Slow And Steady Wins The Race

[hanny93]

Hello everyone, as you might have seen, I have just landed myself an ace job and so will have a regular source of income, sooooo marine tank here I come!!

I'm wanting a medium setup, at least 300 litres, with a sump, probably FOWLR but I don't know, I really like corals!
The fish that caught my eye on the resource thread were:
Niger Triggerfish
Firefish
Valentini Pufferfish
Tomato Clownfish.
Bangaii Cardinalfish
Lemonpeel angelfish
Bicolor Angelfish
However I've been warned off the unbolded ones.

I want a lovely, active setup with lots of colours (hence my choices)

I was suggested by weezawoo to sort of pace myself buying things, so instead of saving up a huge amount and then buying it all in one go, I will be treating myself to one piece a month or whenever I find a bargain and funds allow!

The tank will hopefully be in my bedroom but I don't know whether the floor can take the weight. I should imagine it can, its had allsorts in there including a big stone fireplace! Although if it cant fit in there, downstairs middle room will most likely be the final place, or hallway.

So, has anyone got any sugggestions as to what I should buy first?

Also, where is the best place to get a new tank, maybe custom build other than ND aquatics?

 

[seffieuk]

to the salty side of the forum, although you have been here for a while dont think I havent noticed

If you like corals, then go straight away for a reef and plan for that, it will be cheaper long term

Couple of things re: your fish choice - some are not reef safe, so first thing you need to do is decide, reef or no reef

The trigger is a lovely fish, but you cant have any wires in your tank, so would mean investing in covering up or going for a vortech the Niger is one of the most reef freiendly, but, you never can tell! There is nothing wrong at all with the Valentini puffer, cute little fish and suitable for a reef - well should say, most are suitable!

Re the tank, check out Coventry aquatics - Godiva range

So, start collecting things like refractometer, skimmer, ro unit, test kits, powerheads

 

[StandbySetting]

Personally, I'd advise saving your money and buying all equipment at once, if you suddenly decide that you no longer want to keep marines or no longer are able to due to funds or some other reason then you're left with equipment that you'll probably only get 50% of the face value for.

 

[seffieuk]

Personally, I'd advise saving your money and buying all equipment at once, if you suddenly decide that you no longer want to keep marines or no longer are able to due to funds or some other reason then you're left with equipment that you'll probably only get 50% of the face value for.

That is a very good point, but if you buy second hand, you will usually get your money back

 

[hanny93]

Tehe I do stalk around the marine section a bit seffie

Just had a look at covaquatics, the smallest one above 300litres is this one
http/coventryaquatics.com/aquariums-&-stands-godiva-aquarium-range-godiva-supreme-marine-aquariums-godivasupreme36x24x24marineaquariumsystem-p-567.html?osCsid=6ccb13fdf55b052ab8f80ef154d3eebf, at £800 including sump tank which I quite like as it gives me an extra 20 gallons!
I do like the gloss ones but i think for an extra £100 or so id rather go with the normal one

I've always liked the sleek look of godivas, looks like the tank will be the v. last thing on my equipment list though!!

I think I'll just go reef now, I like corals and i love the colour and movement they add to the tank so yes, definately a reef tank

What do you mean with the wires thing? do you mean heaters and whatnot or soemthing else?

And yay about the valentini!!

SBS I'll probably buy secondhand tbh, I'm not one for buying things new when theyre not needed. The only reason i was looking at new tanks is because i dont like the idea of not knowing whats happened to secondhand tanks but thankyou for your comments

 

[weezawoo]

CAnt have wires with a trigger as they will destroy them i think.
Its gota be reef

 

[seffieuk]

Indeed, Weeza has it in one, they have a habit of biting through cables

I also like the Godivas - but the gloss one is not my cup of tea, however if you have a modern home would fit right in

 

[hanny93]

ouuuch, just like inquisitive puppies then! What about if everything was in the sump though?

And no i like it but i think it would look more at home on a spaceship than my house

 

[weezawoo]

The powerheads need to be in the main tank and have cables

 

[StandbySetting]

You can get powerheads that have external motors and just the impeller sits on the inside, they're driven by magnets.

 

[hanny93]

Forgot about powerheads, oops.

Can they not just be sat near the water line and aimed around but with the wires out of water? It's such a shame, its a beautiful fish

 

[StandbySetting]

This is the sort of thing you'll want:

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/vortech-mp10-propeller-pump-p-3547.html

 

[hanny93]

£170 for something for a 5-60 gallon?! Oh no here come the super bills ohwell, it will definately be woth it

i'll be buying them secondhand anyway hopefully, and tbh its looking like ill not be having the trigger anyway

 

[StandbySetting]

That model was just an example, get one to suit the size of your tank and I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives available.