubes - I want for T5s here, better value for the long term $760

1x 700ltr Tank - DIY $550.

1x DIY Tank Stand $250

PLUMMING incl taps, returns, SCWDs etc $400

4x Pumps (1x return, 3x closed loops of circulation) $1000

Timers and extension cords etc $150

2x 300 Watt heaters $Free had them

1x 160ltr 3ft tank for sump $free had it

105kg+ Live rock $1050

Coral Sand $120

Testkits, Kalkwasser, Coral food, phos killer, etc $400+

RO & DI unit for freshwater top off $650

I have so far spent over $1500 on stock, and would no dobut spend more if I could find stuff, but anyone whos in Wellington knows there is nothing here.

I have photos of the tank for anyone interested and anyone in or around Wellington that wants to startup or advice I would help you if I can.

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