raeh1 Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 This is what I think we should reccomend to get someone started in the hobby. 2 foot tank. (90 litres approx) (can be used as sump if tank upgraded) A hang on the back skimmer (say weir pro 2011) Two via aqua 500 litre an hour pumps. 10-15 kg live rock and 5 kg coral sand A single 150 watt metal halide. (no extra lighting) 20 litre container basic saltwater test kit. 6 kg of salt. 250 watt heater. (no stand as they can sit it on a bench top) Total cost all brand new total approx $750. although if the metal halide was swapped then about $650. The reason I though the components are good is that as per Brianemone's basic old set-up. He could grow all corals including hard ones, had a healthly anemone (now slappers anemone), cheap start-up cost. and alot of parts can be used in an up-grade. Also a great learners tank as it is low maintenance. I invite everyones ideas. The discussion should aim at keeping the set-up simple and under the magic $800 mark. Any equipment sugguestions add a price so we can come to a final starters set-up and price. :lol: I have been thinking about this due to the trouble caused and people being scared off when trying to start a marine aquaium. I guy is coming around to see my tank in the next couple of weeks as he is setting up. and I am going to tell him about the two foot tank idea. Cheers Ru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 magic mark should be under $1k, nice round figure I would suggest 3 foot minimum. 2 foot too small Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostface Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 magic mark should be under $1k, nice round figure I would suggest 3 foot minimum. 2 foot too small yea a 2 footer could get away on you pretty easily... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misnoma Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 I agree, 2 foot is just too small to keep things stable easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speed Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 my tank is 2.5 foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 2' is achievable but really too small for a starter. Brianemone has a lot of experience and knows what to do quickly if theres a problem in his tank. 3' allows a larger margin for error. Plus its a reasonable size to be used as a sump when the starter wants to upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raeh1 Posted April 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Brianemone showed the versitlity of a two footer. I thought that it would make a great sump size. (reckon make a vote.) a. 2 foot. (Standard dimensions 60cm*45cm*40cm) (108 litre) b 3 foot.(Standard dimensions 90cm*45cm*40cm) (162 litre) put a number by your vote. after 20 votes majority rules and we work from there. To the next part of the set-up. My vote is Number 1... (a). Remember the price budget of $750 (so that that with some livestock it will still be under $1,000. Bigger the tank the more other things we have to save on. 3 footer means we have to save $40-50 somewhere else on the set-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelifaxNZ Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Who talks in 2 foot and 3 foots? What's that in centimetres? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelifaxNZ Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 a - if they have a sump. b - without a sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 3 foot, can still get away with single halide etc. just stack rocks up in middle, extra water volume is whats important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 Brianemone showed the versitlity of a two footer. I thought that it would make a great sump size. (reckon make a vote.) a. 2 foot. (Standard dimensions 60cm*45cm*40cm) (108 litre) b 3 foot.(Standard dimensions 90cm*45cm*40cm) (162 litre) put a number by your vote. after 20 votes majority rules and we work from there. To the next part of the set-up. My vote is Number 1... (a). Remember the price budget of $750 (so that that with some livestock it will still be under $1,000. Bigger the tank the more other things we have to save on. 3 footer means we have to save $40-50 somewhere else on the set-up. SORRY - Didnt realise this was going to be a full scale discussion on doing a setup - its been done before and no-one could agree then either. Ultimately there is no such thing as an ideal starter setup because there are too many variables. But if you really MEAN starter then no-one at that stage should consider a 2' tank. Raeh1 - i seem to recall the problems you had with water quality when you first started and that was with a bigger tank wasnt it? Why would you think then that a smaller tank is suitable for a starter ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneo Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 :roll: I dont think people who need to stick to a budget should start a marine tank in the first place, we owe it to the fish and other live stock to have the bigger tanks and better gear. Not a broke mans hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 :roll: I dont think people who need to stick to a budget should start a marine tank in the first place, we owe it to the fish and other live stock to have the bigger tanks and better gear. Not a broke mans hobby. Very good point Shaneo - but again it depends on what you are hoping to do - so many variables again. For example, it costs no more to set up a 3' (sorry to those people who cant convert, thats 914.4mm) tank with canister filtration, and some decorative rocks with a pair of clownfish than it does to set up a tropical freshwater system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneo Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 I have a 4 ft with cannister, but after all the extras I easily spent more than 2 K. I plan to buy a house this year and use 4 ft as sump then there really is no budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneo Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 I have a 2 ft freash tank and it cost me all of 3 spot to set up and stock. ( my pantadon butterfly fish is still my fav. even over marines ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 shaneo - pics dude - where are the pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneo Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 I know, I'm itching to put some up but I have a crappy digi camera and all the pics come out blurry!! I'll keep trying or borrow mates smicky camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 ok at least tease us with a stocklist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneo Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 I have a 4 ft with cannister, hang on skimmer and 2500 lph of water movement. PH = sweet KH = 10 NO3 = 0 NH4 = 0 PO4 = 0 Temp = 27 deg Sal = 1.025 My stocklist isn't huge due to the fact my tank is only 5 mths old but... 1 x Agro yellow tail blue damsel. 1 x red sea sailfin tang 2 x occ. clowns 1 x bangaii cardinal 1 x purple long tentacle anemone xenia polyps star polyps lps octapus & hammer finger leathers toadstool mushies real cool white/green feather dusters Going to get more LPS but not over the top cause planning to buy house this year and then set up 6 footer and use 4 ft for sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquatopia Posted April 7, 2006 Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 sounds great !! apart from the ytd ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.