BIG TANK SETUP
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=15366
Printed Date: July 14 2026 at 8:57pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: BIG TANK SETUP
Posted By: RHINORAIDER51
Subject: BIG TANK SETUP
Date Posted: November 29 2006 at 11:40pm
 I am just getting into the fish hobby and I want to start off with a BIG tank (350g+). I am looking for info on who can build a tank and some expert advice on setting it up. I want to start with fresh water and go from there. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.
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Replies:
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 8:18am
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Marine Aquatics can build you a tank. Click on the blue button on the left of the screen "Local Pet Stores" to get their number.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 9:22am
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I want to start with fresh water and go from there.
You may want to reconsider this...
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Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 9:46am
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I agree with Shane, particularly if you are setting up a big tank, going with freshwater and converting to salt water will require more time and expense than just jumping in to salt whole hog. with all the advice here you can start "slowly" with salt until you're comfortable and then start adding lots of livestock. ------------- http://david.nellans.org |
Posted By: RHINORAIDER51
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 2:02pm
| I thought starting a salt water tank was very expensive. Why do you guys suggest starting with salt? |
Posted By: dnellans
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 2:25pm
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starting a tank is fairly expensive, but its certainly cheaper than buying a bunch of freshwater equipment and throwing most of it away to convert to salt water. i would suggest doing some more homework and realistically budgeting what you can afford before you decide you want a 350 gallon tank of either type. big tanks aren't cheap period, and there is nothing worse than spending money on a big tank that you are unhappy with and spending more money to fix it (or convert it to salt water). ------------- http://david.nellans.org |
Posted By: RHINORAIDER51
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 2:48pm
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Can you give me a ballpark figure on the cost of a salt water tank? I agree with you on the conversion costs, that never crossed my mind, so what you are saying does make more sense. I had a 55g fresh water tank when I was younger so I don't really know where to start with salt. |
Posted By: sukie
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 2:49pm
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What were you planning fish-wise/live stock wise in the 350? It's your live stock that will determine what your spending habit will be. I think David's on the money - research what you want then go from there, salt or fresh. Plus you're going to folks who are biased on this forum - salt is the way to go here. But if you're looking for freshwater forum, I suggest going to: http://utahaquatics.com - http://utahaquatics.com Hope that helps!  ------------- http://sukie.mt-wudan.com/ - My Blog |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 3:15pm
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I just recently started up my first saltwater, and it wasn't near as expensive as what I was originally thinking, primarily because of help and advice from people on this board. Decide what you really want, and if it's saltwater come here for advice, you'll learn a ton and most likely save a lot of money! Good luck
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 3:42pm
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Can you give me a ballpark figure on the cost of a salt water tank?
I'd guess somewhere around $25 to $35 per gallon. But probably higher.
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Posted By: RHINORAIDER51
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 4:47pm
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I have always wanted to have a salt water tank and if like you guys say the price difference doesn't break me I would love to have one this big. Can someone give me some advice on how big of a sump I would need as well as filters and pumps. I would like to start looking for good deals on such to minimize my initial start up costs. Are there any other tank builders in the area? |
Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: November 30 2006 at 4:57pm
That can vary a lot depending on a ton of factors (like live rock vs Utah rock). Time is also a big factor, if you want it really pretty really fast (like tileman) expect to pay more. If you can piece it together over time, and like to watch the grass (corals) grow, you can save a lot of money. I figure if you are going to spend some big $ on a custom tank, why not spend some $ filling it with good stuff and making it low maint with good equipment. ------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Shane H wrote:Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: December 01 2006 at 8:14am
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I think Shane's $25 to $35 is too low for a less to low maintenance saltwater reef system.
As far as filtration goes, it all depends on what you want to do.
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Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: December 01 2006 at 10:46am
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I think Shane's $25 to $35 is too low for a less to low maintenance saltwater reef system.
I agree.
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Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: December 01 2006 at 11:20am
I could set up a 350g system for less than $12K. Anybody want to spot me the 12K (just so I can show you  ).Fax ------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: December 01 2006 at 6:24pm
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You may want to consider setting up a smaller tank <125 gallons (as small as 30 gallons would help you get started). This way you can "get you feet wet". After this tank has been setup you can start the planning for your larger system. After you have a tank for a while (and have seen others) you will have a much better idea of how to setup your large tank. In the end you will have a better setup for your large tank (probably saving you money in the end), and a 125 gallon to use as a sump, quarantine tank, or just another tank. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: December 01 2006 at 9:28pm
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I wholeheartedly agree with Jake, unless you want to pay a company to set up a large tank for you and then you learn to maintain it. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Corey Price
Date Posted: December 02 2006 at 8:32am
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I concur with Jake as well, and it would be a good stepping stone for that 350 gallon beast. Wait until you have to do water changes on 350 gallons plus or scrape coralline algae off the glass- pretty large task.
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Posted By: Gahlenfr
Date Posted: December 03 2006 at 9:14pm
| I also agree with what has been said. Not only is the initial startup spendy but the ongoing maintenance will run probably 300.00 a month with utilities. Like has been stated though, if you start small and then shop right here for good deals you will be able to piece together a good system over time. I have found patience to be the key in this hobby. |
Posted By: chris.rogers
Date Posted: December 06 2006 at 11:08am
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Also agreeing with Jake. My first was a 15 gallon. I made a lot of mistakes-- the good ones. I climbed the learning curve, feel like I know enough to move on. So I'm setting up a 29 gallon (keeping the 15 gallon for a different kind of tank  ) and I don't think as much money will be wasted this time around. Let's face it, I'll still make mistakes, but I think the biggest ones I've already made on the previous tank. I know that small tanks have their downsides in salt water-- mainly stability (more water means more room for error) but the way I look at it is if you start small, and you decide you don't like it, you're not out very much. I'd hate to see you get $6000 into a large tank setup and then decide you don't want to see it through to the end. You'd waste soooo much money. HTH ------------- Ils sont fous, ces Romains! |
Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: December 06 2006 at 1:19pm
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The average suggested cost of a salt water tank on the low end is closer to $30 to $50 per gallon... not to mention maintenance costs as suggested earlier. However, if you have the $$$ and want to do things "right" the first time, get that larger tank(set it completely up minus any livestock, rock, or water) and a couple of smaller tanks that can eventually act as quarantine tanks for corals in one and fish in the other... the smaller tanks will be there for experimenting and getting more comfortable in this hobby until you feel ready for the big plunge. BTW, you may be looking in the area of $12,000 to $20,000 for that 350 gl tank and complete set up. It can be done for less of course, but you're lookin at some serious bargain shopping, making your own equipment(DIY), upgrading slowly as time and $$$ allows. Good luck and enjoy... it's addictive. ------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: December 06 2006 at 10:13pm
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Whats addictive? ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: December 06 2006 at 10:41pm
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captive reefing!!!
------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: December 07 2006 at 8:56am
Now you tell me? ------------- http://www.suzysreef.com - SuzysReef.com http://z4.invisionfree.com/UtahBreeder/index.php?showtopic=11&st=0&#last - Using Macroalgae for Aquascaping |