I posted already in the general forum and was advised to check in with the local forum. I am brand new to the reef world and would like to get started on the right foot. I have a 28Gal freshwater tank that I keep in my classroom (1 year now) and a 1,000 Gal. koi pond (9 months) so I'd like to get into the saltwater world. I'm looking at possibly getting the Red Sea 250 (65 Gal) tank but also wouldn't mind piecing something together or even purchasing a used tank. I'm not sure which direction I want to go at this point as I've heard some discouraging things about the Red Sea system (may need a chiller and the protein skimmer isn't that great). We have a great store in Santa Rosa (Caesars) but would like to know of some other places to look around for ideas. Will be in S.F. next weekend and will have time to shop around. Any recommended places in the bay area to look would be much appreciated. Thanks, Tony
I want to start a reef aquarium (new to the hobby)
- Thread starter Miracchio
- Start date
northbay-reefer
New member
Sounds very exciting, we have a couple of people starting their tank so they can chime in with their experience.
The first thing you will need to learn is the chemistry of the salt water and how to cycle your new tank. You will need so many things I don't even know where to begin ... lol j/k
First thing first. Your equipment:
1, a nice tank, good skimmer, lighting, pump for water flow, heater, chiller ...
2, rocks, sand, salt, filtered water ... RO is desireable
3, What are you going to keep? sps, lps, softies, mixed?
As far as bay area stores. I usually get my sand, salt and simple supplies at 6th ave in SF. Equipments I get them online, or coralreefecosystem in guerneville. Live stocks, I get them from our sponsor Ceasar, Neptune in hayward, aquatic central in SF.
We have many members donating corals at our club meetings so come and join us. The next meeting is at Pezziking winery.
The first thing you will need to learn is the chemistry of the salt water and how to cycle your new tank. You will need so many things I don't even know where to begin ... lol j/k
First thing first. Your equipment:
1, a nice tank, good skimmer, lighting, pump for water flow, heater, chiller ...
2, rocks, sand, salt, filtered water ... RO is desireable
3, What are you going to keep? sps, lps, softies, mixed?
As far as bay area stores. I usually get my sand, salt and simple supplies at 6th ave in SF. Equipments I get them online, or coralreefecosystem in guerneville. Live stocks, I get them from our sponsor Ceasar, Neptune in hayward, aquatic central in SF.
We have many members donating corals at our club meetings so come and join us. The next meeting is at Pezziking winery.
Welcome and I would also reccomend coming to the next meeting. I would also reccomend buying a used setup. People are always selling nice setups and you will save a lot of money. I would also reccomend once you find the equipment post here or ask about the quality of the equipment. if you buy cheap you'll buy twice,
Bob
Bob
I think the most important thing is to decide is how big of a tank you want and if you want an all-in-one or a display/sump style setup. Larger tanks generally mean higher electricity, more expensive equipment, larger water changes, etc. They also mean more stability, more flexibility with aquascaping, livestock and equipment options.
I started with a 29 gallon BioCube two years ago and am moving to a 60gallon with a sump now. There are benefits to each. I went for the AIO setup first because it was a simple setup and let me get my feet wet. A lot of people recommend not starting that way, but for me it was a good choice, because I didn't even know how long I'd keep the tank up for.
Where do you teach? I know some teachers in the area.
I started with a 29 gallon BioCube two years ago and am moving to a 60gallon with a sump now. There are benefits to each. I went for the AIO setup first because it was a simple setup and let me get my feet wet. A lot of people recommend not starting that way, but for me it was a good choice, because I didn't even know how long I'd keep the tank up for.
Where do you teach? I know some teachers in the area.
Thanks for the advice. I checked Craigslist and found the following for sale for $500.
75 gallon salt water marine aquarium setup. Tank is 48 inches long.
Includes:
75 gallon Oceanic glass aquarium with corner overflow, black back and custom acrylic lids.
Oak stand with matching extra tall canopy.
TRU VU acrylic sump.
Mag 7 return pump.
300 watt submersible Rena heater.
Hydor Koralia Evolution Circulation Pump / Powerhead 1400 gph.
All plumbing and two sets of filter socks.
Extra items Available
48 inch 4 bulb Current USA Sundial T5 HO light with two built in timers, led moon light and fans. $200
All the fish, the rock, and the skimmer have been sold.
NO TRADES.
Is this a good system? I looked at the Oceanic website and didn't see any reef ready systems in 75 Gal.
75 gallon salt water marine aquarium setup. Tank is 48 inches long.
Includes:
75 gallon Oceanic glass aquarium with corner overflow, black back and custom acrylic lids.
Oak stand with matching extra tall canopy.
TRU VU acrylic sump.
Mag 7 return pump.
300 watt submersible Rena heater.
Hydor Koralia Evolution Circulation Pump / Powerhead 1400 gph.
All plumbing and two sets of filter socks.
Extra items Available
48 inch 4 bulb Current USA Sundial T5 HO light with two built in timers, led moon light and fans. $200
All the fish, the rock, and the skimmer have been sold.
NO TRADES.
Is this a good system? I looked at the Oceanic website and didn't see any reef ready systems in 75 Gal.
Another good place to look for a tank for sale is the other two local clubs forums.
MARS ( Marine Aquariast Rould Table of Sacramento)http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=173
BAR ( Greater San Francisco Bay Area Reef Forum)http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=392
People tend to post tanks(too big to ship) in local club forums
MARS ( Marine Aquariast Rould Table of Sacramento)http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=173
BAR ( Greater San Francisco Bay Area Reef Forum)http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=392
People tend to post tanks(too big to ship) in local club forums
Welcome to the addiction....I mean reefing.
Lots of good people in the club and everyone will help you out.
I went from a 55 bowfront to a 180 bow front with sump and fuge in a year so I +1 "best to buy it right the first time." If you go cheap on equipment you will pay for it in heartache and time. But some things you can pinch the pennies.
1. Research everything before you buy...i know it is hard to wait. Just keep reading.
2. water quality is the biggest obstacle, it's more about water keeping than reef keeping. If the water is good the reef will thrive, consistency is the keep.
3. take the amount of money and time you want to spend...double it and that is what you will spend....at least.
The tank you listed sounds pretty good, depends on condition and if you like the look. Ask the skimmer brand, mag pumps give off a lot of heat. The chiller may / will cost you about half the list price of tank. You may get by with some fans or keep in AC room. 75 gal is a good start I think. Stay with internal overflows, externals are a pain, just an extra headache you don't need.
Think about getting an R/O unit. You will be doing 15-20 gallon water changes every week or two at least after you cycle.
Lots of good people in the club and everyone will help you out.
I went from a 55 bowfront to a 180 bow front with sump and fuge in a year so I +1 "best to buy it right the first time." If you go cheap on equipment you will pay for it in heartache and time. But some things you can pinch the pennies.
1. Research everything before you buy...i know it is hard to wait. Just keep reading.
2. water quality is the biggest obstacle, it's more about water keeping than reef keeping. If the water is good the reef will thrive, consistency is the keep.
3. take the amount of money and time you want to spend...double it and that is what you will spend....at least.
The tank you listed sounds pretty good, depends on condition and if you like the look. Ask the skimmer brand, mag pumps give off a lot of heat. The chiller may / will cost you about half the list price of tank. You may get by with some fans or keep in AC room. 75 gal is a good start I think. Stay with internal overflows, externals are a pain, just an extra headache you don't need.
Think about getting an R/O unit. You will be doing 15-20 gallon water changes every week or two at least after you cycle.
Welcome Tony!
My best advice on keeping a reef is knowing what you want to keep fish/coral wise, and then build your system around their specific needs. Research some tank looks and sizes and emulate what you like the best. And oh ya Be Patient! Its probably the toughest thing about the hobby, but helps your checking account.
Read. Read. Read. And read some more. There are a lot of great sources on the interwebs. I've read through these articles multiple times:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1696795
Also a lot of good info here:
http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/
Those will get you started.
Everyone here has a lot of experience from the couple of meetings I've been to and you can't go wrong copying their success.
Good luck!
My best advice on keeping a reef is knowing what you want to keep fish/coral wise, and then build your system around their specific needs. Research some tank looks and sizes and emulate what you like the best. And oh ya Be Patient! Its probably the toughest thing about the hobby, but helps your checking account.
Read. Read. Read. And read some more. There are a lot of great sources on the interwebs. I've read through these articles multiple times:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1696795
Also a lot of good info here:
http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/
Those will get you started.
Everyone here has a lot of experience from the couple of meetings I've been to and you can't go wrong copying their success.
Good luck!
Thanks for all the great advice being given so far. My head is about to explode with all the reading I've done about this hobby. I am planning on buying a used reef setup as was recommended but I'm not sure how smart it would be for a beginner to move an established tank and restart it at my home. Is this easy to do? I found someone selling all this stuff for $1200.
for sale is my 75 gal (100 total gal) salt water tank set up. this tank is about 3 years old & i have too many hobbies going right now & it must go.
this is an oceanic tank 75 gal. cherry wood cabinet w/ hood. the cabinet has some wear from kids but nothing major. i have about 60 lbs of live rock. 20 gal TRUVUE acrylic refugium tank under the display tank. 20 gal sump w/ mechanical filtration & euro reef protein skimmer. also have a two little fishies phosban reactor 150. has a JBJ ARCTICA 1/4 hp chiller, lcd display missing some pixles but once you set it you can forget it, this chiller holds temp steady w/ a CURRENT HQI/T5 model#1072 (has 2 150w MH & 4 48" T5 bulbs) this lamp was pruchased @ about $900. all bulbs have been replaced in the past 5-6 months. this tank works very well. i also have many extras to go with this tank. 4, 5 gal jugs for water transport. 35 gallon glass tank can be used for quarantine tank. SALINITY sea salt. i have a coralife 48" pc lamp for a spare. i have extra pumps & heater for pre mixing salt water for water changes.
LIVESTOCK= yellow tang, 2 percula clown fish, coral beauty, watchmen gobby, large brittle star & 2 pepperment shrimp. bubble tip anemone, acropora, torch coral, kenya tree & some zoas.
TOO MANY PICS & EXTRAS TO LABLE! LET ME KNOW & ILL SEND MORE!
It sounds like I'd be saving a lot of money. Thanks for any advice given.
for sale is my 75 gal (100 total gal) salt water tank set up. this tank is about 3 years old & i have too many hobbies going right now & it must go.
this is an oceanic tank 75 gal. cherry wood cabinet w/ hood. the cabinet has some wear from kids but nothing major. i have about 60 lbs of live rock. 20 gal TRUVUE acrylic refugium tank under the display tank. 20 gal sump w/ mechanical filtration & euro reef protein skimmer. also have a two little fishies phosban reactor 150. has a JBJ ARCTICA 1/4 hp chiller, lcd display missing some pixles but once you set it you can forget it, this chiller holds temp steady w/ a CURRENT HQI/T5 model#1072 (has 2 150w MH & 4 48" T5 bulbs) this lamp was pruchased @ about $900. all bulbs have been replaced in the past 5-6 months. this tank works very well. i also have many extras to go with this tank. 4, 5 gal jugs for water transport. 35 gallon glass tank can be used for quarantine tank. SALINITY sea salt. i have a coralife 48" pc lamp for a spare. i have extra pumps & heater for pre mixing salt water for water changes.
LIVESTOCK= yellow tang, 2 percula clown fish, coral beauty, watchmen gobby, large brittle star & 2 pepperment shrimp. bubble tip anemone, acropora, torch coral, kenya tree & some zoas.
TOO MANY PICS & EXTRAS TO LABLE! LET ME KNOW & ILL SEND MORE!
It sounds like I'd be saving a lot of money. Thanks for any advice given.
