New Guy

polyp02

polyp02

New member
I have had a goldfish tank for about 3yrs now, but would now like to start a reef tank. Goldfish are nice and easy to take care of but there is no action or much movement in the tank. My only problem now is that I don't know where to start. I have gone into Youtube videos and have bought some books to get informed but I'm now getting confused and don't know where to start. First what minimum size tank would you guys recommend (currently have a 29g)? Next are wet/dry filters effective (tank has a Fluval 205 canister filter but might get a 405 for the reef)? Also have any of you done your own equipment, cus in Youtube there are a lot of vids on DIY skimmer, tanks, and sumps? For any of you here in Salinas, what is a good store to purchase stuff cus Petsmart does not have any saltwater fishes and Petsfun can be too expensive. :hmm1:
 
Good to see you gradually stepping into the hobby. Planning and reading are key to a successful and enjoyable reef.
Your equipment will be dependent upon your livestock and budget for the most part. DIY is great if you are a good craftsman, problem solver and if you are willing to rely on your handywork. To be reasonable, everything should be based on your budget and gut instinct on whether or not this is a hobby you plan to stick with. I would recommend that you start with a soft coral tank, with a few captive raised fishes. Something that will facilitate a easier (and cheaper) transition to the saltwater world.

Bigger is better in terms of stability with saltwater aquaria because a large body of water helps minimize changes in water chemistry (ie. sumps). A 55 gallon tank is typically quoted as a good starting point for a beginner.
Protein skimming is far superior to a wet/dry. Check out some online. You could save the Fluval and run carbon in there. The carbon would need to be replaced monthly.

There is a much better market in the bay area for fishes/corals/drygoods etc. than down here. If possible, take a drive up to some of the stores. A new store in Berkley just opened that specializes in captive raised livestock. When you have your livestock planned and go up there to pick up some fishes or something then bring a cooler and some heat packs with you so you dont have to rush anything home. You should be able to acquire some softies from people locally for very reasonable prices.


hope this helps... later new guy
 
Klepto is right when it comes to more water volume is better but i originally started with a 29g Biocube.. I added a skimmer and some carbon and had much success keeping soft corals. After i got the hang of things i moved up to my current 65g system but the 29g in my opinion was a good starting point.
heres my first tank a few months into it.
fish005.jpg


i'd say to break it down in simple terms... you need..
tank (as big or small as you'd like)..
Lights.. (PC, T5, or Metal halides)
heater..
live rock..
sand(if you wanna go that way)..
good flow(powerheads)..
skimmer..
and some Carbon...
this in my opinion is what you'd need to start out. You can make things to be as complicated or as simple as you want them to be but this is what i started out with.. it was simple and met the needs of the animals i wanted to keep in my tank.
 
Thank you for the advise. I found a guy here in Salinas that will sell, cut and polish 1/4" glass for me all for $80 not including the silicone and brace. If this comes to be more than for the price of a new 75g tank I may just use my 29g tank and start with that just like DBarsotti did.
Just like I told Kraylen. My plan is to have some button polyps, mushroom polyps, pulse corals, long-tentacle toadstool coral, bubble anemone, galaxy coral, and some clownfish and shrimps. I want to have a very colorful aquarium.
 
I would not buy hardware (i.e. skimmer, powerheads, pumps, meters, testkits, etc.)from a LFS, it is expenisve. Bulk Reef Supply and Marine Depot will have just about everything you need, and will be cheaper than the LFS.
 
I love SPS colors, dont get me wrong... but I think it is harder for a majority of people to get prime colors out of most SPS as opposed to LPS. Even PCs can bring out the beauty of a chalice...
 
What? No skimmer, powerheads, or pumps is he joking? Don't you need to replicate the natural environment such as water movement, and clearer waters such as ocean reefs? Even the ocean creates its own skimmer, I've noticed the dirty bubbles while at the beach. Do the others agree with losthere?
 
He is saying don't buy those items locally, or you will pay super mark up... look online and get some deals.. or the bay area craigslist.
 
tank, lighting, sump, skimmer, heater, media reactor, water treatment/filtration etc.

The initial hardware is very expensive, and the cost is directly related to the size of the tank.

After that 1-1 1/2Lb live rock per gallon, and the price of livestock, plus test kits, plus, plus....$$$$$


Starting with the largest tank that you can afford is an idea that is fading in popularity.

I started with a 5 gallon. The per gallon cost is higher, but the net cost is lower, and it is a safer way to find out if saltwater is right for you. It forces you to do your research about species compatibility. It forces you to get accustomed with the husbandry of the saltwater tank. But they are nowhere near as difficult to keep as many people would have you believe.

If you find that you love saltwater you can always upgrade. I'm planning my new tank, a shallow lagoon setup in a 40gallon breeder. But the 5 gallon was a great experiment (a sandbox if you will) into what I like , what I don't, what works, things to improve, etc. and it was approachable and affordable. Much better than pouring thousands of $$ into a new hobby to decide later that you don't have the passion or the time for it, just to end up as another "getting out of the hobby everything must go" posts in the classifieds forums.

In every other endeavor that you do people always tell you to "start small", and keeping a reef tank does not have to be different.

check out:
http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/

The beginners articles are very useful.

BTW I'm helping my room-mate set up his first tank. 2.5gallon with a HOB refugium and a 18watt PC fixture. Probably stock with some GSP, Zoas, and mushrooms, a blue leg hermit and a snail or 2
The tank is cycling with rock right now and the cost to date is Can$85 for all of the hardware, and Can$18 for substrate and live rock.
 
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