Just started what direction should I go?

Mocular · 01/28/2014, 08:39 PM

So i am looking at a budget of about $1800. I want to do things right what direction should I go? I have read quite a bit into the forums and have a feel for what I need but just wanted some input on what others thought I could do with that amount.

Maxxumless · 01/28/2014, 09:20 PM

A good way to start is make a spreadsheet and begin budgeting out everything. Don't buy anything which hasn't been tried, tested, and trusted by many users here. Most of the waste that occur is when people jump on 'deals' which turn out bad investments. Pick the equipment that fifty people say is great and avoid the one only a few people agree on. If you have to spend a little more to get a better skimmer, save for another month to get it.

Check out craigslist for 'reef ready' (aka drilled) aquariums in the 30-60 gallon range. Make sure to check on prices online before doing so and always test these aquariums at the sellers house (fill them up and check all seams over thirty or so minutes). Check for scratches, nicks, & cracks and don't forget the stand. You can save a huge amount of money buying used. Learn how to make your own sump (it's extremely simple) - it will save you a couple hundred bucks. Don't skimp on your skimmer. There are basically three classes; for lightly stocked tanks, medium stocked, and heavily stocked. A 60g tank with three or four fish, a dozen medium to large corals, and dozens of snails, for example, would do just fine with a SC Aquariums SCA-302 from eBay ($135). However, if you have 5-7 small to medium fish with 40+ other invertebrates and corals, a Reef Octopus Classic 110 ($225) would be a better choice.

If you want to keep SPS (very hard) in the future, make sure you get the equipment that you'll need in the future instead of double purchasing down the road.

Mocular · 01/28/2014, 09:40 PM

Do you think it would be a good to try and go larger? like 90 or 100? and save up for a bigger budget? Time isn't really a factor I can wait longer if the results are better.

Silvergryphon · 01/28/2014, 09:53 PM

Bigger is always better if you have the room for it!

ReneeF · 01/28/2014, 10:29 PM

The list of items in the post I just posted cost $550. Would have liked a larger tank, but my budget was $1000-$1500. There is a great 50 g marine land rimless tank for $500 with stand included at my LFS, but adding all the extras made it push my budget a bit too much. There was also a used 30g Nuvo at the store which tempted me like crazy. What are you looking to have as far as corals/fish? Sometimes there's great deals at the fish store.

Mocular · 01/28/2014, 10:44 PM

Honestly I would be happy with a few soft corals and maybe LPS. As far as fish I am easy to please clowns and maybe a tang of some sort. My local fish store guy says that he can special order a with predrilled overflows for a reasonable price, but I didn't get a brand or firm price from him.

ReneeF · 01/28/2014, 11:00 PM

Totally up to you, but if I could afford a hhhuuuggeee tank and had the space, I'd do it. I really wish I had a sump/Refugium already and my tanks not even delivered. As Silver said, bigger is always better! Doesn't sound like the corals you need are gonna kill your light budget. I was recommended reefbreeders LED which looks awesome for $179. If you get a rimless there's tank mounts on eBay for $45 (I personally don't want to deal with hanging things from my ceiling) that should probably work for the light.

01/28/2014, 08:39 PM	#1
Mocular Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 10	Just started what direction should I go? So i am looking at a budget of about $1800. I want to do things right what direction should I go? I have read quite a bit into the forums and have a feel for what I need but just wanted some input on what others thought I could do with that amount.

01/28/2014, 09:40 PM	#3
Mocular Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 10	Do you think it would be a good to try and go larger? like 90 or 100? and save up for a bigger budget? Time isn't really a factor I can wait longer if the results are better. Last edited by Mocular; 01/28/2014 at 10:16 PM.

01/28/2014, 09:20 PM	#2
Maxxumless To the Max... Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,364	A good way to start is make a spreadsheet and begin budgeting out everything. Don't buy anything which hasn't been tried, tested, and trusted by many users here. Most of the waste that occur is when people jump on 'deals' which turn out bad investments. Pick the equipment that fifty people say is great and avoid the one only a few people agree on. If you have to spend a little more to get a better skimmer, save for another month to get it. Check out craigslist for 'reef ready' (aka drilled) aquariums in the 30-60 gallon range. Make sure to check on prices online before doing so and always test these aquariums at the sellers house (fill them up and check all seams over thirty or so minutes). Check for scratches, nicks, & cracks and don't forget the stand. You can save a huge amount of money buying used. Learn how to make your own sump (it's extremely simple) - it will save you a couple hundred bucks. Don't skimp on your skimmer. There are basically three classes; for lightly stocked tanks, medium stocked, and heavily stocked. A 60g tank with three or four fish, a dozen medium to large corals, and dozens of snails, for example, would do just fine with a SC Aquariums SCA-302 from eBay ($135). However, if you have 5-7 small to medium fish with 40+ other invertebrates and corals, a Reef Octopus Classic 110 ($225) would be a better choice. If you want to keep SPS (very hard) in the future, make sure you get the equipment that you'll need in the future instead of double purchasing down the road.

01/28/2014, 09:53 PM	#4
Silvergryphon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 540	Bigger is always better if you have the room for it!

01/28/2014, 10:29 PM	#5
ReneeF Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Boise Posts: 155	The list of items in the post I just posted cost $550. Would have liked a larger tank, but my budget was $1000-$1500. There is a great 50 g marine land rimless tank for $500 with stand included at my LFS, but adding all the extras made it push my budget a bit too much. There was also a used 30g Nuvo at the store which tempted me like crazy. What are you looking to have as far as corals/fish? Sometimes there's great deals at the fish store.

01/28/2014, 10:44 PM	#6
Mocular Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 10	Honestly I would be happy with a few soft corals and maybe LPS. As far as fish I am easy to please clowns and maybe a tang of some sort. My local fish store guy says that he can special order a with predrilled overflows for a reasonable price, but I didn't get a brand or firm price from him.

01/28/2014, 11:00 PM	#7
ReneeF Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Boise Posts: 155	Totally up to you, but if I could afford a hhhuuuggeee tank and had the space, I'd do it. I really wish I had a sump/Refugium already and my tanks not even delivered. As Silver said, bigger is always better! Doesn't sound like the corals you need are gonna kill your light budget. I was recommended reefbreeders LED which looks awesome for $179. If you get a rimless there's tank mounts on eBay for $45 (I personally don't want to deal with hanging things from my ceiling) that should probably work for the light.