Planning To Set-Up A Marine Tank

[Carp4U]

I've just got a tank off my dads friend completely free of charge. I'm not thinking that theres any problems with it just because it was free, I think he was just eager to get rid of it to make way for a 42 inch tv. Anyway, it's 90 cm long (front face), about 33cm deep, and 29 cm wide (back to front). I've worked it out to be about 20-22 gallons.
It previously had lots of tropical fish in it, I already have a 15 gal tropical. I was hoping to make a marine aquarium with the tank. It doesn't come with anything except the tropical pump and heater (plus a stand and hood). My dad told me that to get a marine set-up, the bigger the tank the better as they are quite fragile when small.

I'm 14, so I don't have much money, although could you make an estimate of the price of the things I will need like protein skimmers and stuff? I know I will have to save up to buy all the live rock, corals and fish etc but a basic cost estimate would be handy to help me decide whether to set-up the marine tank I have wanted for a while or just turn it into a big tropical.

Cheers!

 

[mattyg12uk]

I've just got a tank off my dads friend completely free of charge. I'm not thinking that theres any problems with it just because it was free, I think he was just eager to get rid of it to make way for a 42 inch tv. Anyway, it's 90 cm long (front face), about 33cm deep, and 29 cm wide (back to front). I've worked it out to be about 20-22 gallons.
It previously had lots of tropical fish in it, I already have a 15 gal tropical. I was hoping to make a marine aquarium with the tank. It doesn't come with anything except the tropical pump and heater (plus a stand and hood). My dad told me that to get a marine set-up, the bigger the tank the better as they are quite fragile when small.

I'm 14, so I don't have much money, although could you make an estimate of the price of the things I will need like protein skimmers and stuff? I know I will have to save up to buy all the live rock, corals and fish etc but a basic cost estimate would be handy to help me decide whether to set-up the marine tank I have wanted for a while or just turn it into a big tropical.

Cheers!

As i have a plug and play as it were im not sure on an overall budget but by the sound of it you have a grasp of what things you need, i dont want to put you off but to start it can be very expensive refractometer costing £30-£40 for instance and then you have your skimmer (maybe £100?) and LR (about £11kg unless from a broken down tank) and tests about £10 a pop depending what you test and what for. Then you need ro water more than likely either a unit (cost?) or picking it up from LFS which vary to put it lightly. There are a ton more things and imo its all worth it but you have to be sure you can manage it, however when you have the basics you can and should take your time when adding everything else (coral/fish/inverts). There is another young lad on here with a useful thread in the journal section why not head over as it could be useful for you! Hope that helps a little.

 

[seffieuk]

If you ready and willing to take your time and hunt for bargains it can be done - the hobby is so expensive that most of us have to do this!

Best thing to do is read some of the nano journels, including the one Matty suggested, which is Harry's, (you will find it in the marine journel section). he is also starting a similar sized tank. Take lots of notes and start a shopping list.

Live rock can be bought from a reefer breaking down a tank - you just might have to wait a while for someone in your area - sells for about £5 kilo

Skimmer - many people buy second hand, either go for a cheapo one like the boyu which will be fine whilst lightly stocked and save up for something like the deltec mce 300 (or birthday presents etc )

Lighting - you will need to decide what you are going to keep in the tank

RO water - you could buy from lfs already salted to start with and save up for an RO unit of your own

Refractometer - you really need this from the start - £30

Test kits - about £10 each, will need to start off with ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph

Powerheads - again can be bought secondhand, but new £30

Aragonite sand - £18

Questions answered - Free

Anyways - good luck and remember patience is a virtue on the salty side

Seffie x

 

[VictorMeldrew]

I do not think a marine tank can be done cheaply, mine has set me back about £2000 so far and is still costing alot, although the tank I have is a bit larger than yours the running costs are still high, take this for example, I have now ran out of salt, so my next water change is going to cost me about £50 by the time I buy a new bucket, yes you could buy pre-salted RO which is mixed with cheap salt, but then you would want to add calcium and magnesium (if you have corals), its all very expensive.

Do not mean to put you off here but if you do not have available funds for the tank you are up against it from the start.

VM