Fish store let down

[Brian Kim]

Quite frankly, it could cost quite a bit to set up a QT tank, especially if you are new or returning to this hobby and don't have access to spare this and that laying around your basement or garage.
With that said, this is pretty much what it cost me to set up one not too long ago. (Please note some prices may be off as i am like Dori, can't remember things too well lol)

1) 20 gallon long tank from petsmart: $38
2) Marineland hood with led lights: $78
3) Dual sponge filter: $12
4) Airpump: $14
5) powerhead: $25
6) Heater: $25
7) HOB w/ UV built in: $89
8) Prazipro: $16
9) Cupramine: $8
10) Cuprisorb: $18 (not necessary)
11) Bio Spira: $16
12) Thermometer: $8
13) Seachem copper test kit: $9?
14) API test kit: $15 (wanted to have separate tester from my DT)
15) Seachem ammonia badge: $8
16) Gravel Vac: $6
17) Fish net: $7
18) Home depot buckets $5X3
19) PVC pipes, connectors, elbow etc: $9
20) magnet glass cleaner: $9

These are some of the things I can think of at the top of my head for now. So yeah, around $400

 

[Humblefish]

Your best bet for a SW QT is to buy a used FW tank. That will have most of what you need.

The following are the bare essentials:

• Aquarium (10-30 gallons seems to work for most people. Bigger QT lets you house more fish and gives you more wiggle room when it comes to ammonia. Smaller QT is cheaper, easier to maintain and can be setup/broke down quickly.)
• Heater/thermometer
• Small powerhead or air pump/air stone, for circulation & gas exchange.
• Freshly mixed saltwater which has been fully dissolved and circulating for at least 24 hours. Alternatively, you can use DT water to fill your QT so long as you are confident that your display tank is disease-free. Do not siphon near the bottom of your DT, to prevent detritus from being transferred to the QT.

Optional/recommended equipment:

• Light (can just be a simple, one bulb fixture)
• Hang on the back (HOB) power filter, where carbon or even a “seeded” sponge can be added
• Egg crate (used on lighting panels), which can easily be cut with snips to build a custom top to prevent fish from jumping
• PVC elbows used as “caves” in which the fish hide
• Seachem Ammonia Alert badge

 

[cmcoker]

1) 20 gallon long tank from petsmart: $38

Any container could be used such as a plastic tote for big box stores. $10

2) Marineland hood with led lights: $78

Egg crate with bird netting zip tied, cut to fit container: $20

3) Dual sponge filter: $12
Depending on size you need can be had on amazon for cheap, not sure you need air pump, sponges and hob - depends on treatment methods

4) Airpump: $14

5) powerhead: $25
Don't need fancy, sunsun pump on amazon $10

6) Heater: $25
Would not cheap out here

7) HOB w/ UV built in: $89

UV not necessary, aquaclear $30 - 50

8) Prazipro: $16

9) Cupramine: $8

10) Cuprisorb: $18 (not necessary)

11) Bio Spira: $16

12) Thermometer: $8
Digital thermometer amazon $2.50 or
Petco Glass - $4

13) Seachem copper test kit: $9?

This is probably more..

14) API test kit: $15 (wanted to have separate tester from my DT)

Using separate collection containers, should be fine. And I don't really test ammonia in my DT anymore

15) Seachem ammonia badge: $8

16) Gravel Vac: $6
Can buy plain tubing at home Depot like 50¢/ft

17) Fish net: $7

Dollar store plastic collander, easier on fish.

18) Home depot buckets $5X3
Check lfs, or firehouse subs $2-3

19) PVC pipes, connectors, elbow etc: $9
Coffee mugs can work - goodwill 50¢each

20) magnet glass cleaner: $9
Old credit card, free

So could be done for less than $150, buying all new stuff and meds. Just depends on what you want.
I started buying stuff here and there, when I ordered other stuff on amazon or saw sales.
Watching Craigslist for used freshwater setups can help cost too.

 

[Brian Kim]

Guess you could go that route, in my case, I was not worrying about budget, just wanted to get it set up and ASAP.
I don't think a plastic tote with an eggcrate top would go along with my mancave furniture and decoration, just personal preference I assume.

 

[Humblefish]

The best time to buy the tank itself is to wait for Petco's $ per gal sale. Petsmart may do something similar.

 

[cmcoker]

Guess you could go that route, in my case, I was not worrying about budget, just wanted to get it set up and ASAP.
I don't think a plastic tote with an eggcrate top would go along with my mancave furniture and decoration, just personal preference I assume.

Yes, its just that too often people cite the cost as a reason for not having a qt.

I personally have 2 10g tanks (#10 each at $/gallon sale) for qt, wife wouldn't care for a plastic tote sitting around for fish.. I like small fish though

 

[Brian Kim]

The best time to buy the tank itself is to wait for Petco's $ per gal sale. Petsmart may do something similar.

Funny how you guys are mentioning that. I was planning on getting a QT tank set up and had that 20g long on petsmart shopping cart for a couple days. Guess I waited a day too long and it was no longer on sale when I finally needed it a couple days later :mad:

 

[Brian Kim]

Yes, its just that too often people cite the cost as a reason for not having a qt.

I personally have 2 10g tanks (#10 each at $/gallon sale) for qt, wife wouldn't care for a plastic tote sitting around for fish.. I like small fish though

I was using my brand new jbj 28 led for hyposalinity treatment (for Angels and Wrasses)

 

[jetmaker]

I've been lucky to never have a disease in a tank but you have to be sure you're lfs uses bare bottom holding tanks no sand or rock

 

[Paranoiattack91]

Ok but that fact is not everyone is $$$$ some of us are Poor so we can't have a Qt so now what???

You're going to spend more on dead fish than you would on a qt

 

[cmcoker]

I've been lucky to never have a disease in a tank but you have to be sure you're lfs uses bare bottom holding tanks no sand or rock

This does not have relevance to fish disease, ich for instance can encyst on the glass, or snail shell or whatever.

You have been lucky, but no live rock or sand at LFS is not why..

 

[jetmaker]

This does not have relevance to fish disease, ich for instance can encyst on the glass, or snail shell or whatever.

You have been lucky, but no live rock or sand at LFS is not why..

I don't want snails in the tank and it won't connect to glass. Been doing this for 33 yrs and can totally relate to Paul B.

 

[jetmaker]

And it has to have a host or no light

 

[joshkirkland83]

1) 20 gallon long tank from petsmart: $38

Any container could be used such as a plastic tote for big box stores. $10

2) Marineland hood with led lights: $78

Egg crate with bird netting zip tied, cut to fit container: $20

3) Dual sponge filter: $12
Depending on size you need can be had on amazon for cheap, not sure you need air pump, sponges and hob - depends on treatment methods

4) Airpump: $14

5) powerhead: $25
Don't need fancy, sunsun pump on amazon $10

6) Heater: $25
Would not cheap out here

7) HOB w/ UV built in: $89

UV not necessary, aquaclear $30 - 50

8) Prazipro: $16

9) Cupramine: $8

10) Cuprisorb: $18 (not necessary)

11) Bio Spira: $16

12) Thermometer: $8
Digital thermometer amazon $2.50 or
Petco Glass - $4

13) Seachem copper test kit: $9?

This is probably more..

14) API test kit: $15 (wanted to have separate tester from my DT)

Using separate collection containers, should be fine. And I don't really test ammonia in my DT anymore

15) Seachem ammonia badge: $8

16) Gravel Vac: $6
Can buy plain tubing at home Depot like 50¢/ft

17) Fish net: $7

Dollar store plastic collander, easier on fish.

18) Home depot buckets $5X3
Check lfs, or firehouse subs $2-3

19) PVC pipes, connectors, elbow etc: $9
Coffee mugs can work - goodwill 50¢each

20) magnet glass cleaner: $9
Old credit card, free

So could be done for less than $150, buying all new stuff and meds. Just depends on what you want.
I started buying stuff here and there, when I ordered other stuff on amazon or saw sales.
Watching Craigslist for used freshwater setups can help cost too.

To have healthy fish and tank: PRICELESS

 

[Humblefish]

@jetmaker Are you saying ich tomonts cannot encyst upon glass? Peter Burgess conducted a series of experiments in 1992, partially to fulfill the requirements for his PhD. He proved that ich tomonts can encyst upon glass, plastic, gravel, metal, wood, and "shell materials" including staghorn corals.

The full study is available for download here: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiJzOq3hK3JAhUC_R4KHT3HA38QFggyMAM&url=https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10026.1/2632/PETER%20JOHN%20BURGESS.PDF?sequence=1&usg=AFQjCNFZegBo4d_wkQMkdoLW0srs1jrpDw&bvm=bv.108194040,d.cGU

If you do not wish to read the entire study, just scroll down to Table 10 for the relevant part.

 

[jetmaker]

Don't know what he studied I know it has lest risk of only..

 

[jetmaker]

I had reef tanks in 70s so don't know about his study I had ick in freshwater but never in salt but I do still use mh lighting I tkink it helps some.

 

[jetmaker]

There are studies that say smokers die from lung cancer to but 70 pct never smoked. That die from it.

 

[jetmaker]

Just wanted to say my lfs is 1.5 hrs away I don't support them I buy from rep online if I buy a dog I expect it's wormed same as a wrasse should be and eating. I believe in good tank management. That's the key.