New to the hobby
- Thread starter galdadi
- Start date
Orsamax
New member
Looks like a beautiful system. I have a nano (IM NUVO 40) and I love it. I can't easily find the PAR readings for the stock lights. I'd find that out to help with your stocking choices. I know you could get a book of responses from people who tell you to rip out the T5s and put in LEDs and then those that swear by T5s. Aesthetics aside, you just want enough PAR to grow the corals you are looking for. I think softies and LPS would be more than fine with the stock setup.
The bigger question comes from doing enough research to know where you want to end up? A lot of people will tell you to go bigger (and with the sticker price of Red Sea, you could get a bigger setup for the same price). What do you want? Are you going to be happy with a small setup? Do you move often? Has your wife told you that she won't budge and this is as big as you can have? I ask because some people get their "feet wet" and then want a 200 gallon setup and lament their entry purchase. Also, bigger setups are "easier" as they are less susceptible to parameter swings by nature of the larger water volumes. HOWEVER! Bigger setups be default require larger water changes and have more surface areas of glass to clean, more rock issues. If you KNOW that you can only change water a couple times a month with 5 gallons or less, then stick with this size. If you aren't sure, do more research and identify the creatures you WANT so that you don't get stuck with a nano, but then realize that you really want a tang, etc.
As for upgrades, I compare the hobby to BBQ grill masters. Everyone has their "special" recipe for what is "a must" to have a successful reef tank. Some are very complex, some strive for simplicity. In the end, they all taste like BBQ. The main thing is water stability. There are many ways to maintain that. Frequent appropriate water changes are arguably the best, skimmers (or a clam) can pull out pollutants, but there would be hell to pay in this forum if one takes a firm stance on what is a MUST in this hobby. I'd do research, start simple and then only by something once you identify a NEED for it and you are sure how that fix for your need will work. Watch youtube videos on skimmers, how they work, what they do. Watch videos on all the other contraptions. You may need them, you may not. Don't buy a $5,000 setup just because an old crusty on here tells you to. You'll have expensive equipment that can ruin your tank and give you headaches because you don't know how it works. Start simple and up the complexity! That's my take. Enjoy, it is a lot of fun.
The bigger question comes from doing enough research to know where you want to end up? A lot of people will tell you to go bigger (and with the sticker price of Red Sea, you could get a bigger setup for the same price). What do you want? Are you going to be happy with a small setup? Do you move often? Has your wife told you that she won't budge and this is as big as you can have? I ask because some people get their "feet wet" and then want a 200 gallon setup and lament their entry purchase. Also, bigger setups are "easier" as they are less susceptible to parameter swings by nature of the larger water volumes. HOWEVER! Bigger setups be default require larger water changes and have more surface areas of glass to clean, more rock issues. If you KNOW that you can only change water a couple times a month with 5 gallons or less, then stick with this size. If you aren't sure, do more research and identify the creatures you WANT so that you don't get stuck with a nano, but then realize that you really want a tang, etc.
As for upgrades, I compare the hobby to BBQ grill masters. Everyone has their "special" recipe for what is "a must" to have a successful reef tank. Some are very complex, some strive for simplicity. In the end, they all taste like BBQ. The main thing is water stability. There are many ways to maintain that. Frequent appropriate water changes are arguably the best, skimmers (or a clam) can pull out pollutants, but there would be hell to pay in this forum if one takes a firm stance on what is a MUST in this hobby. I'd do research, start simple and then only by something once you identify a NEED for it and you are sure how that fix for your need will work. Watch youtube videos on skimmers, how they work, what they do. Watch videos on all the other contraptions. You may need them, you may not. Don't buy a $5,000 setup just because an old crusty on here tells you to. You'll have expensive equipment that can ruin your tank and give you headaches because you don't know how it works. Start simple and up the complexity! That's my take. Enjoy, it is a lot of fun.
Thornbreaker
New member
Welcome! As it is your first post...READ READ READ the Stickies.
Red Sea all in ones are well respected. The lights should be good for LPS/Softies.
However, you can also probably piece together a system for less as Orsamax mentions, esp if you feel it needs "upgrades". No point in an all-in-one if the all-in isn't satisfactory for you.
All in ones give that jump start on equipment at a cost, but I found that reviewing equipment and piecing together my own helped me learn all sorts of other things I needed to regarding the hobby.
Red Sea all in ones are well respected. The lights should be good for LPS/Softies.
However, you can also probably piece together a system for less as Orsamax mentions, esp if you feel it needs "upgrades". No point in an all-in-one if the all-in isn't satisfactory for you.
All in ones give that jump start on equipment at a cost, but I found that reviewing equipment and piecing together my own helped me learn all sorts of other things I needed to regarding the hobby.
Hi Galdadi, I actually just started up a 130D that I bought used. It came with the Steve T media rack and Aquafloater 500 along with almost everything else that I needed. So far after a few weeks it has been a pleasure. I have added a second powerhead, a nano Hydor but I will be changing that out this week for an MP10.
If you get one, I am sure you will enjoy it.
If you get one, I am sure you will enjoy it.
