FANTASY REEF BUILD

Have Betty do most of the reading and research so she can get caught up to speed on the system, designs, labor, chemistry, and things Joe already has some knowledge of...she can start with:
CMA.jpg

Meanwhile have Joe draft a design his vision for location. Its like building a house and you should first know where your putting it. Then they should both compare notes and discuss what they learned and envision. (thats where I began and so far so good)

Mucho: how we looking? you got about 10 people? Do we agree on what the first move is?
 
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Ok I will play. There really is not much going on at work right now and I think this is a valid thread compared to most.
I agree that the first thing should be research because all it really costs is time. Are they wanting to understand water chemistry or just how to run a tank? If they are wanting to do this as strictly for fun then it is much different than someone who wants to understand the nitrogen cycle.
Second: I think tank location should come next because this will determine budget to an extent. If they choose a 2' x 2' space for their tank do they really need a budget of $10k?
Once one and two are worked on then the budget and tank size should come next. I have suggestions for that but can wait until we get to that part.
I hope that they listen and eventually post pictures of "everyone's" tank.
 
I would agree on the research either with books or online. This is how I got into the hobby 4 yrs of reading and lurking online :)

The books I read and have still

Aquarium Corals : Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History

The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide

Reef Secrets: Starting Right, Selecting Fishes & Invertebrates, Advanced Biotope Techniques

Natural Reef Aquariums: Simplified Approaches to Creating Living Saltwater Microcosms

Reef Fishes Volume 1

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists

I think tank volume/dims should be second thing to look into. I believe the more volume of the tank the more time and $$$ will put into the tank.
 
My turn again!

Ok, assuming (let me know if we are still on this topic) extensive research, reading, conversing with other aquarists, LFS employees, etc.. has been completed, and the couple are up to speed on the state of the hobby, trends, types of systems available, I think at the same time they discuss budget, they need to discuss how much available time they have (want) to dedicate to the "hobby". I use this term loosly, because being one myself, I have found my hobby has become more of an obsession and I keep setting aside more and more time for it.

This is an important factor (and goes along with what many of the above posters said) because depending upon how much time is available to spend on the hoby plays as much a part as how much money you want to put aside for it.

For example, larger tanks generally equate to greater stability (less suceptable to rapid changes/fluctuations) and with that, comes less day to day maintenence (to a certain degree). A larger tank will require less day-to-day adjustments, testing, etc than say a nano tank, but there will be more equipment to check/maintain as well.
Many people dive in and purchase a nano tank, figuring a small tank is easier to maintain, but as we all know this is not always the case.
They need to budget the amount of time they want to spend on this hobby (maintaining) just as much as they need to budget how much money they are willing to spend.

It is much more complicated than this (what types of animals they want to keep... softies vs. stonies... many fish/few fish, etc...) plays as much a part in budget as it does in time budgeted to do maintenence (the stuff we do for our friends that we don't necessarily enjoy). every hobby has them.

Anyone want to throw out a range? such as 15 min/night.... 1-2 hrs. per week? do we want to be more or less involved than this?

Oh... then comes the topics of automation equipment , with which comes a greater expense, but minimizes tank chores...

so many decisions!!!!! good thing they researched (unless they aren't done yet) I forgot to ask... Is this fantasy reef supposed to be real time? in which case I'll wait another month or so until they are done researching. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13501296#post13501296 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mille239


For example, larger tanks generally equate to greater stability (less suceptable to rapid changes/fluctuations) and with that, comes less day to day maintenence (to a certain degree). A larger tank will require less day-to-day adjustments, testing, etc than say a nano tank, but there will be more equipment to check/maintain as well.
Many people dive in and purchase a nano tank, figuring a small tank is easier to maintain, but as we all know this is not always the case.

Anyone want to throw out a range? such as 15 min/night.... 1-2 hrs. per week? do we want to be more or less involved than this?

Oh... then comes the topics of automation equipment , with which comes a greater expense, but minimizes tank chores...
Click to expand...

I would disagree with nano's being harder. I started with a nano and I do not see any time soon when I will get a bigger tank. ( Ps I never had a fresh water aquarium either went straight to sw nano)

I believe the problem with people and nano's are that they believe they are easier like you stated. They get careless about the Nano. When I started got a nano and I took after my tank just like a bigger reefer would with sps. If you start out slow and have patience a nano can be great.

I do agree with water fluctuations could be a problem , but I think that if all else fails get a ATO as your first auto equipment. IMO the ATO is very helpful with a NANO. ( again depends on what livestock these people want) I would suggest more auto equipment if they wanted sps.

I would say I spend maybe less than 1 hr a week on my tank which is 20 gallons. I do not have a ATO on this system yet ( have to buy new one) but once I get this done I would say maybe less than 30 mins a week. right now the most time is making water and mixing for WC. other than that , I don't do much to tank but feed it and once a week scrape glass clean :)
 
It appears that reading, research, join a reef club, talking with LFS and some good reading/refernce material gets the edge here as the first move to make when one decides to take the reefing plunge. Above you will find much reference material that has proven to be most helpful to a newcomer to this hobby.

On to # 2, would you set a budget next?


Mucho Reef
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13503397#post13503397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
Budget #3 IMO. Decide what size tank and what we want to keep in it. Then set budget.
Click to expand...

IA ^^^
 
Paul_PSU, could you compare the two and state why you feel this way? I'm on the fence and just trying to promote the discussion is all.

Does anyone else have an opinion or suggestion?
 
I think Paul is correct about tank size (and location) being #2 and budget being #3. Yes a person can spend $2K on a 20 gallon and I have read about it but in reality tank size is often related to budget.
In turn it is the tank size that determines all other equipment purchases which helps drive the budget.
Also should there be a total budget vs. equipment vs. livestock?
 
This is awesome. Man I don't pay attention for a few days and look at all the good stuff going on in here.

I'm glad research went first. That would have been my vote.

As for #2 on the list... I would have to say tank size. Then, #3, budget.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13503397#post13503397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul_PSU
Budget #3 IMO. Decide what size tank and what we want to keep in it. Then set budget.
Click to expand...


Yes Paul, I would like for you to contrast budget and tank size. Basically saying why you feel one over the other regarding the # 2 decision to make. I think it would be great if everyone did this instead of just saying one over he other. I think it will go a long way in helping others to understand the process.

Mucho Reef
 
hmmm....budget....not my specialty. Not because I'm rich, just because my "budget" is whatever is left over after paying all my bills. I'd recommend they avoid they avoid a total budget and think more in terms of monthly expenses revolving around the tank. It's pricey at first then comes down (a little) over time. Hard to say...
 
My logic behind putting the budget after tank size and location is that they will determine what the budget is. There is going to be a completely different budget for a 300gal all starfire glass island tank viewable on all 4 sides than there would be for a 180 gal up against the wall. Tank size will then determine how big of a skimmer, cal reactor....and so on. My thought is that you need to know what you are getting before you can budget for it. You don't say "I'm going on vacation so I am budgeting $1,500", when you are looking at going to Disneyland for a week with a family of 4. The opposite holds true also, you wouldn't say I'm going to budget $7000 if you are just going to go to a local amusement park for 2 days. The budget in my mind just determines if I can get starfire glass on all four sides or do I want a BK skimmer or another that can skim almost as well and cost half as much. After doing research and seeing other setups from fellow reefers we have a ballpark number in our head anyway. Any how, I ramble...that's my logic of illogic....:D
 
I hear you Seapug and Paul. BTW, thanks Paul, very well written.

Anyone else with an opinion on # 2 ?

Mucho
 
I would have to say budget should be #2. Here's my reasoning. You can choose/build the tank around the budget. Sure starfire glass would be nice, if it falls within the budget, if not, skip it. You don't want to decide on 180gal all starfire tank in #2 just to find out the budget in #3 won't allow it.

Placing the budget after the tank would leave us with a limitless budget created solely to buy the tank we want in #2 whether it can be afforded or not.

You get my point, I hope! :)
 
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