Well, darn it.

[deadrose]

Appears my tank set-up plans have changed a bit. The lump-sum money we were using to finance set-up has decreased rather dramatically, so I'm looking at a much smaller or *much* slower setup.

I *had* been looking at something in the 75-125g range, with good MH lighting and a Euroreef skimmer, and all that. Was going to set up a softie tank for my sister at the same time, she picked up a 25 gallon Tru-Vu acrylic tank (with the shell of a built-in wet/dry on the back) for $2 thrift shopping (score!).

So now I'm looking at whatever I can find used for sale or free, and a lot of DIY for the most part. Save the money for the things I can't do any other way. Have the money for maintenance and all, just not that big initial expenditure I was going to make.

A little bummed since I expected to be set up and starting to cycle within the next 3-4 weeks, but now have to scratch my planning and start over.

Tips, suggestions, and good prices on dry goods all cheerfully welcomed, and if anyone has a freshwater setup and wants some free young convict cichlids, contact me.

Heidi

 

[mojoreef]

Thats a shame Heidi, but so goes life. We take care of our own here so put up what you need in the way of a tank and we can see what we can do for ya. Shoot me a list of the stuff you need and I will see if I can help you out their to.


Mike

 

[MtnDewMan]

If you had your tank set up and ready to go, I could probably get you some live rock you could use. Taking some of it out this coming weekend. Of course Mikey is going to help me

I will keep my eyes out on stuff too.

 

[deadrose]

Well, let me see. I have the 25g tank (just checked with my sis and it's mine now). I have sand, thanks to Mushroom Boy . I have a 100 watt submersible heater. If I can figure a fast plumbing job and stop at the Aquarium for water, I'd be most of the way towards being ready for rock.

Just have to figure out what I can do with its little wet-dry jobbie on the back (holds 5g). 3 compartments. First is the overflow from the tank. Second one is the wet/dry compartment. It has 2 sets of supports in it, but only one tray, drilled for trickling through. 3rd compartment has nothing but the return hole, which is 1 1/8" diameter.

I'm assuming that unless I find a terrifically skinny skimmer, I'm going to be wanting a HOB. I could use advice on the best way to plumb the return, as that seems to be an area that I'm still pretty deficient in. Advice on getting a good flow around the tank would be good too.

I'll need to come up with some lights. Don't need to get MH yet if I can't find a bargain, since it'll be a while before I'm ready to tackle SPS, anemones or clams.

I'll have to get a decent test kit. Is there anything people recommend that's readily available? Are Salifert tests sold locally?

I can get RO up at the grocery to hold me for top-off for now...

Hopefully I'm being clear enough explaining all this, I had some minor office surgery done this afternoon and am a bit woozy on painkillers

Oh yeah. My other tank option is a glass 40 breeder, as soon as I get a stock tank to rehome the goldfish that are long past due for the bigger quarters . I don't know right offhand if it's AGA or another brand and it's running topless at present. I was originally planning to turn it into a sump/fuge.

Please ask any questions that'll help clarify my muddling post here... and thanks for the support and help! When I first found out that I wasn't going to have the money to do my original plans, I almost gave up and walked away from it all. Glad now that I didn't.

Heidi the woozy wonder

 

[MammaDuck]

Heidi,

What are you planing to keep in the tank? Since you bought the tank used, then I assume you don't know if the tank was ever treated with copper. I would invest in a copper test kit to make sure. Copper can be very deadly to reef inhabitants.

Other then that keep us posted!

 

[deadrose]

Yep, testing for copper is at the top of my to-do list. Especially in the glass tank... I do have a good supply of Rubbermaids available in a pinch.

I think the tank will probably be just a little softie tank for now, with a couple small fish. That way if/when I graduate to the headier stuff, the 25 can just journey over to my sister's place, as that's pretty much what she wanted in a tank anyway. I'd intended to set it up at the same time as my originally planned tank, so as to take advantage of ordering rock and everything all at once.

It also gives me more time to work towards the equipment I'd want for SPS keeping.

Heidi, off to debate possible stock some more