What do you guys think of these tanks?

IMO
2 heaters(1 for the tank, 1 for WC's)
2 thermometers
3 powerheads( 2 for tank, 1 for WC's)
refractometer to measure salinity
testing kits, red sea or salifert
a decent skimmer
RODI
prob new bulbs for the light or a new light system
sand
rock(dry dead, marco rocks is great)
mesh cover
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/clear-mesh-jump-stopper-121802.html
and prob some salt!

I wouldn't skimp on the lights, test kits or heater. Make those a priority!

WElcome and good luck to ya!

And if ya have a girlfriend, put aside some cash for a present for her, you'll need it after she sees how much money ya drop in this thing!lol

 

LOL, I'll be tapped out by then! What happens if people dont use the RODI unit and buy distilled water from the store? Its true that you only have to do partial water changes once a month? Correct? Since these units are about 200$, wouldnt it be cheaper to do it the other way, while still being effective?

 

Ive seen some SW tanks operating without the RODI system....do they just buy distilled water and fill it that way?

 

Sorry, just giving ya a little more realistic list to add up before ya take the jump!

You can use the water from the store, Your LFS prob sells pre made saltwater and RODI water for pretty cheap too! But you'll prob wann do water changes at least every other week until ya get your system running for awhile and stabilized. Then if ya keep your bioload small once a month should be fine! But I think you'll realize, making this at home is def cheaper and worth your time. 10 gallons every 2 weeks will get annoying! It does give ya a reason to go to the LFS and spend money though.

 

Thanks for that info man, it clears things up! Its a 20% water change every two weeks, the month, correct?

 

That REALLY depends, you'll just have to see how your tank goes. But if you keep your bioload down, 10% every 2 weeks should be fine! If ya have too many fish prob at least 20% every 2 weeks, if ya add corals, then that may need to be upped. But you'll have time to figure that out.

 

Sweet, thanks again! And if I buy this used tank with his rock, I should dry out the rock first to ensure no little critters from his tank pollutes my new fish?

 

Lol yes I recommend the RODI ... It has saved us tons of money! Everytime we go to the LFS I come home with another coral!

 

Yeah, I just looked again, seems like ya should go with the first tank if ya can get it for $200 or so. Seems to have a lot of stuff so ya don't need to buy much extra.

BUT, IMO, i'd pull the rock, scrub it off real good and dry it out. Then dump the sand and start new! Get about 50 pounds of new sand and a few cups of live sand from your LFS and some rubble rock

 

yup...what he said. : )