Back to Reefing after 2 yrs...need help setting up ultra low end system!!!

jcardona · 01/22/2013, 01:53 PM

I moved to Florida from PR about 2 years ago. I had a successful 72 gal. corner system with 125# of Caribbean live rock, Aqua C Remora Skimmer and 250W MH. I spent about $1800 on my setup and had to sell for about $650.00.

I want to start a very modest system (not much money currently to spare as I have not sold my house in PR yet) and need help choosing the right components. I am currently looking at a 46G Bowfrom Marineland Tank and Stand.

For Live rock I am considering starting with a combo box of 40# dry rock and 10# of premium live to cut down costs. I may considering getting again an Aqua C Remora Skimmer unless a better option is suggested.

Fish/LR were more affordable in PR for what I've seen so far so I hope I can use your experience to successfully setup an "affordable" new tank.

Cymonous · 01/22/2013, 02:16 PM

I think it all depends on what you are going to put in your tank. Are you going with just a FOWLR or Reef tank?

Lain · 01/22/2013, 02:19 PM

Have you consider purchasing a complete system from someone dropping out of the hobby? That could be reasonable option.

jcardona · 01/22/2013, 02:28 PM

No. I was planning to start from scratch as I only have about $600.00 to spare. I want to start with FOWLR and upgrade to Reef in a couple of years. The system I am getting has a LED lamp with moonlight LEDs but will not be sufficient to support even soft corasl...i think. I need to start slow with a system appealing to my wife and work my way through. She really liked the LEDs.

Charley Diesing · 01/22/2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardona

No. I was planning to start from scratch as I only have about $600.00 to spare. I want to start with FOWLR and upgrade to Reef in a couple of years. The system I am getting has a LED lamp with moonlight LEDs but will not be sufficient to support even soft corasl...i think. I need to start slow with a system appealing to my wife and work my way through. She really liked the LEDs.

Remember if you sold $1800 dollars worth of equipment for $600. You could also buy something similar for the same price. Seriously think about buying used. My biggest regret... There are so many awesome deals out there. I bought SWC 160 skimmer($300 new) for $75. I bought MP10($285 new) for $120.

Both have been working awesome for over a year and a half now.

I wish I would have bought more used. Remember Craiglist is a barting website. I'll you got to do is post an offer. Worst case scenerio, they say no. :P Most people want to get rid of there S**T though.

Goodluck,

Just post an offer. :P

-Charley

jcardona · 01/23/2013, 09:38 AM

Bought a 65 Marineland tank and stand yesterday...It so happens that my rented house living room is too small and it looks very crowded. My wife is not happy...so I just returned it.

My only option is to go nano. Just checked an IM nano cube - 8 gal. It an all integrated system and I will spend a lot less. I am getting a deal of nano cube and stand for $200.00. I will get to have frags and a couple of fish in a small setting that will look very elegant in my livin groom and hopefully will not have to spend thousands. This will keep me going until I buy a house. Definitively will plan for space for a big tank by then.

Any suggestions for nano cube fish and frags....?

jcardona · 01/23/2013, 09:44 AM

Bought a 65 Marineland tank and stand yesterday...It so happens that my rented house living room is too small and it looks very crowded. My wife is not happy...so I just returned it.

My only option is to go nano. Just checked an IM nano cube - 8 gal. It an all integrated system and I will spend a lot less. I am getting a deal of nano cube and stand for $200.00. I will get to have frags and a couple of fish in a small setting that will look very elegant in my livin groom and hopefully will not have to spend thousands. This will keep me going until I buy a house. Definitively will plan for space for a big tank by then.

Any suggestions for nano cube fish and frags....?

RickReef28 · 01/23/2013, 11:56 AM

I would go with the 24 gallon nano made by Coralife. Its about 250.00 but you can find some used on ebay ect. I currently have a 6 gallon nano in my son's room and its a pain. I have a 50 gallon cube in my living room. Small tanks require lots of maintenance to keep the water params stable if you plan on keeping corals. My 6 gallon only has a Yellow watchman Goby and a Emerald Crab. In a 8 gallon Nano you can really only keep 1 fish and a crab or so (and your limited to Goby's for the most part and NOT a mandarin). As far as coral goes depending on the lighting you will only be able to keep LPS and soft coral. If you opt for the 24 gallon coralife it comes stock with decent T5 lights that you can keep decent LPS and soft corals as well as perhaps a clown pair or a few nice small fish. just my .02

01/22/2013, 01:53 PM	#1
jcardona Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Miramar, Florida Posts: 243	Back to Reefing after 2 yrs...need help setting up ultra low end system!!! I moved to Florida from PR about 2 years ago. I had a successful 72 gal. corner system with 125# of Caribbean live rock, Aqua C Remora Skimmer and 250W MH. I spent about $1800 on my setup and had to sell for about $650.00. I want to start a very modest system (not much money currently to spare as I have not sold my house in PR yet) and need help choosing the right components. I am currently looking at a 46G Bowfrom Marineland Tank and Stand. For Live rock I am considering starting with a combo box of 40# dry rock and 10# of premium live to cut down costs. I may considering getting again an Aqua C Remora Skimmer unless a better option is suggested. Fish/LR were more affordable in PR for what I've seen so far so I hope I can use your experience to successfully setup an "affordable" new tank.

01/22/2013, 02:16 PM	#2
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	I think it all depends on what you are going to put in your tank. Are you going with just a FOWLR or Reef tank? __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

01/22/2013, 02:19 PM	#3
Lain Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 51	Have you consider purchasing a complete system from someone dropping out of the hobby? That could be reasonable option.

01/22/2013, 02:28 PM	#4
jcardona Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Miramar, Florida Posts: 243	No. I was planning to start from scratch as I only have about $600.00 to spare. I want to start with FOWLR and upgrade to Reef in a couple of years. The system I am getting has a LED lamp with moonlight LEDs but will not be sufficient to support even soft corasl...i think. I need to start slow with a system appealing to my wife and work my way through. She really liked the LEDs.

01/23/2013, 09:38 AM	#6
jcardona Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Miramar, Florida Posts: 243	Bought a 65 Marineland tank and stand yesterday...It so happens that my rented house living room is too small and it looks very crowded. My wife is not happy...so I just returned it. My only option is to go nano. Just checked an IM nano cube - 8 gal. It an all integrated system and I will spend a lot less. I am getting a deal of nano cube and stand for $200.00. I will get to have frags and a couple of fish in a small setting that will look very elegant in my livin groom and hopefully will not have to spend thousands. This will keep me going until I buy a house. Definitively will plan for space for a big tank by then. Any suggestions for nano cube fish and frags....?

01/23/2013, 09:44 AM	#7
jcardona Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Miramar, Florida Posts: 243	Bought a 65 Marineland tank and stand yesterday...It so happens that my rented house living room is too small and it looks very crowded. My wife is not happy...so I just returned it. My only option is to go nano. Just checked an IM nano cube - 8 gal. It an all integrated system and I will spend a lot less. I am getting a deal of nano cube and stand for $200.00. I will get to have frags and a couple of fish in a small setting that will look very elegant in my livin groom and hopefully will not have to spend thousands. This will keep me going until I buy a house. Definitively will plan for space for a big tank by then. Any suggestions for nano cube fish and frags....?

01/23/2013, 11:56 AM	#8
RickReef28 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 147	I would go with the 24 gallon nano made by Coralife. Its about 250.00 but you can find some used on ebay ect. I currently have a 6 gallon nano in my son's room and its a pain. I have a 50 gallon cube in my living room. Small tanks require lots of maintenance to keep the water params stable if you plan on keeping corals. My 6 gallon only has a Yellow watchman Goby and a Emerald Crab. In a 8 gallon Nano you can really only keep 1 fish and a crab or so (and your limited to Goby's for the most part and NOT a mandarin). As far as coral goes depending on the lighting you will only be able to keep LPS and soft coral. If you opt for the 24 gallon coralife it comes stock with decent T5 lights that you can keep decent LPS and soft corals as well as perhaps a clown pair or a few nice small fish. just my .02