Advice for future tank setup, insight please

ausgus09 · 02/06/2015, 03:08 PM

I've been reefing for over a year now, and got bit by the bug the day that I started setting up my first tank.
I will be making a big move to start my career this June. With that being said, I'm starting to plan ahead for what system to get. I'm all for DIY, but I'll be moving to a city where I know no one that could help set it up, nor will I have access to any tools beyond the basics.

Thus, I'm looking into buying a complete system. What in your opinion is the best complete aquarium system at a decent price. The ranges I'm considering are: between $600-$1400 and between 50-90 gallons.

Any insight is appreciated, and I will post at a later date for some advice on how to make the move once the time comes.

Note: I won't set up the new aquarium until I'm moved in to the new place.

tkeracer619 · 02/06/2015, 08:16 PM

Congratulations on starting your career!

My advice is focus on that and then the tank addiction after a few months minimum. You don't need to have the worries and initial setup issues while you are starting out. You will have a long time to do this and will have enough money to do what you want with a successful career.

I'd take a look at some of the RedSea Max units to start with. pretty sharp.

MattToTheMax · 02/06/2015, 11:08 PM

I've been looking into the same things

http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=294

http://www.scaquariums.com/SCA-90-Ga...p/sca-90gc.htm

Best I've found so far. Next would be
http://www.deepseaaquatics.net/index...-standard.html

PhaneSoul · 02/06/2015, 11:36 PM

I would go with a tank with 16in depth at minimum. So a 75 or 90g, trust me, aquascaping in a slim tank like a 55g is a pita

-55g owner.. Soon to be 90g

ausgus09 · 02/07/2015, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Congratulations on starting your career!

My advice is focus on that and then the tank addiction after a few months minimum. You don't need to have the worries and initial setup issues while you are starting out. You will have a long time to do this and will have enough money to do what you want with a successful career.

I'd take a look at some of the RedSea Max units to start with. pretty sharp.

Appreciate the kind words regarding my career! I guess I never really thought of it that way, so thank you. My only issue with that is what would I do with my current tank? Just bring that along with me for the move? I feel like making the move and just taking my current tank would be really hard to get the same system up and running again. I would get the new tank set up with my current live rock (and some water from current tank) well before I make the official move so that when I'm fully moved in it would be ready to just drop my inhabitants into their new home.
Another alternative is just to take my current tank with me, recycle as much water as I can, replace the sand and just use my entire current setup. Hmmmm, what to do?

PhaneSoul · 02/07/2015, 01:07 AM

Well, why not just keep em both

move and setup your current system, it should be fine, I find moving a tank a great way to clean out all the detritus that can become hidden even with good maintenance. Use dry sand so there isn't a chance of a minicycle. Then you can take your time with the new setup, make it into something really unique.

tkeracer619 · 02/07/2015, 01:30 AM

You're welcome, starting your career is both exciting and terrifying. One of the more important steps in your lifetime.

How far are you moving and what exactly are you moving?

ausgus09 · 02/09/2015, 08:25 AM

I don't know where I'll be living yet, so how far is a total question mark. It will be a non-stop U-Haul truck trip regardless.
I'm living with my parents now so the only thing I could pull of in my room is a 29 gallon mixed LPS and softie tank with a pair of clowns. About 30-40 lbs. of live rock and 20-30 of live substrate.
I guess it would make most sense to just move the current setup eh guys?

PhaneSoul · 02/09/2015, 08:39 AM

ESP since it's that small of a setup

that's nothing 2 - 5g buckets wouldn't handle

02/06/2015, 03:08 PM	#1
ausgus09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 60	Advice for future tank setup, insight please I've been reefing for over a year now, and got bit by the bug the day that I started setting up my first tank. I will be making a big move to start my career this June. With that being said, I'm starting to plan ahead for what system to get. I'm all for DIY, but I'll be moving to a city where I know no one that could help set it up, nor will I have access to any tools beyond the basics. Thus, I'm looking into buying a complete system. What in your opinion is the best complete aquarium system at a decent price. The ranges I'm considering are: between $600-$1400 and between 50-90 gallons. Any insight is appreciated, and I will post at a later date for some advice on how to make the move once the time comes. Note: I won't set up the new aquarium until I'm moved in to the new place.

02/06/2015, 08:16 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Congratulations on starting your career! My advice is focus on that and then the tank addiction after a few months minimum. You don't need to have the worries and initial setup issues while you are starting out. You will have a long time to do this and will have enough money to do what you want with a successful career. I'd take a look at some of the RedSea Max units to start with. pretty sharp. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/07/2015, 01:30 AM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	You're welcome, starting your career is both exciting and terrifying. One of the more important steps in your lifetime. How far are you moving and what exactly are you moving? __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/06/2015, 11:08 PM	#3
MattToTheMax Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: akron, oh Posts: 155	I've been looking into the same things http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=294 http://www.scaquariums.com/SCA-90-Ga...p/sca-90gc.htm Best I've found so far. Next would be http://www.deepseaaquatics.net/index...-standard.html

02/06/2015, 11:36 PM	#4
PhaneSoul Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 949	I would go with a tank with 16in depth at minimum. So a 75 or 90g, trust me, aquascaping in a slim tank like a 55g is a pita -55g owner.. Soon to be 90g

02/07/2015, 01:07 AM	#6
PhaneSoul Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 949	Well, why not just keep em both move and setup your current system, it should be fine, I find moving a tank a great way to clean out all the detritus that can become hidden even with good maintenance. Use dry sand so there isn't a chance of a minicycle. Then you can take your time with the new setup, make it into something really unique.

02/09/2015, 08:25 AM	#8
ausgus09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 60	I don't know where I'll be living yet, so how far is a total question mark. It will be a non-stop U-Haul truck trip regardless. I'm living with my parents now so the only thing I could pull of in my room is a 29 gallon mixed LPS and softie tank with a pair of clowns. About 30-40 lbs. of live rock and 20-30 of live substrate. I guess it would make most sense to just move the current setup eh guys?

02/09/2015, 08:39 AM	#9
PhaneSoul Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 949	ESP since it's that small of a setup that's nothing 2 - 5g buckets wouldn't handle