First Reef Aquarium, Help.

Nick_Jess_99336 · 04/02/2012, 12:45 AM

Me and my Fiance are looking to do a Reef Aquarium. She has done some saltwater work before but nothing to extreme. In doing some research ive heard that bigger is better/easier/safer in most all cases. We are wanting to do it right and plan on taking our time. Id rather do it right from the start and not take any shortcuts. A few questions I have would be ive been looking a the breeder tanks and really like the wide look on those. would a 40gal be to small to start? or woud you recommend having a tank built with a built in overflow and such. Glass or acrylic? Size is really what we arn't sure about right now. So any input would be great.

thanks guys

Nick & Jess

divewsharks · 04/02/2012, 01:09 AM

40G is a good place a to start. "Bigger is better" because of stability, there is a lot less potential for swings in larger bodies of water.
I would do glass as its much harder to scratch than acrylic (however with acrylic you can remove scratches).
A tank with a overflow, and a sump is optimal. It would it give you a location for all your gear and increase your total water volume.

Ron Reefman · 04/02/2012, 05:31 AM

A 40g is a nice size to start with... or even end up with. But most people find they want more after they get started. I had a 30g for a couple of years, then a 75g for a year before I added a 35g display refugium and after 2 more years set up my current system (see signature).

I'd stick with glass, but it's really a personal opinion). And if the tank you find isn't drilled, you have 2 choices. Use a siphon overflow (I did on the first 2 tanks) or drill the tank and add the built-in overflow (it isn't as hard as it sounds).

Since you guys are willing to take your time, look for a tank that is clean, no scratches and has the built-in overflow. And even before you set it up, consider getting most or all of the other things you'll need before you start. The sump, a pump for the sump, maybe some powerheads, skimmer, light fixture, RO/DI water system... I started with a used tank & stand ($35) and bought everything else new and ran up an almost $2000 tank in no time at all. $150 for LR, $50 for live sand, $70 for powerheads, $160 for a RedSea wave maker, $40 for a HOB filter, $200 for a HOB skimmer, $275 for a PC light, $550 for a chiller & pump (we live in SW Florida), $180 for the RO/DI system, plus plumbing and fittings and test kits and chemicals... So be prepared.

Now, on the other hand, my current (and last system... I swear I'm not going any bigger) has about 350g and lacks for nothing. I bought 75% of it used, store closing sale, won at a club raffle. I got the 1hp chiller new because I couldn't find a good used one after looking for 4 months. My best guess is there is less than $4000 in the entire system. That's twice what I spent on the first 30g system and it's about 12 times as big (by water volume anyway). Now I already had a 75g &35g system, but I took over 18 months of looking, shopping and collecting before I had what I needed to set up the current system. So seriously consider buying some of your needs in the resale market. Look at Craigslist and it's full of tanks and systems for sale because people are hurting due to the economy. Also, and I can't stress this enough, look for a local club!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80
It can provide GREAT resources. Good people who know what you are just getting started with, used equipment that is in good condition (you don't sell junk to fellow club members unless you are getting out of the hobby). And once you are up and started, the club is a great source for inexpensive corals and fish. There are members in our club that give stuff away or sell it dirt cheap to other members. We all understand, what goes around, comes around.

Good luck and have fun. That's what it's all supposed to be about.

BigCountry74 · 04/02/2012, 09:50 AM

40 is not bad. you can use that as the sump for your "next" tank

Nick_Jess_99336 · 04/02/2012, 10:43 PM

Thanks for all the great input you guys. I've been looking into a 65gal starphire tank from glass cages. My fiancé really likes the look of the seamless with the rounded front edges. If anyone has any ideas drop up a line. She may just have to Settle

lol. Anyways Thanks for the input again.

saltysailor2329 · 04/03/2012, 09:12 AM

i agree with all comments so far.

I started with an RSM130D and then added a 40 breeder about 6 months later and then added a 3g picotope for my wife and then upgraded the 40 breeder to a 125g and broke down the 40 breeder. Also started a 14g AIO and will breakdown the 3g.

As Ron stated above it is good to look for used gear on CL and local club forums. I have bought approximately 50% new and 50% used. One of the things that I do to help fund my addiction is to sell off unused equipment and I also look on CL daily and look for good deals, people getting out of the hobby, and make some extra money by being able to sit on stuff till I get the right price.

Good luck in your search for the perfect setup.

04/02/2012, 12:45 AM	#1
Nick_Jess_99336 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: kennewick Wa Posts: 3	First Reef Aquarium, Help. Me and my Fiance are looking to do a Reef Aquarium. She has done some saltwater work before but nothing to extreme. In doing some research ive heard that bigger is better/easier/safer in most all cases. We are wanting to do it right and plan on taking our time. Id rather do it right from the start and not take any shortcuts. A few questions I have would be ive been looking a the breeder tanks and really like the wide look on those. would a 40gal be to small to start? or woud you recommend having a tank built with a built in overflow and such. Glass or acrylic? Size is really what we arn't sure about right now. So any input would be great. thanks guys Nick & Jess

04/02/2012, 05:31 AM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	A 40g is a nice size to start with... or even end up with. But most people find they want more after they get started. I had a 30g for a couple of years, then a 75g for a year before I added a 35g display refugium and after 2 more years set up my current system (see signature). I'd stick with glass, but it's really a personal opinion). And if the tank you find isn't drilled, you have 2 choices. Use a siphon overflow (I did on the first 2 tanks) or drill the tank and add the built-in overflow (it isn't as hard as it sounds). Since you guys are willing to take your time, look for a tank that is clean, no scratches and has the built-in overflow. And even before you set it up, consider getting most or all of the other things you'll need before you start. The sump, a pump for the sump, maybe some powerheads, skimmer, light fixture, RO/DI water system... I started with a used tank & stand ($35) and bought everything else new and ran up an almost $2000 tank in no time at all. $150 for LR, $50 for live sand, $70 for powerheads, $160 for a RedSea wave maker, $40 for a HOB filter, $200 for a HOB skimmer, $275 for a PC light, $550 for a chiller & pump (we live in SW Florida), $180 for the RO/DI system, plus plumbing and fittings and test kits and chemicals... So be prepared. Now, on the other hand, my current (and last system... I swear I'm not going any bigger) has about 350g and lacks for nothing. I bought 75% of it used, store closing sale, won at a club raffle. I got the 1hp chiller new because I couldn't find a good used one after looking for 4 months. My best guess is there is less than $4000 in the entire system. That's twice what I spent on the first 30g system and it's about 12 times as big (by water volume anyway). Now I already had a 75g &35g system, but I took over 18 months of looking, shopping and collecting before I had what I needed to set up the current system. So seriously consider buying some of your needs in the resale market. Look at Craigslist and it's full of tanks and systems for sale because people are hurting due to the economy. Also, and I can't stress this enough, look for a local club! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80 It can provide GREAT resources. Good people who know what you are just getting started with, used equipment that is in good condition (you don't sell junk to fellow club members unless you are getting out of the hobby). And once you are up and started, the club is a great source for inexpensive corals and fish. There are members in our club that give stuff away or sell it dirt cheap to other members. We all understand, what goes around, comes around. Good luck and have fun. That's what it's all supposed to be about. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 Last edited by Ron Reefman; 04/02/2012 at 05:38 AM.

04/02/2012, 09:50 AM	#4
BigCountry74 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,761	40 is not bad. you can use that as the sump for your "next" tank __________________ 135g mixed reef (retired) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2132815 Current 40g reef http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2483250 Current Tank Info: 40g bare bottom reef

04/03/2012, 09:12 AM	#6
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	i agree with all comments so far. I started with an RSM130D and then added a 40 breeder about 6 months later and then added a 3g picotope for my wife and then upgraded the 40 breeder to a 125g and broke down the 40 breeder. Also started a 14g AIO and will breakdown the 3g. As Ron stated above it is good to look for used gear on CL and local club forums. I have bought approximately 50% new and 50% used. One of the things that I do to help fund my addiction is to sell off unused equipment and I also look on CL daily and look for good deals, people getting out of the hobby, and make some extra money by being able to sit on stuff till I get the right price. Good luck in your search for the perfect setup. __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT.

04/02/2012, 01:09 AM	#2
divewsharks Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,905	40G is a good place a to start. "Bigger is better" because of stability, there is a lot less potential for swings in larger bodies of water. I would do glass as its much harder to scratch than acrylic (however with acrylic you can remove scratches). A tank with a overflow, and a sump is optimal. It would it give you a location for all your gear and increase your total water volume.

04/02/2012, 10:43 PM	#5
Nick_Jess_99336 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: kennewick Wa Posts: 3	Thanks for all the great input you guys. I've been looking into a 65gal starphire tank from glass cages. My fiancé really likes the look of the seamless with the rounded front edges. If anyone has any ideas drop up a line. She may just have to Settle lol. Anyways Thanks for the input again.