90 Gallon Tank and Newbie

Would it be hard for a newbie like me to start a 90 gallon tank? My co-worker's friend has a 90 gallon tank (used to host freshwater fish - now empty) that he is selling for I believe around $125. Just wanted to know options/opinions/suggestions?

 

If you are committed and do the research you can avoid a lot of mistakes. Purchase a good book or three, use this site the folks here are awesome. Get a feel for what you are getting into responsibility and cost wise. Once you are OK with that you'll do fine.

 

wouldn't be too hard just read up before you make any purchases.

You'll have to ask him if he ever used any copper containing meds in the tank though as it will kill any inverts you throw in there.

 

I think a 90 is an ideal starting tank. With reefkeeping, more water volume means less fluctuations in those parameters you'll try to maintain. Think of a martini being dropped into your tank. Would you rather have a goldfish bowl or a 90 gallon tank?

Look into whether or not copper has ever been used in that tank. Copper can accumulate in the silicone and can wreak havoc on corals. Copper and corals don't mix.

If you decide on a reef tank, the best suggestion I can give is NOT to skimp on equipment. That means lighting, filtration, protein skimmers, RO/DIs, etc.

Welcome to the hobby. Bring your wallet.

 

Starting a 90g tank from scratch is not cheap. Just beware. The tank will be the cheapest thing you purchase. This is a wonderful hobby. I love it. Best one I have ever embarked on. However, I had NO idea how much cash would be sunk into it.

An example is lighting.....You would IMO need to spend about $600 on just that. $400 on a skimmer. Base rock, sand, test kits, the stand (even if you build your own, it is going to take time and of course the cost of materials), overflows, powerheads, sump/refugium. If you would like, I could put together a short list of things you would need and their prices. But you are looking at over $2000 to start with a 90g tank (if you do it right). Trust me, you can get away with less, but eventually, you will hit the mark when inferior equipement has to be replaced and or upgraded.

Now, you can get into it cheaper if you start with, say, a 29g tank. But you are still looking at hundreds of dollars for lighting, skimming, rock, sand, powerheads, test kits, etc, etc.

What I did was go onto Craig's list and got a 75g tank with stand and all the hardware needed to get started. I got it for $400. My tank is almost a year old and the only things left from that original purchase are the stand, canopy and overflows. I replaced everything else....even the tank. It sprung a leak. I figure off the top of my head I have about $3000 to $3500 into it now. I also have a 10g nano tank that has only a few hundred dollars sunk into it. So the size DOES directly correlate with cost.

Now dude.....I don't mean to be a downer on this one. I want you succeed in this hobby as I want everyone else to. But I don't want you to drop one or two bills on a tank and then realize that all the peripherals will keep you from enjoying the hobby to it's fullest.

You can also talk to some LFSs. I know an LFS who will sell a tank (90g) with stand, lighting, skimming, rock, sand, the whole nine yards at cost. $1700 I think is their price. They do this to get people into the hobby and coming in for livestock and other necessities. You may find a deal like that out there.

But your best bet is Craig's list I think. Start researching and figuring out exactly what you want. We can and will help you out along the way.

And Spark is right on with the copper statement. It is best to start with a tank that has NEVER been used for freshwater.

 

Thanks for all the wonderful insight. It just caught my attention because of the price of the tank and considering it's 90 gallon but knowing that getting into this hobby is not cheap yet still addicting. To PharmrJohn, I would be interested to see that list and also if you could post it here or pm and what else entails ... Also good point on the copper - I have to remember that. But being a newbie, I was just thinking of even just starting a FOWLR tank and see where it goes. Again, thanks to everyone.....;D

 

Oh no....I fear my point may have been lost. I am definitely not an advocate of skimping on lighting and skimming.....been there, done that, never again.

 

Welcome to the hobby, bring your wallet? Do you by any chance sell used car's? that phrase is to funny...and true....

 

No john your point is right on the money....it is mine that didnt soound right,....my bad I will go set in the corner and be real quiet....

 

hehehe