Beast's Budget Build

[little_fish]

I only see some strange coding, so i cant help you with the filter.

But with a ten gal tank, i think you only need to do regular water changes, i wouldnt worry about a sump or skimmer on such a small tank.

Also, the filter needs to be changed more than once and a while. You will need to change it regularly because otherwise gunk is going to get caught in there, break down and then release nitrates back into the water column causing a whole bunch of issues.

Personally, i would take it out, or put some rubble in there to increase your filtration. and then maybe once a month run a filter for 3 or 4 days to "polish" your water.

In marine tanks, the filtration is done by the bacteria living in the rocks and sand, not filters. Those are a freshwater idea that doesnt translate very well to marine tanks.

 

[mtkid6]

Set up looks great. Its good to see it can be done on a tight budget. I am currently running a filter with rubble live rock and my water has been really good.

 

[Beastlyness 22]

I only see some strange coding, so i cant help you with the filter.
QUOTE]

Click on the button above the coding that says "HTML code:"

 

[little_fish]

If the thingie is putting out a TDS reading from 0-10 then its fine to use. But remember the cost of the filter cartridges add up real quick, and they only filter a very small amount before they go "bad"

 

[Beastlyness 22]

sounds good. Thanks.

 

[dreamwalk]

Beastly, I really like the idea of these budget build, as I too am on a budget.

I think I may have found a set up for a ten gallon tank for around four $400...that includes, test kits, refractometer, salt, sand, rock, CUC,water, and other misc things. I'm sure it doesn't have EVERYTHING included, but most of that would be cheaper stuff such as a thermometer.

If you'd like to check out the set up, I have it in my build thread...though, the first 20 pages are froma while back when I was still learning and not really setting anything up. You'll find the list I'm talking about on page 21.

https://www.livingreefs.com/dreamwalks-10gal-nano-t22442.html

Let me know what you think!

 

[Beastlyness 22]

@Dreamwalk
Thank you I like your set up. You can get a cheaper powerhead called a mini jet 606. They are sold online for 12 bucks. I have to put it all the way on the low setting just so it doesn’t stir up all my sand. So it is and effective pump. The test kit price is the cheapest I’ve seen. I paid almost double for that at a LFS. As for the refract meter I will be looking t upgrade when money allows. This is good information thank you. I will watch your set up grow. So far my diatoms are starting to take off. Next Friday I get paid so I will be putting my cleanup crew in (snails). I like that this hobby is slow. So I have time to save and add small things.

 

[bjohanson1234]

Hey, just noticed you are in chicago!!!! What area?

I know of several good LFS on the south side. So if you want to know where they are, just shoot me a message.

 

[Beastlyness 22]

Hey, just noticed you are in chicago!!!! What area?

I know of several good LFS on the south side. So if you want to know where they are, just shoot me a message.

Hay thanks bjo!! Yea I live in the suburbs actually. But I will be moving to the Southside for school next year (THE FISK COME WITH!!) ha-ha anyways yea so far the best I heard of was reef plus. I recently went to Aquarium Adventures in my town. But STAY AWAY. The live rock cost me 8 dollars a pound. I felt like the biggest fool walking out of a store paying 40 dollars for a single rock....oh well you live you learn. Any good stores I would love to hear. I’m headed up to the Southside tomorrow to pick up my sister.

 

[bjohanson1234]

Oh yeah, Aquarium Adventures:frustrat: I walked in, saw a flame angel for 80 and walked right out. Also, their tanks didnt look very clean or well kept.

I usually go to Chicago Fish and Coral. It is really close to the Orland Mall.
Chicago Fish and Coral Company, Aquariums, Salt Water Fish Tanks

Or Aquatica, it is on Oak Park Avenue in Tinley
Aquatica Tinley Park: Your Aquarium Specialist

And a new one opened last year called
Rob's Aquatics
On Harlem and like 171st right by the Jewel.


Those are the top three in the Orland area.

 

[dreamwalk]

@Dreamwalk
Thank you I like your set up. You can get a cheaper powerhead called a mini jet 606. They are sold online for 12 bucks. I have to put it all the way on the low setting just so it doesn’t stir up all my sand. So it is and effective pump. The test kit price is the cheapest I’ve seen. I paid almost double for that at a LFS. As for the refract meter I will be looking t upgrade when money allows. This is good information thank you. I will watch your set up grow. So far my diatoms are starting to take off. Next Friday I get paid so I will be putting my cleanup crew in (snails). I like that this hobby is slow. So I have time to save and add small things.

I actually got a suggestion to look on ebay for refractometers....and on there, you can get them for half the price I quoted in my build thread. I've looked into the minijet and that maxijet, but if I remember correctly, they made a literal jet, unlike the koralia...I guess that is more of personal preference.

 

[Beastlyness 22]

Oh yeah, Aquarium Adventures:frustrat: I walked in, saw a flame angel for 80 and walked right out. Also, their tanks didnt look very clean or well kept.

I usually go to Chicago Fish and Coral. It is really close to the Orland Mall.
Chicago Fish and Coral Company, Aquariums, Salt Water Fish Tanks

Or Aquatica, it is on Oak Park Avenue in Tinley
Aquatica Tinley Park: Your Aquarium Specialist

And a new one opened last year called
Rob's Aquatics
On Harlem and like 171st right by the Jewel.


Those are the top three in the Orland area.

good suggestions. And yea I am a little concerned about this live rock too. Its got a nice diatom bloom. But now I'm seeing small purple algae on it. Probably just just discoloration but I will watch it.

 

[bjohanson1234]

Diatoms are normal in a new tank.

 

[Beastlyness 22]

Diatoms are normal in a new tank.

Are diatoms also purple?

 

[bjohanson1234]

no, diatoms look like rust and get blown away very easily if you wave your hand directly over them. The purple is probably coraline algea that is on the live rock.

 

[dreamwalk]

+1 BJ I was thinking the same thing, but I wasn't sure :S

 

[Beastlyness 22]

Ok...UPDATE, clean-up crew is in! first sign of life. ha ha it feels good. I got luck and went to aquarium adventures and they had everything 50 percent off! wow what a lucky brake for a budget build. I picked up 5 snails for 5 bucks and 5 red emerald hermit crabs. They look like they are having a BLAST. ha ha the crabs made there way to the top of the rocks in under 3 min. I have one weird question lol...will the snails or hermits ever try escaping out the tank?

 

[little_fish]

Ive heard stories of some snails escaping, but i think its pretty rare.

 

[Beastlyness 22]

haha ok I know that sounds rediculas but I will not lie about my noobness. The crabs looks amazing though.

 

[little_fish]

No worries.

But to warn you, some of my snail like to hang out at the water line. They dont go any higher though.