Opinions on new setup

[Stricklines]

I have been looking for my first tank for a while. I have found someone in the local group that has offered a 33 gallon long tank with a marineland canister filter and zoomed led lights. This is offered for $150. He also plans to throw in some live rock and a few corals after the tank gets up and running.

 

My dilemma is the canister filter after researching it. I have been told I will need a protein skimmer and to set up a refugium/ sump and ditch the canister filter. I am looking for opinions on this and do not want to buy something that will be useless from day one. Also, I definitely want this to be a reef tank not a fowlr

 

Help please. New to the hobby and just still researching my first tank.

[VW_TDI_02]

It depends. Do you want to run a sump? You don't need a refugium and you don't need a protein skimmer. Canister filters can be a pain since you have to clean them out so often in order to prevent detritus build up. I like tinkering with my tank a lot so I went with a sump in order to have more space for equipment.

[seabass]

I agree, you don't need a protein skimmer, and you don't need a refugium. Many members here use canister filters and like them; however, most people find that a hang on back power filter is easier to maintain.

 

Live rock will be your biological filtration, so you don't want bio-media in your filters. Mechanical filters should be kept clean so that it doesn't become a bio-filter.

 

If this isn't the setup you want (tank dimensions, lighting, filtration, etc), then look for something else. It can get expensive replacing equipment that you've already acquired. Otherwise, have fun with it.

[VW_TDI_02]

You may be better off just waiting for the $/gallon sale at Petco and pick up a 20 long or a 40 breeder. It also depends on the canister filter they are throwing in. There is a big difference between a SunSun and a FX6. Not to say that the SunSun is a bad filter but it is definitely cheap cost wise.

[Stricklines]

I have several people suggest the sale at petco. I am not sure how much I would save.

 

Tank $33

lighting $150

Filtration of sorts $

live rock coming with tank.

 

Does anyone have suggestions or list of equipment I would need to buy if I went with a new tank. Such as:

 

Filtration system

lights

skimmer?

heater

any other things I am missing

[VW_TDI_02]

It also depends on the kind of lights? If they're enough for what you want to grow then it may be a good deal for you. The lights are going to be one of the most expensive parts but the live rock and small stuff actually add up to quite a bit.

[seabass]

Does anyone have suggestions or list of equipment I would need to buy if I went with a new tank.

IDK, it depends what you want. Here's one option:

• Petco $1 sale 29 gallon tank $29
• AquaClear 70 $46.54
• inTank AC 70 Media Basket $48.99
• Reef Breeders Value LED $179.99
• 100W Eheim Jager heater $28.85
• Hydor Koralia 425 $23.64

[Stricklines]

Thats awesome. Thanks for the list. I am starting to get some ideas

[VW_TDI_02]

You can actually swap out the reef breeders value for a marsaqua panel from eBay. I would imagine that ReefBreeders may have better service but you're getting pretty much the same thing for $80ish. Also, before you invest in $50+ in timers, see if you can snag a used ReefKeeper Lite. They typically can be found used here for $75 shipped. The base package has four controllable outlets and a temperature probe. You can expand it to add a total of four modules with the Lite.

[DefStatic]

If you are going to buy from Petco, do not forget you get $5 for every $100 you spend, so break it up to save some money. Or check other stores for sales. Like I always find AC filters fro $10 less at PetSmart. There is also Amazon. Or give them my number and give me the $5 for each $100 spent LOL

And check a valued LFS that is a non chain. My LFS non chain store always has nice used tanks for sale, usually half price.