Am I missing something?

[MamaFish]

My husband and I thought about getting a 55 gallon to move my Freshwater community tank to, and then convert my 40 Gallon to a Saltwater.

I have come to this conclusion and I would like to know if it is a good deal or am I missing something?

For the Freshwater Tank:
the tank and stand will be $250.44 (55 Gallon tank that my inhabitants will be moving too)
the glass hood with light is $78.95
the cart at Drs F&S is $150.19 (the stuff that I would be buying for the 55 Gallon tank)
(heater, filter, 12 plants, 4 pieces of driftwood)
total w/o gravel = $479.58

For the Saltwater Tank:
the tank and stand will be $250.44 (again the 55 Gallon tank)
the glass hood with light is $78.95
the cart at Drs F&S is $168.93 (the stuff for the 40 Gallon tank that I would be converting)
(Heater, skimmer, 2 Powerheads, 60 lbs of Sand)
2 orders of 30 lbs of Hi Rocks:$84.00 w/shipping included
total w/o extra gravel for the 55 Gallon= $582.32

 

[jerenycool]

yea that sounds like a good deal.

good luck

 

[Equalizer]

I dont think that HI ROCKS sells live rock.Not sure if that is what you are planning on getting.I am also assuming that this is going to be a fish only and no corals.Seems that you got it covered.

What kind of skimmer,sand,and other filtration you plan on useing?

If you live near Indianapolis,IN i could give you a cup of my live sand to seed yours.

One other thing,what do you plan on getting live stock wise

GOOD LUCK

And take it SLOW

 

[Equalizer]

I guess the sand is out of the question,just saw whare you live.

See if someone local could give some.It will help out alot.

 

[MamaFish]

Hi, I was told that HI ROCKS does indeed sell live rocks. If they do not I would like to know where I could get 60 lbs of Live rocks?

I would be using in my 40 Gallon Reef tank:

2 Penguin 550's
2 30 lb bags of Aragamax (oolitic) sand
Seaclone Protein Skimmer (up to 100 gallons)

Would I need anything else?

 

[Equalizer]

What type of lights are you useing?Have you already purchased these things such as filters,and skimmer?

 

[MamaFish]

No I have not purchased anything for my new tank, I still have to get the 55 Gallon tank let that cycle then move the FW inhabitants over to the 55 Gallon. Then I will be making purchases for the 40 Gallon SW tank. Just asking questions WAY before I buy anything! I know I will be getting the 55 Gallon that is not an option he promised!

Right now in the 40 Gallon FW tank it is the normal 20 Watts Long bulb.

 

[fish crazy]

Man I need to go to fla to get live rock here in ga. the cheapest I found so far is $6.00 a LB.

 

[Equalizer]

84$ shipped is not for live rock.Its for base rock witch is the same rock just with zero life on it.

as far as live rock keep your eye open on these boards to see if anyone is selling any.Its normaly 2.00 a lb. but that beats 6.00 lb at the LFS.

those lights are not enough to keep corals.You will need pc or vho for softies,Metal halide for sps.

 

[ostrow]

You can do better, far better, on all of these purchases if you look used. Check our reefcentral.com in the buy and sell forum. I bought a 75G fully established aquarium with all filters, rock, corals and livestock, and had help with moving it and tips on how to operate/use everything, all for $550 on ebay.

Do LOTS of reading before you start this, or you'll go through thousands.

Also, I've learned fast what all have told me...get an ro/di system.

Again, look on ebay for the reefkeeper 100GPD ro/di systems.

Also check out premiumaquatics.com and harboraquatics.com for rock and drygoods. They are both great merchants, with good deals.

And etropicals has a deal with free shipping over $175, as do some other online merchants.

 

[Great Lakes]

Ostrow has good advice for searching used. He of course learned it here..

Ostrow got an exceptional deal.....so did I.

Check this out!!


I pick it up Sunday. I have got pics from the seller. His 100lbs of live rock looks to be a cautious estimate. Looks more like 150lbs to me.

This is like getting live rock for 4 bucks a pound, and getting a tank and equipment for free.

And Mama, lighting will be your greatest challenge to the pocketbook.