If you were starting out... pre-setup or start fresh?

**Trillianne** · 09-07-2011, 01:36 AM

There appears to be a really nice deal on the local craigslist on a 46g FOWLR set up. I know that this is something the bf and I want to do further down the road, but I'm wondering if this might be too good of a deal to pass up.

My question is... how wise is it to start with a previously owned set up? Is it better when learning to start out more from scratch?

**Cliff** · 09-07-2011, 01:44 AM

I say it would depend on you.

IMO, you would need enough knowledge about a SW tank to set one up from scratch before getting one. That way you will be ready for almost anything that could come up

**Trillianne** · 09-07-2011, 02:00 AM

Its one of those things where I've read a bit, but don't have experience which makes me a bit nervous. And I was reading with more of a "in a year or two down the road" going through my head.

The price is just a bit unbelievable which is why I'm thinking it might be time to take the plunge. At least to run it by the man with the wallet.

**Cliff** · 09-07-2011, 02:14 AM

If your committed to make it work, and, you can complete your research (at least enough to feel comfortable) before taking the set-up home, you should be fine.

**Surfdog** · 09-07-2011, 02:22 AM

Cliff your advice is always good, but, Trillianne, you have been on this forum long enough to know you can get almost instant advice if something is amiss, I say this because your one of those always helping. Get the Tank!

Your Freshwater test kit if its a API master test kit works just as well on Salt. It's a Fowlr setup so you dont have worries like iron, calcium, phosphates etc.

If it includes all the rock, filter, powerheads, lights and it's what you feel a great price, there is no reason not to.

IMO, FOWLR does not need RO water, It's a nice thing to have but treated with Prime is what I use and I have never had a problem.

Can U transport the water that was in the tank, that would be helpful to have at least 50% of it. You can make new SW easilly in 5G water bottles fairly quickly. Having a refractometer rather than a hydrometer is a good idea too, roughly $75 for a must piece of equipment...

Bottom line is it's your call, I think from having read your posts, you're responsable enough to pull this off, the stickey's are there that will answer any question you may have... Best of Luck!

**Trillianne** · 09-07-2011, 03:46 AM

Well I talked to the bf, and he said I could send an email... after grumbling about how much of a drive (we'd have to take a ferry) so now I'm hoping to hear back.

Here's the ad I'm looking at:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/for/2585017141.html

**frefal13** · 09-07-2011, 04:05 AM

That sure is a great deal! If those are pictures of the actual fish in the tank you might want to think about re homing one of the clowns. I don't see how that maroon clown wouldn't kill that poor little ocellaris clown in such a small tank... But still a great find.

**Trillianne** · 09-07-2011, 04:07 AM

Well the bf shot down the idea after I sent the guy an email. He wants to wait and go with our original plan to swap the existing 65 to Marine when we put the built in freshwater set up done.

But if anyone else is local that is interested... the guy still has the set up but he's rehomed the fish.

**Surfdog** · 09-07-2011, 04:16 AM

OMG! 1 hundread dollars!!! Insane deal to say the least, wish I was near... Thats roughly 10% of the value...Sorry Trill, but i'm sure another deal will come along!!