55 Gallon Tanks Stand

[new2dis]

Looking 55 gallon tanks reasonable on price. Trying to get my feet wet in all of this and don't want to discourage the wife.

[allan]

Need her to buy into the hobby, and forget about the cost. Else you will find a lot of hidden costs that will drive her bat-poo crazy.

When I first got in I thought that the tank was the largest investment... it can be... but truthfully, it's not. You'll need a skimmer. A sump. A return pump. One to two power heads. Lights (PC, T5, MH, or LED). Sand. Live rock (40-60 lbs). Salt. Basic test kit. Refractometer. Stand. Associated piping and hosing.

Then you've got a clean up crew, and some basic hardy fish down the road a piece after the tank has cycled.

Bear in mind that these are the bare minimum requirements. You can nickle and dime yourself right out of the hobby when you look at different things that play a part in the successful tank.

Not trying to disuade you, it's an awesome hobby. But your wife's eyes need to be wide open or you will be like I was after I had my set up all situated and I realized that I needed a skimmer... and couldn't figure out a way to tell my wife that I needed another couple hundred dollars to get a skimmer for the tank. And that I needed another 20-30 lbs of live rock. And it can be disparaging to the spouse who is just trying to keep her husband happy, to have to shell out a few more bones just to get the system right... and you don't even have a fish in there yet.

Now if she's seen a tank, a good tank, and wants that... then you will have a shared goal.

And, I've not even begun to cover the cost of coral and some of these fish that may only live for a few days in a poorly designed system. 55 gallons is a good size between small and large, but you should be looking for a RR 55 gallon... else you will have to add an overflow to the list above... and don't get me started on her reaction to several gallons of premium salt water all over the living room floor.

[hobogato]

great points allan. the people who get out of reefkeeping the fastest tend to be the ones that try to skimp on things. when you do a half hearted reef, it becomes more work than fun very quickly.

[stephaniegarcia06]

Need her to buy into the hobby, and forget about the cost. Else you will find a lot of hidden costs that will drive her bat-poo crazy.

When I first got in I thought that the tank was the largest investment... it can be... but truthfully, it's not. You'll need a skimmer. A sump. A return pump. One to two power heads. Lights (PC, T5, MH, or LED). Sand. Live rock (40-60 lbs). Salt. Basic test kit. Refractometer. Stand. Associated piping and hosing.

Then you've got a clean up crew, and some basic hardy fish down the road a piece after the tank has cycled.

Bear in mind that these are the bare minimum requirements. You can nickle and dime yourself right out of the hobby when you look at different things that play a part in the successful tank.

Not trying to disuade you, it's an awesome hobby. But your wife's eyes need to be wide open or you will be like I was after I had my set up all situated and I realized that I needed a skimmer... and couldn't figure out a way to tell my wife that I needed another couple hundred dollars to get a skimmer for the tank. And that I needed another 20-30 lbs of live rock. And it can be disparaging to the spouse who is just trying to keep her husband happy, to have to shell out a few more bones just to get the system right... and you don't even have a fish in there yet.

Now if she's seen a tank, a good tank, and wants that... then you will have a shared goal.

And, I've not even begun to cover the cost of coral and some of these fish that may only live for a few days in a poorly designed system. 55 gallons is a good size between small and large, but you should be looking for a RR 55 gallon... else you will have to add an overflow to the list above... and don't get me started on her reaction to several gallons of premium salt water all over the living room floor.

Ditto all of the above. Or do what I did and ok the expensive motorcycle and boat purchase. Then your hobby is a drop in the bucket when you compare the two :bigsmile:

P.S. I have a 55 gallon cheap, just the tank. Was going to use it as a sump, but having one built instead. You can build your own basic stand relatively cheap by googling the DIY stand and calculator on Reef Central.

[new2dis]

Ditto all of the above. Or do what I did and ok the expensive motorcycle and boat purchase. Then your hobby is a drop in the bucket when you compare the two :bigsmile:

P.S. I have a 55 gallon cheap, just the tank. Was going to use it as a sump, but having one built instead. You can build your own basic stand relatively cheap by googling the DIY stand and calculator on Reef Central.

Thanks I have a tank just need stand. Thanks for your reply.

[new2dis]

Just easing in slowly. I have a tank ro di filter, rock that I am sun bleaching, sand that needs to be rinsed. Looking to get power heads, HOT filter, some live rock. Not sure is i need skimmer right off the bat. Plan on letting tank cycle for about 4-6 weeks once I get the rock and sand in tank.