Time Commitment?

Go for it, you will set it up and not regret it especially if you are starting out with an automated tank :lol: I would also say go with the largest size tank you want to keep/afford because it seems many people upgrade tank sizes soon after they start a smaller tank anyway. A 125 is nice because of the 6' in length and able to keep a more variety of fish too. You should also do that. Go look at the type of fish you want to keep and post them in the reef fish forum and see what size tank you would need for the fish you like. On your original post, you mentioned 65-125 gallons, I would go with the 125. Mine doesn't take all that much time and it isn't automated, yours will be automated you said, so it will be real easy to keep.
 
T5Nitro is right about tank size consideration. I'd also consider the color, canopy, lighting, etc. I started out with a 55gal and oak canopy as much of the wood work in the house is oak. Then thinking 55 was too small, I moved up to a 72gal. And wouldn't you know it, I changed the canopy to black too. You also might consider what kind of animals you'll be keeping as that will dictate the single most expensive component - lighting. I started out with PCs but recently went with MH. I regret not doing it sooner. Now I have an extra perfectly good PC that's collecting dust. LOL Ps. If you do any entertaining, it's a great thing to show off too (better than a fine piece of art IMO).

Do go for it though because I highly doubt you'll regret it.
 
:lol: Adam

Should we rest our case?

Scraping the glass and such other mundane tasks are not really daily events and don't eat up much time. If you keep a wide variety of inverts then target feeding can be a daily labor of love that can consume maybe a half hour or so. I've never understood why water changes make so many people cringe at the thought. Once you set up a system they are under a half hour a week.

Overall it is a bit more work than a FW tank but is by no means monumental in time spent of upkeep.
 
Good now go get that tank! :) Like most are saying you might start off with alot of your time up to your elbos in sw but as time goes by you will learn to tweak it to allow you to do as little maintance as possible and more time to just sit and enjoy it.
 
LOL kuoka, all I do is think about that stuff :p

Black canopy and stand for sure, and it will go with my stuff too, since the tank will be next to my entertainment center, which is dark wood and lots of black components. My current tank is black with a black stand and hood, and it looks great. I like black backgrounds too, as it lends depth IMO. I'm about 90% sure I'll go for a 125. My first tank was a 3 gallon for some goldfish I got for my kids, then I bought a 17 gallon tall for myself, and I returned it before I even took the plastic off to get a 30. ;) Now I wifh I had bought a 65 gallon :p There's no doubt that you should get the biggest you can, so it'll probably be a 125.

I wend through the same issue with lights, so I'll go MH, unless I decide to spend a bunch of money on LED so I don't have to worry about temp, although I think I probably would not need a chiller in any event. I really like a super-clean look to my tanks, so I don't want fans and stuff to be visible.

I want to do LR, corals, lightly stocked with fish, and a DSB.

Man this is going to be $$$$$$. My wife is going to be shocked and chagrined, but she owes me one, so I'll be ok ;)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10224949#post10224949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
:lol: Adam

Should we rest our case?

Scraping the glass and such other mundane tasks are not really daily events and don't eat up much time. If you keep a wide variety of inverts then target feeding can be a daily labor of love that can consume maybe a half hour or so. I've never understood why water changes make so many people cringe at the thought. Once you set up a system they are under a half hour a week.

Overall it is a bit more work than a FW tank but is by no means monumental in time spent of upkeep.
Click to expand...

Ok, twist my arm! :lol: Fine, I'll do it!
 
As for keeping the glass (I prefer glass btw) or tank clean, I use a mag float and go over the tank every few days. It makes a huge difference in mine.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10225018#post10225018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AdamT
Ok, twist my arm! :lol: Fine, I'll do it!
Click to expand...

Cowabunga! Congrats Adam! :D Please post pics of it and your progress.
 
Yes, my current tank is acrylic, and I regret that decision too! Scratches way to easy. Reef ready glass tank for sure. So much to learn.... The bottom line is, there is simply no substitute for experience (or displacement, for that matter).
 
I am finding that once the initial set up is done and the tank is filled, I just spend the majority of my free time on RC while waiting for my cycle to finish! I was so busy buying equipment, building the stand, looking at friends' tanks, and going on field trips, that now I won't know what to do with myself! :)

I would say expect a LOT of time and work at first, and then after that the routine maintenance will seem comparatively minor!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10225031#post10225031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kuoka
Cowabunga! Congrats Adam! :D Please post pics of it and your progress.
Click to expand...

Oh yes, I will. You guys are going to be thoroughly sick of me, I'm sure. I'll be like a 5 year old in a museum ("what's that?" "what's this?" "how does that work?" :p ).

Here's a somewhat outdated pic of my current tank:

6-11-07Tank3.jpg
 
I know i'm a bit late but.....


Daily = 5 minutes - cleaning glass / 4 litre top up / feed / talking to fish.

Weekly = 15 minutes - water change (20 gallons)

6 Monthly = 1 day - cleaning out filters - replacing carbon - changing bulbs - (basically checking everything)

As has previously been said, the most time consuming item is visiting your LFS! :)


Edit - forgot to say, its a cliche but its always a case of fail to prepare - prepare to fail... eg I have two large water systems, one for top up and one for water changes all linked to my RO unit. So top ups and water changes are really easy.
 
That's an awesome FW tank Adam. I especially like what you did with the plant work. I tried FW a long time ago as my mom was really into it but I couldn't keep the plants "planted"! LOL
 
Thanks Kuoka! The secret to planting is the use of long tweezers that allow you to push the roots into the substrate, then withdraw your grip without unearthing them.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10225186#post10225186 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AdamT
Thanks Kuoka! The secret to planting is the use of long tweezers that allow you to push the roots into the substrate, then withdraw your grip without unearthing them.
Click to expand...

Doh! That explains it. I found myself pulling them up when I removed my hands. LOL Then I reverted to using stones, bricks, and any other heavy objects to secure them. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10228451#post10228451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
Just remember folks----It is harder than keeping Guppies. :D
Click to expand...
Nah .. I killed my share of guppies to :cool:
 
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