Monster Setup on a budget?

[redtailfool]

If you have to setup a big tank( who isnt nowadays ) but youre on a budget,
what would be the cheapest ,most cost effective way to setup one? Describe how you can save ... From tank, filtration to fish !


I would go hunting on online ads or classified on the paper for a large used quality tank. Check the silicone to make sure its fresh and not dried out. That would save you 50% or more on the tank. DIY a stand if you have the skills. DIY a wet dry / diagrams and pics can be found here in MFK and all over the web.

You can DIY a canopy so you dont have to spend money on expensive lighting. There are also cheap flourescent light (encased in a tube ) that can be placed above the glass lid. They are effective and cheap at 15-20 bucks and can be bought at lowes or home depot. Bought mine at a local lfs.

Finally, for fish you could wait for somebody unloading fish here in the buy and sell section or do a group order via our community sellers. Even if you dont participate in a group order, youre still bound to save money if buying multiple fish.


Patience is the key if you want a nice setup for cheap. People that cannot wait are the ones that pay full price.

 

[Vitaliy]

I would look into classifieds in the paper, I see some amazing deals once every couple of months (300 gallon for $200-400 type of deals), almost makes my heart stop every time.

 

[redtailfool]

I would look into classifieds in the paper, I see some amazing deals once every couple of months (300 gallon for $200-400 type of deals), almost makes my heart stop every time.

LOL Pm me when you see one of those. But you are absolutely right.
I see large tanks being sold for next to nothing on classsifieds.

 

[DeLgAdO]

you could buy light fixtures at a local hardware store

way cheaper than at a LFS

 

[DeLgAdO]

I would look into classifieds in the paper, I see some amazing deals once every couple of months (300 gallon for $200-400 type of deals), almost makes my heart stop every time.

im looking for a 300 gal

unforunetely the tank im looking for has to be 6ft x 3ft x 27inches high

most 300s i see are a 8ft length

so imma have t opay full price 4 da tank

 

[redtailfool]

you could buy light fixtures at a local hardware store

way cheaper than at a LFS

yeah... way cheaper than a 60 dollar light from the lfs.
if you know a glass cutting or acrylic cutting company, give them the specs
and get a quote on lids... you might save some bucks there too..

 

[DeLgAdO]

heres an alternitive to those tall overflow in aquariums for wet drys

i plan to use these on my new 300

except imma use like a 3 or 4 incher

just drill holes and install

 

[mkpeters6]

i got lucky when i got my 180, i knew somebody that knew somebody who was trying to get rid of this tank, he didnt keep fish at all and knew nothing about equipment or costs (he got the tank and setup from somebody else)

i ended up getting a 180 with dual overflows, metal stand, amricale 300 wet/dry, 6ft VHOs and ballast, canister filter, ebo jager 250 watt heater, mag drive 1800 and 700 pumps, and a protien skimmer that handled up to a 400 gal tank (i looked up the model and it was about 700$ new), plus a number of huge bleached coral decorations that are probably worth a couple hundred bucks

he sold me all this for 400$!! i had to put on my best poker face when he asked me if that was a fair price

i set the tank up as fw and used the skimmer on my reef tank, persistence pays off when shopping for deals on big tanks you just have to be patient and keep searching -- i wasnt even really looking to buy a new tank when this deal came up but it was too good to pass up - i figured the worst case scenerio would be sell the tank for more then i paid for everything -- of course with monster fish keepers that rarely becomes the option

 

[redtailfool]

Great deal MK Peter. Yeah just be on the lookout, use your network here in mfk and check out the wanteds... Great Idea there D .. .

 

[Dargath78]

If you want to set up a native tank you could catch your own fish or buy them from a hatchery. Can get largemouth bass that are 12+ inches for 10 bucks.