How much?

[Kriz]

If you plan to create an FOWLR tank, you can keep the salinity level lower than in a reef tank. This can give up to 15% savings in salt.
I definitely recommend a quarantine tank, you should include it in the initial costs. Many diseases are easily tolerated and difficult to destroy in the main display. On the issue of fish health, do not trust the LFS.

 

[MarcF]

If you plan to create an FOWLR tank, you can keep the salinity level lower than in a reef tank. This can give up to 15% savings in salt.
I definitely recommend a quarantine tank, you should include it in the initial costs. Many diseases are easily tolerated and difficult to destroy in the main display. On the issue of fish health, do not trust the LFS.

I’ll think about a quarantine tank. Trouble is, that’s a whole independent tank - true? That could be a dealbreaker. Or is it a small adjunct to the main tank? Clearly they can’t be sharing water. How do most people set it up?

 

[Kriz]

Yes - this is an independent tank.
But it is not necessary to use a tank.
My quarantine kit consists of three IKEA plastic containers with a capacity of about 5 gallons (they are easy to carry, easy to wash, easy to store). In the quarantine process, I use the transplant method (the easiest way to get rid of Ich). You can learn how to quarantine in the appropriate section of the forum. If you are interested in my quarantine technology, write, I will create a topic.

 

[MarcF]

I am interested. Can you explain further? Perhaps a schematic diagram? Or I can search the forum if the information already exists.
Thank you.

 

[Super Fly]

it's possible to go w/o a quarantine tank, many will disagree though...

When buying fish, I only buy fish from few lfs that I trust and know they treat their water so in a way fish are already being group quarantined. You can ask the lfs if they treat their water and if so with what. I look for healthy active/friendly fish (avoiding bullies or else it'll cause stress in home tank) and always ask lfs if I can see the fish eating (eating fish is one sign of health). I also visit the lfs often to check inventory & keep an eye on any specific fish I'm looking to buy. If the said fish has been at lfs for few weeks (longer the better), this tells me the fish is healthy and adjusted to aquarium life. U can also ask lfs if u can pay for the fish while lfs holds onto it to let it get quarantined longer at lfs, but some lfs do not like doing this.

To save $, some folks prefer to buy fish that have been traded-in b/c they are usually cheaper and with the belief that a traded-in fish that was in a home aquarium has adapted well to aquarium life and will adapt to your aquarium quickly as long as it looks healthy.

I'm one of those old schooler who believes quarantining fish at home w chems adds more stress vs providing fish with a comfortable aquarium environment ASAP where they can hide/relax and thrive. But if u really want to setup a quarantine tank, it can be as simple as a 10 gal tank w HOB filter, heater & light that runs independently from main tank. Plastic bins r doable however it'll make it difficult to observe fish. Just make sure to do frequent water changes.

 

[MarcF]

Super Fly that sounds like a very efficient and fish friendly way to go. I don’t really want a quarantine tank. I don’t have a lot of extra room for this. Yes. You look at the wish. Watch it feed. If it looks good, bring it home, drip acclimate it, then put it in. A quarantine system is definitely a good idea, but small plastic containers just don’t sound like a place for a fish over any extended time.

 

[Super Fly]

Super Fly that sounds like a very efficient and fish friendly way to go. I don’t really want a quarantine tank. I don’t have a lot of extra room for this. Yes. You look at the wish. Watch it feed. If it looks good, bring it home, drip acclimate it, then put it in. A quarantine system is definitely a good idea, but small plastic containers just don’t sound like a place for a fish over any extended time.

my lfs writes on glass the arrival date of each fish so I know how long they've been there. If your lfs does not do this, u can always ask. I try to avoid buying fish that recently arrived, alas the popular fish tend to get bought quick.

GL in your retirement in NM, I'm from NY/NJ area and always thought very highly of NM as one of my potential retirement states. Heard it's very dry there though, which would cause more tank water evaporation. Not sure if I saw in ur posts whether u already had an ATO (auto top off) to handle evaporation?

 

[Super Fly]

drip acclimation is not necessary for fish, usually this is for invertebrates. U can add 1/4 cup of water every 10 mins or so (water acclimation) while bag sits in tank water (temp acclimation) for about 30-45 mins or longer (but not more than an hr). I do this until bag water volume doubles then I put fish in tank while throwing out the bag water.

 

[MarcF]

No auto top off. No skimmer.
I held off on accessories to have more money for the tank and basic setup, thinking it’s better to put it into capacity (in other words gallons and size of tank). While the tank is cycling, I can add on whatever.
I don’t think the evaporation factor is really that much greater in ABQ than the northeast- but until I get that unit, I’ll be very careful about monitoring the level in the sump.

 

[Super Fly]

No auto top off. No skimmer.
I held off on accessories to have more money for the tank and basic setup, thinking it’s better to put it into capacity (in other words gallons and size of tank). While the tank is cycling, I can add on whatever.
I don’t think the evaporation factor is really that much greater in ABQ than the northeast- but until I get that unit, I’ll be very careful about monitoring the level in the sump.

When I started in this hobby, I use to manually refill evaporated water but after a while it got tedious and especially if u r ever away definitely would need an ATO. U'd be surprised how much water evaporates esp in dry climate, during dry winter my ATO reservoir gets refilled more frequently. U can make DIY by buying parts urself, autotopoff.com sells float (I recommend the Double to shut pump off in case float gets stuck) and a pump for $40 from Marine Depot https://www.marinedepot.com/tom-aquatics-aqua-lifter-dosing-pump. I use a 5-gal water jug as ATO reservoir, which gets refilled 2x/week during winter.

 

[MarcF]

I will definitely add it on. I just checked storage and utility room (across the hall where I have 3 storage units), and there are unused hookups for washer-dryers - in other words hose threaded taps - which is where I intend to put my rodi unit once I progress to THAT stage. That water will be transferred to the ATO reservoir - correctamundo? And of course we're using fresh rodi water, not salt water, as top off water.
I may need a little hand holding here, guys and gals. If you want any reverse cuddling about oil painting or classical guitar playing, I'm here to help.
I have to admit to a bit of nervousness, waiting for the tank and stand to arrive this coming thurs. I'm biting my nails in anticipation, (and a bit of what-have-I-done) which is not good for my guitar playing. Biting my nails that is. My wife, on the other hand, who took some convincing and repeated trips to the LFS's to agree to this, is perfectly fine and dandy, in excited anticipation. As am I - but sometimes I just look too far down the road, if such a thing is even possible. But way down that road ... no, I'm not going there.
90 gal Aqueon tank, stand, sump, etc, arrive Thurs - to go right next to my adorable parakeets - Tiger and Phil. I know this is a reef forum, but I couldn't resist showing off my boys. I rescued Tiger (the blue one) and we got Phil as a companion.

 

[Blacktip]

After the initial setup cost, tank can run very cheaply. Buy equipment that is energy efficient, and don't install anything that you don't need. My 320G mixed tank ran me $600 last year + electricity cost. I didn't need anything other than food and salt. I buy in bulk when on sale.

 

[MarcF]

After the initial setup cost, tank can run very cheaply. Buy equipment that is energy efficient, and don't install anything that you don't need. My 320G mixed tank ran me $600 last year + electricity cost. I didn't need anything other than food and salt. I buy in bulk when on sale.

YAY! THAT's the spirit! Now that's in my retirement nest egg no problem. And I'm only getting a 90 (so far ).

 

[Super Fly]

Yes, that is correct ATO water is fresh RODI water not salt water.
To save $ in this hobby, all my equipment were purchased used. The only items I buy new are maintenance items, i.e. bulbs, RODI parts, filter etc. Also, if u haven't already bought a RODI unit, don't buy those small units that make 50gal/day. I had one of those and it burned through the DI resin way too quick. After upgrading to 150g/day unit w higher waste-to-production-rate ratio, I don't have to replace resin as often.

 

[MarcF]

That's why I'm holding off buying everything up front, finding out it's not quite right, replacing it, learning even more, and upgrading again - been there done that in other hobbies. I don't have a rodi unit yet. Is the one your mentioned able to be connected and disconnected, and then stored - or is it operating all the time?
I want to make say 10-20 gal of rodi water and then store it and use it as needed. This is because it will be operating in a common area of the building - the storage room across the hallway. I have storage lockers in there and I can store water in containers there. There are spigots and a drain there. It seems much easier in there than in my actual condo. I use it as a workshop anyway. So I'll make let's say 15 gal rodi for ATO, and store the water in a food grade waste container. Then disconnect the rodi unit until needed again. Is this feasible? I'm a retired mechanical designer by the way. I like to understand processes and costs, overhead and risk. All that. So I need a rodi unit that is easily detachable and put away. That's all. I saw a college kid on YouTube demonstrating a very portable unit. It's one solution to this that I've come up with so far. Until I implement it, I'll get rodi water from my lfs, where I just bought my system.

 

[Super Fly]

Not familiar with any RODI units that can easily disconnect, don't u have a kitchen or bathroom sink to connect one? They come with faucet diverters so u can use the faucet whenever needed. It would be such a hassle lugging a RODI unit and connect/disconnect per use... I wouldn't recommend doing this. Even just for my ATO, I use my RODI several times a week.

 

[MarcF]

yeah I have kitchen and bathroom sink on same level as tank - on tile so I could roll a waste container on a dolly easily. It's storing the water that becomes a problem, within my condo. I'm thinking you really need 2 storage containers - RODI water for top off and saltwater for changes. This need for RODI and saltwater has caused me enough concern to put off getting into this for 2 years. But I'm sure I can work it out. SO there's a diverter for the RODI unit which you can install under the sink. If it needs a power source, I have an outlet there.

 

[KrisReef]

I will definitely add it on. I just checked storage and utility room (across the hall where I have 3 storage units), and there are unused hookups for washer-dryers - in other words hose threaded taps - which is where I intend to put my rodi unit once I progress to THAT stage. That water will be transferred to the ATO reservoir - correctamundo? And of course we're using fresh rodi water, not salt water, as top off water.
I may need a little hand holding here, guys and gals. If you want any reverse cuddling about oil painting or classical guitar playing, I'm here to help.
I have to admit to a bit of nervousness, waiting for the tank and stand to arrive this coming thurs. I'm biting my nails in anticipation, (and a bit of what-have-I-done) which is not good for my guitar playing. Biting my nails that is. My wife, on the other hand, who took some convincing and repeated trips to the LFS's to agree to this, is perfectly fine and dandy, in excited anticipation. As am I - but sometimes I just look too far down the road, if such a thing is even possible. But way down that road ... no, I'm not going there.
90 gal Aqueon tank, stand, sump, etc, arrive Thurs - to go right next to my adorable parakeets - Tiger and Phil. I know this is a reef forum, but I couldn't resist showing off my boys. I rescued Tiger (the blue one) and we got Phil as a companion.

We rescued a blue one (Budgie) and got a companion (Tweeter).

For an ATO I use a 5 gallon bucket with an R/O tubing water fitting (drilled and tapped 1/2" pipe threads) that gravity feeds a mechanical float switch in the sump. I just have to keep the bucket filled. Looks horrible but it works fantastic and has no electrical parts. Very simple and reliable, just have to remember to fill the 5 gallon bucket as the evaporation rate changes with the weather.

 

[MarcF]

We rescued a blue one (Budgie) and got a companion (Tweeter).

Same with us. I found the blue one fluttering around on my patio - unable to fly. It was 40 deg. I brought him in, then to animal rescue, and finally adopted him. We got the green one the same day as we adopted the blue one.

Do your budgies retreat from you as far as possible? Mine do. I'm trying to earn their trust but they are nervous by nature. The blue one is older, and a little bolder. The green one is just months old. I'm training them to perch on a stick - forget about my finger for now. I've had bigger birds - these are a pleasure without the screaming and the mess.

 

[KrisReef]

Yup, these are very nervous and seem terrified whenever I try to engage with them. I've given up hoping that they will learn anything quickly. I think it is going to be a long haul (months or years) before they trust me/us.

We "rescued" our blue on from Petco when someone gave it up for adoption. He's a good biter and also the older of the two. We got the green to keep him company and they are pretty good pals. They always perch together.