Hit the jack on Craigslist!

TempestGod · 05/03/2016, 11:19 PM

It would seem I will be starting my tank up a lot sooner than I initially thought. I managed to find someone who was selling a 33 gallon Bowfront aquarium, stand, sump, and 2 lighting fixtures. This person was selling all this for only $200. I will be starting the cycle this weekend and planning what I want to stock it with. Still cant believe how lucky I am to find all this stuff for so cheap on Craigslist.

I would love some suggestions on what to keep in my new tank. I do want it to be a reef tank. Not going to go with any hard corals, as i just dont have the experience to do so.

Xxero · 05/04/2016, 04:45 AM

Congrats! Just make sure to look over every square inch of the tank, stand, lights, equipment, etc. for any damage or oddities. I would even ask to see it hold water before I drive away with anything.

GL!

wnehez · 05/04/2016, 05:03 AM

+1 on seeing it hold water. Its a great deal but water damage to your house could really jack up the actual cost of the tank. Be smart. Play it safe. Enjoy your new purchase! And get ready to want to upgrade to a 220 gallon! LOL.

FullBoreReefer · 05/04/2016, 05:16 AM

Some get lucky some dont. I've concluded Craigslist has turned into where others dump their junk, hopefully this isn't the case. Since ebay and paypal are alittle stricter this leaves Craigslist to be the new dump site.

Hopefully you luck out...

kmbyrnes · 05/04/2016, 05:46 AM

I am also a CL winner.
All 3 of my tanks were purchased there.
Careful inspection before purchase and proper testing once you get the items home are required, but you can certainly save big $$ if you are patient and careful

mandarin_goby · 05/04/2016, 06:52 AM

I just got a 75 gallon with stand/canopy, sump and skimmer for $150...I'm with you, it's very exciting.

I recommend a pistol shrimp/goby pair - they're fascinating to watch, I love mine. Also, mushrooms and leathers are easy corals, but stay away from xenia. Sure, it looks cool, pulsing and waving, but it WILL spread like wildfire - I fell into the trap when I 1st started. I have had luck with my green star polyps - they've stayed on one rock, but others have had issues with it spreading...they are easy to keep though.

Congrats and welcome!

ScienceRulez · 05/04/2016, 07:01 AM

If one is patient, CL can be a fantastic resource. People forget that it was like that as well back when the classifieds was the only way to sell used stuff.
CL potentially just gives the seller a world wide audience essentially for free.

Just be careful and good luck with your score!

FullBoreReefer · 05/04/2016, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

I am also a CL winner.
All 3 of my tanks were purchased there.
Careful inspection before purchase and proper testing once you get the items home are required, but you can certainly save big $$ if you are patient and careful

I suggest water testing at the sellers home. Because once it's yours...it's yours.

TempestGod · 05/04/2016, 01:36 PM

Sorry for not responding at all. Just woke up not too long ago. Tested all the lights and whatnot, but not the tank. Even if the tank does end up leaking, the 200 was more then worth it for the other equipment. I am super excited to get the tank starting to cycle this weekend. Been doing so much research on what to get. I think i am really starting to annoy my co-workers with all my talk about marine fish.

BrandonFlorida · 05/04/2016, 01:42 PM

What ever you do be patient and research before you buy. Many mistakes in the hobby can cost you in the long run.. Glad you found a tank you love.

Maybe you can get your co workers to jump in the hobby then you can make group buys lol

TempestGod · 05/04/2016, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonFlorida

What ever you do be patient and research before you buy. Many mistakes in the hobby can cost you in the long run.. Glad you found a tank you love.

Maybe you can get your co workers to jump in the hobby then you can make group buys lol

Actually, one of them wants to start a reef tank as well. I will be doing plenty of research over the next few weeks while the tank cycles. I also made up an excel spreadsheet to track and graph all the parameters i will be measuring. I have been doing freshwater planted tanks for a while so that gives me a little experience in tanks and such.

Mark9 · 05/04/2016, 07:54 PM

Hit the jack?

TempestGod · 05/04/2016, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark9

Hit the jack?

I did not even notice that until you pointed it out. Was supposed to say Jackpot. Hell, my mind just kept seeing "jackpot"

jalisco · 05/05/2016, 12:15 AM

I thought it was a spin off of Ball'n the Jack!

OrQidz · 05/05/2016, 01:03 AM

what kind of lights are they? That will be important for what corals you keep. Have fun setting up the tank. It's very addicting!

Cool_fish · 05/05/2016, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandarin_goby

I just got a 75 gallon with stand/canopy, sump and skimmer for $150...I'm with you, it's very exciting.

I recommend a pistol shrimp/goby pair - they're fascinating to watch, I love mine. Also, mushrooms and leathers are easy corals, but stay away from xenia. Sure, it looks cool, pulsing and waving, but it WILL spread like wildfire - I fell into the trap when I 1st started. I have had luck with my green star polyps - they've stayed on one rock, but others have had issues with it spreading...they are easy to keep though.

Congrats and welcome!

Do you have any pics of the pistol shrimp and goby? I got my 55 gal setup from a neighbor, who was about to put it all on CL but I took everything off his hands for $200. Everything was mucked up but I almost have it cleaned after soaking everything for days. Anyway, I would love to see pics of your pair, and is this something you can pick up as a pair?

fishgate · 05/05/2016, 08:09 AM

I have hit the jackpot several times on FreeCycle. The key is to look for aquariums that come with fish and explain to the owner how you will take care of the fish and not to concentrate on any of the tank parts. But now I am looking to give away some stuff as I have accumulated quite a bit!

mandarin_goby · 05/05/2016, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool_fish

Do you have any pics of the pistol shrimp and goby? I got my 55 gal setup from a neighbor, who was about to put it all on CL but I took everything off his hands for $200. Everything was mucked up but I almost have it cleaned after soaking everything for days. Anyway, I would love to see pics of your pair, and is this something you can pick up as a pair?

I'll see if I can get a good pic at feeding time! Some stores do sell them as a pair. I bought mine separately and crossed my fingers, thankfully my hi-fin goby found the pistol with no issues.

JeffyT · 05/05/2016, 11:15 AM

You'll see lots of people tell you to take your time, and you need to take this advice along with all the salt available in the ocean!

Do your research as a beginner. If done properly and patiently you have about from 3 to 8 weeks to fully cycle a tank. During that time, learn about your equipment, or plan out future purchases. Lights and live stock, proper filtration. You don't need to have everything, you just need to have the right things for what you are trying to do.

Avoid purchases that you think you will upgrade real fast, selling old equipment is a lot more daunting than just posting on the forums.

Water chemistry is basically the game here. Whatever you do you want to obtain pristine water conditions for your fish or coral. They are after all living organisms. You wouldn't want to be constantly breathing in smoggy air from Los Angeles Highways or Beijing, don't subject your fish to a stressful life.

From my experience, taking these precautions will greatly lead you down a path where you don't have to restart your tank. Well established tanks take time, but you can destroy it in an instant. Even something as simple as having fish or clean up crew dying and decaying in your sandbed can cause unnoticeable problems.

Last but not least, have fun! just don't check your bank statements.

Cool_fish · 05/05/2016, 01:37 PM

That is the coolest thing! I wanted to google them again and this time hit the pistol shrimp and goby link that came up.... I had no idea they actually had a symbiotic relationship.... I gotta have these in my tank! Did you say they were hard to keep? I am a total noob!

TempestGod · 05/05/2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrQidz

what kind of lights are they? That will be important for what corals you keep. Have fun setting up the tank. It's very addicting!

It i got 2 fixtures. One of them is the Coralife Lunar Aqualight High Output T5 Quad Lamp Fixture.

http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqual...+FIXTURE+36%22

I will be going to my LFS on Saturday to get all the stuff i need to start cycling. Will probably spend a bunch of time there as well talking with people. I am in no hurry to get this setup. Well that's a lie, i want it to get setup ASAP but am going to do the proper thing and wait the amount of time needed.

TempestGod · 05/05/2016, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffyT

You'll see lots of people tell you to take your time, and you need to take this advice along with all the salt available in the ocean!

Do your research as a beginner. If done properly and patiently you have about from 3 to 8 weeks to fully cycle a tank. During that time, learn about your equipment, or plan out future purchases. Lights and live stock, proper filtration. You don't need to have everything, you just need to have the right things for what you are trying to do.

Avoid purchases that you think you will upgrade real fast, selling old equipment is a lot more daunting than just posting on the forums.

Water chemistry is basically the game here. Whatever you do you want to obtain pristine water conditions for your fish or coral. They are after all living organisms. You wouldn't want to be constantly breathing in smoggy air from Los Angeles Highways or Beijing, don't subject your fish to a stressful life.

From my experience, taking these precautions will greatly lead you down a path where you don't have to restart your tank. Well established tanks take time, but you can destroy it in an instant. Even something as simple as having fish or clean up crew dying and decaying in your sandbed can cause unnoticeable problems.

Last but not least, have fun! just don't check your bank statements.

I am going to be real anal about my water parameters. Like I said earlier in the thread, I made an Excel spreadsheet to track and graph all my parameters. I also have been watching my bank statements, but only because i worked 16 hours this last period and its going all towards the tank. I still need to pickup an RO unit as well.

mcgyvr · 05/05/2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TempestGod

I did not even notice that until you pointed it out. Was supposed to say Jackpot. Hell, my mind just kept seeing "jackpot"

Someone stole your "pot" man

mandarin_goby · 05/05/2016, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool_fish

That is the coolest thing! I wanted to google them again and this time hit the pistol shrimp and goby link that came up.... I had no idea they actually had a symbiotic relationship.... I gotta have these in my tank! Did you say they were hard to keep? I am a total noob!

They're super easy, at least mine are. My goby eats anything and I'll drop pellets in front of the cave for the pistol to grab.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TempestGod

It i got 2 fixtures. One of them is the Coralife Lunar Aqualight High Output T5 Quad Lamp Fixture.

http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqual...+FIXTURE+36%22

I will be going to my LFS on Saturday to get all the stuff i need to start cycling. Will probably spend a bunch of time there as well talking with people. I am in no hurry to get this setup. Well that's a lie, i want it to get setup ASAP but am going to do the proper thing and wait the amount of time needed.

What kind of bulbs are in there? ATI are amazing. I had the crappiest Odyssea fixture but the ATI bulbs made the corals really thrive. The favorite types seem to be the Blue Plus and Coral Plus for a mix that'll make your coral colors really pop.

TempestGod · 05/05/2016, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandarin_goby

What kind of bulbs are in there? ATI are amazing. I had the crappiest Odyssea fixture but the ATI bulbs made the corals really thrive. The favorite types seem to be the Blue Plus and Coral Plus for a mix that'll make your coral colors really pop.

I am not entirely sure what bulbs are in there. I am not sure how long that the guy i bought them from had them in so i planned on buying new ones when I visited my LFS this weekend. Ill look into those bulbs, thanks for the tips!

05/03/2016, 11:19 PM	#1
TempestGod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 27	Hit the jack on Craigslist! It would seem I will be starting my tank up a lot sooner than I initially thought. I managed to find someone who was selling a 33 gallon Bowfront aquarium, stand, sump, and 2 lighting fixtures. This person was selling all this for only $200. I will be starting the cycle this weekend and planning what I want to stock it with. Still cant believe how lucky I am to find all this stuff for so cheap on Craigslist. I would love some suggestions on what to keep in my new tank. I do want it to be a reef tank. Not going to go with any hard corals, as i just dont have the experience to do so.

05/04/2016, 04:45 AM	#2
Xxero Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 1,054	Congrats! Just make sure to look over every square inch of the tank, stand, lights, equipment, etc. for any damage or oddities. I would even ask to see it hold water before I drive away with anything. GL! __________________ "You Can Lead A Gift Horse To Water... But You Can't Make Him Look In Your Mouth." Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef Display - 15g Macro Algae/Refugium - 40b Sump

05/04/2016, 05:16 AM	#4
FullBoreReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 1,862	Some get lucky some dont. I've concluded Craigslist has turned into where others dump their junk, hopefully this isn't the case. Since ebay and paypal are alittle stricter this leaves Craigslist to be the new dump site. Hopefully you luck out... __________________ 60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016.

05/04/2016, 05:46 AM	#5
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I am also a CL winner. All 3 of my tanks were purchased there. Careful inspection before purchase and proper testing once you get the items home are required, but you can certainly save big $$ if you are patient and careful __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

05/04/2016, 06:52 AM	#6
mandarin_goby Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 844	I just got a 75 gallon with stand/canopy, sump and skimmer for $150...I'm with you, it's very exciting. I recommend a pistol shrimp/goby pair - they're fascinating to watch, I love mine. Also, mushrooms and leathers are easy corals, but stay away from xenia. Sure, it looks cool, pulsing and waving, but it WILL spread like wildfire - I fell into the trap when I 1st started. I have had luck with my green star polyps - they've stayed on one rock, but others have had issues with it spreading...they are easy to keep though. Congrats and welcome! __________________ 75 with Eshopps 100 sump, Reef Octopus 110 SSS skimmer, Sicce 3.0 pump, Maxspect Gyre 130, 2 x Kessil a360W, mangroves plus clip-on bulb in sump 75 FW planted with CO2, 12 gallon cherry shrimp tank

05/04/2016, 05:03 AM	#3
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	+1 on seeing it hold water. Its a great deal but water damage to your house could really jack up the actual cost of the tank. Be smart. Play it safe. Enjoy your new purchase! And get ready to want to upgrade to a 220 gallon! LOL.

05/04/2016, 07:01 AM	#7
ScienceRulez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Allentown PA Posts: 286	If one is patient, CL can be a fantastic resource. People forget that it was like that as well back when the classifieds was the only way to sell used stuff. CL potentially just gives the seller a world wide audience essentially for free. Just be careful and good luck with your score!

05/04/2016, 01:36 PM	#9
TempestGod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 27	Sorry for not responding at all. Just woke up not too long ago. Tested all the lights and whatnot, but not the tank. Even if the tank does end up leaking, the 200 was more then worth it for the other equipment. I am super excited to get the tank starting to cycle this weekend. Been doing so much research on what to get. I think i am really starting to annoy my co-workers with all my talk about marine fish.

05/04/2016, 01:42 PM	#10
BrandonFlorida Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Port Orange, FL Posts: 637	What ever you do be patient and research before you buy. Many mistakes in the hobby can cost you in the long run.. Glad you found a tank you love. Maybe you can get your co workers to jump in the hobby then you can make group buys lol

05/04/2016, 07:54 PM	#12
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Hit the jack?

05/05/2016, 12:15 AM	#14
jalisco Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bay Area, Peoples Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 325	I thought it was a spin off of Ball'n the Jack!

05/05/2016, 01:03 AM	#15
OrQidz Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 825	what kind of lights are they? That will be important for what corals you keep. Have fun setting up the tank. It's very addicting!

05/05/2016, 08:09 AM	#17
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	I have hit the jackpot several times on FreeCycle. The key is to look for aquariums that come with fish and explain to the owner how you will take care of the fish and not to concentrate on any of the tank parts. But now I am looking to give away some stuff as I have accumulated quite a bit! __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

05/05/2016, 11:15 AM	#19
JeffyT Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 263	You'll see lots of people tell you to take your time, and you need to take this advice along with all the salt available in the ocean! Do your research as a beginner. If done properly and patiently you have about from 3 to 8 weeks to fully cycle a tank. During that time, learn about your equipment, or plan out future purchases. Lights and live stock, proper filtration. You don't need to have everything, you just need to have the right things for what you are trying to do. Avoid purchases that you think you will upgrade real fast, selling old equipment is a lot more daunting than just posting on the forums. Water chemistry is basically the game here. Whatever you do you want to obtain pristine water conditions for your fish or coral. They are after all living organisms. You wouldn't want to be constantly breathing in smoggy air from Los Angeles Highways or Beijing, don't subject your fish to a stressful life. From my experience, taking these precautions will greatly lead you down a path where you don't have to restart your tank. Well established tanks take time, but you can destroy it in an instant. Even something as simple as having fish or clean up crew dying and decaying in your sandbed can cause unnoticeable problems. Last but not least, have fun! just don't check your bank statements. __________________ 30g IM Nuvo - Retired 08/2012-04/2016 It was a very expensive lesson :P Current Project: 20gL JBJ AIO Frag Tank \| Shallow Reef Livestock : 3 Clown Fish, Rose BTA, Flame Shrimp Current Tank Info: 20gL JBJ Shallow Reef

05/05/2016, 01:37 PM	#20
Cool_fish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 49	That is the coolest thing! I wanted to google them again and this time hit the pistol shrimp and goby link that came up.... I had no idea they actually had a symbiotic relationship.... I gotta have these in my tank! Did you say they were hard to keep? I am a total noob!