Just starting, and want a Nano Reef

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PiMpPiStOl

i might be getting a 10 gallon soon. i dont wanna start big, because it cost so much, and i know even a 10 gallon will cost alot, but ill slowly get it all.

where could i get some live rock just 10lb? ive found some on the net, like 70-100$ but for like...40 something pounds or whatever. or some are 20ish pounds. but im sure itd all be cheaper if it was just 10lb. and some live sand?

i dont live in dallas...bout 45-hour south. but if i get that tank, im gonna have to make a trip up there anyway. i know about all how its hard to do and all, and you have to read and stuff, and ill get it. i got someone thatll help. since im not much of a read learner.

also, can you recommend a filter and heater, and all that other stuff?

thanks!
 
Hey,
Let me first say welcome you have found the best hobby ever IMO.
If you are looking for a small amount of live rock, try posting in the Buy/ Trade forum. Many people rearrange or break down tanks and will put LR up for sale on there. Its usually a much better deal than what you will find at a LFS. However, if you want to purchase from a quality, reputable LFS check out the Sponsoring Shops. Just about every one of them carries live rock.
As far as live sand, I would also suggest posting in the Buy/ Trade forum. 10-20 lbs of live sand should be pretty easy to come by. If not, you can buy non-live sand from a LFS and then try to get a few pounds from a member and seed it into your non-live sand.
We might be able to give a better recommendation as far as supplies go ( heater, filter, etc) if you tell us what you want to accomplish. Do you want a fish only tank (you will be limited by the size of a 10 gallon) or do you want to keep corals? If you want corals do you want softies (require less lighting) or SPS/LPS which require more lighting and are harder to care for (for newbies).
Also, have you considered an all-in-one tank such as a BioCube or a NanoCube? You can usually get a pretty good deal on a used all-in-one tank in the Sell/ Trade forum if you exercise patience. You can check out the Nano Tank Owners forum and you can get a better idea of what you can accomplish with an all-in-one system.
 
I would actually recommend starting with a 20g or even 40g tank.

Smaller tanks are cheaper, but much harder to maintain. Things like salinity, temperature, and other chemical levels change very quickly in a small tank.

It seems counter-intuitive, but smaller isn't always easier.
 
thanks! yeah, you shouldve seen me after i bought my first fish. i got a betta. man, i was all over youtube with saltwater. i thogut it was the coolest thing in the world! then i found out about all the trouble and difficulty, and expense. so i started a freshwater tank. its been going perfect. the only problem was my betta cought Ich or whatever...other than that, nothings wrong.

but ok, ill check out the buy/trade thing for LR and LS.

about what i want...im not too picky. i want color. thats the main thing. and coral for sure, but prolly softies since, i guess theyd be easier than the other ones... btw, what does SPS/LPS stand for? ive seen it alot and never knew..

and whats an all in one tank? a tank that comes with all the stuff?

thanks again!

---update

ok, i just found a 29 gallon for 40$ with all included. not saltwater stuff though. but the reason i wanted 10 was cuz i found one for 20. but now i found one almost 3 times as big, but just double the price. i also found just a 20 gallon with nothing for 35. so, i might stick with the 29.

so, everything ive said so far, make it 29 now.
 
Here is a link that will give you some info on the definitions of a lot of terms used:

http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=17535
 
Or you could just start small and wire up your house NASA style like Ashlar. You know, some computer screens around the wall giving different readings and such with alarms. :lol:
 
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