New to hobby where to start?

[Wolves81283]

Looking at getting a small tank possibly biocube coralife 29 what are everyone's thoughts? I am looking at eventually getting a reef tank set up but have never done this before where are good places to learn about the hobby what to do and not to do Ect Ect?

 

[phillrodrigo]

Join a local reef club. What state do you live in. It's probably one of the most valuable source you can have. Reading forums can be very good idea also

 

[Azraz]

Wolfe,
1 read the forums
2 read the forums
3 did I mention, read the forums.
There is a wealth of information for free on this site, use it to you advantage.
I learned SOOO much here. Also ask questions, many will help you.

 

[whosurcaddie]

There are stickys at the top of this forum that have everything you need to know.

 

[mattgumaer]

As a general tip, I think a used set up is a great way to start, if possible. It helps reduce the costs associated with getting started and makes it less critical to get all the equipment decisions right the first time. Don't forget about RO/DI water. Starting with good quality water can eliminate (or at least reduce) much algae frustration.

Go slow and read about everything. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The more specific your questions, the more helpful the responses are likely to be.

Good luck and have fun.

Matt

 

[whosurcaddie]

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

 

[Wolves81283]

Thanks everyone for the info I have started reading the forums today and am finding a lot of info. I just moved up to Upstate New York area not sure of any reef clubs in the area or how to go about finding them. Is a 29g coralife tank a good starter? What are the musts to add to it prior to getting it up and running. I want to purchase it the first of the year and get started from there. Eventually I would like to have a full reef tank but I know that takes a few months of prep and experimenting.

 

[Azedenkae]

Welcome to the forum!

I see you already have had a look at a potential aquarium, that's a good start! It's good to have a general idea as to what you may want. Of course things may change over time, but it's always a good start there.

I don't really know much about the aquarium in particular though, so can't really help.

Next part is to start looking at some fish you may like, and corals too, and read on their compatibility, not just with the tank, but with one another. See if any can fit in your tank, and if otherwise, think about getting a bigger/smaller tank. Also, have a look at similar fish that may work as alternatives as well.

Slowly you'll build up a list of what you want to keep.

Once you have a bit of an idea, then it's time to research how to keep them. The equipments, etc.

 

[JammyBirch]

Thanks everyone for the info I have started reading the forums today and am finding a lot of info. I just moved up to Upstate New York area not sure of any reef clubs in the area or how to go about finding them. Is a 29g coralife tank a good starter? What are the musts to add to it prior to getting it up and running. I want to purchase it the first of the year and get started from there. Eventually I would like to have a full reef tank but I know that takes a few months of prep and experimenting.

Where at in upstate NY? I live close to Corning NY.

 

[Wolves81283]

Just moved to watertown and really looking to try growing some different corals and maybe an anemone some day once I get the basics down and then getting a few small fish nothing crazy maybe a flame angel and a few other small fish.

 

[JammyBirch]

Just moved to watertown and really looking to try growing some different corals and maybe an anemone some day once I get the basics down and then getting a few small fish nothing crazy maybe a flame angel and a few other small fish.

It's a great hobby, my tank is fairly new less than six months. I have a pair of clowns, skunk shrimp, serpent brittle star and a clean up crew. Two corals so far hammer and a zoanthid polyp.

The best advice I can give you for your system is to make sure you spend the time when calculating you plumbing and equipment layout. Buy good stuff even if you have to wait to get everything. I stocked up for months and once I had everything I put it all together in about a week.

For livestock, make sure you go to many LFS, try to find one with clean tanks and has been in business for many years. For me I have to drive two hours to get corals but it's worth it. The LFS that are close to me are terrible, filthy and have sick fish and nasty aiptasia right in the tanks...be careful to not bring a problem home with you.

 

[Wolves81283]

Jammy thanks for the advice. I'm really leaning towards the coralife biocube 29 gallon setup any recommendations on Addons to mod it or is it good to go out of the box?

 

[JammyBirch]

Jammy thanks for the advice. I'm really leaning towards the coralife biocube 29 gallon setup any recommendations on Addons to mod it or is it good to go out of the box?

I don't know anything about them. I think they have a hang on the back type sump. I don't think I'd like it but that's just me plenty of people have and love them. I built a sump so I could have more room and freedom to modify it.

Just make sure you research the pros and cons with anything and make sure you don't have any surprises. My 25 gallon system is really coming along, I have a 90 I want to work on this winter but won't splash it for another year or so. It's an addictive hobby.

What are you looking at for test kits?

 

[Coelli]

Jammy thanks for the advice. I'm really leaning towards the coralife biocube 29 gallon setup any recommendations on Addons to mod it or is it good to go out of the box?

I have an older Oceanic Biocube 29. It was a great starter tank but I'm upgrading to a bigger system now.

You may need to upgrade the lights on the Biocube depending on what corals you keep. You should also pick up the media basket from Intank (just google). My new tank has straight walls because cleaning the corners of a curved tank sucks. All that said, my livestock has been growing and thriving with a weekly 5 gallon water change and no other additives. For the Oceanic, there are some false floors in the back to remove; google and find out if the Coralife is the same. You'll want to add at least one powerhead in the tank for circulation (I'm using a single Jebao WP-10 but I also get a ton of flow off a 1/2" Loc-line circle flow kit from the return).

Oh, you'll definitely want to invest in an auto top-off system (I have the Tunze Nano). It will be one of the best purchases you make.

 

[Betta132]

Start with a larger tank so you have more options and more cushion if something goes wrong.
And research, research, research. That simply cannot be emphasized enough. Don't ever buy livestock unless you know how to care for it. And no, advice from the store doesn't count unless you've established that they're trustworthy. Many stores will try to sell you things without caring if the thing will die or not.
Some questions that can help test if the store is decent:
Can I keep this yellow tang in my 30g? (No, yellow tang needs at least 4' of straight swimming space, many other tangs need more)
Can I keep a bunch of Baggai cardinals/green chromis together? (this is tricky. Both species supposedly school but will actually kill each other off. If they answer 'yes', that's incorrect but alright. If they answer 'no', you have somebody knowledgeable.)
Can I keep this mandarin? (Only in an aged tank that's at least 75g with a fully functional refugium)
Can I cycle the tank with fish? (yes, but it's cruel. Don't do that.)
Can I keep firefish together? (usually they'll kill each other in anything but a large tank. Pairs form, but rarely)
Will this hermit crab kill snails? (yes. Some are less prone to doing so, but yes)
Can I keep this linkia/tile/fromia/sand-sifting starfish? (no, it'll gradually starve, and the last one will eat all the good bugs out of your sand while doing it. All need very large tanks and are difficult in even those)
Can I keep this sand dollar? (no, it'll starve in all but the largest tanks)
Are bristleworms bad? (No, they clean gunk out of the tank. They're good. They will, however, sting. Also, fireworms sting badly and some will eat corals. Bristleworms are harmless if you don't touch them)

 

[Sunken3]

Welcome to the hobby. I have had a BioCube (14) and a few of the JBJ nano cubes (12 gallon). I currently have a JBJ 12, an IM 8, and a JBJ 30 rimless (as my small tanks). Each has its pros and cons (but none have been a problem).

I think the BioCube 28 is as good as any to get into the hobby with. The built in top comes with lighting and will help reduce water evaporation, however, the built in top also limits you if you wish to change (unless you pop it off and go with a completely new light).

I always add a canister filter to the setup (I just feel it's an easy filter upgrade). I agree with the ATO system - it really makes keeping your water level (and salinity) constant. For quick cycling I add the bag live sand and some live rock from the LFS.

Other things to consider are a small media reactor or protein skimmer. (heater is usually mandatory).

have fun.

 

[Coelli]

Just wanted to add that while the hood helps with evaporation it also traps heat in the summer. I had to keep the lid over the back chambers open with a fan blowing over them to keep the temp down, which made the ATO that much more important.

 

[JammyBirch]

Start with a larger tank so you have more options and more cushion if something goes wrong

Not saying to go bigger but this a great point, the smaller the tank the more susceptible to big possibly harmful changes. You really have to get good test kits and stay on top of the water parameters.

That said if you master a small tank a bigger tank should be more forgiving...that's my take on it, if I don't kill everything and can do well with my little tank the bigger tanks will be even better.