xxlbreed
Aquarium Advice Activist
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2011
- Messages
- 172
Decided to give back some of the information that I learned here and everywhere else and start a new thread on my 10gallon.
This is a super low budget build that can support inverts, corals, fish etc. it was hard for me to figure out the parts to keep the prices low cause this is my first marine project. So for all of you who will be in my shoes one day I listed the prices
leggo!
Tank:
10 gallon aqueon tank. Petco: 12.99
Find one with a nice silicone seal on the inside, there are some that are really bad and some really good
Filled it all the way to the rim outside kn my porch an left it overnight. No leaks visible the next day. Yay
Filter:
Hob = hang on the back from wallmart aquatech 5-15
11.99
Normal cartridge in there for now until it's cycled then I'll put live rock rubble in there, lots of it!
awesome flow!!!
See paint section for more info
Sand:
I decided to go with non live /dry sand. It was cheaper. Rinsed it a little and put it in. It was 8.99 I think at petco 10pm
It's the little coarser type.. 1 to 2mm pieces aragonite
Heater:
For now aqueon from another tank, will add info once I ordered the actual one.
Powerhead/ water pump:
I decided to go with the aqueon 500 first but the plastic was so cheap it broke when I wanted to adjust it at the ball joint. Returned and got a koralia evolution 550. It's a lot bigger but I think once it will be covered in vitamins algae it will look just fine it was 38 at my lfs = local fih store
Great surface agitation now:
It actually is a lot more than it looks like..
Live rock (LR)
From lfs, 6.99 per pound. Ask for cured get it from a place where you can trust what they do. Petco had really nice LR with shrooms on it but I decided o go with my lfs cause it's cheaper an I trust them more. Got 2lb In here now, it looks to be broken coral pieces. adding more later.
Decided not to buy dry rock. Not worth it it's 3.99 a pound for the one I wanted and it will prolong my first cycle, and with shipping it will have almost the same price, plus no waiting for delivery. Make sure lfs weighs without water!
Background/ paint:
So this was a hassle but worth it in ever way!!
I got a can of krylon paint at walmart, gloss true blue. It was like 4 bucks.
Taped off tank, spread out trash bag and spray painted the backside of my tank(just the outside glass wall). while I was at it I researched if the paint is aquarium safe and well it is so I took the suction tube from the filter taped it off and painted it too. One coat on it.
The tank got about 6 coats. I took a lot of time with this to make it perfect.
Salt:
Coralife marine salt mix follow instructions
Have a big bag cause of the brackish tank.. I think it was 16 bucks at petsmart 14.5lb
Hydrometer:
Coralife deep six
8.99 petsmart. Get this hydro, no other, it has a sponge on the water intake that prevents airbubbles inside which would offset reading. Excellent and always consistent!
that's it for now I'll post more as I purchase it. List:
-more liverox
-heater
-72 watt ho t5
-LCD thermometer
Current setup, can't wait to order the stuff off the list!
This is a super low budget build that can support inverts, corals, fish etc. it was hard for me to figure out the parts to keep the prices low cause this is my first marine project. So for all of you who will be in my shoes one day I listed the prices
leggo!
Tank:
10 gallon aqueon tank. Petco: 12.99
Find one with a nice silicone seal on the inside, there are some that are really bad and some really good
Filled it all the way to the rim outside kn my porch an left it overnight. No leaks visible the next day. Yay
Filter:
Hob = hang on the back from wallmart aquatech 5-15
11.99
Normal cartridge in there for now until it's cycled then I'll put live rock rubble in there, lots of it!
awesome flow!!!
See paint section for more info
Sand:
I decided to go with non live /dry sand. It was cheaper. Rinsed it a little and put it in. It was 8.99 I think at petco 10pm
It's the little coarser type.. 1 to 2mm pieces aragonite
Heater:
For now aqueon from another tank, will add info once I ordered the actual one.
Powerhead/ water pump:
I decided to go with the aqueon 500 first but the plastic was so cheap it broke when I wanted to adjust it at the ball joint. Returned and got a koralia evolution 550. It's a lot bigger but I think once it will be covered in vitamins algae it will look just fine it was 38 at my lfs = local fih store
Great surface agitation now:
It actually is a lot more than it looks like..
Live rock (LR)
From lfs, 6.99 per pound. Ask for cured get it from a place where you can trust what they do. Petco had really nice LR with shrooms on it but I decided o go with my lfs cause it's cheaper an I trust them more. Got 2lb In here now, it looks to be broken coral pieces. adding more later.
Decided not to buy dry rock. Not worth it it's 3.99 a pound for the one I wanted and it will prolong my first cycle, and with shipping it will have almost the same price, plus no waiting for delivery. Make sure lfs weighs without water!
Background/ paint:
So this was a hassle but worth it in ever way!!
I got a can of krylon paint at walmart, gloss true blue. It was like 4 bucks.
Taped off tank, spread out trash bag and spray painted the backside of my tank(just the outside glass wall). while I was at it I researched if the paint is aquarium safe and well it is so I took the suction tube from the filter taped it off and painted it too. One coat on it.
The tank got about 6 coats. I took a lot of time with this to make it perfect.
Salt:
Coralife marine salt mix follow instructions
Have a big bag cause of the brackish tank.. I think it was 16 bucks at petsmart 14.5lb
Hydrometer:
Coralife deep six
8.99 petsmart. Get this hydro, no other, it has a sponge on the water intake that prevents airbubbles inside which would offset reading. Excellent and always consistent!
that's it for now I'll post more as I purchase it. List:
-more liverox
-heater
-72 watt ho t5
-LCD thermometer
Current setup, can't wait to order the stuff off the list!