Well? Maybe for starters?

[Cool_fish]

I am reading, reading, reading. The more I read, the more I realize there is to learn. Also, the 55 gal tank and accessories that I got from my neighbor needs more than just cleaning. None of the pumps work, the plexiglass tank (refugium plus from what I can gather) with all the internals are in pieces so it is a big jigsaw puzzle. So, from a post I was reading this morning, I was looking around and am thinking of something like this for a starter tank:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=24537

As I get my proverbial feet wet, I'm thinking this might be something to get into the biological part of the hobby while I figure out what I have and get the bigger tank ready to go.

Thoughts?

[JammyBirch]

IMHO...my opinion only...skip the nano.

Take the money and time you'd have to put into the nano and put it towards the 55g. I am a nano guy too but would skip it if I were you, usually we all want bigger tanks and bigger tanks are easier to off load if you want to get out.

There is quite a bit of expense to this hobby and most of it you don't get to see when you look at the tank... Try to get the best equipment you can afford and make sure you get the necessities first.

Good luck this hobby is demanding but a lot of fun.

[bshow24]

Originally Posted by JammyBirch

IMHO...my opinion only...skip the nano.

Take the money and time you'd have to put into the nano and put it towards the 55g. I am a nano guy too but would skip it if I were you, usually we all want bigger tanks and bigger tanks are easier to off load if you want to get out.

There is quite a bit of expense to this hobby and most of it you don't get to see when you look at the tank... Try to get the best equipment you can afford and make sure you get the necessities first.

Good luck this hobby is demanding but a lot of fun.

Agreed 100%.

Equipment > any livestock, especially at the beginning. Also, Nano's can be a pain for a first time reefer. It took me 6 years to figure that out...and my nano's are still not where I want them to be!

[Cool_fish]

Cool, I was thinking smaller = easier. Definitely when looking at the puzzle pieces I ended up with, lol. I'll keep plugging at the 55.

[PAXpress]

Originally Posted by Cool_fish

Cool, I was thinking smaller = easier. Definitely when looking at the puzzle pieces I ended up with, lol. I'll keep plugging at the 55.

Setupwise yes, and doing partial water changes yes, other than that no. A 25% water change on a 18g nano is one bucket which is EASY. Any change you make or that happens will be much worse with a nano. I'd try for something a bit bigger. I have a 75 and still would love bigger if I could. If you're looking for a new tank you should get one thats reef ready for an overflow. Just my 2 c. Good luck! Its addictive, if only my wife understood...

[cougareyes]

When I got back into the hobby after a 12 years or so break I started with a 14g biocube. I loved it, then got a 29. The 29 was much easier to care for, I then got a JBJ 30 and eventually combined all 3 into a 90. They are just a different beast, I would definitely recommend at least the 29; it will still end up costing you a bunch of money either way. I really enjoyed my nanos for years, no right answers; it's just a personal thing.

[gone fishin]

there is a pretty active Florida club on here. Maybe some one can come by and give a hand.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=535

[bshow24]

Originally Posted by Cool_fish

Cool, I was thinking smaller = easier. Definitely when looking at the puzzle pieces I ended up with, lol. I'll keep plugging at the 55.

I thought the exact same, and also cheaper. But the problem with cheap in this hobby means buying multiple cheap items over and over when you should have ponied up for the good items in the first place!

Now I have the equipment to support a 150 gallon tank, in a 28 and 8 gallon nano w/ a 10 gallon sump.....but hey, at least I'm good when I upgrade.

[Cool_fish]

Well, I contacted the neighbor whom I bought it all from, he came over last night and helped me put the sump and skimmer together. I am ready to put this thing to the test! We (GF and I) are looking to find the perfect place to put the cabinet/tank, and then I guess I start putting water in and cycling the tank. I meant to get a couple of pics of the puzzle I had, and the assembled masterpiece. I'll get some of the sump tonight and post for any comments. After reading these posts I got un-scared I guess and am proceeding on like I was. You have to admit, it is a daunting task, thanks for all the inputs!
BTW, gone_fishing, I am going to look into your group today!

[JammyBirch]

Originally Posted by Cool_fish

Cool, I was thinking smaller = easier. Definitely when looking at the puzzle pieces I ended up with, lol. I'll keep plugging at the 55.

Smaller is not easier in this hobby, the advantage of smaller is you have to be on your game to keep everything happy...it's like drinking from a fire hose when the crap is hitting the fan... The good part is I think you get really good at identifying problems and identifying fixes..

Yes it is cheaper equipment and supplies wise but you can get into trouble quickly, I feel pretty good about my nano it's pretty standard management stuff at this point, heck I don't even measure anything except Alk now, but it was very stressful learning a lot in a little time.

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with everyone above

But I would go to Petco and get a 40b to replace that 55. The 55 is way too narrow for being able to get a decent display of your rocks because it's only 12" from front to back where the 40b is 18". I think the 40b is the perfect small size for a reef tank. You can use all of the stuff you have for your 55 on it as well.

Good luck and enjoy the ups and downs of this wonderful hobby!

Edit to add I recommended Petco because their $ per gal sale is going on now.

[jml1149]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

I agree with everyone above

But I would go to Petco and get a 40b to replace that 55. The 55 is way too narrow for being able to get a decent display of your rocks because it's only 12" from front to back where the 40b is 18". I think the 40b is the perfect small size for a reef tank. You can use all of the stuff you have for your 55 on it as well.

Good luck and enjoy the ups and downs of this wonderful hobby!

Edit to add I recommended Petco because their $ per gal sale is going on now.

AMEN TO THAT. I started with a 29g tank and almost 2 years in I can barely fit my hand down the front of the glass because it's so narrow. The wider 40b would have been a much better choice for me.

[Desert Sea]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

I agree with everyone above

Edit to add I recommended Petco because their $ per gal sale is going on now.

I think the sale ended on Saturday. Might have to wait for the next one.

[kmbyrnes]

I started with a 12g nano because I thought smaller would be easier. It wasn't.
I kept it running for a year, but it was just too much work compared to the bigger tanks.
2 years later I have 3 thriving 100+ gallon tanks (d*** this hobby) and I am feeling like I now have enough knowledge and skill to make the nano successful.
Gonna start it back up this summer.

I also agree with dkuhlman, you will be happier in the long run with a 40b
Good luck!

[Cool_fish]

Well, I heard about the Petco sale, even called to see if they had tanks - and they did. I was all set up to go get a new tank, then for whatever reason backed off.... I couldn't just buy another tank until I cleaned up the 55g that I got so cheaply. I thought even if I miss a sale, I could not in good conscience trash this one and never try it. So, I missed the sale. BTW, this all came with a nice wood cabinet and hood, so just changing to a different size would just not be what I should do right now. I feel you guys, the dimensions are better with the 40b, but I am committed to doing this with the deal I got. And, I carefully filled the tank, it never leaked a drop and cleaned up beautifully. Being someone who has completely restored a couple old cars, and can fix all kinds of things, I have to use this perfectly good setup, so even though I'll probably wish I did change tank sizes, I'm going with it.
Back on topic, thanks for halting my jitters about buying something smaller just to get something up and running. That would have been a mistake!

[ljosh]

Did you set it up? Where are the pics?

[bshow24]

Many other people use 55 gallon tanks, and they are able to create rock formations that allow them to put their hand into it. Don't stress about that, especially since you got a great deal!

[Cool_fish]

I'll post some pics, sorry....