New tank

[jflowers]

Ok gonna treat myself to another tank for christmas either a malawi cichlid or, was thinking about getting adventurous and getting a marine. I have always wanted a marine and have been reading the marine posts here for awhile, though I only have tropical FW at the mo.

Anyway, back on topic, Saltwater hardware.
I have a LFS near me with a full set up on special for £670. By full set up I mean it has...
Tank 2.5' x 2.5' x 2' (didnt measure it, but its at least that, possibly 3' x 3' x 2', 2' being the height)
Cabinet
Filter
Skimmer
150 Watt MH
Salt water ready mixed + Ro top up water
Gravel (If I bought this tank I would get them to exchange this for sand)
Heater
other bits and bobs
Basically all I would need to pay for on top of the £670 is live rock and livestock (and yes I know the price of live rock )

Is this a good deal? anything else I will need? Whats the exact Kg of live rock needed for this tank if I want it to be a reef tank with clean up crew and two maybe three fish (I would love a clown and also like scooter blennies, any other small peacful fish you could reccomend?)? Also is the lighting strong enough for coral once the tank has matured for a few months?

TIA (sorry about all the Q's)

Jon

 

[ste2k3]

I'm sorry to say but I don't thing that is a great deal. a skimmer for that size tank would cost you at least around £200 on its own. you have 78 gallons of water. Is the tank drilled? if not what type of filter did it have with it. I don't like "complete setups" for marine as normally they are there to make money and not good marine tanks. If you want a complete marine tank, then the percula 90 from aquamedic would be a good start. these are very popular and come in a range of colours. The RRP on these is £995 but you can get them for as lttle as £850 if you shop around. These are much better value for money. With the full set up's that some LFS's do, you will often find its just a tank and cabinet with the chepest filter heater and skimmer included but looks good as a complete set-up. Also, you don't mention lighting?

Try and find out the make/model of the equipment included.

ste

 

[leon]

i agree, i did the same thing, but it cost me ALOT more , now i know how easy it is to set up, when i ( hopefully ) get my new tank next year i will be sourcing everything myself, it will be sooo much cheaper, and for the price ive paid so far i could have had a way bigger tank!. Oh well, as always we learn from our mistakes. Thats why these sites are so good, they help you to avoid all that.
My advice would be to find ALL the local shops ect. that sell marine stuff (travel out abit), ask questions, look at their tanks (conditions of everything, fish, corals is there aipitasia on the L.R .......) products, price ect, and compare, i find that when 1 shop sells fish cheaper other things tend to be more expensive, like equipment, food, corals ect, but in another the fish may be dearer and other stuff cheaper. Oh and dont forget ebay!

 

[jflowers]

Ok Thanks for the answers, will have to have another think.

Didnt mention lighting? 150 Watt Metal halide. its there in the origional post.

Jon

 

[fraservet]

If you can find out the exact components you are getting it will be easier to give you advice on whether to go for it or not. I would also be a bit skeptical that some parts may not be up to scratch for that price - esp. with a skimmer and MH.

The percula tanks are very good - I would love a 120 if I could afford it! - one of the main advantages for me is that everything is hidden, I don't like equipment to be on show in my tanks.

 

[ste2k3]

Didnt mention lighting? 150 Watt Metal halide. its there in the origional post.

Sorry, didn't see that.

If you get the make and model of all the equipment, then we can give a more accurate answer, it could be bargin of the century, but I very much doubt it.

ste

 

[jflowers]

If you get the make and model of all the equipment, then we can give a more accurate answer, it could be bargin of the century, but I very much doubt it.

ste

Can do,but cant get to look again till the weekend and will have the cash in my pocket then and may just get it . The supplier is Maidenhead Aquatics and have had nothing but good from them so far, but have found them very expensive when it came to hardware, thats why when I saw this as a special I thought it was a good deal (same set up at another local LFS for £995). Of course I will ask lots before actually getting it, just thought I would get your opinions first.

Jon

 

[jflowers]

OK, against your advice I got it. should I stock it with live rock, then clean up, then fish? makes and stuff tommorow as dont have it here yet, but prepared to take my time.

Jon

[EDIT should post this in chit chat sorry, move me please GL]

 

[jflowers]

Ok got the tank, its an aqua medic cube. Has included, power head ph2000, power head ph1000, skimmer aquamedic bio floater, heater, coral sand, master test kit, 150 watt MH lighting.

So far I have 9Kg Live rock and coral sand in there. Getting another 6Kg live rock tommorow. 15kg ok for a 130L yes?