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2
Posted on 9/9/12 at 12:44 am to Who Me
Posted on 9/9/12 at 12:58 am to beauxgy
What is that? Look at the lips on that sumbich
Posted on 9/9/12 at 7:57 am to nahtanojc
So you think it costs $22k to setup a 220?!?. I've kept planted freshwater tanks and reef tanks for years and i havent spent that much on everything ever. that wildly over estimated.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 8:00 am to Who Me
They are a pest if you dont want it in your tank. will pulverize your cleanup crew and clicking noises will constantly be coming from the tank. usually people that want to keep a mantis have a small tank setup just for a mantis.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 8:05 am to gmrkr5
You don't have to spend that much on a setup but you can if you want to do everything top notch, especially if you have to include cost of the aquarium, stand, canopy and sump. I think the biggest variance comes in to play when you start talking how much live rock, sand, corals, inverts, and fish you will buy. You can easily spend 15-20k on a 225 setup if starting from scratch and buy all new.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 11:11 am to deaconjones35
Yea i guess you could but it would be stupid considering you could have a nice setup for a quarter of that. ill spend 22k on a fish tank when ive got a ferrari in the garage.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 12:40 pm to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
quote:
most of the fish eat/kill each other.
This is why you need to do your research and see what fish live well together.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 1:15 pm to gmrkr5
quote:
So you think it costs $22k to setup a 220?!?. I've kept planted freshwater tanks and reef tanks for years and i havent spent that much on everything ever.
Easily.
But that isn't saying it cannot be done for less.
For instance, if you wanted to go a cheaper route:
Tank- 220g Glasscages $700 (drill your own overflow)
Stand- DIY $150 (YMMV)
Lighting- you still want corals, but instead of high $$ LEDs, stick with Halides or T5's. $700
Skimmer- $400
Main pump- mag drive $100
Powerheads- go with 4 Koralia 7's @ $100 ea.
Sump- Convert a 40g Breeder $40
Sand - $200
Live Rock- $400(buy used)
Salt- $225 to start (based on Tropic-M Pro reef prices) can always go a little cheaper here too, but I always used Tropic-M with great results.
RO/DI- $150
Fish and coral will still be the same, but you can always stick with the cheaper fish (220g full of damsels, anyone?
) and start with soft corals, which will be cheaper than SPS or LPS and maybe get some frags from other local reefers. In this scenario, you're looking at about $4000 to get setup, not counting any livestock.
And this is forgoing a controller (not needed, but very convenient),Chiller and Calcium reactor (again, not needed, but you will have to manually dose which can be a PITA)
And then of course, keep in mind that you do tend to get what you pay for. Glasscages tanks (or Oceanview or other cheap tank brands) tend to have messy seams and look low quality. Mag drives are prone to overheating and failure. Halides are alot hotter than LEDs or T5s... and being able to control your powerheads is worth the extra money.
Stay in the hobby for a few years, and you will probably end up upgrading the lighting, getting some Vortechs or Tunze's and investing in a chiller, controller and calcium reactor... you can choose to add that into the initial setup costs, or add them in later- you will still end up paying the $.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 1:58 pm to nahtanojc
Thanks for the novel. i'm well aware what aquarium supplies cost. you are a fish store owners dream customer. learn to do waterchanges and you can cut out half that crap you listed. your still over thinking though. why do you need a chiller with led lighting, hell t5 for that matter? you are basically talking about a turnkey fully automated tank that you never have to touch. call me crazy but that isnt much fun.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 2:06 pm to gmrkr5
The question is why you so mad?
Posted on 9/9/12 at 2:16 pm to deaconjones35
Oh im not... i just think its a little ridiculous to say you will spend that kinda money if you want a nice reef tank. yes it's possible but no where near necessary.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 2:41 pm to Who Me
Bulu Point Petrochromis!
not mine but I have a few
not mine but I have a few
This post was edited on 9/9/12 at 2:48 pm
Posted on 9/9/12 at 3:19 pm to gmrkr5
quote:
Thanks for the novel.
Anytime. Glad you enjoyed it.
quote:
learn to do waterchanges and you can cut out half that crap you listed
I'd be curious to know what all you consider "crap".
I'm an SPS guy... the key to SPS is stability. A chiller helps ensure that stability. As does all the other "crap". If you just want to have mushrooms, zoanthids and leathers in the tank, then by all means cut the corners and have at it.
quote:
you are a fish store owners dream customer.
Hardly. I built my own tanks, sumps, stands and purchased used whenever possible.
Posted on 9/9/12 at 3:42 pm to nahtanojc
Autodosing pumps, skimmers, calcium reactors, 100 different bottles of various additives, etc etc..
I've had tanks with nothing but sps and none of the stuff you're saying you gotta have.
If your lights arent cooking your tank your not gonna need a chiller.
good lights, lots of flow, and clean/new water is all you need.
I've had tanks with nothing but sps and none of the stuff you're saying you gotta have.
If your lights arent cooking your tank your not gonna need a chiller.
good lights, lots of flow, and clean/new water is all you need.
This post was edited on 9/9/12 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 9/9/12 at 4:10 pm to gmrkr5
How big were your tanks? I have had smaller aquariums where WC's were all it took to keep it looking good. (12g, 30g, 58g)
But there's no way I would not run a skimmer on a 220g. Or a Calcium reactor or Kalk dispenser if doing SPS. WC's may get the job done, but you would be having to do 30-50g water changes weekly to keep the parameters steady and spending way more on salt than I ever was.
I never said anything about autodosing pumps or 100 bottles of additives. On my smaller tanks, I dosed B-ionic and that was it. On the bigger tanks running the CR, I would dose Magnesium.
I agree
But now you're contradicting yourself... good lights cost $$$ and so does that flow. As for the water, someone running a P/S will have a higher upfront cost but probably save money in the long run by not having to do WC's as often (saving the money on salt).
But there's no way I would not run a skimmer on a 220g. Or a Calcium reactor or Kalk dispenser if doing SPS. WC's may get the job done, but you would be having to do 30-50g water changes weekly to keep the parameters steady and spending way more on salt than I ever was.
I never said anything about autodosing pumps or 100 bottles of additives. On my smaller tanks, I dosed B-ionic and that was it. On the bigger tanks running the CR, I would dose Magnesium.
quote:
good lights, lots of flow, and clean/new water is all you need.
I agree
But now you're contradicting yourself... good lights cost $$$ and so does that flow. As for the water, someone running a P/S will have a higher upfront cost but probably save money in the long run by not having to do WC's as often (saving the money on salt).
Posted on 9/10/12 at 8:23 am to nahtanojc
My biggest advice to someone who wants to do a tank is to do a lot of research before you buy anything. Especially before you buy fish. I started this six years ago and I really messed up my first little three gallon tank. Those smaller tanks really aren't worth it. I think a 20 gallon breeder is a pretty good starter if you don't want to spend a lot of money. I have a 55 now and I think it's another good compromise. Keep an eye out on craigslist or wait til petco has a 1 dollar per gallon sale on their tanks.
The great thing about a larger fish tank with just freshwater fish is that the time investment isn't so much after a while, just do the water changes, filter maintenance, and then feed the fish and you're doing well. You can spend more time if you want but otherwise it's all a matter of what you want to do with it.
Do a lot of research on what equipment works well and for the best price. Then do research on which fish go well together. Remember, you don't have to buy them all at once, in fact you shouldn't do that. Start off with a few hardy fish and then add a few at the time so the tank can adjust to the increased bio load.
The great thing about a larger fish tank with just freshwater fish is that the time investment isn't so much after a while, just do the water changes, filter maintenance, and then feed the fish and you're doing well. You can spend more time if you want but otherwise it's all a matter of what you want to do with it.
Do a lot of research on what equipment works well and for the best price. Then do research on which fish go well together. Remember, you don't have to buy them all at once, in fact you shouldn't do that. Start off with a few hardy fish and then add a few at the time so the tank can adjust to the increased bio load.
This post was edited on 9/10/12 at 8:26 am
Posted on 9/10/12 at 8:30 am to Who Me
quote:
Didn't read through all the pages. Does anyone have one with a mantis shrimp?
Those things are badass. Some pretty cool youtube video's of them floating around. They'll kill pretty much anything thats put in there with them.
Yes,I've had several.The Clown Mantis Shrimp is the coolest of all and get pretty damn big.
Word of caution though. They must be kept in an Acrylic tank because they will most definitely bust out a glass aquarium.
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