I just bought a 200 gal. tank and am in the process of setting it up. Anyone have any pro's or con's on these things. I'm building it as a salt water reef tank and of course, have to have a few Lion fish in there. Nasty little devils if you touch them. Maybe i'll sink a Rolex down in the bottom and see who the brave is !!! Seriously, what is the up keep on these things. I've heard a few hours a week to don't do it you are creating a 2 hour a day job. I never knew a fish bowl cost this much and had this many parts.....from chillers to heaters to 250 watt metal halide lamps !!!! Wardey

Wardey.....my brother has been involved with salt water tanks for a long time......much more intensive than a fresh water tank....which I am sure you know.......if you have any questions or problems, email me and I will get the low down from my brother......He sells/leases the big tanks to office buildings...sets them up.....stocks them....and maintains them here is So. Fla. ....Rich

I have a 500 gal reef tank. Once the tank is set up the maintenance is minimal. It is all in the planning.

Check out these boards for all the info you could possibly imagine.

www.reefcentral.com
http://www.reefaquariumguide.com/index.php
http://reefs.org/phpBB2/index.php

oh yea....expect to spend about $8000 for equipment and livestock.

Thanks Guy's !!! I knew I could count on ya. Yeah, the 8K sounds about right. I've got 6K wrapped up in it right now without any corals or fishes. Just live rock and live sand ???? What the hell is this stuff ???? 1K just in the rock and sand? Anyhow, I need to build the hood for it before I can set it up totaly. This is a built in through the wall deal. Thanks, Wardey

Some pic's.....Front view.

Dude, you forgot the pic!

I have a 90 gal reef just about to move and up the size to 200 had large tanks before and the larger they are the easier they are to keep, Up here in Canada I have found that rock, fish & corals are cheaper here than when I lived in Ft Laud.( good quality Figi live rock here is about $5 us per #).......... Ken nice looking 500 Mike Nicholson

I should do this with a 35 gallon tank......

Forgot the pic...