Where to start???

F

FewestKitten896

New member
I have been keeping freshwater plants and fish for some time but want to get into the saltwater reef side of things. I have a friend that is giving me a 100 gallon drilled tank that is 72" long with a 55 gallon sump. I may end up using a 40 breeder due to the footprint as well as the lower height (might be easier to access stuff) but will probably just add some height to the stand to make accessing that stuff easier.

I know I want to use LED lighting but at this time I am not sure what to even look for. At first I had the idea of getting one 60" light but then the idea of getting multiple smaller lights seems a little more appealing as if something goes wrong with the larger light then I am out a light. But the total price of smaller length lights is a lot more than the total price of a single longer light. I have been looking at the Reef Breeders Photon-W (the 60" version if it is still available) as well as their SuperLux value fixture (would get 3). I was also looking at the T247 which is the same as the SuperLux except it doesn't use the 6500K lights but a higher temperature led. Not really sure which route to go so if anyone has some input on the light predicament that would be great.
 
That would be a good tank, the 100. My advice is always long if you can, as large as you can. Fewer restrictions.
For a how-to and what to look for, go to the SETTING UP sticky up top and comb it for details. There's a lot to learn, but that's got most of it.
 
I can't say I am new to researching reef aquariums. My former boss had this same tank set up at work and lets just say that I was easily distracted by the colorful corals and fish a couple years ago. At that point I started doing research but have since got a new job, a house, and a baby boy. A lot happened in 2 years. Anyways I have the basics down into what I need in terms of equipment (testing, water quality, etc.). I have always been stuck on lighting the most.

If I am right, the 100 gallon will have 2 braces which I don't see as a problem but I am lost on whether I should get 1 large fixture (60 inches), two medium sized fixtures (24-32 inches), or three smaller fixtures (16-18 inches but I think 16 seems to be the norm for these fixtures). One large fixture has it pros in terms of potentially $700+ where as two smaller fixtures can jump to $1000+. Three value fixtures put me back or a little under the $700 fixture. The con with the larger fixture is if something happens I am entirely out of a light. But with the smaller fixtures I would have possibly at least 1 light to handle things until the other gets replaced. Losing one large fixture means replacing $700 dollars with of fixtures but initially is cheaper. I guess this argument could go round and round but looking for some opinions or feelings on what might be best.
 
I have skimmed through all those starter threads and learned quite a bit. I met with my friend yesterday and even though I would be getting the 100G for free I have been thinking about downsizing to a 75G. I do like the idea of the extra length but also being 72" I have to look at the additional cost of equipment for a larger tank. Such as multiple lights, larger skimmer for the most part, more rock, substrate, etc.
 
Where to start???

I'd ask yourself before you commit to any size tank what fish are you interested in. Then choose the tank that works with them.

It's an expensive hobby no matter what
 
I agree it is extremely expensive. I am more interested in the coral side of things. But I suppose I would have a few fish. I like the looks of firefish, yellow tang, gobies, many of the nano species. I would probably choose the fish that would go with the tank rather than want fish that need larger more expansive swimming areas. The yellow tang would probably be the largest of the fish I would be interested in.
 
I am more interest in the coral side of things. I would have a few fish but nothing majorly huge. I think a yellow tang would be the largest of the fish I would get. Other than that, clown, firefish, gobies, inverts, and coral will be the other inhabitants. I don't have a dream fish that would require me to have a larger tank.
 
Well after many days and hours of thinking I have decided that at this point in my life the 100-gallon (although FREE) comes at a high expense (lights, rock, sand, etc) and not worth it in my eyes. I have decided that a 40 Breeder would be a lot better for me to handle. The lighting is cheaper, the amount of rock is cheaper, and the maintenance in the long run will be cheaper. Plus with the limitations of space at the moment, the 100-gallon would have been a tight squeeze. Maybe in the next 4-5 years I can look at something bigger. But at least the 40 will allow me to learn things on a smaller scale. With that being said, I am looking at SB Reef, as well as ReefBreeders and Ocean Revive for led lighting. SB Reef and ReefBreeders both offer 2 year warranties which is nice. Not sure which of the lights or if a 16" led fixture would cover plenty since a 40B is fairly shallow.
 
The tank maybe free but that's how it all starts. I got a free 55 with stand broke it down sold it and upgraded to a 75 and made my own stand. If your going to upgrade in a few years anyway I would probably take the 100gallon then. Think of it this way you will pay to set up two tanks instead of one. That being said a 40 breeder is a fine tank to start with.
 
SFish said:
The tank maybe free but that's how it all starts. I got a free 55 with stand broke it down sold it and upgraded to a 75 and made my own stand. If your going to upgrade in a few years anyway I would probably take the 100gallon then. Think of it this way you will pay to set up two tanks instead of one. That being said a 40 breeder is a fine tank to start with.
Click to expand...

I hear ya. I got room in the garage if I need to store it for a few years. And he is more than happy to get it over to me even if I don't use it. He doesn't have room at his house and has been storing it at his dads. I think his dad will be more happy to see it go than him. Haha. But yes, I think I will start with the 40 gallon even though people say go as big as you can when you start. To me it is go as big as you can afford.
 
What will suck you into a bigger tank is wanting more fish and coral and bigger fish. Welcome to the site and have fun.
 
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I started with a 30 gallon and then went to a 85 gallon with a 40 gallon sump. When I started didn't do my homework. Marine life needs more space then I thought. If you are thinking of a yellow Tang down the road a 40 would be too small, them cridders like to swim long straight like. There are inexpensive ways to go, if you are willing to DIY stand/plumbing. I have found building the tank stand and plumbing the setup up to be as fun as watching the tank come to life. But that might not be your cup of tea.
 
ryeguyy84 said:
I'd ask yourself before you commit to any size tank what fish are you interested in. Then choose the tank that works with them.
Click to expand...

I think that's the best advice out of the gate. Check out what fish you may want to keep, and see what size tank works best for them. I love Tangs. I think every tank should have a Tang. I have a 56g tank. No Tangs for me. :(

Go for the 100g.
 
I do understand that a larger amount of water is better than a small amount keeping parameters in check. And you can keep way more fish and or bigger fish. With any hobby you can make it as inexpensive or expensive, you can brew five gallon batches of beer or 10 gallon batches of beer. You can get the latest and greatest conical fermentors or get a plastic jug.

Correct me if i am wrong but everytime someone says i wish i would have started with a larger tank, what if you would have and found out you didnt like the hobby.

Maybe i am coming up with excuses haha but at this point in my life a 100 gallon might be out of the question but who knows.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
FewestKitten896 said:
I do understand that a larger amount of water is better than a small amount keeping parameters in check. And you can keep way more fish and or bigger fish. With any hobby you can make it as inexpensive or expensive, you can brew five gallon batches of beer or 10 gallon batches of beer. You can get the latest and greatest conical fermentors or get a plastic jug.

Correct me if i am wrong but everytime someone says i wish i would have started with a larger tank, what if you would have and found out you didnt like the hobby.

Maybe i am coming up with excuses haha but at this point in my life a 100 gallon might be out of the question but who knows.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yeah. I have seen folks on here give up because it was not for them, or they started off with some fundamental mistakes or problems they could not overcome. My guts say, though, that if you have success, you will stay in the hobby.

There is nothing wrong with starting off small. I started with a 29g tank that was very enjoyable. In fact, I would not have been able to get involved in the hobby any other way. But now, after being out of the hobby for some time, I made the mistake of buying a 56g tank, and then found that every fish I was thinking about keeping, I could not. So yeah, seriously. Check out the fish your interested in, and then build your system to accommodate them.

This is a great place to start looking:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=15
 
FewestKitten896 said:
I do understand that a larger amount of water is better than a small amount keeping parameters in check. And you can keep way more fish and or bigger fish. With any hobby you can make it as inexpensive or expensive, you can brew five gallon batches of beer or 10 gallon batches of beer. You can get the latest and greatest conical fermentors or get a plastic jug.

Correct me if i am wrong but everytime someone says i wish i would have started with a larger tank, what if you would have and found out you didnt like the hobby.

Maybe i am coming up with excuses haha but at this point in my life a 100 gallon might be out of the question but who knows.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Over all this is not a cheap hobby. You should be prepared to spend some money 40 gallon or 100 gallon. If you aren't sure then I probably would do some research on cost and what it takes to maintain such a tank then decide if you want to do it rather then waste money setting up a 40 gallon tank and giving up or finding out you can't keep the fish you like. Yes you may save a little money to start with but you could end up costing your self more in the long run. On top of that you may not even be happy with the smaller tank.
 
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SFish said:
Over all this is not a cheap hobby. You should be prepared to spend some money 40 gallon or 100 gallon. If you aren't sure then I probably would do some research on cost and what it takes to maintain such a tank then decide if you want to do it rather then waste money setting up a 40 gallon tank and giving up or finding out you can't keep the fish you like. Yes you may save a little money to start with but you could end up costing your self more in the long run. On top of that you may not even be happy with the smaller tank.
Click to expand...

I do understand that the hobby is not cheap at all and I am prepared to spend some money, but not saying I am going to get the latest and greatest of everything. Just wanting a light that will grow coral (mostly softies and maybe sps), and skimmer that does a decent job and a tank that holds water. My wife said to give her a total of what everything is going to cost. So I am trying to figure out a number to give her. I know that it would be easy to spend 2-3 grand no problem, for some people that might work out but for me that is a bit out of the question. So that is why the 40 gallon seems to make sense to me at this moment in my life. I would love to set up a huge tank 200+ but that doesn't mean that I am going to do that. Plus for the most part I would be able to move a majority of the stuff over when the time came to set up the 100gallon. The light(s) can move over, the rock can move over, the substrate can move over, the heaters for the most part, only thing I would need is to add more rock, sand, and most likely get a bigger return pump and skimmer.
 
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