Begginer marine tank set up

[music4everman]

I really like how guys answer back so quickly,
I actually have only one filter in my cabinet (ehiem pro 3e) and only after I cut a small hole in the shelf to give me clearance to be able to maintain it. The other is right beside the cabinet.

Since saving money without jeopardizing the safety of my tank is definitely a consideration of mine, I'll try the floss as a substitute. So I'm guessing I have to get a controller sooner than later, because cooking my fish would be a horrible thing. So members, I need your help AGAIN. Do I have to go expensive in order to get a good one?
My lighting system already has a timer so I guess it would just have to control the heaters for now.   
What are some of the features I should look for? What type of equip. do you hook up to a controller?
 Any brand name to consider strongly. Should l consider getting just a chiller as a precaution from the heaters instead of the controller? Thanks for your help.

hey pink,
thanks and best of luck to you too,
How long ago did you start? Has it been frustrating? How big and what type of a tank do you have?
No need to apologize for the hijacking, we're all in this together. Later guys.

Oh before I forget what does RKE, RKI and acjr stand for? 

[music4everman]

i meant how all you guys and gals answer so quickly. Sorry ladies

[cruzincaril]

we anser so fast cuz we not doing anything else except sitting in front of pute...LOL...kiddin

[Just_Greg]

im not understanding this floss thing..does it take the place of foam? or rather i have polyfilters in my HOB...

yes, you just put floss in the filter in lieu of the foam insert.

[Bergy]

again, a controller isnt a necessity, but it will be more expensive to go with it later on then i fyou do it at the beginning...

As for the abbreviations, they are the names of the controllers..

RK  = ReefKeeper

RKE  = Reefkeeper ELITE

RKL  = Reefkeepr lite

ACjr  = Aquacontroller jr

Aquacontroller now comes as APEX   whichi is sold as apex lite or just regular apex


you will get what you pay for

everything you want will be in the basic / jr  versions


the more expensive versions will have stuff like internet accessiblity and notification and all that stuff

so, it comes down to what you can afford and what you want it to do ...

I would suggest looking for a used Aquacontroller jr   you can find them for about $120-150  used


these units hold thier resale value pretty well btw

[cruzincaril]

how u holding up bill? feel any better?

[pinkorchid]

hey pink,
thanks and best of luck to you too,
How long ago did you start? Has it been frustrating? How big and what type of a tank do you have?
No need to apologize for the hijacking, we're all in this together. Later guys.

Hey!
Just this past fall for me. Frustrating.....ummm, YES! I was ready to throw in the towel a few times...LOL. Set up was nerve wracking to say the least. I honestly don't think I could have done it if I hadn't found this place. I was and still am confused with certain things. Everyone here helped me along the way. I have a 55gal FO. Live sand, no LR (which I regret - hoping to add some). I have 2 clowns and 2 hermits. Had a few minor bumps but all is well.

Believe me all the time and frustration is so worth it!!! Such a great hobby  ;D

Amy

[Bergy]

you can find some base rock and just add it...

this rock will become live as it grows into your system

rinse the rock of corse before adding it


other then that you are doing great

[music4everman]

hey Amy,
Glad to see you didn't throw in the towel. I guess I'm more anxious than frustrated. Maybe cause it's so new to me that the excitement makes me inpatient. l want a beautiful tank, LIKE YESTERDAY, but we all know that's a fantasy. Why no live rock yet? I know they can be expensive depending on how and where you get it. Some places ship for a flat rate of $19.99 up to 45lbs. l believe PetSolutions was one of the places that offered this. My LFS seems to be pretty expensive, one wanted $9.99 a pound. OUCH that could get ugly quick when they weigh them. Do you have a wet/dry W/sump or a canister? How's the maintenance? Well, l hope you end up with the tank of your dreams.
hey Bill
Thanks for clarifying those abbreviations for me. I'll look into the Aquacontroller jr. I really don't like buying used things (bad experiences). You never know if you're going to get something good or something on the verge of failing. But thanks for the suggestion.
This place ROCKS, very helpful.

P.S.......Cruzin, you better get up every once in a while to stretch, before ur fingers lock up lol. If you guys only knew how long it takes me to type out these messages, you would laugh. My son is always making fun of me when l text, he can text 20 messages in the time it takes me to do 1. But l keep trying .bye 4 now

[Bergy]

i undersstand about used stuff but, NEPTUNE Systems and a couple other reef stuff has excellent customer service which is why some things hold thgier resale value well.

Curt at Neptune systems will warranty everything, and the acjr is so fool proof that it is pretty rock solid... although there can be some issues with some older models...

best to ask before you buy...

but generally, the acjr is a great buy


you can try contacting Tom at socaltropical.com and tell him i sent ya, and he will cut you deals on the acjr or the rkl   although i can not help on the reefkeeper stuff

[pinkorchid]

Well...I have a HARD time getting anything saltwater related. We only have 2 LFS in the area and they both focus mainly on FW. Most of the larger retailers are too far from me and shipping time would be risky (IMO) and costly. So....it's been a struggle.

I can't even get snails here  ??? Just placed an order through a small establishment a few hours away. It'll be $75 for 12 snails and a cleaner shrimp....  I personally think that's a little outrageous  :-\

It's set up with a HOB filter, seaclone skimmer, and a maxijet powerhead. So pretty basic. Maintenance is easy. I've been doing a 4-5gal water change monthly, adding top off every few weeks.
So that's my story  ;D

Have fun with the set up! Be sure and keep us posted on your progress....your patience will pay off!

[cruzincaril]

hi ya..so..amy...i must admit i missed a lot of the earlier posts when you first joined. so now im trying to catch up with everyones system. im relieved to see im not the only one with out a sump, cuz you mentioned the HOB filter. i have two marineland  400 HOB, three koralia powerheads and a coralife super skimmer..thats it..i have one measly lfs in town who doesnt guarantee fish and has no snails at all. so i get most if not all my stuff from foster smith...as u probly know they charge like 30 plus just to ship. ridic..but i have good luck with their livestock.next lfs is 45 mins away and really expensive. so i gues we just do what we have to to have a nice tank or as near nice as we want. also there are no clubs or ppl nearby  who have fish. i think a lot of them have fresh anyways..even drs offices..oop this is long..just filling you in..not that you asked...lol..

[pinkorchid]

ha...and here I thought I was the only one  ;) Sounds like we have about the same amount of access for things  :-\ I've been searching for other SW lovers/clubs in the area too but haven't found any. I order most of my dry goods, etc. from bigalsonline.ca. I just recently found the spot I ordered my snails from - shipping starts at $30. I'm glad I found them though, they have quite a few interesting things. I would love to "someday" look into corals. Especially now that I know I can get them. This place is a little over an hour away.
Anyways...I'm glad you spoke up Carole. It's hard to keep track of who has what....

[music4everman]

Pink,Cruz.......Wow, ( glad to see you guys have stuck it out) so I know u love it.
That sounds expensive to me too, but trust me I wouldn't know. Sounds like this is a rough hobby for you two ladies to follow in ur area.  Around here (long island, NY) we have our fare share of saltwater suppliers, but, not many quality ones IMHO. One of the really nice ones would have to be Tropical showcase, who really have a knowledge of marine fish and tank maintenance, and have the tanks to prove. It's one of the coolest places to hangout in. I can stare at their tanks for hours, ssssssssso many fish, So little time. I know what  you mean about expensive shipping. Been there, done that!
I do surf the net to compare prices though. You just have to catch a good deal on the product or a good deal on shipping.
Bill thanks for the info and contact. I'll check it out.
later all

[cruzincaril]

hi music..we havent been introd..ive been on this site for um ...since may of last year...i had to go check the member list..lol..long island ny? whoa..thats my old stomping grounds..actually i was born in jersey spent some of my life in the bronx and a lot of it upstate ny before coming to calif.  the biggest fish tank ive seen loaded with corals was up at my daughters in chico...man..i could just put a chair in front of that tank and just look at it all day and drool and wonder how i could have any of it. my tank is full of softies and im sure u probably know they are not brightly colored..would love to have some hard corals but as bill appropriately named my folder...cruzincarils careful tank..i am that..i research the heck out of things before i add..i would love some more fish. but agin have to make sure they compatible and soooooo expensive..so when i order fish i usually order other live stuff too..for that shipping cost... you bet...anyways..im guilty of goin on and on just wanted to say hi..