[jlong18]

Good evening everyone! I apologize if I am in the wrong thread area. I have been debating purchasing my first saltwater set up and need help. I have been doing research on this for well over a month and trying to get my ducks (fish) in a row. I am currently looking at purchasing a 75 - 92 gallon tank and I want to run reef and fish. I have found a couple on craigslist that come with lights, sumps,live rock and live sand, that seem reasonably priced. I am trying to figure out if I should purchase a full up and running tank or if I should start over from scratch. I think starting over from scratch would be the more fulfilling/expensive/difficult but not opposed to purchasing up and running. I am not in a hurry to get up and running, and don't have an unlimited pocketbook (which from what I have seen might be necessary.) So if you could, please let me know what is important right off the bat, what I can wait on, and anything else that you feel would be good for someone new to know. Thanking you in advance and look forward to hearing from you!

Jeff

 

[jlong18]

Dane, I would like to have reef with some fish. Thanks Doug! There is one tank that I have been going back and forth on, I spoke with the owner and said that there is a sump, sounded like it might be about a 30 gallon. I know that the guy just moved and left the tank at his parents and needed to get rid of it. From what I have read, it sounds like the biggest cost are going to be the LR and LS and lights. Is this accurate? I think my LSF said that I would need around 150 lbs of LR for a 92 gallon and about the same with LS.

 

[jlong18]

If I do this, I want to do this right and not kill a bunch of innocent fish and my wallet in the process. The LSF is trying to sell me on a biocube, but I know how I am and I know I will just want to go bigger, especially after I know what I am doing

 

[jlong18]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like buying without livestock is the way to go. Thanks Nate. Doug, I was speaking more on the equipment side. Once I purchase a tank and have it cycled and running, I am sure I will be on here with another 100 questions about livestock. I think as far as buying used or new, I am going to have to go (for the tank) I believe that I have enough to get the tank up and running and can add the livestock as money allows. As I state before, I am more worried about having the right equipment and knowledge rather than try and get something into my house and start shoving livestock in there and hope for the best.

 

[jlong18]

Can someone please advise on what is the right amount of Live Rock and Live Sand to start a 90 gallon tank. Thanks for the help all!

 

[jlong18]

Thanks for the info Steal. I will hopefully be pulling the trigger on the tank soon, and once I get it set up I will start posting pics. Any other advice for a newbie?

 

[jlong18]

Thanks school that is good info about the dry rock, I had no idea. Once I purchase, I am sure that I will be taking pictures for advice on how to aquascape. I have already read and seen a lot of great advice from everyone on this site.

 

[jlong18]

Tank looks good Nate. Thanks everyone for all the info. Going to buy something soon and I will post when I have it in my house. Thanks again