page 2 wants to start a 10 gallon salt water tank

9/6/2006 3:34:53 PM

but if you want a challenge... try a smaller tank (experience recommended 1st... the rest of us don't want you killing off everything)

9/6/2006 4:06:28 PM

So I went to Fish Pros the other day to check out some tanks and here are some quotes I got, someone who knows what they're talking about feel free to tell me if these sound decent or where else I should look for a better price:

29-gal with what they call their "saltwater setup" (includes heater, filter, salt, sand, etc) $243.99 + $106.99 for the stand

35-gal hexagon tank with the same "saltwater setup" $311.99 + $83.99 for the stand

Also I don't really know whether or not to start out with fish only or go straight for live rock (coral is kind of out of the question for a while)

9/6/2006 4:23:11 PM

^Fish Pros is way overpriced in my experience. Shop around. A lot. I'd recommend live rock. You'll need to cycle your tank for a good while and won't be able to put anything in it but live rock fyi.

^Don't get a hex!!!!!!

[Edited on September 6, 2006 at 5:34 PM. Reason : merf]

9/6/2006 5:33:55 PM

What is cycling, I keep reading about it but have yet to find a description of what it actually is or why its needed. Why would you not recommend a hex? It seemed like it would fit well in the space I have for the tank and given that I don't plan on packing the tank with coral I thought it might not look quite as empty as the longer 30gal.

9/6/2006 5:54:18 PM

^It's a pain to look at. Always gives people headaches, plus the angles just kind of distort the inside. Cycling is vital. Although time varies depending on who you ask, 2 weeks to a month or something. Cycling is the period where your tank acclimates itself. All of the ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and pH will be balancing it out at this time. If you stick any creatures in there before it is done cycling they will either die or mess up your cycle.

Oh, and as for live rock or fish - totally different. You have to have some kind of rock for the fish to hide in, that's a must, whether you get fake/dead/live is up to you. Live rock will ultimately be healthier for your tank.

[Edited on September 6, 2006 at 6:25 PM. Reason : merf]

9/6/2006 6:24:18 PM

nice thread, i love to see people talking about my favorite hobby. The new Reef Science retail store is open and has great prices on coral. The sign still says Aqua Escape, but it is not, you can tell by the coral. 30%-40% lower that other stores. They are also running a special on Live Rock.

9/6/2006 10:29:37 PM

Is reefsciences running a special on coral in the new retail store or are the prices about the same as the website? I normally wait for the big yearly sales but I might have to check out the store now that it is under new management.

9/6/2006 11:19:20 PM

It is hard to say, but they seem a little better than on the site. Saw a 6 inch bright green carpet anemone for $39. Usually they are $60-$70.

9/6/2006 11:28:58 PM