>Where are you located ?
Im in Sri Petaling !!Wah Condo ar..I have trouble carrying the tank even from the outside to the dining hall lar!!

>I plan to setup a 4X2X2 tank. Condo not much space left or else I would setup a bigger tank
I would definitely go for 6-8ft if cost was not an issue!!

>I've an existing Ehiem 2222 filter ( I dun think this is enuf for 4x2x2... but use it first la and buy another filter later..)
>CO2 probably goes with DIY first... later upgrade to pressurised tank
If u plan to buy Eheim filter, do let me know.. Chinese filters like Atman are also "boleh tahan" !
What's your budget for CO2 system, I maybe able to find a few suppliers who might give u a good price but still cost you around RM300+ depends on the tank capacity..take note that smaller the tank cost more
e.g. 3kg cost RM290 while a 10kg tank (Aluminium) cost only RM400.
It'll definitely saves u alot of trouble if u adopt pressurised system as it's a one time investment..(if budget ok)!!

>Need to start with low budget first.... upgrade later...
My initial budget was less than $2K for a 4ft tank which is almost imposibble if you are goin for some "hi-tech" setup.
Here's a quotation from a LFS :
Tank 2x1.5x.15ft(8mm) = RM650
Cabinet : RM350
Filter: Eheim 2235 = RM370
CO2system: 3.2kg+Reg =RM440
Lighting:CF=RM740
Base Fert =RM150
Gravel (75kg, Holland) = RM165
etc..etc altogether =RM3K

After alot of surveying/homeworks,
I have finally cut my cost down to these:-
Tank 4x2x2ft c/w Cabinet=RM600
Filter Wetdry system=RM280
DIY FL Lighting 400W= T4 & T8 =RM130
CO2 system : RM550
Gravel (90kg, Local) : RM130
Base Fert : RM92
etc total= RM1800+


>Where is a good place for a nice 4' tank ?
I bought mine in OUG..but it's the last time i'll ever visit that shop!!
Fyi, a 4x2x2ft (10mm) custom made tank will cost you around RM480 excluding cabinet.
Standard selling price for a 4ft tank +solid wood cabinet is RM1200-1400

>I would need to look for things like lights... I think I need like 3W/gal..
>For a 4X2x2, what would the total volume of water in gallons ?
4x2x2 is 120gall. 2-2.5w/gall for small/medium and 3-3.5w/gall for medium/large plants setup (depends on plants ratio).

>Is 4 tubes of FL enough for the 4' setup ?
It's not how many tubes..it's the watts that count..in your case regular 4x36W FL = 144w is barely adequate.
Keep in mind a 4ft FL lamp will be very tight fit if you have a hood installed.

U'll need atleast 400W for your tank (light intensity will reduce after few months run.)Majority recommended 18-21" max height of a tank cos u'll need more lights for 22" above.

>For the books... you can find most of Amano's books at Kino bookstore in KLCC... all wrap up nicely..
Thanks for the tips, but I think Amano's books are bit expensive in Malaysia.I ve already bought Amano Vol3 and recently just got Vol.1 for RM112 online and it's still way cheaper than Malaysia which cost around RM180+. Thanks anyway...

Anybody out there care to add some comments/ideas.. !!
ok seeya

Robby