New&Inexperienced

[tyler1503]

Oh thank you! Yeah that's why we are here. We have 3 major pet stores, PetCo included. I have never trusted them or their fish! Every fish I have ever gotten from them has been sick or has gotten other fish sick. I have experience with fresh water tanks... Just not the salty ones lol

Your half way there then I'm guessing you understand basics of water testing and stuff?
Yea Jordan, I'm an aussie. Most people seem to think we get all the crazy cool stuff here in aus, but we get the leftovers the US market doesn't want. It's expensive here too, 2 male ocellaris clowns will set you back close to $100 here

 

[Goomie]

Once we get what we need I will look into the quarentine tank we already had plans to get one. Even the freshwater tanks need a quarentine tank

 

[Goomie]

Of course! Water testing is a must, I know how sensitive the environment can be. Any small change or variation can offset the fish or plants in a negative way. I've set up countless live planted freshwater tanks and they always thrive I had a luxurious 2.5 gallon tank for my betta Sir Jerald II lol

 

[tyler1503]

You'll be fine in this hobby then
Your a few steps ahead of most people when they start out.

 

[Goomie]

Well I'm glad to hear that salt water is something I've never thought to dabble in just because of the cost of start up. A freshwater tank is cheap to set up.

 

[Goomie]

We are keeping an eye on sites like CraigsList, Amazon, and eBay for a tank in the range of gallonage we are thinking of.

 

[jordan banks]

That's not what I was expecting to hear about the Australian reef market. I thought you guys would be getting top picks at low prices.

 

[jordan banks]

A word of advice, don't buy used tanks, I had 4 leak. New is better when it comes to an aquarium.

 

[Goomie]

Hmmm. I'm having a hard time finding a tank we like for a good price. We only need the tank and a top. We can build a stand for it ourselves.

 

[jordan banks]

Petsmart has good prices on aquariums, so does petco

 

[tyler1503]

Yea I envy the US market lol. I see all these corals in photos and know ill be able see them in real life. We get the dregs at jacked up prices unfortunately
Like Jordan said used tanks can be trouble. If you do find one that looks good, consider resealing it. Also, if your willing to build a stand, perhaps consider building the canopy too. That way it'll match and there's plenty of great threads here to get inspiration from it's a lot cheaper too!

 

[Goomie]

Luckily my bf has contracting experience so it should be a cinch! Maybe we will check Petco. Small town means no pet smart within a 100 mile radius lol

 

[doreo]

if you are staying small, check out the biocube or other all in one tanks. I loved my Biocube 29 and regret trading up to a 75 sometimes. The thing i like the most about these tanks is they are a great starting point and if you want to upgrade parts like lights, return pump w/e its cheap compared to the equipment on big tanks. the only drawback to small tanks is water volume and fish you can keep.

 

[Goomie]

We are really looking for a large, permanent tank. Price is not the issue really as much as it is the initial cost. Upkeep likely isn't going to break us at all. We have been looking between 90 and 125 gallons. I will post pictures of the area we will be renovating tomorrow

 

[Goomie]

Sorry if that sounded confusing... Lol its like 3 am right now. Half my brain is functioning.

 

[doreo]

ah, well in that case, bigger the better

 

[Goomie]

Wait til you guys see that area... Its awesome! And huge lol

 

[Goomie]

OK call us crazy, but since we can't find a tank we like, we are going to build one! Shouldn't be too difficult and we can customize it to fit the corner of the room. I came up with the design concept of a diamond (like the kind in a ring) shaped tank that would fit into the corner and have an aesthetically pleasing front face. I drew up a concept-y picture but I'm not sure how to put a picture on here and its like 4:30 am... Sooo lol... I'll post a picture of the area and the concept I drew in the afternoon

 

[Jc_ellis]

My first tank was a diamond shaped tank like you are talking about. I had difficulty creating good flow with no dead spots in the thing because of all the awkward angles...

 

[Goomie]

They refer to it as a corner pentagon tank. Since it will be custom built we will do our beat to keep the inside of the tank rounded where the silicone seals it.