Brand new to hobby and need suggestions

Dunamis · 01/21/2016, 04:25 PM

I am brand new to the hobby. I bought a 110gallon tank to do my first reef build but would love suggestions for other equipment needed. I will be drilling holes for overflow box but have no other equipment as of right now. I have ALWAYS wanted a reef tank.

sde1500 · 01/21/2016, 04:55 PM

Sump, skimmer, heater, powerhead(s), return pump, lights, ro/di unit, refracometer, test kits for at least ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. That would be enough to get started.

reefiness · 01/25/2016, 03:44 PM

Make sure you are able to drill the tank. If you try drilling through tempered glass you will be sorry.

With that said.... Welcome to the hobby

Sk8r · 01/25/2016, 04:59 PM

Yes---not all glass can be drilled. Tempered, no. And some aquariums are tempered on some panels, but not all. We have a DIY section on RC. Ask there for assistance!

jrkonzelman · 01/25/2016, 06:37 PM

Read, Read, Read, and Read...go to your LFS and ask questions and learn before you buy. You will save yourself so much hassle, time, and money in the end.

r1racer · 01/25/2016, 07:12 PM

May as well get a Quarantine Tank and set that up at the same time.

Atilla_87 · 01/25/2016, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sde1500

Sump, skimmer, heater, powerhead(s), return pump, lights, ro/di unit, refracometer, test kits for at least ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. That would be enough to get started.

If you are going to be dabbling in hard corals I would add test kits for calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, as well as dosing equipment to maintain the levels. I use the Bulk Reef Supply 2 part dosing system.

Also, I would look into wavemakers instead of just using powerheads. They only provide a constant laminar flow, while wavemakers can provide different intensities and directions of flow to create a more natural reef flow. This is important if youre going to be putting in coral.

I would also recommend adding a dual reactor to be able to run GFO and carbon, and add a phosphate test kit while you're at it. Everyone runs into an algae outbreak at some point. Better to be prepared or to get ahead of it.

01/21/2016, 04:25 PM	#1
Dunamis Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 20	Brand new to hobby and need suggestions I am brand new to the hobby. I bought a 110gallon tank to do my first reef build but would love suggestions for other equipment needed. I will be drilling holes for overflow box but have no other equipment as of right now. I have ALWAYS wanted a reef tank.

01/21/2016, 04:55 PM	#2
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Sump, skimmer, heater, powerhead(s), return pump, lights, ro/di unit, refracometer, test kits for at least ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. That would be enough to get started. __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

01/25/2016, 04:59 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Yes---not all glass can be drilled. Tempered, no. And some aquariums are tempered on some panels, but not all. We have a DIY section on RC. Ask there for assistance! __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/25/2016, 07:12 PM	#6
r1racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD Posts: 418	May as well get a Quarantine Tank and set that up at the same time. __________________ 125g In Wall, Vertex Omega 150, Maxspect Gyre 150, Tunze ATO, 2-27" 16k Maxspect Razors, Red Sea Coral Pro, 33g QT, Mixing Station, Glass Holes 1500, BRS reactors & RO/DI 1.025/430ca/1300mag/9alk/80t

01/25/2016, 03:44 PM	#3
reefiness Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 64	Make sure you are able to drill the tank. If you try drilling through tempered glass you will be sorry. With that said.... Welcome to the hobby

01/25/2016, 06:37 PM	#5
jrkonzelman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 52	Read, Read, Read, and Read...go to your LFS and ask questions and learn before you buy. You will save yourself so much hassle, time, and money in the end.