First Reef Tank - Please Help :(

E

Einin

New member
Hey a customer of mine told me about you guys when we were talking about saltwater tanks and said this was probably my best chance for finding quality info....

So I'm starting my first reef tank, I have a nice little 40 gal that I want to convert into one but I'm having a hard time finding solid information as to what all I need (especially in the lighting department).

I currently have a couple betta tanks, a marimo tank, a little tropical tank and a 37 gal chiclid tank, so I do understand what I'm getting myself into but i definitely need a bit of help. Being a broke college student also isnt helping any in acquiring equipment.

Thank you for any help you can give me :)
 
Einin said:
Hey a customer of mine told me about you guys when we were talking about saltwater tanks and said this was probably my best chance for finding quality info....

So I'm starting my first reef tank, I have a nice little 40 gal that I want to convert into one but I'm having a hard time finding solid information as to what all I need (especially in the lighting department).

I currently have a couple betta tanks, a marimo tank, a little tropical tank and a 37 gal chiclid tank, so I do understand what I'm getting myself into but i definitely need a bit of help. Being a broke college student also isnt helping any in acquiring equipment.

Thank you for any help you can give me :)
Click to expand...
I am not sure i see a Question in your post... What exactly are you asking.
From reading above i can tell you its NOT Cheap. But using craigs list ebay and Bargain hunting you can do it on a Budget. but just not on NO Budget.. I suggest you reading the new to hobby forums and beginner setup threads. Read what others are doing and there mistakes. This can also get you info to figure how much money you MUST Have to start.

Hope this Helps Welcome to the Community and Good Luck
 
Not trying to sound harsh but you really don't have any idea what you're getting yourself into LOL

First of all welcome to Reef Central. You have taken the right first step on your journey to the complete and utter demise of all of your free time and any money you might have or will get in the future LOL

Knowing about freshwater means really nothing in keeping a reef tank other than there are fish a tank and water, the difference stops there.

Here is a link to get you on your way to having a basic understanding of what it takes to setup and maintain a saltwater marine reef aquarium. It can be found in this forum in the sticky section. It's basically a book so now you can add another to your studies. Only this one is FUN>

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

Enjoy and if you have any questions along the way please don't heistate to ask.
 
ericarenee said:
I am not sure i see a Question in your post... What exactly are you asking.
From reading above i can tell you its NOT Cheap. But using craigs list ebay and Bargain hunting you can do it on a Budget. but just not on NO Budget.. I suggest you reading the new to hobby forums and beginner setup threads. Read what others are doing and there mistakes. This can also get you info to figure how much money you MUST Have to start.

Hope this Helps Welcome to the Community and Good Luck
Click to expand...

My budget isnt really a concern as I have no problem saving up until I can afford things, my question was lighting regarding coral. As those sites only help me if i know what kinda lighting to look for.
 
Dkuhlmann said:
Not trying to sound harsh but you really don't have any idea what you're getting yourself into LOL

First of all welcome to Reef Central. You have taken the right first step on your journey to the complete and utter demise of all of your free time and any money you might have or will get in the future LOL

Knowing about freshwater means really nothing in keeping a reef tank other than there are fish a tank and water, the difference stops there.

Here is a link to get you on your way to having a basic understanding of what it takes to setup and maintain a saltwater marine reef aquarium. It can be found in this forum in the sticky section. It's basically a book so now you can add another to your studies. Only this one is FUN>

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

Enjoy and if you have any questions along the way please don't heistate to ask.
Click to expand...

I grew up with a 500 gal saltwater tank. I just dont currently have one. the only thing I'm new too is the coral aspect. I really do know what I'm getting myself into. I just have some questions before I spend my money. Like I said mostly in the lighting department since I've come to never trust the people trying to sell me things.
Thank you for the reference though.
 
Einin said:
My budget isnt really a concern as I have no problem saving up until I can afford things, my question was lighting.
Click to expand...

For a 40 gal i would look on craigslist.. I see on there all the time 30 and 36 inch T5 FIXTURES AND Even mh fixtures for almost nothing. Its where people are buying new led lights and selling them..Since i would assume 400.00 for lights is out of your Budget this is really the best option.. Just do NOT Buy CHEAP Equipment.Buy Used but proven stuff to save some money.
but as said above you need a lot. The very best way is to find someone on craigs list getting out of the hobby..
 
Welcome to RC!!!

I would suggest starting with fish and Live Rock. (FOWLR) You really don't even need "live" rock, just some good base reef rock and a cup or two of sand from an running system to get you started. That will be the easiest (and least expensive) way to get your feet wet (pun intended;) )

If you go that route, with a 40b you can use a HOB filter like a marineland emperor or similar and a HOB skimmer, both of which can be gotten for a reasonable price, especially if you get lucky on CL.

You'll need some sand (buy dry - "live" sand is, at least IMO, a huge waste of $$$)

Lighting for a FOWLR can be as simple as a single T5 striplight, but you'll want to spring for a bulb in the 10,000k range because the standard bulb (freshwater) will grow algae better than it will do anything else. Check www.hellolights.com for a selection of bulbs.

Even if you have to buy a new 40b (petco 1$/gallon sale), if you really try, you can get by for just a few hundred bucks, at least for starting it up.

As someone suggested above, the costs will continue, but I think you can get started pretty easily if you work at it.

Good Luck, post pics!!!
 
You can buy the cheap Chinese LED's 165W Dimmable LED Aquarium Grow Light Full Spectrum FishTank Reef Coral LPS SPS $82 including shipping. This would be a great place to start and it's cheaper than buying 4 replacement bulbs for a T5 unit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/190999433320?lpid=82&chn=ps

Petco RIGHT NOW and until Aug 8 has $ per gallon sale. I suggest getting a 40 breeder for your main tank and a 20 tall for your sump. This is a great starting point an the footprint of the 40b is one of the most utilized by many reefers, myself included (Just got mine today :D )

Craigslist is great to buy a system from others getting out of the hobby. Usually you can get live rock for around $2 per lb. But buy their whole system and you end up with all kinds of things for not very much literally a few pennies on the dollar.
 
Dkuhlmann said:
You can buy the cheap Chinese LED's 165W Dimmable LED Aquarium Grow Light Full Spectrum FishTank Reef Coral LPS SPS $82 including shipping. This would be a great place to start and it's cheaper than buying 4 replacement bulbs for a T5 unit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/190999433320?lpid=82&chn=ps

Petco RIGHT NOW and until Aug 8 has $ per gallon sale. I suggest getting a 40 breeder for your main tank and a 20 tall for your sump. This is a great starting point an the footprint of the 40b is one of the most utilized by many reefers, myself included (Just got mine today :D )

Craigslist is great to buy a system from others getting out of the hobby. Usually you can get live rock for around $2 per lb. But buy their whole system and you end up with all kinds of things for not very much literally a few pennies on the dollar.
Click to expand...

Was going to suggest those led's, good price, dimmable, and you can always upgrade later if your sure you want to stay in the hobby.
 
Dkuhlmann said:
I know several people that use them that use them exclusively and they have multiple frag tanks and sell corals as their side business. I've not heard any problems with them to be honest.
Click to expand...

Thanks.. I assume i would need 6 of them atleast to replace me 3 mh... But not jumping ship anytime soon..
 
I just purchased 4 new bulbs for my T5 and got them at a Great price, that said I'll be buying one of these LED's in about 6 months or so. :D
 
Dkuhlmann said:
I just purchased 4 new bulbs for my T5 and got them at a Great price, that said I'll be buying one of these LED's in about 6 months or so. :D
Click to expand...

all of my bulbs are new as well. I have been looking at led but the good ones would blow my Budget quite hard.And i am not yet convinced they will do good. I would have to get them with only white Blue and maybe some uv color. I WILL Never PUT A Red Yellow Green or OFF White light bulb above my Rock work totally encrusted with Coraline algae. There is so much of it in my tank it grows over itself and pushes up encrusting creating even more surface area for more to grow on..
i have 3 2000k mh and 4 59 w actinic t5 ..
 
I think the advice about starting with FOWLR is good advice. It's where most reef keepers start out to gain the knowledge and experience about water testing, parameters etc
Having said that if you are certain you want to keep corals, then you should think about what type, because this will dictate your lighting requirements. If you are just thinking about keeping softies and LPS then I wouldn't be buying MH because they're not cheap to run, and I'm not sure what the climate is like where you live but they do kick out a lot of heat which may mean you need to buy a chiller too.
LEDs will work in most applications....well in all applications but if you're looking at keeping Acropora etc then you will need A LOT of fixtures which isn't easily achievable on a budget.
Personally I would start with FOWLR, get yourself a couple of fish, some inverts, get settled into the hobby, read as much as you can on here, you'll learn a lot from peoples mistakes; Then in 6 months time buy a couple of corals and see how you go.
Good luck!
 
I think you're getting on the right track with the advice here. I would just add that if you start with a fowlr tank so you don't need to worry too much, but you want coral down the line, I think you should use good water from the jump and watch any medicine you use. Tap water can have nutrients in it and medicine can contain copper, both of which will soak into your rocks and make trouble later on.

Also, I have 2 ebay led by marsaqua, the full spectrum 165, over my 55 and it's more than enough for a beginner with low energy cost, no bulb replacing, and minimal heat. I think one would be a fine start for a 40. Pretty much what's linked above.

You can have a great tank on a budget, but you have to do a little more homework deciding what you need to buy right away and what can wait. Test kits are one of the few things I wish I bought quality from the start, I wouldn't skimp there.
Welcome to the hobby! Good luck!
 
Dkuhlmann said:
You can buy the cheap Chinese LED's 165W Dimmable LED Aquarium Grow Light Full Spectrum FishTank Reef Coral LPS SPS $82 including shipping. This would be a great place to start and it's cheaper than buying 4 replacement bulbs for a T5 unit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/190999433320?lpid=82&chn=ps

Petco RIGHT NOW and until Aug 8 has $ per gallon sale. I suggest getting a 40 breeder for your main tank and a 20 tall for your sump. This is a great starting point an the footprint of the 40b is one of the most utilized by many reefers, myself included (Just got mine today :D )

Craigslist is great to buy a system from others getting out of the hobby. Usually you can get live rock for around $2 per lb. But buy their whole system and you end up with all kinds of things for not very much literally a few pennies on the dollar.
Click to expand...
I already have my tank and salt along with a deal worked out with the guys at my local shop where I'm trading them my chiclids for live rock. Also I work at petsmart and we do that same sale twice a year so things like that I'd just buy from work with my 15% discount.
I've been looking on Craig's list without much luck though.
 
daveM100 said:
Was going to suggest those led's, good price, dimmable, and you can always upgrade later if your sure you want to stay in the hobby.
Click to expand...

I'm sure about it but definitely just looking to get started right now. I'm a marine bio student and have been obbsessing about my own reef tank since i was five lol
 
Dkuhlmann said:
You can buy the cheap Chinese LED's 165W Dimmable LED Aquarium Grow Light Full Spectrum FishTank Reef Coral LPS SPS $82 including shipping. This would be a great place to start and it's cheaper than buying 4 replacement bulbs for a T5 unit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/190999433320?lpid=82&chn=ps

Petco RIGHT NOW and until Aug 8 has $ per gallon sale. I suggest getting a 40 breeder for your main tank and a 20 tall for your sump. This is a great starting point an the footprint of the 40b is one of the most utilized by many reefers, myself included (Just got mine today :D )

Craigslist is great to buy a system from others getting out of the hobby. Usually you can get live rock for around $2 per lb. But buy their whole system and you end up with all kinds of things for not very much literally a few pennies on the dollar.
Click to expand...
Is a sump necessary? I never quite got the purpose....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
First SPS coral. Is this bleaching?
Replies
6
Views
614
apavlik2
A
A
Please help reef tank
Replies
2
Views
699
SantaMonica
S
B
Left Tank for a long time, now want to reboot
Replies
8
Views
383
SantaMonica
S
R
Getting back into the hobby.
Replies
3
Views
3K
Cjs305510
C
E
What's Old is New Again
Replies
2
Views
496
Uncle99
Uncle99
Back
Top