Initial Cost of Saltwater Aquarium?

[dani_starr]

Hi there,

So I am not sure if this is the right place to ask, so if it is not, please forgive me. But after looking at the saltwater tanks in the hospital, I've decided that I really want to do a saltwater tank with my spare 29 gallon tank (I already have one 29 gallon planted and want something else in the living room). I will do LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of more research first, but before I dive into the salty side entirely I wanted to know about how much would it cost to change my vacant 29 gallon aquarium to a saltwater tank? I eventually want to do reef I think. (are they a lot more work then fish only?)

I know costs very, but just a very rough estimate for initial cost for the protein skimmer, filter (do I need a new one, I have a Marineland Pengiun BioWheel 200), powerhead(s) (I need this, right?) rock, sand, just the bare basics to get my tank up, running, and cycling. Any recommendations on certain equipment (such as light, filter, skimmer, etc.) that aren't too expensive I would appreciate as well.

Is there anyway to keep it under $500?

I have an idea I am working on for stocking, so far
1x Neon Blue Goby (tank bred- I refuse to get wild caught fish)
2x Ocellaris Clownfish (tank bred)

I want one more fish, just not sure what yet. Any ideas? Also, do shrimp, sea stars, snails, crabs, feather dusters, urchins, or hermit crabs count towards stocking?


Sorry about all the newbie questions, thanks for any answers!!

 

[greech]

It could be done if you got some great deals on used equipment but just a decent skimmer and lights is going to push $500. A FOWLR would stand a better chance. Were you thinking of adding a sump? If $500 is the limit I would spend it on drilling the tank or getting a HOB overflow, live rock and/or dry rock, couple of good powerheads, adding a sump and buying a good in-sump skimmer. The lights can come later. You can just use a standard light fixture for the FOWLR and then upgrade lighting. Reefs are not necessarily harder and difficulty varies depending on which corals you want to keep. A FOWLR is more forgiving in terms of nutrient levels but a weekly 10-15% water change isn't really that hard to do and should be enough to keep either a FOWLR or reef healthy (depending on how heavy you stock and feed). What other equipment do you have?

 

[Arakkis]

Hi there,

So I am not sure if this is the right place to ask, so if it is not, please forgive me. But after looking at the saltwater tanks in the hospital, I've decided that I really want to do a saltwater tank with my spare 29 gallon tank (I already have one 29 gallon planted and want something else in the living room). I will do LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of more research first, but before I dive into the salty side entirely I wanted to know about how much would it cost to change my vacant 29 gallon aquarium to a saltwater tank? I eventually want to do reef I think. (are they a lot more work then fish only?)

I know costs very, but just a very rough estimate for initial cost for the protein skimmer, filter (do I need a new one, I have a Marineland Pengiun BioWheel 200), powerhead(s) (I need this, right?) rock, sand, just the bare basics to get my tank up, running, and cycling. Any recommendations on certain equipment (such as light, filter, skimmer, etc.) that aren't too expensive I would appreciate as well.

Is there anyway to keep it under $500?

I have an idea I am working on for stocking, so far
1x Neon Blue Goby (tank bred- I refuse to get wild caught fish)
2x Ocellaris Clownfish (tank bred)

I want one more fish, just not sure what yet. Any ideas? Also, do shrimp, sea stars, snails, crabs, feather dusters, urchins, or hermit crabs count towards stocking?


Sorry about all the newbie questions, thanks for any answers!!

I agree with Greech that it's going to be tough keeping the $ 500 budget if you want coral AND fish. You're going to have to choose one and build to the other. Since lighting is pretty expensive, let play with greech's idea of a FOWLR But I am going towards a plenum system because i think it's earier on the beginner.
Parts:

Taam Rio Nano Protein Skimmer $30~$40 (i've used it on a 40 breeder)
Koralia Nano 240 - 240 GPH - 3.5W P29101 ~$22
D-D H2Ocean Magnesium Pro Plus Salt Mix 6.6kg Bucket $27 (why? because it makes my coraline algae grow fast)
E.S.V. B-Ionic 2-Part Calcium Buffer 64oz (32oz Each Bottle) $16 online
Aquatic Gardens Aquarium Hydrometer with Thermometer $3 (i like this because it doesn't go bad like the plastic ones)
Ecological Labs Nite Out II - 16 oz. $9 online
Seachem Laboratories SLI Conditioner Prime 250 ml $6
Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Aragonite Reef Sand 20 lb. $15 online (Go with 2 of these because dry costs about the same on this brand.. or craigslist it of even cheaper)
Live rock (Also good to find on CL) I would suggest at least 25lbs (Cost is highly variable but lets put $150 here)

So far you are $303 without tax
Lights: Sunlight Supply 24" 4x24 Watt T5 Tek Light High Output Fixture $250 (a hydro store should be able to get this for like $125 you can get a used one for cheaper but we are going to replace all the lights anyways)
and like $120 inb bulbs
Giesemann Powerchrome AquaPink T5 Lamp - 24 in. - 24W
Giesemann PowerChrome Actinic Plus T5 Lamp - 450nm - 24 in. - 24W
24W - 24IN AQUA BLUE + Plus Giesemann D&D Powerchrome T5 Bulbs
Giesemann PowerChrome 15K AquaBlue + 24" 24W HO T5

ok so this would be my bare bones in both fowlr and coral.. I went over budget but here you go
Cheers







Other options:
http://denver.craigslist.org/for/2554815439.html 75g drilled.. but you'll probably need 500 on top of that to get your live sand, live rock and saltwater.

 

[XanAvaloni]

arakkis, thank you for that post. I am in much the same postion re: SW research as the OP and am equally grateful.