looking to set up my first tank

[kendsley]

im going to get into saltwater now, so i need to get all the required stuff to run a tank. as of right now, i have nothing. i have money and am planning on getting a few things today hopefully (lights, tank, stand) and concentrate on getting the rest throughout the week.

however, if a better deal comes along here, ill happily spend my coin here.

that being said, i need all thats required for a tank ranging from 30-50 gallons big. i dont think i want to go larger than 50 right now.

im looking for good deals on a skimmer, live sand and rock (in 2 weeks), powerheads and heaters, canister filters and maybe a sump/fuge.

could use a good deal on the actual tank/stand combo it self. like i said im not sure how big im going to go and am open to suggestions.

if im leaving out anything, please let me know.

[kendsley]

ok. so i went out and got some lights. i picked up 2 separate t5 lightstrips. each puts out 2 x 54 watts of light. i also picked up a single 36 inch 96 watt power compact light. all 3 for 75$.

so im still needing -

fish tank. i believe i got this taken care of from clone here. hes got a 38 gallon that i think will do nicely as my first saltwater tank.

filtration - i need a good canister filter for a 38 gallon tank. im also open to suggestions on making a sump / fuge.

heaters - need a couple still, 100-200 watts each would be nice

circulation - need a couple of maxijet 1200s (those seem to be popular, both unmodded and modded)

subtrate - i think im going to order about 60 pounds of live sand off of ebay from this guy 'fijilivesand' i believe. i want to purchase this after i move on the 19th.

live rock - i also want to wait on this until the 19th, but ill happily place a deposit or purchase your lot if the price is right and you can hold it for me until the 19th.

i think thats a pretty good startup list. oh! i also need salt. thats it i think

[Darth-Tater]

Don't buy live sand. Just buy bags of sand from the LFS and then ask someone here on MAAST if the can seed your tank with a cup or two of Live sand. That is the cheapest way to go. My first tank I bout four bags of live sand then learned about the other way to do it. Good luck and welcome to MAAST.

Tater

[kendsley]

the store im going to buy from off of ebay sells 30 pound bags for under 25$ shipped. i couldnt find a better deal locally, so thats why i went with ebay.

http://stores.ebay.com/West-Mariculture

[TAXMAN]

I have a 40 tall with a wooden stand and canopy that I made. I have a hang on Bacpak skimmer for it and some powerheads for it. Let me know if your interested. I have some Base rock to go into it to. All you'll need is a sandbed and water.

[Shark_Bait]

I am moving and will be selling my entire 75 very shortly.. The whole setup lights filters and all. I know you said nothing bigger than 50 but the foot print is not that much bigger.

[kendsley]

the problem with both of you guys, taxman and shark bait, is that one of you is in corpus and the other is in kyle. im in san antonio and i have no idea where kyle is, but i know corpus is a good 3-5 hour drive :(

[Flushdraw]

Kyle is south of Austin...not too far for a good deal.

[TAXMAN]

I told you where I am. I'm between Austin and San Marcos on IH35. About 35 minutes from 1604.