Newbie intending to set up a 4ft marine fish tank

[nicholaslimsg]

I currently have a 4 feet fish tank with a cabinet got it from Qian Hu Fish Farm. I also have an external Eheim filter not sure what model. Intending to set up a tank full of corals and rocks and a few small fishes. Need help on how i can start up from square one.

What are the things i need to get 1st?

What are the necessities in maintaining it?

How do i know if my tank meets the requirement? (I used to rear arowana by the way)

Is a budget of $500 enough to start out 1st?

Please advise seniors!

[jc85]

Look up the sticky and read some books will be a gd start if you have not.

Frankly, $500 seems abit low for saltwater.

[reefer guy]

wat's the glass thickness of your tank? i recommend you go for sump rather than cannister..... true -- $500 is a bit low... be ready to spend a bit more especially from the start....

good luck buddy!!!

[Fireclown]

Well, I would advice you to start slow. Prob do some reading up 1st. Would advice you to get Ian's I~box and get a sump.

[panlee]

If got choice build the overflow into the tank rather than using an external overflow box. Get someone to drill a hole for you if your tank can be drilled. If you search the forum you might find person to contact who will come to your house to drill your tank.

[jazzben81]

let me breakdown the cost for u :

TANK:

arnd $900 ~$1200 for 10mm ~ 12mm 4x2x2 tank

with sump, cabinet and hood.

SAND:

arnd 100kg of #0 or #1 sand. depends whether u want to do a DSB maybe lesser a bit. $100

LR:

LR arnd 50 ~ 80 kg . more the merrier.

price range from $8 ~ $16 per kg.

$400

SALT:

salt mix. (i use coralife salt tub for 150 G) $65.

or u could use seawater, i think arnd $80 ~ $100...(not sure never use b4

LIGHTS:

T5 lightings(no need to upgrade. unless u want to keep extremely light demanding corals then will the MH come in, but with MH theres always a need for chillers.)

$330 from EA*

PROTEIN SKIMMER:

get weipro 2014 with a pump.

approx. $130 ~ $160

(i dont use PS)

all that of the above is only equipments. excluding LS and corals.

cost is arnd $2000

(since u have a 4ft tank but is ur tank 10mm all round at least?)

then mayb u can cut back the 900 bucks. but do get a sump mayb a 3 ft which will cost u abt 100 bucks..

so the cost will still be arnd 1200

of coz u can just get the maybe $250 worth of LR,$100 worth of sand and the rest spend it on test kits,hydrometer,thermometer and salt... and let ur tank cycle till u get ur next month pay..

tts just my 2 cents worth .

[jc85]

The things that is need for cycling will be (based on my expereince_);

1) Tank

2) Sump with pump / cannister filter

3) Live Rocks

4) Sands

5) Skimmer (depends on individuals, I do have mine during cycling)

6) Test Kits (NH3, NO2, NO3)

7) Hydrometer

8) Salts

Things that need to be added,

9) Lights

10) Surface skimmer if u use cannister

11) More test kits (PH, Alk, etc)

12) Addictives i.e ph buffer

13) Quarantine Tank depends on individuals again

14) Live Stocks (the fun part)

Hope this helps you on budgetting.

Cheers

[SBS_Transit]

Can any one help me to find out the cost for a 2 feet tank ? (no DSB , and keeping corals and inverts)

[dradttg]

Can any one help me to find out the cost for a 2 feet tank ? (no DSB , and keeping corals and inverts)

I am keeping a keeping a 2 ft tank.

Here's the breakdown.

1) Tank (10mm and bowled type) + Cabinet - $320

2) Eheim External filter 2123 or 2212 (cannot remember) - $128

3) Prizm Skimmer - $188

4) UV sterlizer - $180

The rest not very sure because a LFS set my up. Other equipments are

5) Lighting (one white and one blue)

6) 11 kg LR.

7) 7 pieces of coral.

8) Hose.

9) Surface skimmer.

Total cost of 1 to 9 = $1285.

I got other stuff

a) KH test kit. - $10

Electronic pH tester - $65

c) Seachem pH buffer - $12

d) Seachem kH - $12

e) Hydrometer - $16

f) Brine Shrimp - $1.5 per slab

g) DT Plankton - $24

Hope this helps.

[MalaysiaBoleh]

I am keeping a keeping a 2 ft tank.

Here's the breakdown.

1) Tank (10mm and bowled type) + Cabinet - $320

2) Eheim External filter 2123 or 2212 (cannot remember) - $128

3) Prizm Skimmer - $188

4) UV sterlizer - $180

The rest not very sure because a LFS set my up. Other equipments are

5) Lighting (one white and one blue)

6) 11 kg LR.

7) 7 pieces of coral.

8) Hose.

9) Surface skimmer.

Total cost of 1 to 9 = $1285.

I got other stuff

a) KH test kit. - $10

Electronic pH tester - $65

c) Seachem pH buffer - $12

d) Seachem kH - $12

e) Hydrometer - $16

f) Brine Shrimp - $1.5 per slab

g) DT Plankton - $24

Hope this helps.

UV STERILISER?????