Spoiled....:(

soooo I have a biocube, that pretty much does everything it needs to. And now i'd like to really get into the hobby and set up my 55 gallon tank. now, being as i had a biocube which pretty much does everything i've never really thought about all that goes into a salt set up, i've kept TONS of freshwater tanks in the past but this is basically my first jaunt into serious home aquarium building.

I Just wanted a general opinion on how much do you all think setting up my 55 would cost. I have absolutly no idea. As a college student i also dont want to end up having to spend several thousand, nor do i have that much to spend.

My objective is to have, 1 copperbanded butterfly, 1 mandarin goby, that is truly the only objective. I'll probably fill up the tank with anemones and just a few random fish but i only really want the two, and like i said a few anemones.

I have a filter for the 55 gal, that i use for my freshwater, can i still use it for a salt set up?
If not what kind of filter do i need, what do you recommend? i was thinking if i do need a new filter maybe a fluval?...whats your experience with those.
Protein skimmers, which would you recommend for the amount of gallons i have?
Do i need a UV sterilizer?
do i need an overflow?...why? what will it do?
i Know i'll need a refugium for the mandarin....i have several 10 gallon tanks around the house will one of those be fine?

What kind of lights will i need?


Basically so that i have a general idea, what you all estimate i'll end up spending on getting the tank running salt, meaning hardware(skimmer,filter?),lights, how much live rock i'll need?

I know this is very general and it probably seems confusing and i'm SURE you get these posts alot (my apologies) but i AM alittle confused, but determined, willing to learn.

hahaha think my marine bio professors will give me a few anemones? lol here's to hoping!;D

 

You have alot of researching to do! : ) First, I wouldnt use anything from your freshwater setups. Next, can I recommend a book? Salwater Fish for Dummies. In no way am I trying to be rude, I even own the book. Its like $12 on Amazon and alot of useful information. Between that, 3reef and google, you should be good to go! Really, though, get the book. Just have some patience, and do all the research you can.........it'll save you money.

 

I have recently graduated from college and I have also set up a 55 gal. reef tank. I have spent about $2000 on equipment and livestock, that should give you a good idea as to what it will cost to set a tank up. Once you start, it is addictive. Honestly, if you don't have the time and wallet to do it, I will recommend you find a different hobby. I don't mean to sound mean or condescending, but it is the truth. In order to have a copper band butterfly and mardarin, you need a lot of lr and time. They are actually two very needy fish and you need the right setup to support them. I hope you all the luck and good wishes.

 

no offence but that book sucks i'm shure some one elese could recomend a better book

 

what do you have right now as far as equpiment

 

Well, honestly, you probably wont be able to set up a 55 to keep what you want for less than a few thousand. I would probably actually put the price at $2000.
For the anemones, your going to need very powerful lights. Metal halides would be best, but top notch T5 units would be my second choice. For the mandarin, your going to want at least 100 pounds of rock in the tank, and have to have either a refugium or a seperate system to culture your own pods. Or both. Also something to consider, you are probably not going to be able to keep both a copperband and anemones.
I would do research, and start with some things that are a lot easier. All of the creatures you have listed are difficult, expert level fish/inverts that really shouldnt be added to a tank that isn't near 8-12 months old anyways, so you have some time. Start with some clowns, then work your way to easy corals. Allow the tank to grow as your experience does.
And for WIW, I would avoid saltwater aquariums for dummies like the plague. Worst book out there IMHO. Just my two cents

 

yes, that is not a good book to read.

and heads up, for a 55g...you're looking at $2000+...this isn't a cheap hobby

 

some people run canister filters but a lot of people don't

you defiantly want a skimmer set you back maybe 200 give or take

lights will set you back a few hundred also, for anemones you will need MH lighting probably

you don't "need" a UV filter

an overflow is either a siphon that brings water down to your sump or where the water well overflows and goes down to your sump

on live rock it depends, the more the better but it depends on your aquascaping

in all it might set you back 1000-2000 dollars for a 55

 

$2,000 is a good solid round number. You can try to craigslist a good used setup, but you have to be careful with what you buy.

For my tank, lights, plumbing supplies, and pump alone for my 75 gallon build I've probably spend about $900. That's not counting anything in my 30 gallon at all (equipment, livestock, rock, sand, etc). That's another $1,000 or so, and I have more to buy.

 

And on another note, I noticed you said you had a lot of the stuff running for freshwater. Just for your info, if you ever ran medication, particularly copper, in any of the stuff, you will not be able to use it for saltwater.