Capt Caveman
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2005
- 34,543
- 651
- 126
My recs: Freshwater, under gravel filter with power heads and an Aquaclear HOB filter. Lots of plants, some driftwood and community fish.
A chiclid tank is the closest to marine colors for FW. Unless your getting new lights, PC or MH; you can only keep the lowest light plants like anachris/javafern even with 4 flourcsent lights on the 75g hood its like 1w/gal. I would get a HOB emperor 400(bio) and a canister filter(mech filtration). My reef tank isn't that hard to upkeep but it does require a heavy intitial cost.
3rd'ed
75 gallons of water in your living room may sound like a good idea, but 75 gallons on your floor is not.
I vote for getting a Oscar and putting him in there and let your boy feed it gold fish.
hanoverphist
Diamond Member
- Dec 7, 2006
- 9,867
- 23
- 76
thats the same tank one of my iguanas is in. make sure its rated for water use, i know the one i have is specifically for reptiles and wont withstand being filled with water. if those lights are not vita lights, id say the reptile in there wasnt very healthy. i say get a bunch of frogs and build a cool waterfall system in there for them to frolic on. much easier to maintain than fishies. of course ive had a fish tank for years, and havent cleaned it in over a year. surprisingly i still have fishies (and they keep having babies) in it. water is lear too, despite no algae eater or anything.
dont miss my point tho, make sure that thing can hold water.
Damn, didn't even think to mention that. If the silicone sealing the tank is hard and yellowish don't trust it. It should have a slight bluish tint and be pliable. Other danger signs are peeling up around the edges, bubbles in the silicone, and, since it was a lizard tank, silicone that's been chewed on or clawed at.
A tank with a silicone seal really shouldn't sit more than 6 months - 1 year without water. I'd imagine yours has. You can reseal it yourself if you want which will cost you no more than about 6 bucks in silicone, but will require some patience. Or you can find a fish shop that will probably do it for around $50 or so. But you don't have to do it. It's your floor after all
Kanalua
Diamond Member
- Jun 14, 2001
- 4,860
- 2
- 81
75G...go salt water... Not that hard to do...will probably cost you around $500-$700 dollars to do it "right," but will be worth it.
Just go to http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/ and http://www.reefcentral.com/for...564d221238eb03c8d621ef and http://wetwebfotos.com/talk/index.jsp .
They will hook you up with as much info as you need. Go Fish only with Live Rock. Upgrade your lighting, start off with a H.O.T. Skimmer. Do you testing and make sure your tank cycles, and you can have a nice basic setup. when you get the hang of it and want to go with a full reef setup...well, that's when your hobby will turn into an obsession!
Just go to http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/ and http://www.reefcentral.com/for...564d221238eb03c8d621ef and http://wetwebfotos.com/talk/index.jsp .
They will hook you up with as much info as you need. Go Fish only with Live Rock. Upgrade your lighting, start off with a H.O.T. Skimmer. Do you testing and make sure your tank cycles, and you can have a nice basic setup. when you get the hang of it and want to go with a full reef setup...well, that's when your hobby will turn into an obsession!
spacejamz
Lifer
- Mar 31, 2003
- 10,995
- 1,745
- 126
Originally posted by: ProfJohn
I have a 55 and looked at doing salt, but it would have easily hit $500 to do it the right way.
Go with fresh water and then get TONS of tetra and other small community fish.
I have perhaps 40 fish in my 55 plus some plants.
IMO lots of little fish make the tank seem more alive than a few big fish.
Go to the store and tell them you want 60 neons
BTW I have an under gravel filter with two power heads and an over the side filter, the tank is amazingly healthy. I have been doing this for 20 years and have never seen fish as colorful or vibrant as the ones I have now.
a good set of power compacts will easily run around $200-300....i am running two 65W 50/50 bulbs on mine and the fixture/bulbs were $220...
My 55 Gallon Salt
I need to get an update a pic...added a royal gramma, pseudo strawberry and foxface since this pic was taken...
The only reason he shouldn't do this is because most fish that belong in fish only setups are not compatible in reefs. Lionfish, angels, and puffers do not belong in a reef.
Here is my 60 gallon before it was cleaned. I've since added a royal gramma, a crocea and some more zoos.
I got a Tek T5 fixture with 4 54 watt bulbs.
For an all-fish setup with midrange equipment, that's true. For a reef tank with equipment you never have to worry about, add a zero to the end of those price estimates. I have single components in my tank that are in that range, and a few that are more. And, really, it's worth getting a drilled tank because recirculating skimmers beat H.O.T. ones hands down.
It does give nice results. This, as you see, was 8 months ago. And this is the same rocks and corals now. That green slimer at the top of the rocks has almost quadrupled as you can see. All this is used to maintain it.
The baller way to cycle a tank is to dump a crapload of aqueous ammonia in it. When the water tests 0 for ammonia, the filter is cycled.
Now is a good time to figure out what kind of fish you want to keep. You can buffer the water while cycling it. For example, if you wanted to keep koi, you could put some crushed oyster shell in the filter.
Now is a good time to figure out what kind of fish you want to keep. You can buffer the water while cycling it. For example, if you wanted to keep koi, you could put some crushed oyster shell in the filter.
Oh, yes, new pics please! I would love to see a comparison and see how things are doing. Like that blue tang you have there. And if you want something to do a nice job taking care of the sand, I strongly recommend a sand-sifting goby like a diamond goby. Cool fish, and the one I have does absolute wonders for keeping my sand clean and turned. They are jumpers, though, so have to be careful with the canopy.
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
- 66,664
- 15,046
- 146
As someone who has been in the hobby in one way or another for over 30 years, I can attest to the accuracy of the definition of an aquarium:
A glass (or acrylic) box into which you constantly pour large sums of money
Whether you go fresh or salt, be prepared for a significant cash outlay to get the tank set up properly.
Saltwater will cost considerably more, but IMO, it's worth it because of the wide diversity of animals you can keep, and the far more intense colors they bring.
The maintenance of a saltwater tank is more costly, (you have to buy either pre-mixed saltwater, natural saltwater, or bags of salt mix and make your own. Anyway you go, you're looking at a MINIMUM of 50 cents per gallon (bagged salt mix) and can easily spend $1 or more per gallon...just for the saltwater.
The equipment for a salt tank is different than for a freshwater tank. The basic ideas are the same, but filtration is different, and lighting is MUCH different. (and more costly.
There are many aquarium forums out there, some specializing in certain kinds of fish, others specializing in freshwater, more for saltwater/reefs, some that are general aquarium-related forums, etc. As with any hobby, some forums are better than others. Some cater to newbies, others HATE newbies...
IF you go with saltwater, I'd recommend www.reefsanctuary.com or even www.reef-visions.com.
Not as big as Reef Central, but MUCH more friendly. Reef Central has far more "experts" than any of the other forums, but as a newbie, you're not likely to need their services for a while anyway...Reef Central (unless it's changed lately) isn't usually very newbie-friendly, and flame-wars often get way out of hand before a moderator steps in.
Anyway, enjoy the hobby. It can be very relaxing, and a well set-up aquarium is a living work of art.
A glass (or acrylic) box into which you constantly pour large sums of money
Whether you go fresh or salt, be prepared for a significant cash outlay to get the tank set up properly.
Saltwater will cost considerably more, but IMO, it's worth it because of the wide diversity of animals you can keep, and the far more intense colors they bring.
The maintenance of a saltwater tank is more costly, (you have to buy either pre-mixed saltwater, natural saltwater, or bags of salt mix and make your own. Anyway you go, you're looking at a MINIMUM of 50 cents per gallon (bagged salt mix) and can easily spend $1 or more per gallon...just for the saltwater.
The equipment for a salt tank is different than for a freshwater tank. The basic ideas are the same, but filtration is different, and lighting is MUCH different. (and more costly.
There are many aquarium forums out there, some specializing in certain kinds of fish, others specializing in freshwater, more for saltwater/reefs, some that are general aquarium-related forums, etc. As with any hobby, some forums are better than others. Some cater to newbies, others HATE newbies...
IF you go with saltwater, I'd recommend www.reefsanctuary.com or even www.reef-visions.com.
Not as big as Reef Central, but MUCH more friendly. Reef Central has far more "experts" than any of the other forums, but as a newbie, you're not likely to need their services for a while anyway...Reef Central (unless it's changed lately) isn't usually very newbie-friendly, and flame-wars often get way out of hand before a moderator steps in.
Anyway, enjoy the hobby. It can be very relaxing, and a well set-up aquarium is a living work of art.
Kanalua
Diamond Member
- Jun 14, 2001
- 4,860
- 2
- 81
No need go with an all out reef system now (and ALL the cost). A midrange FOWLR would be great as a starter tank. Then if you want to add another zero to the price...
Of course a drilled tank would be nice, but he doesn't have that. If he wants to upgrade, he can...upgrade skimmer, add sump/refugium, upgrade lights, etc...
And you can get some fish that would be hardy in a FOWLR and work in a reef tank. Geez, you don't have to get Lionfish, angels, and puffers!
Anwyway, I would go FOWLR, then if you get hooked...pony up and get obsessed...
Modelworks
Lifer
- Feb 22, 2007
- 16,240
- 7
- 76
I had aquariums for over 20 years. Nothing like having one.
Great for the blood pressure, just sitting and watching them.
I also had some of the largest and prettiest fish.
My secret, real food . Not the flake stuff.
Also real plants, not the plastic, some species love certain plants.
small peices of fish , roast beef, vegetables tied to sewing thread and allowed to dangle in the tank. The fish love it and when they are through, just pull the thread out with the leftover food.
I was even breeding fish for a while.
I want to get back into it, especially the salt water tanks.
Just got to get up the cash.
Great for the blood pressure, just sitting and watching them.
I also had some of the largest and prettiest fish.
My secret, real food . Not the flake stuff.
Also real plants, not the plastic, some species love certain plants.
small peices of fish , roast beef, vegetables tied to sewing thread and allowed to dangle in the tank. The fish love it and when they are through, just pull the thread out with the leftover food.
I was even breeding fish for a while.
I want to get back into it, especially the salt water tanks.
Just got to get up the cash.
Oceandevi
Diamond Member
- Jan 20, 2006
- 3,085
- 1
- 0
Thats a 55 gallon. Its 12 inches wide not 18.
Good deal either way. If you get a HOB filter I recommend Aquaclears. Emperors are ok but they move alot of water past the filter media and use it to spin the bio wheels, so this water is not filtered.. Kind of a waste and the filter area is cramped and not very useful. You can rinse and reuse the Aquaclear sponge for years, which is not the case with stock emperor media.
You can do a price match at petsmart on these filters. Just print the page out and take it in to the store. You will spend much less, and do not have to wait on shipping.
I also recommend Central American cichlids, but order some rare ones. the common species are the most plain and simple looking.
Good deal either way. If you get a HOB filter I recommend Aquaclears. Emperors are ok but they move alot of water past the filter media and use it to spin the bio wheels, so this water is not filtered.. Kind of a waste and the filter area is cramped and not very useful. You can rinse and reuse the Aquaclear sponge for years, which is not the case with stock emperor media.
You can do a price match at petsmart on these filters. Just print the page out and take it in to the store. You will spend much less, and do not have to wait on shipping.
I also recommend Central American cichlids, but order some rare ones. the common species are the most plain and simple looking.
After my experience with doing reefs, I have to say piecemealing a reef tank is a Bad Idea. It's kind of like computer equipment, you almost always go bigger when upgrading. By the time you're obsessed enough to try a reef (especially an SPS reef), hopefully you're experienced enough to know what kind of equipment you SHOULD be getting and are ready to suck up the investment to do so.
I could have saved SO much money if I had realized that buying the right equipment the first time means you don't have to replace/upgrade it later when what you do have does not truly meet your needs.
For the OP, certainly I agree, a midrange FOWLR with midrange equipment would be ideal for what he already has and his experience level. For reef, you practically have to start from the ground up and go high end, because that kind of tank demands it for proper health and growth and any cut corners will come back to bite you later.
Make sure you get a plecostomus
That is a MUST. It wil clean the tank for you. Eats all the algae. Drasticly cuts down on maintenence. A few snails wouldn't hurt either. Onnce you get the tank going all you should need to do is change a filter once in a while. And rarely change some water out. And feed your fish of course.
That is a MUST. It wil clean the tank for you. Eats all the algae. Drasticly cuts down on maintenence. A few snails wouldn't hurt either. Onnce you get the tank going all you should need to do is change a filter once in a while. And rarely change some water out. And feed your fish of course.
CallMeJoe
Diamond Member
- Jul 30, 2004
- 6,938
- 5
- 81
Be sure to use Aquarium grade silicon (RTV), not common sealant. The regular tub & tile type has anti-fungal agents in it that are absolutely deadly to fish.Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
A tank with a silicone seal really shouldn't sit more than 6 months - 1 year without water. I'd imagine yours has. You can reseal it yourself if you want which will cost you no more than about 6 bucks in silicone, but will require some patience. Or you can find a fish shop that will probably do it for around $50 or so. But you don't have to do it. It's your floor after all
As hard as it may be for me to agree with ProfJohn (even outside P&N), I also have had great success with a combination of undergravel filter (set up with power heads for reverse flow) and an Aquaclear 70 HOB. I can, however, happily disagree with PJ on tank stock. I like a less crowded tank; my 55 gal has two large angels, two large opaline gouramis, a red-tailed shark and a large clown loach (plus algae crew) in a heavily planted tank. My 40 gal has six serpae tetras, six lemon tetras and six black neon tetras and a 10" common pleco. I also have a 5 gal Betta tank. A more crowded tank is livelier, but a less populous tank stays healthier for an occasionally lazy fish keeper, and the fish have more room to swim.
v1001 recommends a plecostomus. While they are great cleaners, be aware that a common pleco can reach over 12" length in just a few years and completely dominate your tank (like my 40 gal). I have a rubber-lipped pleco (4" max) and half a dozen otocinclus cats (1 1/2" max) to take care of surface algae growth in my 55.
Originally posted by: CallMeJoe
Be sure to use Aquarium grade silicon (RTV), not common sealant. The regular tub & tile type has anti-fungal agents in it that are absolutely deadly to fish.Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
A tank with a silicone seal really shouldn't sit more than 6 months - 1 year without water. I'd imagine yours has. You can reseal it yourself if you want which will cost you no more than about 6 bucks in silicone, but will require some patience. Or you can find a fish shop that will probably do it for around $50 or so. But you don't have to do it. It's your floor after all
As hard as it may be for me to agree with ProfJohn (even outside P&N), I also have had great success with a combination of undergravel filter (set up with power heads for reverse flow) and an Aquaclear 70 HOB. I can, however, happily disagree with PJ on tank stock. I like a less crowded tank; my 55 gal has two large angels, two large opaline gouramis, a red-tailed shark and a large clown loach (plus algae crew) in a heavily planted tank. My 40 gal has six serpae tetras, six lemon tetras and six black neon tetras and a 10" common pleco. I also have a 5 gal Betta tank. A more crowded tank is livelier, but a less populous tank stays healthier for an occasionally lazy fish keeper, and the fish have more room to swim.
v1001 recommends a plecostomus. While they are great cleaners, be aware that a common pleco can reach over 12" length in just a few years and completely dominate your tank (like my 40 gal). I have a rubber-lipped pleco (4" max) and half a dozen otocinclus cats (1 1/2" max) to take care of surface algae growth in my 55.
Actually, the regular G&E Door and Window Silicone I has no anti fungal in it and is completely aquarium safe. Just make sure it's door and window only and it's Silicone I and not Silicone II.
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