Marine Set Up

[PERCY]

Just looking a basic bit of info folks.

I haven't kept an aquarium for a few years however after a house move I'm ready to get up and running again.

I've a tank on order so will hopefully be arriving within the week. I had initially intended on setting up a freshwater tank however I have found myself browsing the marine section on here more and more.

I've never kept marine before so know absolutely nothing about it. I'm just looking for an indication of what I would have to buy in order to allow me to get an indication of the set up costs and also a rough guide on maintenance costs etc before I decide to take the plunge.

The tank I have is 60x26x18 inches which I thinks is around 450 litres? It also has a cabinet and hood.

Currently I do not have anything else so would require filters and lighte etc

Any help is much appreciated

Thanks

 

[ainsy]

There is loads of good info Here.

Anything you can't find the answer to in that lot the just ask!

HTH

 

[Salam]

I am also reading up on marine as I found the perfect tank for it (will pick it up tomorrow, very excited!) and MARC has been very helpful. It's like my Bible at the moment. I also need to get everything. Have been looking on ebay, there are some good cheapish skimmers for example. I have started a spreadsheet (because I am a geek ) adding up all the cost for equipment needed. Also, have a look at the calculator here and you can see how much live rock you'd approximately need. Then go to your LFS and ask for a quote just to get an idea. My tank is also large, 340 litres, so the live rock alone will cost me around £150. Yours will be even more. I have no idea about running costs yet, but general rule is the larger the tank, the less maintenance it needs, so hopefully smaller water changes are acceptable.

When are you planning on getting it all going? I will properly start in September when I start a new job, until then it is all planning, planning, planning.

 

[PERCY]

What type of protein skimmer would I need?

What type of lighting would I need?

I take it any typical external filter would do? I had planned on 2 tetra tec 1200ex and 2 inline heaters

 

[PERCY]

I am also reading up on marine as I found the perfect tank for it (will pick it up tomorrow, very excited!) and MARC has been very helpful. It's like my Bible at the moment. I also need to get everything. Have been looking on ebay, there are some good cheapish skimmers for example. I have started a spreadsheet (because I am a geek ) adding up all the cost for equipment needed. Also, have a look at the calculator here and you can see how much live rock you'd approximately need. Then go to your LFS and ask for a quote just to get an idea. My tank is also large, 340 litres, so the live rock alone will cost me around £150. Yours will be even more. I have no idea about running costs yet, but general rule is the larger the tank, the less maintenance it needs, so hopefully smaller water changes are acceptable.

When are you planning on getting it all going? I will properly start in September when I start a new job, until then it is all planning, planning, planning.

I'm just waiting on the tank coming. It was ordered last Saturday but they said it may be a few weeks. As soon as it comes and I get all the filters etc I'll be ready to start. I still need to figure out exactly what I'll need though to see if it's feasible otherwise I'll have to stick with freshwater


£150 for live rock ain't bad. I think my local is £15/kg so expected a good £7-800

 

[PERCY]

I'm completely lost with this. I haven't a clue what I need in terms of lighting, protein skimmers etc

 

[Salam]

Skimmer I'd say something like this http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aquarium-Marine-Fish-Tank-External-Hang-Protein-Skimmer-Boyu-DG-2516-New-/180836358723?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2a1aafda43

Also still totally lost with lighting etc.. It's all so confusing, trying to get more info from Marc. I suppose that's the good thing that I can't start til later.

I hope someone with more experience will come along and help us both out.

 

[ainsy]

Lighting depends upon what you plan to keep.

Put simply...

Fish only - doesn't matter.

Softies - T5 or LEDs

Hard - Halides.

HTH

In terms of skimmer I have used both Aquamedic and Deltec. I prefer the latter but the former are much, much cheaper.

I have an Aquamedic Turbofloter 1000 that I am selling if anyone is interested

 

[simonas]

best advice Id say is for your live rock by from an existing reefer who is breaking his tank down instead of paying £13 ish a kilo pay £5 ish a kilo and you'll save plenty of cash with that. I personally wouldnt use an external filter simply because Ive read so much about them storing nitrates in the media and Ive had no problems by just having a live rock and powerhead set up

Lights wise I use t5s on mine and my corals look fine however as Ive got bitten by the bug I want better corals and anenomes and am now looking into Halides

It really is down to what kind of set you want

 

[PERCY]

I definitely want to keep corals. So I take it I'd need halide lighting. Any specific brand? What's that gonna cost?

Is it possible to haveno filter at all???

How much would it likely cost per month for salt water? For water changes etc?

 

[ainsy]

I agree with Simon - no need for an external just a nitrate magnet.

Live rock & plenty of water turn over is your filter.

You only need halides if you want to keep the more demanding corals.

Salt - depends upon how often you do water changes & what % you change

 

[Salam]

I am reading this with interest. Thanks all for your input, it really helps.

Ainsy, how much? And are you in the UK or US?

 

[PERCY]

So t5 lighting would be ok then.

I'm worried about a protein skimmer fitting on the tank as well due to the hood. Would this generally be a problem?

I'm gonna go to my local shop tomorrow and ask but i expect they will just try to sell me as much stuff as possible

 

[ainsy]

It can be - it would depend upon the skimmer & the hood - you may be able to 'modify' the hood to allow it to hang on back/side.

 

[PERCY]

I guess I'll just have to wait until the tank is delivered. I don't really want to start cutting up a brand new hood.

I wonder how much extra it would have been to have the tank below 'a sump' whatever it does.