I need HELP with equipment suggestions

[Reese O.]

What equipment do I need to support marine animals? I am a beginner with about 500-600 dollar budget so be easy on me.

[Chuck S]

That all depends on what your trying to set up and what size tank. Now if your talking full blown reef there is no way to set up a reef for that money.

What size tank you looking to get or have? What do you have already?

[tstone]

Reese
You might try to find used equip. in your local want ad or check the Bullitin boards used equip. section

There are often good deals but Omegatron is right 500-600 is not much to start with.

[Reese O.]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[fsa]

Reese, have you started your tank, yet? What have you bought/got so far? The other posters are right, you can spend a lot more than $5 or 6 hundred in this hobby. But I think you can get started and gradually update your system as time/money becomes available.

As I recall, I bought my 45 gal. hex/stand about three years ago for under $400. It came as a complete setup from my LFS. A 20 watt flourescent light and out side power filter was included in the price.

With this tank, I put together my "poor man's reef" I have bought sandblasting sand for my DSB. I have used "lace" rock for my live rock. I have three nice fish in it and 5 different colors of mushrooms for my corals. I upgraded the lights to 72 watts of power compacts and hopefully I will be going metal halide one of these days.

Please don't be scared off by the high cost of the reef system. That 5 or 6 hundred dollars should get you well on your way to a really nice, enjoyable hobby. You won't have the $5 thousand look, but can have a nice little tank. Keep us posted.

regards, fsa