2FT Marine Tank Set Up Recommendations, Equipments.

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Hi, I'm new to marine tank set up, i havent buy anything yet. Need planning before go for a shopping spree.

I need recommendations for setting up my fish only marine tank. I will invest on a chiller in the future for corals. But for the mean time i will only setup Fish Only Tank with live rocks, live sand.

Just FYI, i do not intend to upgrade to a bigger tank. If i succeed, i will still stay with a 2FT for my living room and maybe a nano tank for my room.

I need recommendations for my set ups most probably a cheaper alternative as i read that Marine Tank set up not are more affordable since the rise of China Made Equipments. (I'm not rich lol)

I have not buy anything yet, as im doing planning before i start buying things. So bros who have a 2ft set up please help me out.

My Planning so far are stated below, But i need bros who have much experience in equipments to help me out on Brands, Price and where to get them. I've already got my source on LR, LS, NSW. So its just the tanks and equipments that i need recommendation.

Please Recommend me a cheaper alternative, China Brand if possible.

2ft Tank

Filter

Skimmer

Wavemaker

Lighting (LED prefered)

Any thing else i missed?

Please Help me to jump start my marine tank set up. I do not want to jump start to a ready made tank that cost me $290 http://www.fishnfriends.com/tankA.html as i know its not worth the money. as i can get cheaper stuff.

Thanks.

[tunicate]

I encourage you to also check out for sales section on our forum. A 2nd hand German pump may yield better value than a brand new China made one. BTW, an decent LED lighting alone for a 2 footer may well exceed $290. I do not want to sound discouraging, but keeping a marine aquarium is not a cheap hobby. What you've mentioned is the setup cost. Below is a link to calculating your electricity consumption for the tank(i.e. running cost) which you also have to take into consideration. And also factor in NSW, additives, etc for the running cost.

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

If you plan to introduce corals into the tank, then it's better to have a tank with a sump below as the upkeep of corals require more stringent water parameters, thus more equipment, hence more $$ to purchase & maintain them. The sump area would allow you to house these equipment & muffle out the equipment sound if the sump sits in a cabinet.

But once you got your budget & plans straighten out, setting up a marine tank has great potential of a fun project, and something you'll enjoy tremendously. Happy reefing

[FuEl]

A wise initial investment would be a good book. I recommend "The Coral Reef Aquarium" by Tony Vargas. It will save you more $ then the initial investment in the book. Even long term hobbyists like myself still refer to books.

You may order it here:

.

Also do buy captive bred fish if possible as they are more adaptable & less likely to carry infective pathogens.

[John Deroe Kenedy]

I encourage you to also check out for sales section on our forum. A 2nd hand German pump may yield better value than a brand new China made one. BTW, an decent LED lighting alone for a 2 footer may well exceed $290. I do not want to sound discouraging, but keeping a marine aquarium is not a cheap hobby. What you've mentioned is the setup cost. Below is a link to calculating your electricity consumption for the tank(i.e. running cost) which you also have to take into consideration. And also factor in NSW, additives, etc for the running cost.

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/tank_elec_calc.php

If you plan to introduce corals into the tank, then it's better to have a tank with a sump below as the upkeep of corals require more stringent water parameters, thus more equipment, hence more $$ to purchase & maintain them. The sump area would allow you to house these equipment & muffle out the equipment sound if the sump sits in a cabinet.

But once you got your budget & plans straighten out, setting up a marine tank has great potential of a fun project, and something you'll enjoy tremendously. Happy reefing

Yah. Im ok with the maintainace. I worry more on the equipments Setup. I just want a basic setup.

[kaykay]

Please Recommend me a cheaper alternative, China Brand if possible.

2ft Tank

Filter

Skimmer

Wavemaker

Lighting (LED prefered)

Any thing else i missed?

Thanks.

Hi. Read that u do not intend to upgrade if the setup is successful. This is another strong reason why you should start with reliable equipment.

This tank to be placed in your living room, do you intend to get a good strong cabinet for a nice display?

Do take note that this is one item you should not compromise. This should add a big chunk to your setup cost.

However, if you don't mind compromising reliability, then here's my 2 cents' worth of opinion.

A custom made 2' tank with ios should set you aside $150-$200. Another safety-first consideration.

Otherwise troll the buy sell forum for tank set. Currently there are a few reefers decomming their nano.

My recommendations (brand new equipment)

Rio return pump. Just go for the model with flowrate at least 10 times the total volume of your tank.

Bubble Magus Skimmer.

Sunsun wavemaker.

Beamswork 400 LED light.

Test kits.

A cooling fan.

If you want to automate, then consider timers for lights.

The list is not complete yet.. The above will add up to more than half a grand already. All above brands are from china, bros correct me if I'm wrong.

Many reefers will agree with me that it is wiser to bite the bullet and start with good equipment, even if it is 2nd hand. It may sound cheaper to go with cheaper (=lower reliability) alternatives, you'll end up spending more to replace them when they break down sooner rather than later. Remember Penny wise, pound foolish.

I'm not a rich guy too. Thats why I troll the buy/sell forum frequently for good equipment at a fraction of their RRP.

Also doing a bit of DIY. It's real fun, and the sense of achievement is priceless.

All said, do consider the pound foolish" principle.

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Yah talking about DIY. I find that good LED are kinda of costly even for a 2' tank.. Does Lighting do any change to the water parameters of lifestock? Coz if it doesnt? Is it possible to DIY my LED lighting? Well i have overstock of automotive LED strips and T5 Led Bulb. I usually use those LED for people who want to use LED on their Cars n bikes. I also have this old Lighting Case from my previous fish tank.

I intend to use the case, mod them n stick LED strips onto the lighting case.

Is it safe?

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Tempreture wise, i dont thing those LED strips brings out heat at its those Strips with silicone cover for water proofing.

[Jameshong]

Tempreture wise, i dont thing those LED strips brings out heat at its those Strips with silicone cover for water proofing.

To light up the tank for viewing no problem but not for coral such as SPS and LPS.

[slapper]

I have second-hand protein skimmer, filter and wavemake for my 2feet tank. Will sell it cheaply. PM me.

It is possible to setup a 2ft tank with corals without using a sump, depending on what types of corals you keep, and also how often you change the water. This is my 2ft tank without sump. The only pitfall for nano tanks is that the water quality will suffer is something happens in the tank, i.e. it will affect the other livestocks quickly. Reason why I do not want a sump is cos I like to keep things simple and neat. Space is always a constraint.

For your case, you may want to try out fish-only tank first, before proceeding to coral, if you are cost conscious. Most marine fishes arent costly, and besides, you don't need much water conditioners (trace elements, strontium, magnesium etc) if you are not keeping corals. You don't have to worry about high temperature too. Just the basics such as BB (jus like any freshwater tank) will suffice.

Good luck!

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Ok thanks. Yeap i only be getting clowns n damsels n shrimp.. But if want to keep few zoas n anamone how do i do that??

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Went recce today. I decided on a 30+ litter cube tank. Thickness 5mm. Also found a DIY skimmer wooden air stone $25. $30/kg LR the ones with 4 xolours cant remember where it came from.

[John Deroe Kenedy]

And i wanna ask. Went to jireh too, found live sand $5/kg says that its ready to use, bacteria already in.. issit good? Coz i heard lots of bad comments on jireh regards its QSS. Will do recce at henry 2morrow.

[mjck]

$30/kg live rocks is wayyyyy too ex bro. Premium ones are going at $16/kg only

[fishyfishyfishy]

$30/kg is mad ! You can real good ones at coral farm for about half that price !

Regarding your sand, i would rather you drop by madzpet to look at their bags of premium substrate, i would feel those are more assuring as compared to those in Jireh

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Yeah it is mad, went to henry's, premium LR $16/KG

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Found better LR nearby West Coast Hawker Center, Jeffry, $12/kg for premium LR

[kaykay]

Found better LR nearby West Coast Hawker Center, Jeffry, $12/kg for premium LR

Hi bro, where is this Jeffrey? Mind sharing more details?

[John Deroe Kenedy]

Not sure about the shop name but its located at Block 502 West Coast Drive(West Coast Hawker Centre) , Its inside the market nearby the ATM machine.

[kaykay]

Thanks bro. Gonna take a look on thurs as I have meetings there.

[John Deroe Kenedy]

lol ok