Hello everyone!

[ichthyoid]

Welcome Jon.
It sounds like you’re doing a good job on the research. I agree that a 60 gal with sump might be a good place to start.
There is a lot of collective experience in this club, so reach out whenever you need help. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised by the response & generosity of the members.

 

[Jonsmiff]

Welcome to ARC @Jonsmiff! Listen to these wonderful people more than you listen to anyone else. They want you to succeed and want nothing in return other than pictures of your tank build and progress. You’ve found an awesome community here.

Hey thank you!!

 

[Jonsmiff]

Welcome to the ARC.

Thank you!

 

[Jonsmiff]

Welcome Jon.
It sounds like you’re doing a good job on the research. I agree that a 60 gal with sump might be a good place to start.
There is a lot of collective experience in this club, so reach out whenever you need help. I think you will be very pleasantly surprised by the response & generosity of the members.

Thanks a lot. Looking forward to the whole community aspect of this hobby I think it makes the whole thing way more appealing!

 

[NWgaNanoReefer]

Hello Jon ...I’m new here too ..lots of good info and great people

 

[Jonsmiff]

Hello Jon ...I’m new here too ..lots of good info and great people

Glad I'm not the only noob here!!!
Thank you!

 

[Adam]

Hi Jon, Welcome to ARC!

I did the same thing as you starting up and researched for quite a while before I started a tank. It will definitely help shorten the learning curve.

As far as tank size. I'd recommend picking the size you want then buy something bigger. If you have the space and plan to be in the hobby for the long haul you can't go wrong starting in the 90 to 120 range, even a 180. It maybe a little more expensive initially but long term it will end up being less costly. If you go smaller, you'll find yourself looking to upgrade in a year or so and a lot of the equipment will need to be upgraded too. Skimmer, Pumps, Lights... it'll be more expensive buying that stuff twice in under two years.

Now if you're unsure if this is going to be a long term hobby for you stay smaller, something like a 75.

Best of luck with whatever decision you make and fire off any questions you have.

 

[nzelinsky]

Welcome!!

 

[Jonsmiff]

Hi Jon, Welcome to ARC!

I did the same thing as you starting up and researched for quite a while before I started a tank. It will definitely help shorten the learning curve.

As far as tank size. I'd recommend picking the size you want then buy something bigger. If you have the space and plan to be in the hobby for the long haul you can't go wrong starting in the 90 to 120 range, even a 180. It maybe a little more expensive initially but long term it will end up being less costly. If you go smaller, you'll find yourself looking to upgrade in a year or so and a lot of the equipment will need to be upgraded too. Skimmer, Pumps, Lights... it'll be more expensive buying that stuff twice in under two years.

Now if you're unsure if this is going to be a long term hobby for you stay smaller, something like a 75.

Best of luck with whatever decision you make and fire off any questions you have.

Nah I totally see what you mean but that's the big question isn't it? I mean my goal is for this to be a long term thing but I feel like until I actually do it I'm not sure what it will turn into.

My main hangup at the moment is when we get back to life as we once knew it and I go back to work I'm going to be working super long days. The good news tho is I'm a huge tech nerd and I've already started looking into the whole automation aspect of the hobby. I feel like that is what is really going to help me succeed in my goals.

My issue with going w a super large tank is my house is on a crawl space. I know the weight can be supported but I also think that long term that kind of weight could damage the foundation without the proper support structure and I feel like I want to get my feet wet first before I go all in on something like that.

Reguardless of the outcome I look forward to checking things out and seeing what happens and ibreally appreciate the info. Thank you!

 

[Jonsmiff]

Welcome!!

Thank you!

 

[acura_rob]

Welcome.

 

[Jonsmiff]

Welcome.

Thank you!