Help setting up a saltwater 90 gallon

[redwetar666]

I am completely new to saltwater fishkeeping but I have a 90 gallon and a stand with a lid. I want to start a sw tank and for now I only have $200 saved up because im only 14. I was wondering what should I start buying first to slowly build up a 90 gal sw as far as heaters, filters, sand, live rock, fish ect.

-Thanx

 

[ArcherintheBimmer]

I am completely new to saltwater fishkeeping but I have a 90 gallon and a stand with a lid. I want to start a sw tank and for now I only have $200 saved up because im only 14. I was wondering what should I start buying first to slowly build up a 90 gal sw as far as heaters, filters, sand, live rock, fish ect.

-Thanx

Well, two things you can't go without is a heater and filter. Those are your most basic method of keeping your fish alive. You will also need to buy aquarium salt, which I would advise buying a large quantity esp. with a 90 gallon. Instant ocean and some other brands sell 5 gal. size buckets of it for rougly $50

So here's where your at now:

Filter: $70-$$$ (depending on how nice you want)
Heater: $40-50 (potentially less, just make sure you get enough wattage)
Salt: $50 for Instant Ocean

You will probably also need some sort of water conditioner, which is probably about another $20

That is probably rougly $200.

Seeing as how you don't have a whole ton to spend, try to buy used. You might hitup the classifieds on here and craigslist and could potentially score a filter and heater for quite a bit less than retail.

If you want sand on a budget, get sandblasting sand at your local hardware store (I bought 40 lbs for $8). Then, later you can get livesand and put it overtop of the sandblasting sand.

Then keep saving and put your money into Liverock, skimmer, and fish of course

 

[Zoodiver]

If you have an empty tank, first thing I would do is buy salt mix (I like Instant Ocean the best) and a way to move the water around (power head, air stones, filter).

Next step I'd get some nice sand in there (Crushed coral, aragonite or something similar). Once you have sand, add some rock.

Then look into things like the filter (if you don't have one so far), other little things needed, and live stock last.

Heater might not be needed. I don't run them in my tanks, and they hold about 77 or so. It depends on room temp and the amount of heat gain you'll have from lights and pumps.

 

[sweeTang21]

lets get a better idea of what your going for.

Do you intend to keep coral, do you have a budget, what kind of fish are you interested in.