Growing Coral..

[dam612]

sweet! Do you think I can buy most of the stuff i need at like a petco or petsmart store?

umm i personally would go to a more of a mom and pop shop rather then the big chains. they have complete setups at petco and such but i believe you can strike a better deal at a store that caters to salt water aquariums. another big plus is that they are very knowledgeable on the subject and would be more then willing to school you in the salt water field. the petco people are dumb as rocks imo and ive gotten sick fish from them that i had to nurse back to health. but if you can find a good deal on a ported/drilled tanks at the chains that would be ok-but thats all i would really buy from them

 

[lakew00d]

umm i personally would go to a more of a mom and pop shop rather then the big chains. they have complete setups at petco and such but i believe you can strike a better deal at a store that caters to salt water aquariums. another big plus is that they are very knowledgeable on the subject and would be more then willing to school you in the salt water field. the petco people are dumb as rocks imo and ive gotten sick fish from them that i had to nurse back to health. but if you can find a good deal on a ported/drilled tanks at the chains that would be ok-but thats all i would really buy from them

Yea I am just thinking about buying the tank there. I know they have some good prices on the bigger tanks. I want a prety big tank idk where ima put it put it though.

ima go run down there today

 

[dam612]

the bigger the tank the more forgiving it will be and better it will self sustain itself, and as stated your fish will like the extra room as well. another great thing is craigslist. some times people sell their setups if they are upgrading or ditching the hobby. ive found some good steals on it. i knew a guy who would sell fragments for really cheap which is a nice plus as well.

 

[lakew00d]

you think a 46 gallon would be big enough? or bigger?

 

[dam612]

46 isn't a bad size for a first setup. You can do a nice little reef setup, but if u can go a bit bigger you would be doing yourself a favor. But if your just looking for corals and crustaceans it would be good. Few community fish and you'd be in business. I wouldn't go crazy w the fish but you could get away with a tang and a few clowns, grab a cleaner blenny too. If you can get a longer tank that would he better as height really isn't important (bow tanks are usually taller)=more intensity of light to your plants and animals. Plus gives the fish a longer run while swimming.

 

[lakew00d]

I found a one that someone is selling for 280 dollars 55 gallon, with 50 pounds of live rock, filters, uv light, heater, and a few fish, but idk how i would move something that large and it would be about a 30 mile trip

But I think I rather start fresh, so i can learn everything ya know? like i think buying one thats ready to go is cheating. lol

Kinda like growin bud! you can buy a plant thats already ready to harvent. lol
you didnt learn anything except how to spend money

 

[dam612]

you just transfer all the water and rock into clean buckets or garbage pails, same with the fishes. set the tank up at home and fill with the stuff. everything should survive that trip. sounds like a decent deal. sounds like you might still need light setup but still sounds like a good deal-the uv light might just be a uv sterilizer not a main source. Did the guy post a pic or anything? kind of filter? its kinda better to get a tank like this bc the tank already has its chemical levels in check.

 

[lakew00d]

He didnt really post much info, and the pictures he uploaded got cut in half so you can only see the top of the tank. lol.

He said
"For Sale: 55 gallon bow front salt water aquarium, fully stocked. $280.00 OBO
Hardware:
2 filters one is 180 gl and one is 90 gl; Compact Fluorescent Lights; UV light; Stainless Steel Heater.
a live fish come and take look you love it.
Approx. 50 pounds Live rock; miscellaneous .Needs to go."

and the thing is... I own a 2 door car. lol god damn me for wanting to buy a small car. cheaper on insurance though so oh well.
but i dont know how id pick up all the stuff

 

[dam612]

hmm yea might be a bit of a squeeze to get in your car, esp if it comes with that cabinet. but a 55gal bow on its own can cost around that so sounds like a good deal to me. esp coming with 50lbs of rock-which runs about 7-15$ a Lb. the filter thing is throwing me off, i doubt he has 270gallons designated to filters, unless gl is some kind of brand of filter. comes with a tang and 2 puffers which is cool-puffer might eat crustaceans tho. i remember the dogface puffer that i had had some diesel ass teeth on him.

 

[Carne Seca]

doesn't it take a long time to grow coral?

Depends on the coral. there are hard and soft corals. The soft corals grow faster.

http://www.reeflounge.com/index.php

 

[lakew00d]

hmm yea might be a bit of a squeeze to get in your car, esp if it comes with that cabinet. but a 55gal bow on its own can cost around that so sounds like a good deal to me. esp coming with 50lbs of rock-which runs about 7-15$ a Lb. the filter thing is throwing me off, i doubt he has 270gallons designated to filters, unless gl is some kind of brand of filter. comes with a tang and 2 puffers which is cool-puffer might eat crustaceans tho. i remember the dogface puffer that i had had some diesel ass teeth on him.

Yea I just went to petco, they ave a 55 gallon for 55 dolllars which is a really long tank, ima wait until I get some more cash, or I might think about getting that 280 one.

 

[bobsti]

I do it ... It is indeed pretty hard when your first starting out ... There's alot of stuff you need to research before jumping into this hobbie... I've been doing it like 3 years now and have spent alot of time and money... Prolly have about $10,000 into my saltwater tank.

 

[lakew00d]

I do it ... It is indeed pretty hard when your first starting out ... There's alot of stuff you need to research before jumping into this hobbie... I've been doing it like 3 years now and have spent alot of time and money... Prolly have about $10,000 into my saltwater tank.

Is it worth it? What do you suggest I look into and research?

 

[sunni]

omfg just STAY AWAY from salt water tanks, you cant even have anything live in them for like a year and ahalf after set up, possibly one of the most patient things youd need to be its like sitting outside watching a tree grow for 15 years

 

[bobsti]

Ya I actually make alot of money selling coral, it's worth it but just research and buy quality equipment , better than replacing junk over and over... Check out reefcentral.com it's a great forum !everything you need to know is on there.

 

[WillyBagseed]

poor mans fake salty setup.

Freshwater Cichlids, they come in many sizes, somewhat different shapes and every colour you can imagine.

They are also vicious little fuckers that will tear damn near anything up.

Just don't stand on your counter washing the walls with 409 and have the sprayer pop off and bottle go into tank killing everything....... if you were to do that you would be a dumbass..........

Just something I heard you know...... =/ no more fishies for me.

 

[lakew00d]

Alright cool! ill check that Forum out! Thanks man!!

 

[lakew00d]

poor mans fake salty setup.

Freshwater Cichlids, they come in many sizes, somewhat different shapes and every colour you can imagine.

They are also vicious little fuckers that will tear damn near anything up.

Just don't stand on your counter washing the walls with 409 and have the sprayer pop off and bottle go into tank killing everything....... if you were to do that you would be a dumbass..........

Just something I heard you know...... =/ no more fishies for me.

LOL oh my. that sucks man ):

 

[bobsti]

omfg just STAY AWAY from salt water tanks, you cant even have anything live in them for like a year and ahalf after set up, possibly one of the most patient things youd need to be its like sitting outside watching a tree grow for 15 years

yes you have to be a very patient person to do this hobbie, nothing is fast all pretty slow as far as coral grows... I've lost alot of coral stuff just happens things get out of wack and boom it's dead , you have to test for calcium , alk , mag, and a bunch of other things, coral require a certain amount of all of those things , but I've had alot of The same stuff in my tank for 4 plus years now!

 

[bobsti]

Alright cool! ill check that Forum out! Thanks man!!

No problem I promise you will be hooked