Hello

[redstang]

Hello everyone! I'm a complete nub looking to get into the hobby. Saltwater tanks have held my interest for a very long time and a couple of months ago my wife gave the ok on a location for a tank. For a while I was looking at one of the ~30gal cubes but have decided instead to piece a setup together.

I'm looking at a 120gal 48x24x24 tank as that's about the largest that will fit the location and my budget while giving enough volume to support a decent fish selection. The sump will be located on the other side of a wall in another room which I'm hoping will help eliminate noise. I'm open to suggestions on what else is needed or should be desired.

I'm looking forward to many months of research on this site! Also, my family and I stopped by forum sponsor Pure Reef this past weekend which helped cement the bug for the whole family.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[stacy22]

1) Decide what kind of tank you want- fish, fish/corals etc.
2) READ as much as you can..... I would start here:
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292</a>
3) Decide what your budget is.
4) Realize there's no way to get all you want on this budget. :unsure:
5) READ more. :D
6) Keep posting here and asking questions.
7) READ more.
8) Keep your spouse involved. This will be critical when # 4 occurs. :thumbs:

All kidding aside, read, ask questions and take your time. This is a great hobby and a great club. Glad you found us!

Welcome!

 

[mapleredta]

IMO, you're already far ahead in this hobby. 1). You're researching this hobby before you purchase anything. 2). You're buying a tank that will hold you over for a while. Many people buy little tanks and end up having to upgrade and re-buy everything again.

Buy the best products the first time. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches and money to do it right from the beginning. As Stacy said, decide what type of tank you want to go with and stick to it. There is priceless information on this site and AWSOME people who are willing to bend over backwards to help you. It's great to have you in our family!

 

[redstang]

stacy22;607587 wrote: 1) Decide what kind of tank you want- fish, fish/corals etc.
2) READ as much as you can..... I would start here:
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43292</a>
3) Decide what your budget is.
4) Realize there's no way to get all you want on this budget. :unsure:
5) READ more. :D
6) Keep posting here and asking questions.
7) READ more.
8) Keep your spouse involved. This will be critical when # 4 occurs. :thumbs:

All kidding aside, read, ask questions and take your time. This is a great hobby and a great club. Glad you found us!

Welcome![/QUOTE]

Thanks!

Definitely going to be fish and corals. Unsure on exactly which fish and corals though. My children have pleaded for Nemo and Dori though so they're probably a foregone conclusion as long as they're compatible. Nice thing is that I'm patient so my budget, to a certain extent, is in direct relation to time. I'd like to keep equipment to roughly $1500 plus sand, fish, live rock, etc...

My goal is to have everything put together between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the latest though I may be able to pull it off this summer. Thanks for the link!

 

[redstang]

mapleredta;607589 wrote: IMO, you're already far ahead in this hobby. 1). You're researching this hobby before you purchase anything. 2). You're buying a tank that will hold you over for a while. Many people buy little tanks and end up having to upgrade and re-buy everything again.

Buy the best products the first time. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches and money to do it right from the beginning. As Stacy said, decide what type of tank you want to go with and stick to it. There is priceless information on this site and AWSOME people who are willing to bend over backwards to help you. It's great to have you in our family!

I've made enough mistakes in other hobbies to realize that if you actually want to enjoy some of them it's best to go slow :thumbs:. For item number two, that's kind of what I was thinking. I've seen so many threads just on this site of people migrating from a small to large tank. But maybe upgrade fever is inevitable. My wife did like the HUGE tanks as you walk into Pure Reef .

Agree wholeheartedly on buying the right products the first time. My wife and I live by that principle in nearly everything we buy these days. For a little more money you can generally get a MUCH better product. Nice thing is since I already have buy-in from the wife to keep the sump in the laundry room space won't really be an issue so hopefully I won't have to compromise too much. Gotta figure out this refugium thing though :confused2:.

 

[cr500_af]

A 120 is a really nice size. You are getting good advice.
Spend some time on your stocklist; you'll be better off by knowing this in advance. The order you add the fish is sometimes very important.

FYI, the kids' wishes are fine. A pair of clowns and a hippo/regal tang will be no issue together.

 

[merkywater]

Exactly what Stacy said.....Number 8 may be the most important of them all! lol

 

[redstang]

Ok, running througha checklist of items needed/wanted. Looking for recommendations on an RODI system.

So far I'm right at my budget minus the RO system and hydrometer. This is for all new stuff though and I'm hoping to pick some things up used via the forum or craigslist. Especially the tank and lighting. Hoping I can catch someone moving up to LED's.

Thanks all

 

[redstang]

cr500_af;607681 wrote: A 120 is a really nice size. You are getting good advice.
Spend some time on your stocklist; you'll be better off by knowing this in advance. The order you add the fish is sometimes very important.

FYI, the kids' wishes are fine. A pair of clowns and a hippo/regal tang will be no issue together.

Thanks for the affirmation. Stock list will come. Need to spend some time checking out my options. Once I have a list of livestock I think I want I'll probably come back for approval . Much of it will be sitting down with the family and getting their input, looking at pictures, and determining feeding and lighting requirements. The more everyone wants it the better chance it happens successfully.

 

[jeffmuse]

Welcome to the ARC! I think that the 120 that you are going with is perfect for aquascapping. Let me know if there is I can do to help you get the tank up and running.

 

[basscyn]

RedStang;607581 wrote: my wife gave the ok

If she only knew!

RedStang;607581 wrote: my budget

If <u>YOU</u> only knew!


Welcome aboard Jason! :cheers:

You are indeed WAAAY ahead of most noobs as you have embraced the single most important rule.
1. Take your time. Go slow.
It will pay off in the long run.

 

[redstang]

BASSCYN;607718 wrote: If she only knew!


If <u>YOU</u> only knew!


Welcome aboard Jason! :cheers:

You are indeed WAAAY ahead of most noobs as you have embraced the single most important rule.
1. Take your time. Go slow.
It will pay off in the long run.

Thanks!

I listen, occasionally . But seriously, everything I've read on any site has said to take things slow. It will help that my funds will only become available over time. I will certainly appreciate any advice though.

 

[mapleredta]

RedStang;607708 wrote: Ok, running througha checklist of items needed/wanted. Looking for recommendations on an RODI system.

So far I'm right at my budget minus the RO system and hydrometer. This is for all new stuff though and I'm hoping to pick some things up used via the forum or craigslist. Especially the tank and lighting. Hoping I can catch someone moving up to LED's.

Thanks all

Throw the hydrometer in the trash. Purchase a refractometer.

 

[gwhiz]

RedStang;607708 wrote: Ok, running througha checklist of items needed/wanted. Looking for recommendations on an RODI system.

So far I'm right at my budget minus the RO system and hydrometer. This is for all new stuff though and I'm hoping to pick some things up used via the forum or craigslist. Especially the tank and lighting. Hoping I can catch someone moving up to LED's.

Thanks all

I started before I found the ARC unfortunately. I bought everything new---and spent about twice what I would have spent acquiring needed items from other members. You've got time on your side. Watch the 'for sale' threads and pick up key equipment used when it's available.

 

[brianjfinn]

Welcome Jason! Like everyone has said, you're definitely starting off on the right foot. Some of the most valuable information you could get would be finding an experienced reefer in your area and spending a couple hours with them. Have them show you their setup and explain as much as they possibly can.

 

[cr500_af]

brianjfinn;607767 wrote: Welcome Jason! Like everyone has said, you're definitely starting off on the right foot. Some of the most valuable information you could get would be finding an experienced reefer in your area and spending a couple hours with them. Have them show you their setup and explain as much as they possibly can.

I'm not far and would be happy to do this.

 

[redstang]

Thanks everyone. CR500, may take you up on that one day when I'm closer to taking the plunge. Definitely plan to buy as much as I can used. If we weren't closing on a house there's several things I see right now that would be handy. A good tank will be the most difficult as I really want 100 gal or more but need to fit it in a 51" area. Depth isn't an issue. Even so, I've seen some forum sponsors advertise new tanks with dual overflows in the size I want for less than $400. Hoping to catch someone upgrading their lighting so I can grab their old setup for cheap too .

Thanks again for the welcome. I need to keep my enthusiasm in check for a little while longer....

 

[Jaycen B.]

RedStang;608107 wrote: I need to keep my enthusiasm in check for a little while longer....

And that my friend will save a lot of headach.

 

[laura]

One thing I learned the hard way is lack of patience costs money...every time.

 

[jcusmarine]

Welcome!

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