[dori9941]

will it still be cheaper after adding shipping to order salt from dr fosters and smith?

[bigblue]

Oh yeah! I save nearly $15 over my LFS. I order from the Drs.

[ksreefbuilder]

You might check, but both my LFS will price match any product they sell.

[dori9941]

i have 2 lfs. 1 small nice, 1 large. i dout they'll match but i'll ask. i think i'll gett every thing from dr. fos. I just added what i need to cart. $1,409.00 that includes lr, l sand, food, tidepool II, co2 retractor, top off, filters for all, skimmer for 100 g., t-5 lighting, digital timmer power source, in-line heater, 12 pc air control kit, epoxy, 3 power heads pen. brand.
Aquarium Maintenance & Tank Cleaning: Aquarium Power Gravel Vacuum
that with 2 of each filters needed is 295. I haven't got the shipping price yet
this might be easier;
https://www.drsfostersmith.com/check...08,20417,20585

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by dori9941

i have 2 lfs. 1 small nice, 1 large. i dout they'll match but i'll ask. i think i'll gett every thing from dr. fos. I just added what i need to cart. $1,409.00 that includes lr, l sand, food, tidepool II, co2 retractor, top off, filters for all, skimmer for 100 g., t-5 lighting, digital timmer power source, in-line heater, 12 pc air control kit, epoxy, 3 power heads pen. brand.
Aquarium Maintenance & Tank Cleaning: Aquarium Power Gravel Vacuum
that with 2 of each filters needed is 295. I haven't got the shipping price yet
this might be easier;
https://www.drsfostersmith.com/check...08,20417,20585

Stop dont buy it. MarineDepot.com offers free shipping on orders over 175. Plus I have a rock guy that a lot of us have used. I get cured rock for 2.60lb shipped to your doorstep.

[dori9941]

u dont need to worry i can't get it till feb. lol. don't buy from them at all? or the rock? is the gravel thing worth it???

[dori9941]

i do want it cured already. i'll let u know when i have the$$ Is that stuff enough for 55. i might cange and get 100-120 g. my husband really wants that tang, lol. what inch lights (t-5) 24" right. i'm getting the wal-mart tank and kit. cheaper and the stuff it comes with can be back up. Ur good at replies tonz, so i'm hoping u read this

[e_baer]

a 55g tank is 48" long. and, no, two 24" will not work.

That vaccuum thing is definately not worth it. I got uncured LR form the drs, and it came fine, and all was good.

[dori9941]

it will depend on shiping. cause marine dep. is at least $10 more they want 500+ for the sump i saw and don't carry the salt i use. the lr I'm looking at is $1.39 per pound on shipping. i'll have to see tomorrow. Good night all

[dori9941]

https://www.drsfostersmith.com/check...&rprodnumlist=
There lighting size fixed and gravel vac removed
$1,217.75; Thats better!

[Lazy Iguana]

You do not need the CO2 reactor either. Those are for freshwater planted tanks.

In saltwater tanks, you do not ever disturb the deep sand bed - if you have one. And even if you do not have one you get critters that keep it clean for you. So ditch the gravel vacuum.

You do not need the Tidepool! Do not get it. With enough live rock, you have your biological filter right there. A sump can be made out of a 30 gallon long tank. The Tidepool with the bio wheel is simply not needed.

You also do not need the air control stuff. People do not put airstones in salt aquariums. Your skimmer will provide for all the dissolved oxygen needed. If you have an overflow with a sump and a skimmer - then you need not worry about gas exchange.

Please do not buy a thing until you ask a lot more questions here! Nature built the oceans we know today over billions of years. You are trying to do the same in a much shorter time frame. You have to plan things out, and do your research. What kind of aquarium do you want? Fish only? Fish and live rock? Corals? And what kind of fish? Not all are good for reefs. And not all are compatible. Some are really hard to keep alive, some are somewhat easy.

The aquarium type is important because different animals have different needs. Fish only or fish with live rock do not need the intense light that many corals need. Some fish will eat live rock (parrot fish) so you do not want to spend money on expensive live rock just to have a fish turn it into sand. Some fish eat corals, so if you want to keep them then forget about corals. Generally speaking, fish only or fish with live rock tanks are cheaper to set up, because you do not need the high power lights and there is less need for all the trace elements and stuff.

If you really want to get something now, a book is not a bad idea.

Going too fast without doing the research will result in you spending money you do not need to spend.

[e_baer]

Originally Posted by dori9941

u dont need to worry i can't get it till feb. lol........

she cant get anyhting till feb anyway.

[stephaniesquires]

I am setting up a tank and have been working on it for months... It takes a lot of planning and patience. Some basics - RO/DI water filter. I got one off e-bay, fits onto my washing machine hose outlet so I can set it up in the garage.
Tonz is right about the LR - I just ordered some off e-bay after doing lots of research. I have some rock thats been out of water for awhile so I'm ordering some to seed what I have already. I have several LFS near me and it was cheaper to buy online than local.
Take your time and read and ask questions, its not a cheap hobby!!!
I have ordered from Marine Depot and Drs. just shop around before you buy...

[thelastmucci]

I agree with James and recommend "saltwater guide for dummies" it's a fun read and very informitive. I'm in the same boat as you and will not have the money to spend until mid Dec. Fortunitly I can afford some books so I'm basically reading until my eyes bleed. Personally I agree with you and like foster and smith better than Marine Depot. Marine Depot is somewhat complicated to navigate unless you know brands and whatnot. While the Docs are a simple and easy to navigate site. However I would take Tonz's advice and go with LR off of ebay. I believe the seller that everyone is crazy about is mrmarine (tonz correct me on this if I'm wrong) I will probally end up going there because I want to save every penny possible and 2.60 comapred to 5.19 at my LFS is a huge diffrence. Also try looking for an RO unit on Ebay purewaterco or club sells really good ones. But an RO unit is a must. I would even venture to say that you don't need a an autotop off unit. What's wrong with just manually putting the water back into the tank. Probally what I'm going to do unless it turns into a real big hassle. But hassle is part of owning a Salt Water tank LOL. I'm also going to go on record and say Study, Study, and Study....you can never have to much information.

PS Steph I like your "quote of the day" very clever.

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by stephaniesquires

I am setting up a tank and have been working on it for months... It takes a lot of planning and patience. Some basics - RO/DI water filter. I got one off e-bay, fits onto my washing machine hose outlet so I can set it up in the garage.
Tonz is right about the LR - I just ordered some off e-bay after doing lots of research. I have some rock thats been out of water for awhile so I'm ordering some to seed what I have already. I have several LFS near me and it was cheaper to buy online than local.
Take your time and read and ask questions, its not a cheap hobby!!!
I have ordered from Marine Depot and Drs. just shop around before you buy...

I have 2 lfs and one is tiny. they r very helpfull i haven't got to go since we moved. i have to drive 15-20 miles to get to petco alone so u see the issue there. is shipping cheaper then gas. prob.

[dori9941]

the funny thing is my husband work for a glass com. but not the help at home type!!!!!
He could make the sump. He could make the tank. he can get glass at dicount. If he wanted to that is He could learn to cook too,lol maybe I should threaten with lack of food and he doesn't go grocery shopping so I ( if I want to fight and i don't) could make him go.
I didn't want to go through all the ? about why don't I just make it all. we live in a small apt with out even a hose fac. Every one should have a hose. I had my soc. suc. dis. dropped $20 and that was the part I got each month that didn't go to rent. I can't get a book right now I was looking at sw for dummies and plan on getting it asap. I have a 8 year old to take care of so he takes priority. Thanks all

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by thelastmucci

I agree with James and recommend "saltwater guide for dummies" it's a fun read and very informitive. I'm in the same boat as you and will not have the money to spend until mid Dec. Fortunitly I can afford some books so I'm basically reading until my eyes bleed. Personally I agree with you and like foster and smith better than Marine Depot. Marine Depot is somewhat complicated to navigate unless you know brands and whatnot. While the Docs are a simple and easy to navigate site. However I would take Tonz's advice and go with LR off of ebay. I believe the seller that everyone is crazy about is mrmarine (tonz correct me on this if I'm wrong) I will probally end up going there because I want to save every penny possible and 2.60 comapred to 5.19 at my LFS is a huge diffrence. Also try looking for an RO unit on Ebay purewaterco or club sells really good ones. But an RO unit is a must. I would even venture to say that you don't need a an autotop off unit. What's wrong with just manually putting the water back into the tank. Probally what I'm going to do unless it turns into a real big hassle. But hassle is part of owning a Salt Water tank LOL. I'm also going to go on record and say Study, Study, and Study....you can never have to much information.

PS Steph I like your "quote of the day" very clever.

I cant find much on the marine dep. site u r very right about that
"Marine Depot is somewhat complicated to navigate unless you know brands and whatnot."

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by Tonz of fun

Stop dont buy it. MarineDepot.com offers free shipping on orders over 175. Plus I have a rock guy that a lot of us have used. I get cured rock for 2.60lb shipped to your doorstep.

That price is rock and shipping I might go that why

[dori9941]

I don't know where to find return line and what ever else the sump needs, If any one has a link let me know

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by thelastmucci

I agree with James and recommend "saltwater guide for dummies" it's a fun read and very informitive. I'm in the same boat as you and will not have the money to spend until mid Dec. Fortunitly I can afford some books so I'm basically reading until my eyes bleed. Personally I agree with you and like foster and smith better than Marine Depot. Marine Depot is somewhat complicated to navigate unless you know brands and whatnot. While the Docs are a simple and easy to navigate site. However I would take Tonz's advice and go with LR off of ebay. I believe the seller that everyone is crazy about is mrmarine (tonz correct me on this if I'm wrong) I will probally end up going there because I want to save every penny possible and 2.60 comapred to 5.19 at my LFS is a huge diffrence. Also try looking for an RO unit on Ebay purewaterco or club sells really good ones. But an RO unit is a must. I would even venture to say that you don't need a an autotop off unit. What's wrong with just manually putting the water back into the tank. Probally what I'm going to do unless it turns into a real big hassle. But hassle is part of owning a Salt Water tank LOL. I'm also going to go on record and say Study, Study, and Study....you can never have to much information.

PS Steph I like your "quote of the day" very clever.

I'm catching up with u on post, lol. you'll take lead soon i need surgery agian. We hope to have it done by the middle of october, so watch out

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by dori9941

u dont need to worry i can't get it till feb. lol. don't buy from them at all? or the rock? is the gravel thing worth it???

Marine depot gives free shipping on orders over 175. They also price match any website. I made my first order it was over a grand. I price match things and saved me over 300 bucks. I got my rock off of ebay. He now cuts deals for anyone from RB. It is amazing rock. You can get it shipped for 2.40-2.60 a pound shipped to your door. This is premium cured LR. Here is the link to the LR. eBay Seller: mrmarine: Pet Supplies, Home Garden items on eBay.com

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by Tonz of fun

Marine depot gives free shipping on orders over 175. They also price match any website. I made my first order it was over a grand. I price match things and saved me over 300 bucks. I got my rock off of ebay. He now cuts deals for anyone from RB. It is amazing rock. You can get it shipped for 2.40-2.60 a pound shipped to your door. This is premium cured LR. Here is the link to the LR. eBay Seller: mrmarine: Pet Supplies, Home Garden items on eBay.com

thanks. im haveing trouble finding the same stuff on thier site. If i can find it and they match the price then ill go there. i'm going with ur rock guy

[rlcline76]

I don't want to poo poo on anyone's parade, but I have a concern. Amanda, are you certain you want to even mess with this hobby? This is a very expensive and frustrating hobby. I think about how much I spend a month on this hobby, and then how much I've spent this year. Not all of us are rich, that I know, but some of us are in debt. Take the time to think about what this hobby demands, if you are going to have enough for bills, the 8 yr old, gas, food. I worry that you might end up biting more than you can chew and you'll be a-hurtin and whatever you have in the tank will be a-hurtin.