• The transformation budget is 600 liters at sea.

  • Troy8808

Dear marine aquarium enthusiasts, I have a 600L aquarium with a cabinet, lighting, a drain outlet, and all the attributes of a freshwater aquarium that are not relevant to the topic. Finances, as in most cases, are limited. I want to create (initially) a small corner of the sea with a light load - a few small fish, and a few of the simplest invertebrates. As far as I understand, in this situation, the maintenance costs will be modest. But how much will the purchase of marine equipment, chemicals, live rocks, etc. cost approximately? I have read a bit of the general theory and have a rough understanding of the set. But I'm interested in the question of launching a lightly loaded system. Because with some experience in maintaining freshwater, I can say that many things recommended for purchase in every first case are not as

Rachel9060

S.R.C. (dry reef rocks) and J.K. (live rocks) need to be loaded at once for the entire volume; otherwise, it will be a new startup each time with all the resulting consequences (algae, death of fish and corals, etc.). For 600 liters, at least 30 kg of S.R.C. (dry reef rocks) and 30 kg of J.K. (live rocks) are required, totaling 1100 USD. You can put in 20+20, which will be 750 USD. The rest includes salt, pumps, sump, skimmer, and lighting, which should be calculated, but it will be around another 1000 USD. This is to get started, without fish and corals.

Courtney4094

Are you planning to keep stones covered with burdocks in 600 liters? Then you need 100 kg of stones, a couple of pumps, change the bulbs to marine ones, and a sump with a skimmer. But I'm sure it won't bring you joy. I wouldn't approach a 600-liter marine tank without at least 6000 dollars in my pocket. If you have a budget, go for a hundred liters. 10 euros for 1 liter. There won't be any miracles. Take a look at my "pink jellyfish"; it's the brightest example of how foolish it is to start a marine tank without the appropriate financial resources.

Robert800

The meaning. A handful of people chasing a chresipter on a moon covered with filament in 600 liters. If this is the sea for you, please. As for me, I'd rather have some frontosa swimming there. The rocks may never be populated, look at "Taka," which was launched dry, but the second aquarium had a whole chemistry lab. You might as well hang at least a "Red Sea Prizm Deluxe 400" and start with live ones; it will yield some results. On the other hand, if the sea doesn't mean a reef for you, you can create a crayfish tank or a moray eel tank. For this, freshwater equipment and dry rocks will theoretically suffice.

Jill9137

I also converted a 600L tank at one time, but it ended up being a money pit, and I had to completely dismantle and sell it off. I advise against going too big if your budget isn't flexible. In my opinion, the optimal size is 250-300L, and for seeing colors and all the marine diversity, a nano tank is perfect.

Lori4746

I was also planning to make a sea out of 450 liters of fresh water. Then I calmed down and, "in the absence of funds," I settled for 130 liters. If you're interested, we can talk in person (we're neighbors, it seems).

John3142

A vacuum cleaner usually results when the calculations were done incorrectly in advance, and everything has to be changed on the go (selling something for half the price and buying new), or if there is a rush. However, if everything is planned out and followed strictly without deviating and sticking to one line (and NOT HURRYING!!!), it doesn't turn out to be that expensive. One can even estimate the costs for the launch if the topic author is interested, but I want to say right away that it won't be less than 2-2.5 thousand USD. This is the initial basic capital that needs to be invested.

Marie5348

Well, that's if you can pull 2,500 currency units from the family budget and not be suffocated by a pillow at night (because someone dreamed of a new fur coat). And after the launch, you'll want corals and fish and.........

Stacy6866

A vacuum cleaner, because the average sailor usually cannot master several thousand bucks right away. You constantly have to allocate a significant part of the family budget. Then buying animals in such volume also costs a pretty penny. In my humble opinion, you are doing a disservice to the beginner. A marine aquarium itself is very expensive, and its maintenance is also costly. Consider the expenses for electricity, water, chemicals... feeding is the least of your concerns. It's nothing like a freshwater aquarium. P.S. $10/l is the price of an average system, not including the animals.

Chad9037

All of this is nonsense, how much money do you need for the sea??? This question can only be answered by knowing what you want to maintain there, whether you will make the equipment yourself or buy a ready-made solution; the price can vary widely. For example, a foam separator, calcium reactor, lighting can be made yourself, but lamps and pumps cost money, and you need to look specifically at what lamps and what pumps to use. Salt, live rocks, lamps, tests, supplements, and livestock need to be purchased, and all of this costs a significant amount of money. Plus, you also need to install a reverse osmosis system.

Adrienne

If the hands are in place, and as I understand, they are (you make the fertilizers yourselves), then go ahead with 600 liters, and money can be earned with a strong desire; after all, an aquarium is not a new apartment or a Lexus.

Allison

As far as I understand, you need: 1. Osmosis 1.5k 2. Salt (3.5 kg per 100l?) 20kg - 0.5k. 3. Live and dead rocks (acclimate 5-7 small fish) 20+20? 4. Coral sand with a layer of 4 cm. 5. ....?

Wendy8540

Regarding clowns, I don't recommend them at all. They're absolutely dull fish, just a piece of plastic floating around. You should look for fish with High Personality. There are lists on FishBase. I recommend the Bicolor Blenny - it's herbivorous, doesn't get sick, and is interesting. The Yellow Tang is also really great.

Anthony7814

You can start with tap water, I did that... but then I had purple cyano and dinoflagellates for six months. I won't even mention small things like filamentous algae! 40 kg of rocks will be about half of the aquarium, or maybe even less. You can use finer sand if it doesn't get blown around, but that's not the beloved DSB for everyone.

Cheryl9296

Salt about 4kg per 100, stone depends on porosity and future design (if for fish, it might be enough), skimmer for such a volume only in the sump, flow pumps (can also use heads like Atman 203), sand (for marine) approximately 200kg, lamps are not expensive (if for fish) and for small things (that can remain from freshwater). Regarding what you said, "In terms of composition, I mentioned 5-7 of the most resilient small fish and the simplest bottom dwellers," it should be quite sufficient.

Helen

If it's expensive, it's better to sell the large aquarium and start everything over.

Crystal

Why are you scaring the person? Huh? Where did you get 1100 USD from? Huh? 30 kg of dry reef rocks can be negotiated with Yanovsky from Central Asia for 5 USD per kg, totaling 150 USD, plus 20 USD for live rocks at 1 kg, totaling 600 USD, and altogether: 750 USD... If you search the forum and wait a bit for someone to dismantle their aquarium, you can find live rocks for 15 USD... So the devil is not as terrible as he is painted.

Debra

Is it better to play chess with clowns or solve math problems? Clowns are symbionts with sea anemones, complementing each other in this symbiosis and serving as decorations for the aquarium.

Tracy

Can I have a link to the list? I couldn't manage to find it myself.

April3499

Regarding the girls from Odessa, it's an enticing option.

Natasha7622

Thank you for responding. I will draft my vision for the arrangement for your consideration today or tomorrow. I have 1000 liters of Black Sea soil, which I have collected over the years of visiting the Southern Coast of Crimea. I thought about this option, but still, white sand is the hallmark of the sea; it seems impossible to do without it...

Alan273

Forget about what they brought; if you need a Black Sea one, then ONLY LIVE. Since no one will be launching and going to the seas, buy a not expensive one that looks very nice in the aquarium like this.

Sheila

You can also purchase the same in Kharkiv, there is also a residential complex (living stones) with various prices for temporary accommodation.

Patrick4439

You need to dig into FishBase; there is more scientific information there. On LiveAquaria, there is more about fish compatibility in the aquarium, and for us, this site is even more informative. For example, about the two-colored blenny.

Mike

Here, everyone has their own preference. I like it when the fish watches you and reacts, rather than just flopping around in the tentacles in the current.

Melissa3200

What 6000 bucks? What are you talking about, SIR? Why are you trying to scare a beginner sailor? Are you planning to order live rocks from the MOON? Justify this amount at least approximately... I think the person consciously said they want 4-5 small fish, some soft corals. Just read the topic about the SHERKHAN aquarium by LYOSHA, where the minimum equipment is used, almost everything is from the Black Sea, and everything is thriving! Of course, if you buy Royal Exclusive foam, etc., then you can easily exceed 6000 USD...

Nancy758

6000 USD is definitely too much. But one or two thousand will definitely be needed.

Barbara

The price of $10/l was established at the reef center when purchasing branded equipment. As for DIY foamers, many have seen them in pictures, and I have also tried them in action... a very questionable idea, especially for large volumes.

Bryan1851

What is there to knock out? If there won't be any load on it, 2-3 fish in 600 liters...

Jerry

In the budget of a questionable remake, there is an option: investing around 8000 will get you something similar.

Theresa5149

Off-topic. And where did you read that it was launched on dry rocks???? The rocks were taken from an old aquarium where they had been for 1.5 years, and initially half of them were live rocks. Regarding the chemistry... well, honestly, it's sad for me to read this... Vitru, I'm writing this personally for you: if you don't plan to place 30 corals there two or three weeks after launching the new aquarium, then you won't need a chemistry lab!!!!!! And especially, the topic starter doesn't need it.

Joseph8842

I don't know, I don't know. The launch was three months ago, I haven't planted anything yet, but I did manage to set up a mini-laboratory.

Michelle

Well, it depends on what you mean by the term "chemical laboratory." I don't include tests here... I didn't add anything to the soft aquarium, only after about six months did I raise the calcium...

Stephanie4990

You have a nice planted tank, but in my opinion, the fish selection is a bit unfortunate. A school of 25-30 red neon tetras would look beautiful in it, maybe a pair of black angelfish, a small group of minnows, but those veil tails that are always eating and causing trouble seem out of place here. I understand they have been with you from the beginning and are cherished as a memory, but a planted tank requires more peaceful fish. I apologize for going off-topic.

Elizabeth6302

Where can I read more about this?

Jennifer7159

in the fairy tales of A.S. Pushkin

Amber1273

2. No. Unless in about a year. 3. Like a reef tank, quite a normal one (live rocks). 4. The humidity will be high. ................ 200 liters plus is already not much, especially since it's in a cabinet. But just think of how much benefit it provides!!! Not only is it a magnificent live filter, but it also has an automatic top-off system, and all the equipment is housed in it.

Kathy

I don't agree. The noise is low, and my temperature is around 25 degrees. I don't have any fans at all. Right now, it's 25.5 after a whole day.

William5838

Cheap, powerful, and quiet pumps are a thing of fantasy.

Leah

Well, there is already some humidity there (since it's freshwater), I wouldn't say it's critical. It's also not a problem to turn on the vents during the day. In case of a very hot summer, there is an air conditioner in the room. It's mostly the noise that is bothersome, especially at night. The internal fan is currently running at 2 m³/h - you can't hear it (though it's not glued to the glass, it's sitting on stones in the corner, so the vibration is less). As for the corals, that's the next stage. After all, a full-fledged reef is not a budget start.

Matthew

So I got lucky.

Stephen

and me too

Lynn4242

and me.

John3142

I once encountered clowns in the Red Sea, and they were not in the general crowd, but rather somewhat isolated. I wouldn't say they were completely mindless fish. It was especially amusing when one started to attack me, apparently guarding its nest...

Zoe7451

There are different types of clownfish. Oscillaris are the simplest and least interesting in behavior, while Tomato clownfish or Clarkii are quite high in personality. It's especially interesting to keep them in small groups of about 3-4. There are also Premnas, which are true individuals; they guard their anemone more fiercely than any cichlid from freshwater, can occupy half the aquarium, and generally do not allow anyone near. However, I have encountered peaceful individuals that only needed the anemone.

Mitchell7972

I would say 8-10 currency units per liter. Of course, this is assuming you can also make something yourself (like light, for example), rather than buying it ready-made.

Thomas1044

I thought for a long time and came to the conclusion that 10-18 is better than uncertainty and "occasions" without having a common voice (influence on suppliers).

Jason9385

You won't get it. The aquarium you recommended costs around 8000. I have a simpler model - BOYU TL 550 (without MH, and it costs just over 2000). It has long exceeded 8000, and the aquarium is still half empty.