Salt Water Tank Question

[angel]

This only KIND OF fits here, because the first things to pop out would be inverts when starting new live rock. Does anyone have an opinion on buying a saltwater tank with supplies and live rock that's been SUPPOSEDLY up and running? Would this be a good or bad idea? Would it be better, if it's ok to buy live rock that way, to cycle it anyway, or is there a way one can tell if it really is cycled?

[jgentry]

Feb 6, 2011 15:56:11 GMT -6 angel said:

This only KIND OF fits here, because the first things to pop out would be inverts when starting new live rock. Does anyone have an opinion on buying a saltwater tank with supplies and live rock that's been SUPPOSEDLY up and running? Would this be a good or bad idea? Would it be better, if it's ok to buy live rock that way, to cycle it anyway, or is there a way one can tell if it really is cycled?

Buying a system that is already setup often times can save you thousands. As it takes a ton to get a reef tank up and established and no one can get close to that money back when they try to sell. However moving an established tank can be quite a mess if you do not know what you are doing. Being able to empty out the tank and keep all of the rock, inverts, and fish alive and happy long enough to move the tank and get it back up is a real challenge if it is a nice setup with lots of inverts and 150lbs or so of rock.

[angel]

Well I've seen a few nice ones available, tanks anywhere from 125 to 185G with 100-150 lbs of live rock, stand, coralife lights, skimmer, wet/dry, and all sorts of accessories, some with fish, I was thinking would cost WAY more than what each one was asking. But I really have no clue about successfully moving them and how to tell if a tank is really established or has had some things added recently that might make it look that way. It sure is a tempting thing to get one established already! These will likely be all gone by the time I sell down enough to have the cash to buy them but more could come up. Saves a ton! But it sounds cool to see curing live rock start growing things too.

[jon carman]

I would get one already set up as well, but make sure you have the maintenance cost budgeted because it can get pricey. Lights have to be replaced more often, and more supplements and power.

[angel]

I was hoping going from 30ish tanks to 2 or 3 tanks would compensate for extra power. Might it still be more?
Supplements are something I'll need to learn about. I know things need added but is there a formula like there is for salts and soda?

[oneyoda]

Jon's right. If I jump into salt,I would get one already set-up. After that, replace the lighting as soon as possible. From the little I do know about salt systems lighting is the most important part of a reef system. After that, I call one of the Riches! Do you still have a number for one of them? PM me and I'll give it to you again. or check your inbox and see if it's still there.

[jon carman]

No, it will be way less than 30 tanks. probably equal to about 5 or 10 in money and 2 in time.

[angel]

So electricity wise I won't regret it. Timewise either. Down to the chemicals and getting them right

[angel]

Or minerals rather

[kazzy]

I'd buy one already up and running, and then maybe set up a smaller one yourself. Half the fun of saltwater has to be what comes out of those rocks! I can't wait to be able to set one up myself, and I'm excited to see what emerges.

[angel]

The trouble with smaller saltwater tanks is if something goes wrong it goes wrong faster. That's why I want to go large. Maybe when I've got a ton of experience I'll try small. But the advantage is with a big tank and monitoring you can catch a crash before it's killed the life in there. More like the ocean I guess--more water less chance to throw it off balance.
I think even if I get an established setup I'll keep a small tank to cure a few rocks myself just to watch new things emerge, and add them to the big tank after they're cured. Might work

[jon carman]

If you do it right and stay constant, it won't be that hard no matter what size you do. I do 1 5gal change every 2 weeks with R/O top off when evaporated. I don't care to do the testing or the mixing so I buy the R/O water and the saltwater from the critter premixed.

Then I feed daily and add purple up every other day. I don't have a filter of any kind other than live rock and I don't have a skimmer. I just have a pump and a heater. I haven't had any problems other than under feeding the fish and a case of ich.

If you have a problem in a large tank, you might catch it, but it will be pretty expensive to fix. If you find a great deal on a big tank, go for it, but I would look in the 75g range as a good starter.

Good luck! All I have found on my live rock is tiny snails and small starfish which is pretty cool

[angel]

So you don't need a sump? No wet/dry thing? Nothing? That's amazing!

[jon carman]

Nope, nothing. Just the live rock and a good pump. A bigger system needs more, but in mine, a filter turns into a nitrate trap.

[angel]

Well Joe did say that the live rock is the filter but I wasn't grasping it that that's all it needed. Hard to get my head around it. But totally cool.