New to the hobby looking for advice!

Luka · Sep 15, 2015

Hello all,

My name is Luka and I am really into marine fish and wanted to get into the hobby. I have done plenty of research and learned as much as I could about the hobby, I even went to my local fish store. I am a student so I am looking to build a lower cost aquarium. I was thinking about starting with a 10 gallon tank, regardless of the high maintenance. I put together a list of equipment and other odds and ends. Here it is and let me know what you guys think... weather some things I am getting are no good or if I can get the same or better thing for a better price. It also would be great if you guys can give me any tips you would give to a beginner. Going to add a bubbler as well to keep the oxygen around 14 ppt.

List:

http://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-06080-...d=1442287001&sr=1-1&keywords=10+gallon+filter $11
http://www.amazon.com/ViaAqua-50-Watt-Quartz-Submersible-Thermostat/dp/B005440HLO/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1442287251&sr=1-2&keywords=10+gallon+heater&refinements=p_36:-1500 $14.99
http://www.amazon.com/Marineland-Li...1442287346&sr=1-1&keywords=10+gallon+lighting $34.99
http://www.amazon.com/AQUARIUM-SYST...287470&sr=1-3&keywords=instant+ocean+sea+salt $24.99
http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocean...442287558&sr=1-2&keywords=hydrometer+aquarium $10.55
http://www.amazon.com/API-Saltwater...1442287627&sr=1-1&keywords=saltwater+test+kit $21.62
http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Nutriti...442287806&sr=1-3&keywords=fish+food+saltwater $11.99
http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Koralia...&qid=1442288360&sr=1-1&keywords=powerhead+240 $22.88

Tank $10 craigslist

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Carib...8&qid=1442354803&sr=1-3&keywords=live+rock+10 $30

http://www.amazon.com/CaribSea-Supe...1442288636&sr=1-6&keywords=aquarium+substrate $6.39

Big thanks in advance guys!!!

Luka

mike007 · Sep 15, 2015

WELCOME TO R2R

ReeferJohn408 · Sep 15, 2015

Welcome to R2R.

steelheader.262 · Sep 15, 2015

Welcome!!!

steve&mari · Sep 15, 2015

Welcome to R2R hope you enjoy it here. I'll go through the links you posted.

Luka · Sep 15, 2015

Thanks for the big welcome guys!!!!

KJ · Sep 15, 2015

Welcome to R2R

ReeferJohn408 · Sep 15, 2015

What are your plans on your tank? fish, corals etc.

Justiful · Sep 15, 2015

Are you getting the 10g tank for size or cost? What is your budget?

Luka · Sep 15, 2015

yes I was going to get a 10 gallon for cost. My plan was to just cycle the tank then start off with an ocellaris clownfish (Due to hardiness). And after that I would slowly add corals, shrimp, snails, and some more fish. I haven't done much research on corals yet so not 100% sure probably start off with easier corals. My budget is probly around $200-$300... $300 is kind of a push.

derekstank · Sep 15, 2015

Welcome. I started off with a 3 gallon Fluval. It made me a lot more cautious of everything. Salinity, Ph, ammonia, and the rest. It's still going strong and the 25 gallon JBJ nano cube is going just fine. Craigslist can expand your budget, a lot. Good luck

Luka · Sep 15, 2015

derekstank said:
Welcome. I started off with a 3 gallon Fluval. It made me a lot more cautious of everything. Salinity, Ph, ammonia, and the rest. It's still going strong and the 25 gallon JBJ nano cube is going just fine. Craigslist can expand your budget, a lot. Good luck

Thanks! I have been looking at craigslist a lot but can't seem to find good hardware.

Justiful · Sep 15, 2015

$190 Coralife tank 14g nanocube
http://www.marineandreef.com/Corali...RES15606.htm?gclid=CKbJhMGd-scCFYdffgod7LcCiw
has most everything you need starting out. You can get the protein skimmer in 2-3 months when you have money as it is not needed right away.

$12 Salt:
http://www.petco.com/product/5694/I...&gclid=CMbd0rye-scCFZJgfgodxjwLxA&kpid=927988

$5 Hydrometer
http://www.petco.com/product/125641/Kent-Marine-Hydrometer.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

$22 Test kit: same as you have will work about

$18 Heater: (pretty sure it doesn't come with one)
http://www.petco.com/product/113622...le-Aquarium-Heaters.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

$18 Sand (this is the premium stuff you can spend as little as $10 on other stuff)
http://www.petco.com/product/121752...ack-Aquarium-Gravel.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

Total Cost 265. a little high but not max of budget. You can even get it to $250 if you get lesser quality sand and a cheaper heater.

Get the live rock later you got live sand and that good enough for now. You can wait a few months to buy rock.

Now I know this is $30 more than your original plan, but you are getting an extremely good nano tank that thousands of people use, that if you decide to sell holds it's value well on ebay. It is a little bigger, and has tons of youtube videos and reviews about it. As well as mods, and customization.

Luka · Sep 15, 2015

Thanks for taking a look Justiful. Its a good idea! I will see what other people think! Thanks again!! VEry helpful!

melypr1985 · Sep 15, 2015

Hi! Welcome to R2R. I will say that I started with a 10 gallon and I loved it..... at least until I wanted more fish, more corals, more everything and upgraded to a 90 less than a year after starting. That was 7 years ago of course.

Anyway! I Wouldn't bother with that LED hood. Look into fixtures that are meant for saltwater and corals. That way when you decide to get them you aren't paying for another fixture. Paying twice sucks. Hydrometers are junk in my experience, get a refractometer. I would also go ahead and get the rock for the tank in there and let it cycle with the rest of it. Get dry rock for the most part then seed it with some really good quality live rock. My 2 cents.

Good luck!

Luka · Sep 15, 2015

melypr1985 said:
Anyway! I Wouldn't bother with that LED hood. Look into fixtures that are meant for saltwater and corals. That way when you decide to get them you aren't paying for another fixture. Paying twice sucks. Hydrometers are junk in my experience, get a refractometer. I would also go ahead and get the rock for the tank in there and let it cycle with the rest of it. Get dry rock for the most part then seed it with some really good quality live rock. My 2 cents.

Good luck!

Thanks, How is this for the lighting...http://www.amazon.com/All-Glass-Aqu...6228&sr=1-2&keywords=10+gallon+lighting+20+in

Amit Kumar · Sep 15, 2015

Luka said:
yes I was going to get a 10 gallon for cost. My plan was to just cycle the tank then start off with an ocellaris clownfish (Due to hardiness). And after that I would slowly add corals, shrimp, snails, and some more fish. I haven't done much research on corals yet so not 100% sure probably start off with easier corals. My budget is probly around $200-$300... $300 is kind of a push.

Sorry to say but a clownfish aren't hardy. They're hardy yes but during the first stages of a tank even after the "beginning" cycle. They don't do well for ammonia. They'll just stress out and die the next morning. Get 1 damsel, they'll survive anything. You can get 1 two striped damsel, they're aggressive towards other damsels but hey you can either buy the damsel for the cycling process and give it back. ( that's kinda mean don't do that. ) or you can but a damsel and after 1 week and a half add 1 fish and so on.