Quick Tank Review!

[Ibrakeforreefs]

Hello fellow reefers!

Just upfront, I am a noob at this, so you have been warned.

I am planning on a reef tank, so when I talked to my friend who is a serious reefer, he recommended me to this site. When I got here I was reading the "New to the Hobby" posts and I still didnt understand what they were talking about.

So, I do as my mother always taught me to do:

I TURNED TO BOOKS

So I am reading this book, "The Saltwater Aquarium Handbook By George Blasiola". It is a very good, easy to read book for me.

So to the point: I got finished with the first few chapters on tanks and I get these main points:

--> You would probably want an all glass aquarium.

--> "pre-drilled"

--> The size of the tank is not where a marine hobbyist should economize. Get the largest one you can afford to accomodate.

--> Greater surface area = better

Ok. Thats the 'jist' of what I picked up.

So here are the questions I have:

Do you think that stuff is acurate?

Would you add anything?

In the chapter it discusses where to place it. I think I will build my own stand, what type of wood do you think is the best? The one that will last?

I think I want to go with a 75 gallon standard rectangular shape. Sound good to you?

Your noobish friend,

~Ibrakeforreefs~

[Zaphod]

Ok, That sounds like pretty sound advice. With that size you can't go wrong with glass. Acrylic is really nice but prone to scratching. Predrilled is a good choice too. IMO building a stand is more energy than it is worth unless you are skilled in carpentry. I sleep better know ing a pro built mine.

My next question is what is your overall plan. Just fish are relativly easy in the long run but if you wan't corals there is much more work to be done. The best thing is to do lots of research before you take the plunge. I can say I have wasted over $1000 in the begining from buying the wrong thing and replacing it.

[MCary]

Good advice. The tank is relatively cheap. A 75 gallon will run about $169. I bought a 150 for $499 at pet smart and I'm currently working on a 225 6'x2'x2.5'h that I got free. Dimensions seem to be as important as gallons. For instance, a 55 gallon uses most of the same equipment as a 75 gallon because they are both 4 feet long, so why get a 55. A 90 reefready is better than the 75 and has the same footprint.

The best material for a stand is teak. (you asked) But realistically any material will work. Its what you like the best. In 4 different reef tanks, even with all I've learned, I have yet to avoid the occasional spill or flood sometimes. For that reason I would avoid all forms of chip, fiber, or particle board. Paint all the inside surfaces with a good sealer or enamel. Seal the outside well and coat with a good poly or marine varish. Clean and dry spills right away.

[Sk8r]

This is good advice. The smaller the tank, the touchier and more prone to have a small error go catastrophic. Big tanks---more leeway. Get your tank and stand, get your sump (they're a good idea), and be absolutely certain it's level---use a carpenter's level to be sure--- Pine is good enough for a stand, but oak or ash is sturdier: I'd avoid fiberboard in any form. Get the paint completely cured before bringing it anywhere near the water you'll have fish in.
Get your light, your heater, your pump, your skimmer, your sand and water and live rock, set everything up, and prepare to wait weeks for it to 'cycle'. Once everything has stopped being green and brown, introduce a 'cleaning crew' of snails and the like, set your rocks the way you want them, and prepare the tank to operate. The 'cycle' may feel like forever---'weeks' is not an exaggeration, though some tanks go faster. Live rock with a set of worms and such offers a fair amount of entertainment until the cycle is through, at least.
For early fish, avoid damsels. Pick something placid and small, or he won't let anything else into the tank. If you want anemones, consider that in the kind of circulation system you set up. If corals, splurge on lighting.
Hope that helps. Reading a lot will save you a lot, and there are some good how-tos tucked here and there about the forums. You're on the right track.

[Ibrakeforreefs]

Well thank you all. Really appreciate the nice and helpful comments.

And I now venture off to do more research.

~Ibrakeforreefs~

[xtrstangx]

Do you think that stuff is acurate?
Yes, however a large surface area isn't really necesary. With a protein skimmer you will have plenty of aeration. And if you have decent flow, the surface of your water should ripple... IMO, don't buy a tank based on its surface area, buy it because of a good shape/dimension.

Would you add anything?
If you aren't 100% sure reefing is for you, don't get the biggest tank you can afford. Get a tank that you think will work and isn't too small... otherwise if reefing isn't for you, you won't be out a huge amount of money

In the chapter it discusses where to place it. I think I will build my own stand, what type of wood do you think is the best? The one that will last?
Wood is the most cost efficient way for you to go. When you start getting to bigger tanks (180g or even higher), then you may want to go with a welded steel frame. Woodworking is fun too

I think I want to go with a 75 gallon standard rectangular shape. Sound good to you?
I think you'd be happy with a 75g, a 58g, or a 40g breeder. All of them are worth considering.

[PatMayo]

Ibrakeforreefs,

To see how all these things fit together look at this thread. It will help you to understand how the things fit and work. There are many other threads that are more adept at showing the pieces going together.

Regards,

Pat


http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=780206

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=239848

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=732378

These will help educate you.