Starting a Reef tank thoughts and discussion

[mojoreef]

I thought it would be a good subject to gather the collective knowledge of our members on what their thoughts on the process of starting a new tank regardless of size.

So for those that are up for it lets start with the following:

What to think about prior to purchasing a tank and getting into it.



Mojo

[mojoreef]

So I will start. The first thing I think about is where is the tank going to go and will that area have what the tank is going to need. So that it has enough power outlets to supply power for heaters, lights, skimmers and so on. That the floor under that tank has the strength to hold the weight of the tank I am installing. I also like to look for a room or garage that I might be able to plumb through to give myself some more room for STUFF, lol. I dont like the tank to be in a high traffic area (for damage) but still want it to be in an area where it gets looked at??


Mojo

[josh88]

I think I thought about more of what I was going to be going in the tank. And am still basing that off of where I'll place the tank. Still haven't set mine up yet. But like you all have said no need to rush

HTC tapatalk

[NC2WA]

after the site for the tank is determined, I think about types of equipment needed and set a budget. IMO, you should not go cheap on skimmers or lighting..the skimmer is the "brain" of your tank..it can make this hobby enjoyable or not.

Josh, couldn't agree more..I think having a plan of inhabitants and compatability, what corals if any work into this list, etc. is key for a happy tank. After the list is made, then it how to execute it..meaning in what order are the fish added..(shy ones first), give proper time between additions to the tank, etc.

[Sasquatch]

I thought it would be a good subject to gather the collective knowledge of our members on what their thoughts on the process of starting a new tank regardless of size.

So for those that are up for it lets start with the following:

What to think about prior to purchasing a tank and getting into it.
Mojo

Totally irrational megalomania and delusions of grandeur, mixed with "it won't cost much and its gonna be fantastic" LOL@MOI!!!
Where can I squeeze in some water? Ive had tanks all over the house, they looked like a mad junk yard so now they are in the man cave, on my desk and at the foot of the bed.
New reefers often get the rude awakening about expense shortly after starting and all too often buy "temporary junk" to do the job then rapidly upgrade, lighting and skimmers usually get the most wasted money spent, a reef tank is like a truck, if your hauling cattle don't get a 1/4 ton get the semi

[peppie]

When I venture into a hobby I know will cost a large amount of money, I research! Not just asking the a couple of questions to the people who have been in that particular hobby. I want details and some more info. A lot of it.

After I feel I have enough info and facts on a hobby then I can make somewhat educated decision on how much money it will cost to do it right. Then I figure out if I can afford it. If I can Look Out!!

I think it is important to choose a tank size that will fit the space you have for it, and base your costs on that. 20gal long or a 125gal with a sump

That is how I would start.

[seattlereef]

Agree with all the above comments I would also add. Buy a controller and think about how your going to do water changes.

I'm glad I followed other people advice and didn't cheap out and skip the controller. The controller gives me piece of mind being at work and traveling since I can check on the tank from the inter-tubes, it also allows me to automate top off's, finer controler of my temperature, control my lighting and not have to deal with timers etc. I wouldn't say the controller is don't build a tank w/o it but its one of those things once you have it you'll never want to be w/o it. I would compare it to a GPS. Yeah a GPS would be nice but I've used mapquest and thats been fine... until you have one and then your using your GPS to tell your wife I'm on my way home and its telling me I'll be there in 10 minutes... or maybe thats just the tech geek in me.

The waterchanges because this is a key aspect of a healthy tank and if its too hard to do you won't do it. For me water change steps are :
1) Push a button on my phone to turn the pumps off (yeah controller)
2) Hook up a hose and run it to the street
3) Turn two valves to redirect main pump from the DT to the hose
4) Push a button on my phone (yeah controller)
5) Wait 5 minutes. Push a button
6) Unhook the hose and hook another hose to my mixing pump in my Brute and run it to the sump
7) Plug in the hose (yes my mixing station is not hooked up to my controller.. hmm maybe I should fix that)
8) Wait 5 minutes.
9) Unhook the hose and redirect main pump back to the DT.
10) Turn on my RO/DI and add the salt to my mixing. (Using a bulk reef supply ATO float valve to auto shut off for me)
11) repeat next week.

[Sasquatch]

Agree with all the above comments I would also add. Buy a controller and think about how your going to do water changes.

I'm glad I followed other people advice and didn't cheap out and skip the controller. The controller gives me piece of mind being at work and traveling since I can check on the tank from the inter-tubes, it also allows me to automate top off's, finer controler of my temperature, control my lighting and not have to deal with timers etc. I wouldn't say the controller is don't build a tank w/o it but its one of those things once you have it you'll never want to be w/o it. I would compare it to a GPS. Yeah a GPS would be nice but I've used mapquest and thats been fine... until you have one and then your using your GPS to tell your wife I'm on my way home and its telling me I'll be there in 10 minutes... or maybe thats just the tech geek in me.

The waterchanges because this is a key aspect of a healthy tank and if its too hard to do you won't do it. For me water change steps are :
1) Push a button on my phone to turn the pumps off (yeah controller)
2) Hook up a hose and run it to the street
3) Turn two valves to redirect main pump from the DT to the hose
4) Push a button on my phone (yeah controller)
5) Wait 5 minutes. Push a button
6) Unhook the hose and hook another hose to my mixing pump in my Brute and run it to the sump
7) Plug in the hose (yes my mixing station is not hooked up to my controller.. hmm maybe I should fix that)
8) Wait 5 minutes.
9) Unhook the hose and redirect main pump back to the DT.
10) Turn on my RO/DI and add the salt to my mixing. (Using a bulk reef supply ATO float valve to auto shut off for me)
11) repeat next week.

lol, I have a controller, it don't do none of that, Im old school, I like a car that shifts and has road noise not an Audi that burns my butt when the seats catch fire

[seattlereef]

lol, I have a controller, it don't do none of that, Im old school, I like a car that shifts and has road noise not an Audi that burns my butt when the seats catch fire

Heh and I'm the guy who:
1) Netflix on my PC is cool... wish I could watch it on my Xbox.
2) Netflix on my Xbox is cool... wish I could say Xbox : Pause and have it pause.
3) Talking to my Xbox is cool... wish I could, err I'm working on that next, next

[Scooterman]

I'd have to ask what kind of tank do i want after choosing the location, ie, glass acrylic, will it have one overflow or several?

[Sasquatch]

I'd have to ask what kind of tank do i want after choosing the location, ie, glass acrylic, will it have one overflow or several?

And how does Mr Scooterman make the overflow decision?

[oldsaint]

Location is my first thought. Once I've secured the location I'll decide on what I'm putting into the tank and build it around the inhabitants.
Is it going to be fish only? If so aggressive, smaller, larger, their compatibility. Or will it be fish and corals? Will the corals be mixed or lps, sps, softies dominant? Am I going bare bottom or sand?
I plan my entire tank build on paper, usually go through several legal pads lol before I ever buy anything.

[mojoreef]

Ok we got location and the next thing seems to be figuring out what kind of tank and what the expenses it going to cost.

So we have the place now what kind of tank and where should a person just coming into the hobby start the hobby?? what are the best ways for someone to getting it from thinking about to actually make it happen.

Mojo

[NC2WA]

what are the best ways for someone to getting it from thinking about to actually make it happen.

Research, research, and then some more research.

Join forums like this one , ask questions on forums and at LFS, but most importantly is build a "reef library" with a collection of good books. This is the part of the hobby that I still love--learning..

The one that I recommend all the time to newbies is:

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist

IMO, it is by far the most comprehensive book. I am a person that does NOT setup a tank and then learn by trail and error..this hobby is too expensive for that approach, however after one has the knowledge gained by doing proper research, baby steps need to be done to learn.

[Skimmy]

the best advice I can offer any noob coming ito reefing fresh, before making ANY purchases,
is to go and find a stable and healthy reef system, now folllow the set-up and methodology
of this successful system to the tee, do not deviate from what the existing owner has done to acheive success.
done and done.

also, reading is good, but overrated... dont belive it until you see it.
follow what your successful reef friends have done!!
on that note though, a few of my favorite books for reeffing noobs are;

Reef Secrets
Ulitmate reef aquariums
Pocket expert guide to marine fishes
Pocket expert guide, marine invertebrates