Having been in the aquarium hobby for some time I beleive myself to be somewhat knowledgeable, however like most I am always looking for the best information. Is there anything that you would recommend to me to start out in reefkeeping that helped you from the beginning to this point? If there is any books, websites or anything I would appreciate your input. Especially as far as starting a cube reef. Thanks again.
240 Gallon Cube Tank Photo Diary
- Thread starter sonofgaladriel
- Start date
melev
Well-known member
FloodXL, this is the book you want. It covers everything you could possibly bring up.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...8558/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8151312-2267247?ie=UTF8
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...8558/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-8151312-2267247?ie=UTF8
sonofgaladriel
Shiny!
To me there is nothing better than a strong knowledge of the basics in terms of equipment use and funtion, filtration, and of course creating prestine water parameters.
Next, take the time to really learn your corals. Study them. Get to know them all by name (scientific even), type, and of course their needs.
Nothing makes you better prepared than by knowing what it is you see at the LFS and what its requirements are BEFORE you buy it. Same goes for fish.
Create your reef/aquarium with the needs of these corals in mind, ie flow, lighting, etc. and you will succeed. Its not the same for all corals.
Plus, be ready to take on the responsibility for this livestock and be willing and able to fork out the time and finances to do it right.
Books are great, but getting personal experiences from reefers you trust is priceless.
Hope this helps.
Thank you guys for the book suggestion and the outlook on how to attack a reef aquarium. Believe it or not those are the exact answers I am looking for. While I plan to have a 75 gallon reef first in order to learn the chemistry better and the nature of live rock and corals, I feel it is essential to learn as much as I can now before I begin. We had a 45 gallon tall fish only tank that just did not work for marine, it is now my planted tank which is gorgeous. I guess what I am trying to do is learn everything I can now so that it becomes much easier when the time comes, and like I have said before I feel my freshwater experience will aid me in some way. Thanks again.
ReefWaters
Premium Member
FloodXL, I started in the hobby about 11 years ago. I was young, and was lucky to have parents willing to support the hobby. At least to a certain extent.... 
But I never really took the time to learn what I was doing. I simply took the advice of my LFS and my tank never did great.
I went to college and got out of the hobby simply due to the lack of time, money, and the fact that I was moving every 6 months to a year. I stayed interested though and eventually started reading, reading, and then reading some more. I read everything I could get my hands on from ReefKeeping.com to books and posted tons of questions here on RC. I looked at other people's systems and compared my new knowledge to my old experiences.
I finally jumped back in with both feet after about a 3 year stint without a tank and once I thought I could do it right. I have been extremely happy with my results so far.
My best advice is to TAKE YOUR TIME, READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN, and never think that you have learned everything there is to know.
But I never really took the time to learn what I was doing. I simply took the advice of my LFS and my tank never did great.I went to college and got out of the hobby simply due to the lack of time, money, and the fact that I was moving every 6 months to a year. I stayed interested though and eventually started reading, reading, and then reading some more. I read everything I could get my hands on from ReefKeeping.com to books and posted tons of questions here on RC. I looked at other people's systems and compared my new knowledge to my old experiences.
I finally jumped back in with both feet after about a 3 year stint without a tank and once I thought I could do it right. I have been extremely happy with my results so far.
My best advice is to TAKE YOUR TIME, READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN, and never think that you have learned everything there is to know.
Good stuff Reefwaters. I hear what you are saying. I am only 23 years old but am very excited for when the day comes that I get out on my own (soon) and can start my own reef. Thanks for your advice and sorry to sonofgaladriel for basically hijacking this thread into a "mentor FloodXL" thread . Seriously though thanks guys! Now back to the cube reef! MORE PICS!
. Seriously though thanks guys! Now back to the cube reef! MORE PICS!
scaryperson27
New member
It is funny how you just so happen to own my dream tank... 
delphinus
New member
Ok I've got two questions. Unfortunately they may be a bit off-topic but I'm going to ask anyhow. 
1) What on earth movie is playing in the background of that movie? I recognize the music but can't seem to place it.
2) How on earth does one even work in a 8'x8' cube reef tank? You pretty much need to either don scuba/snorkel gear, or have a sliding catwalk to get you over the middle of the tank. You may be very tall for all I know, but I'm gonna bet that you aint THAT tall that you can reach into the middle
1) What on earth movie is playing in the background of that movie? I recognize the music but can't seem to place it.
2) How on earth does one even work in a 8'x8' cube reef tank? You pretty much need to either don scuba/snorkel gear, or have a sliding catwalk to get you over the middle of the tank. You may be very tall for all I know, but I'm gonna bet that you aint THAT tall that you can reach into the middle
sonofgaladriel
Shiny!
:lol: My boys were watching Harry Potter while I was filming the tank. I didn't even think about what sound might be recorded at the time. Good thing I wasn't yelling at the kids or something
I am 6'3" and the dream tank may be 8x8x30 (I'd buy a good set of long tongs for the middle), but the tank I'm going to have built next Spring, if all goes well, will only be 6x6x30". I think I'll be able to reach most areas without too much difficulty.
To those requesting new pics: They can be found here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=922005
I am 6'3" and the dream tank may be 8x8x30 (I'd buy a good set of long tongs for the middle), but the tank I'm going to have built next Spring, if all goes well, will only be 6x6x30". I think I'll be able to reach most areas without too much difficulty.
To those requesting new pics: They can be found here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=922005
sonofgaladriel
Shiny!
Yes and no :fun2:
The tank is still running, only its now a freshwater planted discus tank.
Some time ago I had a HUGE (16") rose BTA die on me while I was away for a few days. I noticed that it has disappeared the day I left, but I assumed it was only going to split again. Unfortunately, several days passed before I realized the BTA had actually died and the system was crashing and by that time I couldn't prevent the domino effect. I lost 90% of all the SPS, most of my beloved rose BTAs, and some of the fish.
After that disaster, I filled the tank with softies, hoping for a low maintenance/low cost reef, but eventually I couldn't recover from the 'crash' and I lost my MOJO and decided to sell everything off. Saltwater was not fun for me any longer.
The tank sat empty for several months while I pondered selling it or turning it into something else.
I couldn't sell it, its just such a great tank, so I went another direction with it.
I decided to turn the tank into a large 'open air' vivarium for a brief period and filled it with chameleons and tropical plants. That lasted about 6 months. I put the chameleons outside on a sunny day and they all managed to escape from their outdoor screened enclosure! (I accidently left one of the doors open
) I haven't seen them since. :sad2:The tank sat empty again for several months.....
About 5 months ago I turned the cube back into an actual fish tank but decided to try a freshwater planted tank. Still not ready to tackle saltwater again.
As someone has already said, I am in the process of upgrading tanks. I'm actively searching for a 120"/130" by 24"/30" by 42"/48" tank, roughly between 500 and 700 gallons or so.
My wife and I agree that its time to go back to a long narrow tank along the wall, freeing up some floor space in the home theater/game room.
The cube is great as a coral tank, but not so great for watching fish swim back and forth. I want some length so I can enjoy a huge (300+) school of tetras and several nice discus swim about.
I'll post some pics of the tank's past renditions and the current set up if anyone is interested.
drywallninja
New member
Wow!What a bummer
Good luck with you fresh water endeavors
Good luck with you fresh water endeavorsWow, interesting to hear how the tank went down. That is a real shame Sonofgaladriel, I could see something like that damaging my feeling for the hobby also, major losses are hard to come back from. That reef was seriously one of my favorites that I have seen.
I am a freshwater guy myself, have my own planted tank that is about to be revamped as well as a Malawi Cichlid Mbuna tank. Just not happy with the way the plant tank looks right now, got kind of lazy with it. But in it's prime it rivaled marine tanks to me. I would be very interested in any photos you have of the tank now with discus in it.
Take it easy!
I am a freshwater guy myself, have my own planted tank that is about to be revamped as well as a Malawi Cichlid Mbuna tank. Just not happy with the way the plant tank looks right now, got kind of lazy with it. But in it's prime it rivaled marine tanks to me. I would be very interested in any photos you have of the tank now with discus in it.
Take it easy!
ReefWaters
Premium Member
Uhhhggg. That makes me want to puke. I hate that that tank crashed. But I completely understand losing your desire to fix it after all that. Its just to much work to turn a tank back around after such a large problem.
I'm sure no one would get mad if you posted some pics of the tank with the F word! FRESH Water! :lmao: Its just part of this hobby. We all take a break every once in a while and go fresh for a few years. I sure have. :thumbsup:
I'm sure no one would get mad if you posted some pics of the tank with the F word! FRESH Water! :lmao: Its just part of this hobby. We all take a break every once in a while and go fresh for a few years. I sure have. :thumbsup:
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