New Member - Newbie questions

[mr11]

Hey everyone, I've wanted a reef tank for years and I'm finally in a position where I can get one. I've been reading around to get the most amount of information I can but I'm still left with a few questions.

- I live on the 11th floor of an apartment building.... I was thinking a tank somewhere between 40-75 gallons, is that too ambitious? The larger the better is what I hear but does that hold for high rise apartment living?

- Local craigslist has a 72 gallon reef ready bowfront with stand and sump for $450 and will throw in aqualight by corallife T5HO (I think) lighting with new bulbs for $75 (although LEDs seem to be the popular option now). If anyone could just give me an idea if that's a good deal or not I would appreciate it, I don't have a handle on the used market yet.

I'm looking forward to getting started and I'm sure I will have plenty more questions in the coming week.

 

[KliJefs]

In a steel building weight wise your fine. The only problem I see as it has happened to me, building managers don't like the thought of 75 gallons running down the walls. I would talk to them just so if a break does happen make sure your covered.

 

[twilliard]

Welcome to R2R!
That is a good size tank
Do you have a list of equipment it comes with?
Please feel free to ask any questions

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[steelheader.262]

Welcome to R2R!!!!

 

[Pfisherman]

to get your feet wet (so to speak) I would really consider starting with an all in one. like a biocube or nanocube, they are reasonably priced and come with all of the hardware you will need to get started. It is not uncommon to see 29g biocubes with rocks and sand for around $100-$150.

 

[mr11]

Welcome to R2R!
That is a good size tank
Do you have a list of equipment it comes with?
Please feel free to ask any questions

Thanks everyone! As far as I know the 72 gallon only comes with the tank, sump, solid wood stand, and plumbing, with those lights being 75 extra.

to get your feet wet (so to speak) I would really consider starting with an all in one. like a biocube or nanocube, they are reasonably priced and come with all of the hardware you will need to get started. It is not uncommon to see 29g biocubes with rocks and sand for around $100-$150.

I was looking at the biocubes as well but there seem to be a lot of people who say it is more difficult to maintain a smaller tank. I'm not sure how true this is but it does seem less intimidating.

 

[Jeff Kurtz]

It is true that the smaller the system, the less stable the water parameters tend to be. If you have the wherewithal (and your landlord's blessing) to start with a larger system, I'd recommend going that route. If not, something in the 30-gallon range certainly isn't unreasonable.

 

[twilliard]

Do you know the volume of the sump?
Also is it divided for a refugium?

 

[mr11]

Do you know the volume of the sump?
Also is it divided for a refugium?

I don't know the sump size, 10-20 gallon judging by the pic maybe. It doesn't look divided.

Heres the ad: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/hsh/5229856409.html

 

[mike007]

WELCOME TO R2R

 

[jsker]

$450.00 is a steal. I have the 72 bowl front, and with my start up was $1375.00. that was tank, sand, rock, LED lights, salt, HOB filter, heater. it looked like they had a MP40 is that still in the deal?

 

[Hawain_Rob]

Jbj gas a 45 gallon all in one cube.

 

[Pfisherman]

that JBJ is the *******!

 

[mr11]

That's an awesome looking tank. How does a $600 all in one compare to piecing together a $600 tank?

 

[Pfisherman]

That's an awesome looking tank. How does a $600 all in one compare to piecing together a $600 tank?

here is how it works in theory, lets use my 40 breeder as an example.
tank-100
light-300
overflow kit-120
sump-50
baffles and silicone 40
return pump 70
stand 200
circ pumps 150
skimmer 350
plus other stuff that you need for either system

now look at this...
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+21183&pcatid=21183

320 for almost all the hardware a beginning reefer needs to start a successful mixed reef. ad a powerhead of your choice, jebao for savings or mp10 forever. as you advance you can add a skimmer or all kinds of kool addons, led retro kit whatever. aio is whats up. then if you dont like it you sell it at much less of a loss than if you build a killer system and give up.