Tank size?

[Iconz]

sweet rhapala, i was reading your "wanna be a saltwater...." thread earlier today. I took some notes from it! Good luck to ya! Yeah, I'm tryin to get my wife in on it. She's a photographer, so I sold her on "being able to take pictures of it"... It worked pretty well. We'll see how it goes. Mind if I ask how much that 75 gal set u back? I understand if ya do. I'm tryin to also get an idea of how much $$ I'll be spending on just getting started. Heh.

[Iconz]

Just an idea to help you decide what size tank you might want- have you thought about the types of fish you may want to keep? That can really help point you in the right direction when deciding on a tank size...

Well, I think you can add butterfiles to the list. They're compatabile w/ clowns, and very vibrant (which is really what I'm looking for). I want a very vibrantly colored tank when its all said and done. Any other sugguestions for me fish wise?

[RHAPALA]

WELL THE WHOLE SET UP TANK STAND HEATERS , FILTER, 30 LBS OF SUGAR SIZED ARAGAMAX THAT SET UP AROUND 478.00 THAT DONT INCLUDE THE REST OF THE ITEMS I NEED TO PICK UP SKIMMER SUMP PUMP MORE LIVE ROCK WHOSET UP IBELIVE IS ABOUT 800.00 NOT MIND YA YA DONT NEED TO GET IT ALL AT ONCE

[Iconz]

Sweet! Thanks Rhapala! BTW, Check out my other thread I've kinda got going under the References and Articles Forum. I found what I think may be a good guide that I posted a link to in there. I'm waiting from some verification from the community here on that though. Its very detailed and looks credible, but what do I know?

http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=3976

[Fatman]

If you know your size (75) which is a good size ( i wish I would have done that) then you should already start planning on paper what you need to set up. That way your cycle (where bacteria is created and amonia and nitrites usually spike), will not seem so long. Start looking on good deals on a

Tank
Stand (unless your a handy man and can make one).
Sump/Refuium
Skimmer
Live rock around 60 to 75 lbs (everyone has their opinion on this).
Plumbing and Pump for your tank. (I personally like the MAG Drive pumps)
Live Sand (Research Deep Sand Bed, Shallow Sand Bed, and No Sand Bed)

And If Im missing anything anyone else will chip in.

[jojo22]

If your doing a sump/refuge (which I suggest) read everything you can on plumbing then ask all the questions you need to before you start. And yes there will be questions no matter how much you read so feel more than free to ask.

[Iconz]

If you know your size (75) which is a good size ( i wish I would have done that) then you should already start planning on paper what you need to set up. That way your cycle (where bacteria is created and amonia and nitrites usually spike), will not seem so long. Start looking on good deals on a

Tank
Stand (unless your a handy man and can make one).
Sump/Refuium
Skimmer
Live rock around 60 to 75 lbs (everyone has their opinion on this).
Plumbing and Pump for your tank. (I personally like the MAG Drive pumps)
Live Sand (Research Deep Sand Bed, Shallow Sand Bed, and No Sand Bed)

And If Im missing anything anyone else will chip in.

K, what would you consider a deal on a tank? And, also, are there different "grades" quality? I know some people say don't use anything below All-Glass. While others say "just don't get tempered (b/c of drilling)".

Do you order them online? Do you buy them at your LFS? Is there a problem with buying a used one? Do you all make them yourselves?

I'll make my own stand, that won't be an issue. I'm pretty crafty.

[Fatman]

Theres two types of tanks acrylic and glass.

Nearly all glass tanks are tempered at the bottom (for improved strength) so thats why they normally come pre-drilled.
Acrylic is more expensive and I honestly have little experience and knowledge on it.

Its possible to make your own glass or acrylic aquarium but from what i understand its tough.

I bought mine at a local pet store, that had good deals on them. Local Fish stores will usually be a bit more expensive for hardware.

I see no problem in buying a used tank as long as its cleaned extremely well (depending what was in it before) and it has no cracks.

Heres also a good thread from Reef Central on starting up a tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=912378

[Iconz]

great! thanks again

edit: by the way, i'll be going w/ glass on the tank.

[Iconz]

Alright, Next question... Is it possible to build my stand to where it holds all of my other tanks inside it? Sump, refuge, skimmer, and QT? Also, what size of each will be the least that I will need? Does tank shape matter on these?

Thx.
-Iconz