Tank Sizes, Equipment Help Ect

[Maximus]

Hey people,

Firstly can anyone find a site that lists the standard tank sizes for the clearseal range?
Because not even their own website says

Basically I'm still debating whether or not to buy a "package-setup" or go down the seperate route for a 3ft,
So I've been adding up the costs that I can get my equipment for, for both options. (does that make sense lol?)

My lfs stocks the clearseal range and I carn't find the standard sizes available (obviously) so I've done a search
for "common tank sizes" and came up with the following 3fters:

36" x 12" x 15" at 24 gallons
or
36" x 12" x 18" at 29 gallons
or
36" x 15" x 18" at 36 gallons

Which of these is best to use? I'm thinking that the 15" tall is a bit worse for lighting reasons, but you tell me

Anyway, I'll stop ranting useless crap now and show you my lists of equipment for them:

24 Gallon Nano-cube package

Nano cube £175
Live rock £100
Sea salt £30
Hydrometer (for now) £10
Aragonite sand £10
Test Kit £20
Phosphate tester £10
Heater £15
Electric thermometer £15
New Powerhead £20
Refugum light £5
Live rubble £10
RO water £20

Total: £440

Or

Separate 3ft (Diamentions anyone?)

Tank £30
Live rock £150?
Powerheads £60
36†luminaire T8 £80
Sea Salt £30
Hydrometer (for now) £10
Aragonite sand £10
Teat kit £20
Phosphate tester £10
Heater £15
Electric thermometer £15
RO water £20

Total: £450

I was surprised to only find a £10 difference in price, so far...

Oh, if theres anything missing, because no doubt there is, please say and I'll add em' in

So people, what do we think? Go seperatly or go package?

Any input is really appreciated


Thanks again,

Maximus

(P.S I just found some of my first cherry shrimp fry in the tank next to me )

 

[1entra]

I say go seperately as this will allow you room for mods and will also allow for a personal touch to your aquarium, as everything will be set and placed where you want, especially with there not being much difference in he price. I was also in your shoes several weeks ago but opted for the getting everything seperate package.

What about filteration? You will still still require a mechanical filter to remove large pices of detritus etc even if you plan to use live rock as biological filteration. Have you considered using a protein skimmer, activated carbon, phosphate removal?

Also what do you plan to keep in the tank? As T8 lighting may be suffient for keeping a FOWLR system but you will require either t5's or MH if you plan on keeping some corals!

Trying using Ebay for alot of the equipment as I have managed to get quite a few things online for a fraction of the price I would have to pay at my LFS!!

Good luck with it all

 

[Maximus]

Great, cheers for the quick reply

The tank itself will be a FOWLR, and I'm not too bothered about corals yet, I just want to get going first.

What about filteration? you will still still require a mechanical filter to remove large pices of detritus etc even if you plan to use live rock as biological filteration.

Thats a thought!

If I am to go seperate, I'll need one

Will a small eheim 2213 do ok?

have you considered using a protein skimmer?

Iv'e heard that in small, lighty stocked tanks skimming can be skipped with weekly water changes, but a
mate at work says he has a few lying around that I could pickup on the cheap.

Also what do you plan to keep in the tank? As T8 lighting may be suffient for keeping a FOWLR system but you will require either t5's or MH if you plan on keeping some corals!

I'm still undecided on the stocking atm if I'm honest, I'm really considering a frogfish, but on the other hand
I'd like a wrass, clown pair and blenny/goby of some sort.

How does this light look to you?
Linky thingy

Good luck with it all

Thanks mate

 

[1entra]

The light dont look too bad for a FOWLR tank but what happens in the future when you decide to opt for getting a few corals? the you are going to splash out again to get another light!! So you might as well spent a little extra and just get what you need now, saves messing about in the future! I managed to get an overhead illuminaire with 4 T5 24w lights for under 70quid inc delivery from germany off ebay so i think it might save you a bit of money if you bid on an auction!

You want to be careful of what filters you use as bio-balls and other media can become nitrates traps in the future so end up doing more harm than good! How bote setting up a HOB refugium on the back of your tank? Its something I am in the process of doing now. http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=213604

Weekly water changes are defo the best way to solve most problems and prevent them occuring. I have spoke to several people and the state a skimmer is eesential whereas others are totally against using one. Its your tank at the end of the day so you have got to make the choice. I plan on gettng a skimmer as soon as I can afford one but in the meantime i plan on using the macroalgae in my refugium to help tackle nitrates and phosphates!

Don't worry about the stocking as of yet, you have got a long way to go till you can actually get some fish in the tank, this includes buying the tank and all the equipment as well as cycling the tank once you have got the live rock in it! Heres a link to my thread http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=212723

As far as wrasses go I have always been a fan of the pajama wrasse!

 

[Maximus]

Thanks again mate

I know what you mean about the lighting, but I have two options:

Buy the one I linked you to ealyier and get another T5 for christmas, or I can wait even longer now and
save for the T5's. And as I'm eager to get this going, I'll just get the T8s for now.

You want to be careful of what filters you use as bio-balls and other media can become nitrates traps in the future so end up doing more harm than good! How bote setting up a HOB refugium on the back of your tank?

Yeah don't worry, I wont just stick the filter on the tank.
I'll rip it's insides-out then ask you guys what to fill it with

And the HOB refugum will be a later-mod that i've looked into.


Thanks again mate, I'll keep my eye on ebay in the mean-time

 

[Maximus]

Any more input people?
Especially about the tank sizes

 

[pengy666]

err, buy my nano!!

see my signature!

I will throw in water test equip too (only strips) RO water sand and salt!!!

Just add LR and stock!!

and I'm sure wiltshire isnt that far from me! I may even travel a little way to help you out!!

What you reckon

 

[pengy666]

DOUBLE POST SORRY

 

[Maximus]

err, buy my nano!!

see my signature!

I will throw in water test equip too (only strips) RO water sand and salt!!!

Just add LR and stock!!

and I'm sure wiltshire isnt that far from me! I may even travel a little way to help you out!!

What you reckon

lol, I'm good.

I'm looking for something about 3x the size, and I want to set him up myself.

Thanks anyway

 

[1entra]

I'd go for the largest tank size you can afford and have the space to keep. Also bare in mind a longer aquarium is much better than a shorter aquarium which may be taller and/or possibly be able to hold more water. So always get the tank with the largest footprint! This way you will be able to keep more livestcok without stressing the bio-load!

 

[jakeroberts]

if i was you i would buy everything seperate

 

[Maximus]

Thanks again mate.

I'm gonna go into my lfs and price a few things up and get the tank sizes sorted out

 

[1entra]

I'm gonna go into my lfs and price a few things up and get the tank sizes sorted out

Well let us know what you decide on either way mate. Will be nice to see how you progress!

 

[SkiFletch]

If you have 36" of space, why not get a 65g tank?

 

[1entra]

If you have 36" of space, why not get a 65g tank?

Thats true... The bigger the better, gives you a lot more options!