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I'm interested in starting my first marine aquarium and have started doing some online research to find out as much as I can about what is involved.

I've been reading posts here at the forum today and have seen diverse opinions on whether to purchase equipment separately or as a kit.

I located a "kit" that appeals to me, but being such a newbie I'm not sure whether or not it is a good choice. I was hoping I might get some feedback from some experienced aquarists.

[link=http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8180&Ne=40000&R=5510&Nao=9&N=2004+2020 ]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=8180&Ne=40000&R=5510&Nao=9&N=2004+2020 [/link]

Kits include: Perfecto tank with Hi-Lo overflow and return tubes, Tidepool II Biowheel Filtration Module (300-600 gph), 2 - Double Bright 40W T-12 fluorescent bulbs, submersible pump, complete plumbing kit, pine aquarium stand, hinged glass canopy, 300W Visi-therm aquarium heater, and digital aquarium thermometer. Complete assembly instructions included. Measure 48" L x 18" W x 24" H, overall height 55-7/8".

[span class="edited"][Edited by PeaceB2U 2004-07-25 23:33][/span]

If your handy with wood, you cna save a small fortune building your own stand. Look close, there's nothing to them, I built several like that. It will cost less then $20. I bought all the stuff for a 125gal for $535.

Dan

Wish I were handy with wood, but for me that's really not an option.

I'm just trying to decide if it would be OK to purchase the tank that I've listed above for starting a marine tank or if it would be a better choice to spend the extra money on a custom built aquarium that is made especially for marine aquariums.

Waste of money in my opinion. I got my 75 gallon tank, stand, hood, and strip light for $250.

Most of the stuff that comes with that kit probably won't be used, at least not in a reef tank. You'd be better off buying a $125 for about $500, and buying some decent equipment you'll actually want to use.

The only real difference would be having a hole drilled in the back of the tank. None of my tanks have a hole drilled. The only real difference between FW and SW is teh lights are different, and the gravel is different. Other then that, they are the same set up. Filters can be different, such as a skimmer.



Dan

Appreciate the honest opinion, Lil_Mikey69.

However, I don't have any pet store near me ... meaning I'm going to have to purchase a tank and stand online and have it shipped to my home. I haven't been able to find any kind of deal at the price you quote. Costs seem to be rather high at the places I've found.

If you purchased yours online, I've love to know where you got it.

Umm. Dthurs there is a LOT more different that what you mentioned.
Yes Lighting if you want Coral, Yes a Skimmer. Filtration is done by LR if you have it. If not you need to be a bit more careful in your Filter selection..

Also you have Powerheads which normally aren't used in a FW setup, etc, etc. You make it sound like it is just a little different. Which you know quite well it is not. This is apples and oranges.

I see a LOT of FW tanks with powerheads. Nearly everything in a FW tank can be used in a SW tank. In a FO tank, all you need is a few powerheads, a HOB filter, a heater, tank, top and lights. Nothing to it, it's easy, unless you belive everything you hear from the LFS. I have nearly 350 gals of SW, and have spent a fraction of the cost others have spent on far less.

Dan

Heres a good place to start, I've heard of people ordering from them with success.

Glass Cages

They sell tanks as well as stands. Much cheaper than $1k too.

Wow, great prices, good find. Wonder what motor freight shipping will be though.



Dan

Where do you live guys? They have a list of "shows" they are attending. You can place an order, and pick it up for free at one of their locations. They'll be in Chicago later this year, if I needed a tank I'd defentinally order from them. I could pick it up there, and spend almost no money on a nice tank.

Heres the shows if anyone is intrested.

So if I save money by buying a cheaper tank (example: local wal-mart has a sale right now on a 55-gallon tank with oak stand and canopy for $200), how difficult is it to prepare this for a reef aquarium?

I understand that the lighting will need to be stronger for corals and that a skimmer is a must. I do plan on using live sand and live rock to help with filtration.

What I'm not clear on is how difficult it would be to add another filtration method located in the aquarium stand. The places I see online that sell "reef ready" aquariums make it look very difficult ... indicating that holes need to be drilled and plumbing work done ... and sell for over a thousand dollars.

Funny how that works.

You don't have to change anything on the tank to make it a reef tank. No need for a wet dry filter, skimmer is a very good idea, but cna be added after a few months depending on your bio load. Lighting cna be upgraded with new lights. The problem with kits is you may get stuff on don't need because those are FW kits, such as gravel. Price out a tank, stand if you need it, otherwise build one for about $20. Top, lights, 2 powerheads, HOB filter is you want one, but is not needed, heater, therm.. The rest you will have to go to a LFS, sand, can also get form home depot(southdown play sand, about $7 for 50 pounds), salt, and the correct lights, might be better getting those from a LFS instead of walmart.

For a 55gal tank, you will want about 60 pounds of rock. I suggest getting 25 to 30 pounds of reef bones, as low as $1 a pound. Then the rest in live rock, between $4 and $8 a pound.



Dan