Newbee here with $1000 to spend. What should I buy?

I'm wanting to setup a saltwater fish tank for my kids. I had a fresh water tank as a kid.


Now I want my own setup and a saltwater one. I have a chance to buy a 250 gal tank for $500. I'm not sure if it's the one I want I found it at petsmart.

I'm not at all sure what I will need for my setup. I did however hear I need to have the tank for a month without fish in it. Can someone please point me in the correct direction? Btw I dig lion fish and want to have one of them and some others maybe a shark or something.

 

Well it sounds to me like your not into setting up a reef. As the fish you have said aren't reef fish. I would shop around for a used tank and you could save some money. 250 seems like a good size for those type of fish. You will also want live rock i would say around 300lbs. Try to look for base rock or shop around for people who are trying to get rid of it. (craigslist is your friend.) Your gonna also want a sump with aggressive fish like that as they can be messy eaters. And a big skimmer. Idk that a 250 with $1000 will be easy but Fish only is doable if you buy used. I would search alot before you buy anything.

 

Hi Rogues,
You came to the right place. Everybody on here will be real helpfull.
One option you may not have thought of is purchasing a whole setup on craigslist. You can save a ton of money.
Yes if you buy a new you will have to cycle your tank before you put fish in it. Do you know about LR (live rock)?

 

no i'm a total noob to be honest

 

To start I would read the three steps to a reef articles found on top

Reef Aquarium Articles and How To's - 3reef Forums

 

Haha, the first $1000... Good times, good times

 

The downside of buying used is you might not be able to find exactly what you want when you want it. The other down side is it is alot of work breaking a tank down and setting it back up. The major upside is you can save a pile of cash.

 

I would read this as well Melevsreef.com - Reef Tanks!

 

You will not be able to set up a new 250 gallon marine tank for $1000. Not even close. Believe me it will come to about 5X that.
I would start watching craigslist. For $1000 you could get a nice 75-120 gallon set-up. If you want to go all new, and do it properly, you will be at about 55-75 gallon with that budget.

 

honestly i spent about 1000 setting up my 26 gallon tank. Ive learned that equipment for your aquarium shouldn't be bottom line stuff. I mean a skimmer and sump is probably going to cost you around 500 not to mention 300 lbs of live rock aint cheap that runs between 3-7 dollars a pound. Im not trying to dishearten the 250 idea im just saying alot more money goes into these tanks then you think when you first set them up . and youll need some nice lights for a tank that size too.
but its all worth the money i sit in front of my aquarium for at least an hour a day just looking in on the ecosystem.

GOOD luck