Coming back after 20 years

[oddiseus]

Hi all! I've been out of the hobby for a minute. I'm coming back and wanted to learn about some changes to the hobby since the 2003 era when I first began my journey and did a lot of research. A few factors for me are a bit different this time around compared to before. The main one, I used to live in a desert with temps averaging 110º, now I'm in Central Illinois where temps have been in the negatives. Any feedback to reefs in this environment? Any breakthroughs in technology, or reef keeping that I should be aware of that may have drastically changed?

 

[JohnL]

I'm coming back

Welcome back!

 

[griss]

Welcome back. Here's another member who returning to the hobby and some of the questions he had that may help you.

 

[oddiseus]

Thanks all. That was a good read Griss, thanks for sharing. It looks like a lot of us are coming back to the hobby after a nice little break. Quick question on tank placement. My house here has a ton of windows, and I'm not sure what the consensus is now but I don't have a room that doesn't have at least 3 windows. What should I be aware of when planning the space for the new tank?

 

[griss]

Thanks all. That was a good read Griss, thanks for sharing. It looks like a lot of us are coming back to the hobby after a nice little break. Quick question on tank placement. My house here has a ton of windows, and I'm not sure what the consensus is now but I don't have a room that doesn't have at least 3 windows. What should I be aware of when planning the space for the new tank?

No problem, I'm happy to help.

As far as windows, same as always, try to avoid direct sunlight to keep summer heat levels down and help reduce algal growth. To be honest, my tanks over the last 25 years have been in the basement so, it hasn't been a consideration for me. Prior to that, all my tanks were placed out of direct sunlight in the room or I'd keep the shades/curtains drawn.

 

[oddiseus]

Ok Good to hear, I have windows in my basement too LOL. Also it gets really cold in there, and wasn't sure what that would even do to my electric bill trying to keep the tank warm.

 

[griss]

Ok Good to hear, I have windows in my basement too LOL. Also it gets really cold in there, and wasn't sure what that would even do to my electric bill trying to keep the tank warm.

Gotcha, I have windows in the basement too. The new tank I'm in process of setting up will actually be perpendicular to one of them. I'm just going to put a curtain up to block the light.

I live in the St. Louis area so, we have about the same weather, my basement is a bit cold as well. We only have one HVAC vent for the entire basement. The new tank is a 150 with a (probably) 20 gallon sump. I plan to use a 500w and a 300w heaters to maintain temperature. My current tank (40B) with 5 gallons in the sump has (2) 200w heaters and they effortlessly keep that temp maintained.

 

[griss]

Here you can see late afternoon sunlight from the basement window.

 

[Reefing102]

Welcome back! I think @griss got it covered with the window aspect. Since 2003, there’s been a ton of updates as I’m sure you’ve just read. But we’re here to help!

 

[oddiseus]

Here you can see late afternoon sunlight from the basement window.

Alright that looks just about like mine. The box looks like all your stuff is still plugged in lol