No Going Back Now.

[VictorMeldrew]

Hello Benson, it's great to hear that you have enjoyed and maybe even learnt a little from this thread i have done my best to give rough prices here but please bare in mind if i had more space i would have used a sump with this set-up (still might if i can find a way). I have kept this system as cheap as i can and brought a few things from ebay sellers. Ok here goes, i hope this does not put you off

Skimmer £100
Live rock £300
2 x small powerheads £50
1 x large powerhead £75
2 x heaters £20
Fluval filter £60 (used)
Coral sand £18
Refractometer £25
Basic Test kit £20
Fish so far £60
Coral so far £50
Phosphate test kit and remover £25
Lighting about £200
CUC £20
Salt £40

Total so far £1063

You can add another £500 if you include the tank and stand and no doubt i have forgotten something from the list, all this before i have even started to add other chemicals to the water and test kits to go with them, and as far as stock goes the tank is almost empty. I also still want to get another £200 of Live rock and i do not have an RO unit yet.

Most of my equipment is far from top of the range and it could all cost way more, although you might be able to get some of the things on the list abit cheaper if you shop around.

I really hope this has not put you off going saltwater as i can really say every penny is worth it for what you get back from the hobby (apart from the stress that it is )

Good luck mate
VictorMeldrew

 

[Benson112]

Cheers for that mate....yes it has put me off! haha....but im still going to go for it. I think i will just take my time at getting things all set up. Im not that flush with cash ever really to be honest, but this is something i think i can really get into and it might just stop me from wasting money on stupid things!

Im going to need all the luck i can get! haha Ive had tropical fish for ages but to be honest im kinda at my limits as to what i can do with it without getting a new tank...and a new tank to me just screams "TRY MARINE TRY MARINE" haha.

Lots of planning and saving to do yet but your thread has really helped me. I just need to research a few more things (the sump for example....i know nothing about this so need to read up)

Thanks again mate, your thread has won me the rights to give this a go (managed to get the nod of approval from the wife haha)

 

[ben1987]

id say that was pretty good value victor. Hows the fish then? he get over the hair incident. Sorry if you have said already and i missed it!

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Bensen, Well you are over the first hurdle, the wife's approval is a must. Just take it nice and slow, you will get there eventually a fish only set-up would be a fair bit cheaper.

Hi Ben, yeah its fine mate, eating as normal but i do wish it would swim around a bit more, it seems to love hanging out in the corner of the tank.

 

[ben1987]

all my fish did that for a while. Try putting a towel over both ends of the tank, i did that so they couldnt see their reflection and now they go everywhere. Stupid fish. Took the towel away now and they have stopped doing it.

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Excellent, would not have thought of that, i shall give it a go

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Hi all

Sorry i have not been posting alot lately but my internet is playing up, loading any link seems to take ages, its driving me crazy.

Anyway, there is not a great deal to report, the brown algea seems to be a bit strange, in the evening just before i turn the lights out, the sand is covered with a rusty brown coat of the stuff, i turn the lights on the next day and its all clear again, its get slowly browner as the day goes on and is gone again the next, anyone know whats happening here?

I followed Ben's tip to stop the fish hanging around the side of the tank and it seems to have worked pretty well. I am going to be buying another fish at the weekend, if i can find a Regal Tang that would be ideal.

Thanks all
VictorMeldrew

 

[ben1987]

regals seem to be pretty common round where i am. Doubt you will have any trouble finding one
lovely fish they are too and quite in-expensive compared to other tangs

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Hi all

There has been some good progress with the tank now, so here is a pic of one of the new addittions.

Here are my blue mushrooms, i love them, great colours under the blue lights.



I have a load more pics to post, including pics of my new fish i will get them on as soon as i can (still got huge internet problems at the moment)

Thanks
VM

 

[kj23502]

Wow, those are gorgeous

 

[VictorMeldrew]

Thanks Kj, ok, i have got the best shot of the fish i can for now, here is my stunning little yellow fin wrasse, it seems to be settling in really well



I have also added another 2 kilo's of LR with a couple of frags attached and some cleaner shrimp
Thanks
VM

 

[ben1987]

its a nice fish VM, not 100% sure how accurate that name is though! Dont know the latin do ya? Im sure yellow fin wrasse are usually fairy wrasse

 

[ben1987]

http/www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=4889
one of those maybe?

 

[garybuk]

Hi all

There has been some good progress with the tank now, so here is a pic of one of the new addittions.

Here are my blue mushrooms, i love them, great colours under the blue lights.

View attachment 54368

I have a load more pics to post, including pics of my new fish i will get them on as soon as i can (still got huge internet problems at the moment)

Thanks
VM

HAHAHA told you you would love the blue light in the end

 

[jennybugs]

Just catching up here VM...LOVE the blue mushrooms! I NEED some