First trip to the local saltwater aqaurium shop
- Thread starter PCygni
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FIJI Reefing
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pmed ya
hehe, FIJI, your "current tank info" kinda says it all.
i do buy ro/di water for water changes. i spend a maximum of a couple of hours every weekend on water changes and using the mag float to get what the snails don't. once a month or so, i take pumps out and clean them, change the wooden air stones in the skimmers, maybe move a rock or two around.
i have only found 2 disadvantages to the cubes compared to bigger tanks...i am very limited as to stocking options and aquascaping a smaller area can be challenging. but i can live with that because i do get a lot of enjoyment out of my mini tanks.
i do buy ro/di water for water changes. i spend a maximum of a couple of hours every weekend on water changes and using the mag float to get what the snails don't. once a month or so, i take pumps out and clean them, change the wooden air stones in the skimmers, maybe move a rock or two around.
i have only found 2 disadvantages to the cubes compared to bigger tanks...i am very limited as to stocking options and aquascaping a smaller area can be challenging. but i can live with that because i do get a lot of enjoyment out of my mini tanks.
chicagoreefer20
New member
OP probably gave up on this thread and bought a TV.
I don't mean to start the argument again or whatever, but I think what you guys are demonstrating is just two different hobbies.i have only found 2 disadvantages to the cubes compared to bigger tanks...i am very limited as to stocking options and aquascaping a smaller area can be challenging. but i can live with that because i do get a lot of enjoyment out of my mini tanks.
You are no less a hobbyist for not enjoying the maintenance and details. You are actually more of a "dual hobbyist" when you do. I don't think this breaks into small tanks versus large, although the folks who enjoy the details and tinkering tend to "need" larger tanks to fulfill that part of their "dual hobby"
As an example. I started with a 60 gallon, not drilled, no skimmer, just LR and a canister. I eventually added an HOB skimmer, and starting wanting to keep things that would require water quality that I couldn't maintain without an excess amount of work on my part, or loads of equipment IN my tank, or hanging on the side of the tank that would invariably seem to ruin the "view", and therefore basically make it useless endeavor, since there isn't much point in high end SPS or clams or whatever if you can't see them.
What I noted at that point was that I had a choice. I could up my "work load" and equipment to get closer to what I wanted, or take my hobby in a different direction. I could spend my time understanding what WOULD be happy in my tank. I could sacrifice high end SPS for something a little more forgiving, which isn't that much of a sacrifice in the end really, and I could enjoy my lower maintenance schedule and tank. That, in and of itself if a hobby, researching and understanding what you can/should maintain in your tank. Understanding its capabilities....
OR, I could upgrade and start playing with all the gadgets and toys available with a drilled tank. I did both actually. My 75 isn't much bigger than my 60, but being drilled I have more room to play. I added a controller to the 75, can run an ATO without it being unsightly, dosing pumps, reactors, etc.. Here is where I really see the difference. I love both (all) my tanks. The 60 is an awesome low maintenance tank and were it all I had, I most definitely would still consider myself a hobbyist. The thing is, what really happened with the 75 is that I picked up a brand new hobby. That hobby is tweaking equipment, playing with levels, reading about new equipment that I can run... Re-learning the basics almost with a new approach. I'm no more or no less a hobbyist for having the 75. I've picked up what is a related, but new hobby.
So, yes, I agree in a way that the cubes are a beginner tank, and they can only take you so far. If what you want is the "tank hobby", they can be perfect. If you want the "tinkering and equipment hobby", they will fall short.
Again, I'm not up for re-starting the argument. I "think" I see both sides here, but in reality, my perception of both sides couldn't be completely inaccurate. I do my comments speak towards an AIO vs custom tank in a way and hope that that means regardless my comments might be helpful to the OP, so....
i DO enjoy, just on a much smaller scale. unlike some others, my life doesn't revolve around my tanks. i have fish, i have corals, i have inverts. i enjoy them all but i don't (can't) spend endless hours on this hobby. i also have dogs that require a lot of attention and i have 4 pot bellied pigs that i am passionate about (i know, i know, my elevator doesn't go all the way to the top). i mow 10 acres of pasture every couple of weeks, i have a few flowers outside, i have a house to keep clean, i have a full time job. i do all of this with a bad back and titanium hips.
if that makes me less of a "hobbyist" to some, then so be it.
So then maybe I'm not phrasing correctly. Its the limiting the number of details I suppose that separate the "tinkerer"? ...
i don't know, and I don't mean to offend. I personally see a difference in the way I maintain the tanks noted above. I don't think there is anything "bad" or "wrong" in the difference, but there is a difference. One of them is really all about the inhabitants in a way, and the other is more about the equipment for the inhabitants.
Oh, and its likely I'll stop responding now. I'll debate to no end on meaningless subjects, and enjoy it for the sake of the debate... This really isn't the proper place for it (at least in my opinion) as too much gets lost with the lack of tone, and its much easier to offend that way. I've laid out my observations, and don't really want to head into what might be perceived as argumentative. The hobby is what you make it, as long as you are enjoying it, to hello with what anyone else thinks.
BlueFyre
New member
I started in the hobby with a 14g Biocube I picked up for $100. I learned SO MUCH about saltwater without having to drop a ton of money. At first I wasn't sure if saltwater was even for me. After I had that cube for a while I upgraded to a nicer cube and was really happy with that as well.
Once I did decide to go to a 65 gallon I found the whole process very intimidating and very expensive. I don't think for a second I should have started off bigger and if I had to do it again I would still start with that little 14 gallon.
My cube took a bit more work as far as water changes. Pretty much you better not miss a single one with a smaller tank. With the bigger tank they can be stretched out if things get busy in my life. I actually miss my little tank.
Once I did decide to go to a 65 gallon I found the whole process very intimidating and very expensive. I don't think for a second I should have started off bigger and if I had to do it again I would still start with that little 14 gallon.
My cube took a bit more work as far as water changes. Pretty much you better not miss a single one with a smaller tank. With the bigger tank they can be stretched out if things get busy in my life. I actually miss my little tank.
BrownParticles
New member
GO BIG OR GO HOME. lol I've alwasys found keeping a bigger system to be easier than a nano cube.
chicagoreefer20
New member
not up to the challenge?
Wait? Didnt we conclude that big = fancy plumbing, controllers, stable water = easy?
My tank is 35 gallon and I am hoping to spend as little time and money on maintainence as possible.
Do dog owners argue about small dogs vs big dogs?
yeah. i have great danes. people gasp when i tell them i live in their house. they ask why. i ask why does their chihuahua not live on a chain in their back yard.
PCygni
New member
This whole discussion has really set me to thinking. There is no doubt the 'cube' has its merits in terms of getting your feet wet and keeping costs down. But, I'm leaning more and more towards taking the plunge and going the 'old fashioned' route (as my LFS man styled it). The more I research the more I'm fascinated by every facet of the hobby from the biology down to the plumbing. In fact, the last time I felt this sort of interest welling up was when I took up amateur astronomy 20+ years ago -- something I still pursue to this day. So I think I'm going to pour some time and money into this and see where it leads. I've finally have the time and money and space, and quite frankly something that is all-consuming might be the best medicine just now. Thanks for the input. Hope to see you all in the forums.
blackbeltmom
New member
I totally agree with Nina. I'm married, work, take care of a husband, son, 3 dogs, Red Sea Max 250(65 gallon), and an 8 gallon Innovative Marine Nuvo. I went from a 37 gallon to a 55 gallon to a 75 gallon to a 100 gallon to a 34 gallon to my current 65 gallon. My 34 gallon was a Red Sea Max, the smaller version of what I have now. My current tank is basically an oversized nano. Since I am the only one who cares for my tank, having an AIO makes it much easier for me. I do a water change in about 15 minutes and about 5 minutes in the 8 gallon.
I love great danes and wish I could own one. I just would never be able to accept their super short life-spans, honestly breaks my heart that 6-8 years is all they have
whiteshark
Active member
This is great to hear! You will learn so much along the way! When you understand every component of your system maintenance becomes much easier. Tweaking things to fit the water parameters your intended livestock will need becomes much easier and frankly far more interesting IMO. You become fully immersed and I believe that is what allows you to get the most out of this hobby. It's all so incredibly interesting. Plumbing, glass drilling, sump building, stand building, light retrofitting, aquascaping, livestock compatibility, the list goes on and on. I can tell you I've learned so much going through this process just once. Plumbing skills, woodworking skills, electrical skills, etc. I'm by no means a master in any of those areas and I know my limitations but I feel I've gained valuable knowledge.
In any case, enjoy! It will be overwhelming at first but this site is an amazing resource. Don't be afraid to use it! Good luck!
my danes are raw fed. their poops aren't any bigger than what a beagle would produce.
I love great danes and wish I could own one. I just would never be able to accept their super short life-spans, honestly breaks my heart that 6-8 years is all they have
don't tell my danes that! they're both 7 and going strong. my first dane i rescued when she was 7, had 3 wonderful years with her before arthritis took its toll. it's not at all unusual for danes to live to 11 or 12 or more. the trick is good food, good vet care and a ginormous couch.
back to topic...i did water changes yesterday. had the t.v. on a dateline episode. i was done with my tanks and had everything put away before i found out who murdered the beauty queen.
The arrogance on this thread is astounding. How does anyone think it is helpful to ANYONE to dismiss someone's choice of tank size as "easy" or "simple"? Even worse, how can ANYONE call a person "lazy" for their choice of tank?
One of the best reefers I have ever had the pleasure to meet, Agu Lukk, has had some of the finest nano tanks you can imagine. He enjoyed the challenges a small tank presented.
I hope this thread hasn't scared away some reefers looking for advice.
One of the best reefers I have ever had the pleasure to meet, Agu Lukk, has had some of the finest nano tanks you can imagine. He enjoyed the challenges a small tank presented.
I hope this thread hasn't scared away some reefers looking for advice.
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