First tank?

WyoRich · 08/10/2016, 04:21 PM

I've wanted a salt water tank for the past five years or so. I think I want to go with something around 100 gallon. What tank brands should I be looking at? I'd like to stay under $1,000 for the tank only.

Ron Reefman · 08/10/2016, 04:31 PM

Look here and see if there is a local club in your area.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80

There may be somebody selling a used tank in good shape.

You might also look at Craigslist. There are almost always tanks for sale on there in our area. Just be careful. And insist on a water test or a refund if you find it leaks. If they won't do it, don't buy it.

Most new tanks are pretty safe and you can certainly find them for under $1000. I just bought a CadLight Artisan 125g with a very slick stand, a sump, a pump, a skimmer and an led sump light for $2400 delivered! I think they have a 100g for $2045 and if you don't want the pump or the skimmer they will knock $275 off the price. They have a 92g Versa with a stand and sump for $1299 delivered. They are here: https://www.cadlights.com/index.php?...9563501b2beb02

GimpyFin · 08/10/2016, 04:31 PM

Most of the readily available tanks that you can get from your LFS (Marineland, Aqueon) can easily be had for what you're looking to pay for just the tank (Pre-drilled, reef ready too.) They're not custom high end tanks, but they're pretty decent for what you pay, IMO. I got my Marineland 110g reef ready w/ the glass top for about $550.

WyoRich · 08/10/2016, 06:10 PM

I appreciate the info as I definitely want to get started on this in the next month or so but it's a bit overwhelming!

I really like that 92G Versa tank and it fits my budget.

Do I need a protein skimmer or media reactor? If so, what exactly do those do?

What else would I need in terms of equipment to get this tank up and running?

Tanthaitrung · 08/10/2016, 06:43 PM

Yes, the skimmer is the heart of your system. Depend on what method you will run, I'm running calcium reactor and 2 reactors for biopellet, PO4X4. But now switching to NO3:PO4-X with dosing pump and stop 2 reactors. That means, less electricity bill and more convenient

You can see more:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2593696

Hope these help
Khanh

Defiant Arms · 08/11/2016, 06:58 AM

look up videos on youtube bulk reef supply has several informative videos

SFish · 08/11/2016, 07:02 AM

Welcome to the site and have fun. A 100 is a nice tank to start with.

08/10/2016, 04:21 PM	#1
WyoRich Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 3	First tank? I've wanted a salt water tank for the past five years or so. I think I want to go with something around 100 gallon. What tank brands should I be looking at? I'd like to stay under $1,000 for the tank only.

08/10/2016, 04:31 PM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Look here and see if there is a local club in your area. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80 There may be somebody selling a used tank in good shape. You might also look at Craigslist. There are almost always tanks for sale on there in our area. Just be careful. And insist on a water test or a refund if you find it leaks. If they won't do it, don't buy it. Most new tanks are pretty safe and you can certainly find them for under $1000. I just bought a CadLight Artisan 125g with a very slick stand, a sump, a pump, a skimmer and an led sump light for $2400 delivered! I think they have a 100g for $2045 and if you don't want the pump or the skimmer they will knock $275 off the price. They have a 92g Versa with a stand and sump for $1299 delivered. They are here: https://www.cadlights.com/index.php?...9563501b2beb02 __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/10/2016, 04:31 PM	#3
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	Most of the readily available tanks that you can get from your LFS (Marineland, Aqueon) can easily be had for what you're looking to pay for just the tank (Pre-drilled, reef ready too.) They're not custom high end tanks, but they're pretty decent for what you pay, IMO. I got my Marineland 110g reef ready w/ the glass top for about $550. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 110 gallon

08/10/2016, 06:43 PM	#5
Tanthaitrung Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 565	Yes, the skimmer is the heart of your system. Depend on what method you will run, I'm running calcium reactor and 2 reactors for biopellet, PO4X4. But now switching to NO3:PO4-X with dosing pump and stop 2 reactors. That means, less electricity bill and more convenient You can see more: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2593696 Hope these help Khanh Last edited by Tanthaitrung; 08/10/2016 at 06:49 PM.

08/10/2016, 06:10 PM	#4
WyoRich Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 3	I appreciate the info as I definitely want to get started on this in the next month or so but it's a bit overwhelming! I really like that 92G Versa tank and it fits my budget. Do I need a protein skimmer or media reactor? If so, what exactly do those do? What else would I need in terms of equipment to get this tank up and running?

08/11/2016, 06:58 AM	#6
Defiant Arms Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 39	look up videos on youtube bulk reef supply has several informative videos

08/11/2016, 07:02 AM	#7
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Welcome to the site and have fun. A 100 is a nice tank to start with.