Hi
- Thread starter A_Thrice
- Start date
phljess
New member
Welcome to our forum. You asked a very big question. In order to help you, we would need to know a little more about what you are planning to keep in you tank, for example will it be a fish only tank or a full blown reef tank? We would also need to know the approximate size of tank you are planning on setting up, etc....
firefish2020
New member
I say go for the biggest you can afford, bigger systems tend to be more stable. There are many different types of systems you can set up the most complex would include SPS Small polyp stonies which can be a real pain and a reward at the some time. Cruise our forum and RC and you will find many different examples and people with different opinions but IMO it's not that hard to do a decent reef tank it just requires time.
Welcome Aboard
Welcome Aboard
carb850
New member
... and money.
I started looking into a setup back at the beginning of the year. I thought the $400 for a tank and stand was a lot, but something I could handle. If I would have started then I would have ended up getting so frastrated I would have quit in short order. It took me some time to understand how you can get $1500 in a 25G and $4500 in a 90G.
I still have so much to learn but I do have a better idea about what equipment is needed and the cost associated with it. So, I still haven't setup my tank but I am going into it eyes wide open. (I think).
radone
New member
If you can visit some other peoples tanks and learn, tip and tricks
The nice thing about this hobby is everyone has different ways of doing things.
Visiting others tanks is a good starting point
My next recommendation is read alot about the husbandry of the things you want to keep.
If your in my area, your welcome to stop and check my tank out
I'm sure others will welcome you also
Good Luck and WELCOME
The nice thing about this hobby is everyone has different ways of doing things.
Visiting others tanks is a good starting point
My next recommendation is read alot about the husbandry of the things you want to keep.
If your in my area, your welcome to stop and check my tank out
I'm sure others will welcome you also
Good Luck and WELCOME
firefish2020
New member
Yep money is a common factor in any tank. It seems there are two paths in a reef system. You can go the easy route ( more expensive) or the cheaper route (more labor intensive). Most successful small tanks you will find cost anywhere between $500-$1000 dollars. The larger systems like the 150 display at the shop are multi thousand dollar investments and that's not the most expensive or impressive I have set up.
I have a 120 at home but it will become a 210 shortly. This reef has gone from 55 gal to 120 to 210. Each time the equipment list grows bigger and more costly. I say get the biggest you can afford from the go. If you can go big go big, if not plan on spending at least $1000 and up to get a 55 off the ground. I lost track of cost years ago on this system and really try not think about it. I just choose my livestock and give them what it takes to keep them alive and happy and that's my job as a reef keeper.
BTW: You have many valuable assets available to you now that were not present when I started my tank adventure. One of the reasons I agreed to help found the CVRC was to help out newbies like yourself. This little society has had a major impact in the area since it's inception and it has influenced many reefers young and old alike. Feel free to drop by one of our weekly chats or try to make it to one of our next meetings, I'm sure you will find some great advice.
I have a 120 at home but it will become a 210 shortly. This reef has gone from 55 gal to 120 to 210. Each time the equipment list grows bigger and more costly. I say get the biggest you can afford from the go. If you can go big go big, if not plan on spending at least $1000 and up to get a 55 off the ground. I lost track of cost years ago on this system and really try not think about it. I just choose my livestock and give them what it takes to keep them alive and happy and that's my job as a reef keeper.
BTW: You have many valuable assets available to you now that were not present when I started my tank adventure. One of the reasons I agreed to help found the CVRC was to help out newbies like yourself. This little society has had a major impact in the area since it's inception and it has influenced many reefers young and old alike. Feel free to drop by one of our weekly chats or try to make it to one of our next meetings, I'm sure you will find some great advice.
odoprelude
New member
Welcome!
Don't be afraid to buy stuff used, either!!! I have very few items I bought new. Between ebay and the selling forum here on Reefcentral and the CVRC, you should be able to find EVERYTHING you need. My first reef setup (and is actually still up and running strong, just evolved)
55 gallon tank, stand $100 at LFS used
Skimmer $50 used (still using)
Lights 2x55w PC $110 new
Live Rock (most important) 2 purchases, one 35lbs $125 shipped from fellow RC member, one 25lbs $70 ebay
Live sand from LFS 40lbs for $40 I highly recommend Agralive, but that's just me.
4 maxijet 1200's with Natural Wave timer, won from reef club meeting (but buy those used as well)
$605 total over a couple months..
I had kept salt tanks since 1994, but never had a tank run so smoothly until I started this tank in 2001 and found my LFS and Reefcentral. Good luck! Do some seaches, read the newbie forum, visit Ron and Barry, and ask questions! Happy reefing!
Don't be afraid to buy stuff used, either!!! I have very few items I bought new. Between ebay and the selling forum here on Reefcentral and the CVRC, you should be able to find EVERYTHING you need. My first reef setup (and is actually still up and running strong, just evolved)
55 gallon tank, stand $100 at LFS used
Skimmer $50 used (still using)
Lights 2x55w PC $110 new
Live Rock (most important) 2 purchases, one 35lbs $125 shipped from fellow RC member, one 25lbs $70 ebay
Live sand from LFS 40lbs for $40 I highly recommend Agralive, but that's just me.
4 maxijet 1200's with Natural Wave timer, won from reef club meeting (but buy those used as well)
$605 total over a couple months..
I had kept salt tanks since 1994, but never had a tank run so smoothly until I started this tank in 2001 and found my LFS and Reefcentral. Good luck! Do some seaches, read the newbie forum, visit Ron and Barry, and ask questions! Happy reefing!
coralreefer
No Pistons
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central & the CVRC</b></i></big></big>
