Just bought a house that happens to have a big reef tank

[smb1087]

Yes, I agree. Everyone knows I'm in over my head. Thanks for all the advice and I'll keep everyone updated whether good or bad

[davewbush]

You have to start some where. Here is the best place. My firt tank was a 75 gal that I bought off of someone. I new nothing about salt water and at that time I didn't know that people kept salt water tanks. I didn't know about this site at the time either. I had a tank, 20 pounds of live rock, 40 pounds of live sand, (didn't know what this stuff was, or why it was called live) and the rest of the equipment I needed to run a tank. I bought aquariums for dumbies, the book. This is what I used to keep my tank running for 4 years until I started using the computer and found this site.

Your not over your head. Learn as much as you can. If your whole family likes the tank, this is a great start. Most people that don't want a tank wouldn't buy a house with one that big in it. I see the stairs and the small couches. It's a big tank but I thik the couches make it look bigger. Looks like more than 200 gal but what are the dimmensions?

[ahud]

I don't think you are too far over your head. If the tank has been setup for awhile chances are you are cycled and have made it through most of the "tough stages".

I would just ask the owner to type me up a maintenance schedule. Then you could just follow the schedule until you learn enough to strike out on your own.

[raen]

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckkkky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[davewbush]

You would be in over your head if you didn't ask for help. You did the first best thing by asking questions. Not waiting until the tank goes south and then ask. We have people on this fourm of all ages. Young kids can keep reefs, but the money issues hurts them. This hobby does gets costly. This is a site set up to help people with and discuss our aquariums, not try to discurage people from trying to get into it.

[Cloudburst2000]

That's an awesome tank! And I agree that it looks larger than 200g.

[BennyFrank]

Good luck man... here are some of the best online resources that I've found;

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1696795

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1786183

http://www.reefkeeping.com

http://www.advancedaquarist.com (good info for beginners too)

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm

[Captinshinyside]

If you can get measurements of it you can find out how many gallons it is! It looks way bigger then my 210... It looks like 8 feet long maybe a bit longer.... Which makes it a big tank!

[rale2001]

Wow that is soo cool. Fish tanks should come standard upon request with homes

[gweston]

Awesome grab! If you are up for spending some time reading up and are interested/driven to have a reef tank... you'll be well on your way. Try not to get overwhelmed. I have only been at this myself for ~6 months. The first few weeks involved a lot of reading and learning. Visiting a lot of other reefers, and asking lots of questions. Seeing a few other tanks in operation and talking to people goes a long way to increase one's confidence!

[travis32]

Well, I'm really surprised that no one asked this... But, Umm, Is the tank something you want to take on? You mentioned a fish fry or introducing sharks. Which I take as jokingly, but, is this a hobby you want to get into, did you buy the house for the tank? or was the tank just something that's there, you took it because the house was the best fit for you, and you don't really want the tank it's just there?

If it's not a hobby you're interested in, then, by all means find someone take the livestock.... Don't have a fish fry.....

Welcome, and I hope you actually want to enjoy the hobby. It's very rewarding!

[Create]

I second travis32.

Also, I am guessing you aren't getting any livestock. Is he planning on selling/taking the lviestock with him?

If you aren't getting any livestock, I would think about the hobby for a while before jumping into it. If it is not for you , you could sell off the equipment, patch the wall and gain a large closet.

Ben

[smb1087]

Originally Posted by davewbush

You would be in over your head if you didn't ask for help. You did the first best thing by asking questions. Not waiting until the tank goes south and then ask. We have people on this fourm of all ages. Young kids can keep reefs, but the money issues hurts them. This hobby does gets costly. This is a site set up to help people with and discuss our aquariums, not try to discurage people from trying to get into it.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. They will be especially usefull if/when my wife starts to discourage me. I tend to be a pretty big DIYer/learn on my own type so I hopeful I can handle this.

I'm scheduling a final walkthrough of the house prior to close and should have a tank walkthrough with the current owner during that time. So that coupled with reading from the fire hose on this site should hopefully get me to where I need to be.

[smb1087]

Originally Posted by travis32

Well, I'm really surprised that no one asked this... But, Umm, Is the tank something you want to take on? You mentioned a fish fry or introducing sharks. Which I take as jokingly, but, is this a hobby you want to get into, did you buy the house for the tank? or was the tank just something that's there, you took it because the house was the best fit for you, and you don't really want the tank it's just there?

If it's not a hobby you're interested in, then, by all means find someone take the livestock.... Don't have a fish fry.....

Welcome, and I hope you actually want to enjoy the hobby. It's very rewarding!

Yes, the fish fry/sharks was tongue in cheek. I wanted a reef tank awhile ago (since 04) but never got into the hobby due to my job's constant relocation requirements. Thats all changed now.

When we saw this house we were going to buy it regardless of the tank so it is just an added bonus and chance for me to get thrown right into the mix. I'm excited about the hobby, its challenges and usually can't stop thinking about it before I go to sleep at night - makes me a nervous wreck thinking about all that can go wrong.

[smb1087]

Originally Posted by Create

I second travis32.

Also, I am guessing you aren't getting any livestock. Is he planning on selling/taking the lviestock with him?

If you aren't getting any livestock, I would think about the hobby for a while before jumping into it. If it is not for you , you could sell off the equipment, patch the wall and gain a large closet.

Ben

No, the current owner stated everything stays including livestock (he has some clowns/tangs and some others). I've thought about it and have a very large interest in it. Its just one of those things that I'm hoping will turn into a passion and if it turns out to more of a pain in the *** then I will sell it all, patch the wall up like you mentioned or make the tank a maintenance free terarium. I'm not sure what would become of the space if we sold it since the tank is part of the dividing wall between the room pictured and the master bed - you can see through it into both rooms.

[smb1087]

Originally Posted by Captinshinyside

If you can get measurements of it you can find out how many gallons it is! It looks way bigger then my 210... It looks like 8 feet long maybe a bit longer.... Which makes it a big tank!

I think it is a little longer than 8 feet. My best guess is 250gal. I should find out for sure when I talk with the current owner during the final house walk through.

[Dipandots]

Wow! Congratulations on the new home and tank!

I need to add "Huge Tank" to my list of requirements for my first house (college student here).

As others have said it, you can be very successful in this hobby, especially if you do your homework. Good luck and have fun.

[smb1087]

Originally Posted by BennyFrank

Good luck man... here are some of the best online resources that I've found;

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1696795

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1786183

http://www.reefkeeping.com

http://www.advancedaquarist.com (good info for beginners too)

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm

ahhhh more reading! Thanks for sharing.

[Create]

Thats awesome that you get to keep the livestock. Then I am with everyone else. Pay someone to stop by and take care of it for a bit while you buff up on it. Ask them questions, learn about the hobby. Let this tank grow some, and when you feel like you are into it, start purchasing and maintaining it yourself.

ben

[HHIreefer843]

omg congrats....im sure i am speaking for a lot of people on here that we all hope you stay in the hobby, feel free to ask questions all the great minds on here will be sure to help you!!!!

[Snausy]

Wow that's a beautiful tank. We are going to do an in-wall at some point in the future too and I'm jealous! I live in the Seattle area as well and can recommend a few great shops in the local area. I hope this is ok to do but I'll just name them. I think it's important to be dealing with knowledgable and helpful people when you are new to the hobby.

Saltwater City in Bellevue is a great store with people who care about SW. Might spend a bit more but it's always been a good place for me.

Barrier Reef in Renton is awesome. It's hard to find in a crazy spot at the back of a building but it's like finding the lost city of gold when you walk in.

The Fish Store in Seattle is an old favorite, the personel has changed over the years but they have a decent stock.

My first bit of advice to you is this: Adjust your budget to include this expensive hobby because once you get started it's hard to stop and it can be expensive. lol

Looks like a 300+ gallon there possibly. Hook us up with the dimensions! That's a lot of salt but if you have a big dogface puffer in there or something it's WELL worth it.

Congrats on the new house/tank. Lucky lucky imho but I'm a fishtank freak like the rest of these people. Your wife/if married might not be so happy about it once she understands the committment. Let her name the fish...give her a reason to love them! lol

[outy]

it looks in the 400g range on a guess, way to big for a 210.

youll make a big commitment to keep it but its very rewarding. very well could be a couple hundred for electricity a month just for the tank lol

Im with everyone read here and read allot, get all the knowldge you can

A very long talk with the previous owner and this site and youll be fine

after 14 years all I can say is dont cut corner's follow owners advise to the T until you learn enough to pilot it on your own. Its not that hard bud youll have a blast

[Dustin1300]

Wow is all I can say. Good luck and you've come to the right place. I'd guess at least 300-400 gallons but cannot tell the depth of the tank really which can change the amount of gallons rather quickly

Good luck and ask questions on RC...We are all here to help

[visiontech4x4]

Anyone know what size tank this is?

[Cloudburst2000]

Originally Posted by visiontech4x4

Anyone know what size tank this is?

It's anyone guess at the moment until we get dimensions. The going guess is...dang big! Probably over 300g, maybe over 400g.