Recommendations to get started.

[aqua_addict2006]

Had freshwater for a few years and always wanted marine, whats a good tank size for £200 a month budget, im looking at going for a aio and starting off with some percula clownfish, i love tangs,wrasses and angels tho and im torn between going with a big tank, although im worried my budget might not be enough to sustain such a large tank 200/400 litres. I have about £600 saved at the moment and looking at a few tanks.

Firstly the tmc first wave 85 for £350, been looking at this for awhile and for what it includes id only need to buy a rodi filter, test kits,salt and live rock/sand.

Secondly the aqua one 180 or 255, 180 is £760 and the 255 is £909, the problem with these tho that id need to buy a return pump, skimmer, lights costing a few grand.

If you have any recommendations that would be greatly appreciated, i do have a 250 litre aqua one tank that im using for freshwater at the moment which i might convert to save some money which id only need to buy a new light and canister filter and supplies like salt, rock, and a rodi filter.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Are UNS available where you are at?
tmc first wave 85 is good but the UNS90LA is way better for the price if your looking for peninsula style.

I will say based on experience and overall what I see amongst reefers. Canisters are not great in reeftanks. Not to say they wont work.

If your looking to save money. I'd stick with repurposing the 250L tank and grab a HOB filter. Tons of people have good looking tanks using this approach.

Innovative marine if also available will be the best bang for your money.

Don't overthink costs.

Say you go with the aqua one 180.

Return pump- £100 (you don't need anything fancy) jebao return pumps are cheap and do the job. ( you can actually see many threads with people using them with this exact setup.
skimmer-not needed but again will run you anywhere from £100-500
lights- anywhere from £150-2k (this really depends on what your growing requirements are and what color you want.

List of lights to pair with (not including taxes and import costs):
Noopsyche K7 PRO III- £155
Viparspectra 165W- £121 (amazon)
Nicrew Hyperreef Gen2- £175-300

​

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

my first saltwater tank almost 20 years ago was a converted freshwater tank, it works just as well as an AIO or a sumped tank. The only downside is that all the equipment is hob and visible, but it is also easy to access the equipment. There is so much filtration options available, not all of it is needed, in fact, I run 3 tanks with no filtration equipment at all, just maintained with weekly water changes. Research the Berlin method. IMO the necessities are an inkbird for the heater, and ATO, and good quality powerheads for good flow, a rodi unit, and a light. Everything else is optional to me, depending on how you want to stock the tank. The light will be far more expensive than anything else, but don't cheap out on lights. IMO. Good luck

 

[aqua_addict2006]

Are UNS available where you are at?
tmc first wave 85 is good but the UNS90LA is way better for the price if your looking for peninsula style.

I will say based on experience and overall what I see amongst reefers. Canisters are not great in reeftanks. Not to say they wont work.

If your looking to save money. I'd stick with repurposing the 250L tank and grab a HOB filter. Tons of people have good looking tanks using this approach.

Innovative marine if also available will be the best bang for your money.

Don't overthink costs.

Say you go with the aqua one 180.

Return pump- £100 (you don't need anything fancy) jebao return pumps are cheap and do the job. ( you can actually see many threads with people using them with this exact setup.
skimmer-not needed but again will run you anywhere from £100-500
lights- anywhere from £150-2k (this really depends on what your growing requirements are and what color you want.

List of lights to pair with (not including taxes and import costs):
Noopsyche K7 PRO III- £155
Viparspectra 165W- £121 (amazon)
Nicrew Hyperreef Gen2- £175-300

​

Yeah ive seen some on charterhouse aquatics, hob is Hang on back filter isnt it? If yes then my tank has bracing around the sides which would be difficult to mount a hob style filter, ive seen some people use like a fx7 canister and had good results, although difficult to maintain. I was looking at popbloom lights as there good for a mixed reef (hopefully later down the line once i learn the basics) ive also heard that lights should be turned off for the first few months or used in moderation to stop algae from taking over, so id probably save and get one later down the line. Same with certain equipment like skimmers, uv sterilisers etc… thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would also read this! This is filled with a lot of good information and can be helpful to you! Happy Reefing!

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Freenow54]

You probably don't know what it means to go for a Polar bear dip . This hobby is just like that . However I set out to prove , and it turns out others do the same . They forgo the Sump Route which is a money pit if you let it be one , and just use Canister Filters

 

[BryanM]

Had freshwater for a few years and always wanted marine, whats a good tank size for £200 a month budget, im looking at going for a aio and starting off with some percula clownfish, i love tangs,wrasses and angels tho and im torn between going with a big tank, although im worried my budget might not be enough to sustain such a large tank 200/400 litres. I have about £600 saved at the moment and looking at a few tanks.

Firstly the tmc first wave 85 for £350, been looking at this for awhile and for what it includes id only need to buy a rodi filter, test kits,salt and live rock/sand.

Secondly the aqua one 180 or 255, 180 is £760 and the 255 is £909, the problem with these tho that id need to buy a return pump, skimmer, lights costing a few grand.

If you have any recommendations that would be greatly appreciated, i do have a 250 litre aqua one tank that im using for freshwater at the moment which i might convert to save some money which id only need to buy a new light and canister filter and supplies like salt, rock, and a rodi filter.

Bigger tanks are just not generally budget friendly. If you're on a fixed budget, even though it locks you out of a lot of fish, I'd stick with a more modest size tank, and stock it accordingly.