Possible new tank - please advise!

[robert_hollis]

Well, I never heard from the guy Thursday or Friday, so I guess that means he decided not to accept my offer. Probably for the best, as I've just spent the last 4hrs (on a friday night no less) looking through reefcentral and other marine websites, and now I'm a little intimidated. Not so much at the thought of trying SW, but at the thought that I'll end up trying to build my own 1000g tank one day like some of the beautiful tank builds I saw online! Sadly, I know I have the skill, but not so much the patience or money for such a project (at least not to do it right)... So, that's my update. At least I saved some money by staying in on a Friday night. meh...

-Rob

[pufferpuggirl]

Hey, well saving money is a GOOD thing, isn't it?

[robert_hollis]

After some chit chat on a local reef club's forum, I decided that a 30g marine tank would be a better starter tank for me than say a 120g one... So, I've been looking around on craigslist and such, when last night I found a 30g with stand, 10g sump, pump, sand, and a small amount of LR (like 5lbs) for $25. No lights, skimmer (they said their skimmer had run dry, and burned itself out), or powerheads, though. I picked it up this afternoon, then went by the store and grabbed some marine salt, and a hydrometer. I figure that's enough of a starting point for the moment. I already happen to have about 10lb of dead rock from a previous tank purchase that I can put in this tank, and I've already got a lead on a used skimmer (Red Sea Prizm PRO Deluxe) which I need to read some reviews on first. Obviously, I need to get more rock, and a powerhead or two (I'm thinking about taking my Koralia out of my 55g puffer tank).

So, that's where I'm at right now. I'm about to clean the tank a little, and rinse the sand that came with it (it isn't live), then set it all up.

Comments? Suggestions? Rants? I've got soap boxes galore for the needy!

-Rob

[ittybittyfishy]

I'm curious why the people at your reef club influenced your decision for a smaller marine tank. I was under the impression that "bigger was better" for the beginner marine keeper, since it would be easier to control water conditions. I've never owned a marine tank, but I would like to have one in the future!

So I'll be stalking your thread, haha.. I dream of a nano marine tank.

And by the way, AWESOME deal for $25!! Jealousy consumes me.

[Pufferpunk]

I agree, you'll outgrow that 30g in a week! Especially if you want to keep corals.

[robert_hollis]

I want FOWLR, and I'm thinking a GSP, or maybe a mantis shrimp. I dunno, though. I'm gonna do the whole LR thing and get it going before I really think on a fish. The only other fish that interest me need huge tanks, and at least this way, when I screw up, I won't decimate a big tank with lots of expensive lifeforms.

Right now, I have the tank cleaned up, and about half full of water with the LR and sand in it. I also painted the back of it black. So, I'm gonna let the powerhead I put in there (from my SAP tank) circulate the water for a day or two.

-Rob

[dab335]

I started out with a 20 gal tank......They are addictive, especially when they have been cycled for a while and there isn't really much up keep to them! I spray painted the backs of my tanks and I think it makes all the colors of the fish, corals, etc pop more!

[robert_hollis]

I was torn between painting it Flat Black, or Metallic Blue (the 2 colors I had on hand), but I ended up going with the black because I already know that looks good on a SW tank. Plus, the stand and trim of the tank or black, so that matches better.

I got a lead on some free sand, too. A guy in a local reef club offered to give me some he has left over. Might just save me $20 or so on sand.

-Rob

[dab335]

I've done the blue as well! Either color works well!

[robert_hollis]

Well, I picked up some free sand today, and the guy thre in a free Sealife Systems 75 skimmer. The skimmer doesn't have a pump with it, though. So, I'll have to see if it's worth buying a pump for it, or if I should just wait to buy a different skimmer... Anyone familiar with this model skimmer? Anyhow, I think I now have enough sand for my tank (unless I end up putting some in the sump, as well).

Thanks,

-Rob

[robert_hollis]

Ok, I did some research of my own online, and found mostly good things about the sump I got. I also found a new pump for it online for $23 (including shipping), so I ordered that. Guess I'll find out in a week or two just how well it works. I also broke down my 5g FW tank tonight. I dunno why I'd kept it running as it was only growing snails and algae, and I have a good population of snails in my 25g shrimp tank. I'm wondering if I could somehow incorporate it into my SW setup... Maybe put it inside the 10g Sump to act as an extra chamber for either the LR rubble or a deep sand bed? Or I might be able to wedge it in beside the sump to act as an overflow or such... Any suggestions? Should i start a new thread for this tank, or maybe just rename this thread?

So far I'm up to $77 total investment. Cheap, eh?

-Rob

[robert_hollis]

Picked up approximately 50lbs of dry rock today. Also got another powerhead and a bunch of misc. stuff for my tank. Cost of $50, and a 40mile round trip. Was tempted to buy the guy's skimmer (he'd been using it on a 75g tank), but I wasn't sure it would work with my setup(plus it woulda been overkill)...

-Rob

[robert_hollis]

Well, I threw most of the dry rock in my tank and sump. Naturally I'm not satisfied with the current setup. I have a piece of branched coral (looks like a set of deer antlers) that I want to put in my tank, but don't have space for at the moment... I think I may have to take several pieces of rock out, if I want to be abble to fit the neat looking coral. I also think I may have overcrowded the tank with all that rock, but I dunno... I did leave space all the way around the rock for water circulation, and I didn't build it all the way up to the water, but still... I wish I had an experienced set of eyes to come look at it, and give me advice.

-Rob

[ittybittyfishy]

You can always take pics and post them if you want advice! Worth a shot.

[autophotos]

pics please