what do you think?

[strat]

need buying advice pls

ive got the opportunity to buy a 45 gallon tall tank. if i remember its about 3feet wide, 16 inches deep, and probably 24 high. so im thinking that i would need to have at least a 250 MH to light this sucker up properly. right now it just has the 20w flourescent that it came with. but its got 40lbs of kaneai (?) LR, a mag float, some live sand, and Aqua C Remora HOB skimmer, test kits, gloves, salt, etc and two little clownfish and a couple of maxijet powerheads. i can probably pick it up for about 275 USD. i have a prizm skimmer rated for 100 gallons, a 6 stage RO/DI unit and various odds and ends. My dilemna is should i get this or wait for another used setup that has lights etc already because im on a tight budget or is this a pretty good deal that i should jump on so and then just buy some good lights for it...... i guess a big thing holding me back would be the odd size of the tank, mainly the depth...... heres a link to the pick http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewt.../www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12381

i hope that worked ive never posted a link before.

thanks for the input guys..

kris

ps, help me if im missing something. all i can think of that i will need to get started is the MH lights or other and a proper stand, its just a metal frame right now. thanks

 

[strat]

wow, sorry for all the typos.. just wanted to get that out there to get some feedback

thanks

 

[wrightme43]

You asked lol, everytime I have bought anything used I have aquired others old headaches. I looked at on the web like you posted and I does not look to bad. You just have to ask is a few dollars saved worth not having what you really want. Usally for me it drives me crazy untill I just go buy what I wanted in the first place. HTH. Steve and these are just MHOs

 

[strat]

thanks writeme43. i just have done the math and wont be able to start a tank from scratch. i just started an electrical apprenticship and am making a measly 10 bux an hour so i have to get a used setup or just wait for a couple more years. at least this way i will get some experience and then down the road if im successful i can do a larger tank. its a tough call, i think its a pretty good deal for the money but its not really what i want. i was thinking more like a 33 gal that reg sized and with a nice stand where i can hide all my crap as my wife likes to call it oh well, ill think some more about it. thanks for your opinion, i appreciate it

kris

 

[mojoreef]

Kris you really need to buy a raffle ticket, lol

Its a close call, the rock is old so that a con, and their is no real lighting to speak of. If you add it all up its real close to cost. A lot would depend on the condition of the glass on the tank. Also something to concider is that thier is not much reusuable if you get a decent tank

mike

Mike

 

[strat]

all very true, thanks mike. turns out that the guy sold the LR and fish already so theres really not much left. so i will just keep waiting or maybe ill buy a few tickets as maxx pointed out on another thread, the dimensions really suck, hard to work with.

on the bright side this is developing my patience even more, haha.

im sure by the spring ill be a happy reefer.

thanks again

-kris

 

[Katchupoy]

IMO.... start small... How about a 20 gallon long... ? Besides, it would be a great size to perfect the process of curing, caring, and maintenance of a reef tank...

Then id you think you can handle all of these plus patience.... then upgrade....

 

[Angelscrx]

I started with a 10g then went up to a 29g. A four day move and freezing temps killed all my fresh water fish so I turned the 55g into my new saltwater tank. Now I have a 150g in the garage waiting to be born into the world of saltwater reefing. I wouldn't do it any other way. I learned a lot through out the upgrades especially about water care.

 

[wishworks]

So many viewpoints..
not a ton of cash and
don't really want to screw up..
Alright, I am hearing much advice about the newbies road to the reef kingdom..
The stuff about start small is running contrary to other advice of
"large is better" for it easier to handle the amonia spikes
and
why go through the expence of setting up small when your destination is larger.. ??
The more I read, ask and view the more befuddled I am becoming..
any thoughts out there?

 

[TonyMc]

Wishworks. Nano tanks(29g or less) are easy to take of. It's true you have less room for error, but if your dedicated to the hobby and keep up on water changes then it's a snap. I've had my 10g running for almost a year now and the only bump in the road I have had is a heater sticking which caused me to lose 3 colonies of softies a shrimp and a fish. I feel bad for the lose, but it gave me a chance to switch to SPS. I felt I had enough experience and did the research on SPS to give it a try and so far it has been worth it.
With that said however you will get bitten by the upgrade bug sooner or later. Right now I'm working on my next reef which will replace this on. I'm still going nano for now, but it will be a 20L. I really like the length of the 20L I think it gives the display a nice reef look besides I'm getting a little frustrated with the lack of room in the 10g.

 

[strat]

good input everyone. i think that size range is good, especially cuz i wont have to have a sump etc. and itll give me a chance to learn and see if i can actually keep a successful reef. should be fun. im starting to think i should start from scratch even tho its tempting to get a used bargain. time will tell

strat

 

[wishworks]

Thank YOU,
I suppose the advice is great, simply because my investment will be reasonable if purchance it goes
"kapooie" I have a eclipse 20 FR and would like to use that tank for my begginer experience..any ideas on how to upgrade to reef?
Like in equipment?
Thanks again for your thoughts..