New To Fish Keeping, My Big Journal

[ben1987]

im just outside, near junction 31 off the M1. and you?

 

[Truck]

im just outside, near junction 31 off the M1. and you?

not far from me ben, im @ junction 26

 

[Sharm]

im just outside, near junction 31 off the M1. and you?

same as you then mate, i live at aston.

It was up for £130 Sharm

Seffie x



ps there are several juwel 125 on ebay at the moment and another 550

thanks! yer I'm keep an eye on them

Second hand tanks can be absolute bargins, or absolute lemons. You realy want to know what you are looking at beofre you get one, or better still, take an experienced fish keeper along to act as help

Key things to watch;

Seals. At they discoloured, pealing or developing algea underneath them? If so, leave it

Structure. When outward perssure is applied to the front and back glasses when the tank is empty, do the pains move? If so, leave it, or drive it down to vertually free. Damaged structural silicone is a tank re-build job for repairs... Are there any chips, cracks or deap scratches? If so, leave it, or drive the price down to virtually free. Deep scratches are algea magnets and a royal PITA in a set-up. Chipped or cracked pains will need replacement... All brace bars present and in good nick? If so great, if not, drive the price down low or walk away, as they will need replacing.

There are a few things that can catch you out if you are not shure what you are looking at with tanks, but if you know what you a looking for, you can get "bargain basement" prices for very good gear.

All the best
Rabbut

thanks for the advice mate

 

[SkiFletch]

rabbut's advice is great to watch out for. Having said that, other than a cheapo 10g, I've never had a tank that was NOT used. In fact my old 45g which still acts as water storage in the basement is approaching 2 decades old

 

[Sharm]

I've just been talking to someone about a rio 125. I've asked him if they lights are T8 or T5 and he doesn't know, by looking at the lights how can he tell me?

 

[Trod]

T5's are thinner than T8's

T8 means 8/8th of an inch in diameter.
T5 means 5/8th of an inch in diameter.

 

[seffieuk]

However if the tank is cheap enough and has t8 you can buy a juwel T5 lighting unit, an arcadia will also fit it?


http/www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/erol.html#19909X0

this is the cheapest I have found so far, but remember you will also need the tubes. Haven't yet found the cheapest for tubes, that is still to be done

Let me know if you find a good place to buy tubes

I have been looking to do the same thing when I buy my second hand tank

Seffie x

 

[bagu]

STOP

in the BUY SELL SWAP!

interpet river reef 94L for £100.oo or it's £80.oo

it has heaters
powerheads etc
skimmer

ebay has a nice interpet river reef 94L too

GOOD LCUK!

 

[Sharm]

I've been looking for awhile on ebay now for a rio 125, but all the tanks have T8 lights, which is okay but If i wanted to get the T5 lights I would have to buy the tubes and the unit. The cost of the tube, unit and the tank it's self would cost not much less then buy a new tank, with T5 lights already fitted?

 

[seffieuk]

Sharm, how much you wanting to pay and how far can you travel, so we can look out for you least you have time to plan and save up

Seffie x

 

[Sharm]

I've final bought my tank, I should get it sometime this week. It's a rio 125, and I got it for £125 second hand. YEY!!!!


Okay sooo whats next? I've been talking to someone who might be able to get my 15KG of LR. I need to get a protein skimmer and powerheads. What else?

 

[SkiFletch]

Heater, seawater mix, test kits, food

 

[ben1987]

im just outside, near junction 31 off the M1. and you?

same as you then mate, i live at aston.

Not far from me at all then. Im just down the A57 from you, Anston

 

[Sharm]

Heater, seawater mix, test kits, food

the tank come with a 100w heater, will that be okay?
how do i get my sea water mix? i know you can buy ro water from a shop, any other ways?

 

[seffieuk]

I would splash out pardon the pun on a RO unit, much cheaper in the long run

You will also need:
spare heater and powerhead to mix salty stuff
buckets, one to mix water in and one for bits and bobs
refractometer
test kits - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate , ph start with these and then get phosphate
temp guage
Salt
water container - go to a camping/caravaning shop
money, money, money!!!!

Seffie x