Cheapest Setup

[chrisbassist]

I've currently only got a FW tank. My plan for the future includes a approx 1000 gallon marine (plus sump).

I think I want to get something smaller to get used to the extras involved.

The smaller the better. And it would be FOWLR

so in theory, what would be the cheapest setup in terms of equipment needed, the tank, and anything else.

 

[chrisbassist]

Just to clarify. CheapEST. I know it's not a cheap hobby, but there must be ways of setting up with less than average budget

 

[sorgan]

Small clearseal tank, small skimmer small powerhead and any kind of small marine light and some LR (as you won't have corals I don't think the light has to be strong or big)
if you bargain hunt then the equipment should be under £80 LR depends on the amount.

http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_138355.php cheap tank here, 100lt for 30 odd quid

ps try not to go smaller then 100lt as you will be very restricted on fish species and water control becomes harder with smaller volumes.

Pps even a 100lt tank restricts you to small reef fish, I think this is why so many of us have a reef set up.

 

[chrisbassist]

I can work with restrictions on fish. It's a learning thing.

I'd rather know what I'm doing before getting and trying to keep sharks

 

[ben1987]

buying second hand equipment.

for a FOWLR technically you only need

tank
water
salt
powerhead
live rock
test kits + refractometor
heater
light

 

[chrisbassist]

Interesting you didn't mention a skimmer?

I'm guessing that would mean more frequent water changes.

Bar live rock, it sounds like it could get fairly cheap.

So what fish could you get in a 100l FOWLR tank?

Obviously the list might not be very long, but there has to be avfew...

 

[jpeterson]

I believe you don't need a skimmer right away. A skimmer can be added a few months later.

 

[chrisbassist]

a skimmer removes proteins which would otherwise break down and cause ammonia etc.

so on that basis, if you're going to need one, it's before your bacteria have started coping with that ammonia, not after.....

 

[-Nemo-]

You're going to have a cycle with ammonia regardless of whether you have a protein skimmer or not. Most people I know who add them later is purely because of financial reasons. Gives some extra time to dig up the money and of course you could go without one, but with a 100l... I'd just get one.

As for stocking, you could certainly do a pair of smaller clownfish IMO. Small gobies/blennies... Cardinals (they're not THAT boring), Small wrasses, hawkfish, firefish etc.

 

[ben1987]

nemos suggestions are good, look at blennies too, they are interesting little guys.

You do not ever NEED a skimmer, but imo they are well worth the money. where are you btw?

 

[chrisbassist]

Oxford, uk.

That's what I mean though. The skimmer will just lighten the load of ammonia (and possibly improve oxygen exchange) so it would make sense to lighten the load when you get your first fish, rather than when the bacteria are already coping with the high load.

Anyway. I shall have to have a look around for those bits of equipment.

See if I can diy anything.

 

[ben1987]

skimmer doest really help ammonia wise ime, once your tank is cycled there should never be any.
i might have a v2 400 going soon though

 

[Anguilla82]

i would hunt around in the classifieds section of a few forums, and u should find a whole setup for under well £100.
as has already been said, larger tanks tend to be more stable, but learning about marines with a small tank is a great introduction to all the extra things you need to do in this branch of the hobby.good luck

 

[chrisbassist]

Cheers.

My ultimate goal here is a massive tank, keeping bamboo sharks. So I'm trying to learn about doing things the right way for them.

They don't like too much light, and aren't reef safe, so that's a no go.
They have fairly sensitive skin, so sand is a must. With not too much else on the bottom, so in that tank, live rock will have to be in a sump (at least most of it)

it would be nice if whatever I get for my learning tank will go in with them, but not required. And strangely enough for sharks, the main thing is whether they will attack the shark, not the other way round.

I think my main concern with this is to get used to mixing salt, measuring salinity etc. Those bits which are completely different to FW. And obviously there will be other bits along the way too.

Plus sharks aren't the easiestmarine fish to keep apparently.

 

[sorgan]

A moray eel would be happy in a super big tank and a decent size one wouldn't be bothered by a shark