blstravler
2500 Club Member
- Joined
- May 5, 2019
- Messages
- 4,134
- Reaction score
- 1,409
- Location
- Coastal New Jersey
- What state or country do you live in
- New Jersey
New to this forum... here is my story in a nut shell... looking back about 16 years ago after seeing a store that carried salt water fish and being amazed. Next I saw the web site Reef Central (the only one I could find at the time - no smart phones our apps back then lol) I first created my account on there onJuly 7th 2003. If memory serves me right I started off with a 75 Gal and by 2009 I had a 180 all SPS tank. Then in 2009 my wife and decided to build a house and I knew I couldn’t keep the tank - so away it went. That was roughly 10 years to the day. So the house is built and I now have a 5y/o son and two dogs. I never thought about getting back into the hobby. Then my son saw an episode of Daniel Tiger and Peppa Pig and they both had goldfish. So he asked for a gold fish. So welcome to the house Ginger and Goldie in there little 5 gal tank that became a 10 gallon tank very quickly.
Then my wife said the words... “I miss ‘the’ Tank.” After some serious thought - it’s not like the hobby doesn’t take up a lot for time - We figured out a spot for the tank in the house which wasn’t easy. The house we built isn’t huge but it’s exactly what we wanted.
So here I am - researching start again and I’m shocked at how much it has changed. The automation that has come into the hobby is one of the reasons I was okay with coming back. I used to use all MH lighting (3x400s) and VHO mixed in and all where on timers. I was shocked to see the move to LED and the associated Wi-Fi capabilities. Not to mention how much Neptune/Apex has advanced. Assuming with the LED I won’t need a chiller. Ok blah, blah, blah I could go on for a while about the past and what I’ve seen online so here are my first questions if you have the time.... oh and to answer the budget question - I know this isn’t an inexpensive hobby so I know I’m spending many thousands. My plan is to try and save a little on some used equipment but will probably flip for a new tank. As far as what I want in the tank - all SPS.
So first to questions/thoughts..
Tank - I have a space that is roughly 5 foot long so I’ll probably go with something around 48in long so I have some room on each side. I’ve read about Waterbox and Red Sea - they seem to be very similar and I like the concept of getting the tank, stand, sump and lights in one package- thoughts? Are there any other manufacturers I should look at? I’m located in NJ if that helps.
Neptune/Apex controller - looks like they are the clear choice but how much will it help with water quality management - I used to use a calcium reactor but I remember always having to adjust it. I’ve spent some time reading on dosing - seems Triton is the ‘hot’ thing right now - is there advantages to one or the other using an Apex? I saw they have there own dosing pumps? I have the same question for in tank water movement - seems Tunze is still in the game heavily and the Gyre pumps look like a good option - however looks like Neptune makes their wave pumps - thoughts?
Also if the terms I am using are out of date - feel free to correct me lol.
These where some of the last pics of my tank...
Then my wife said the words... “I miss ‘the’ Tank.” After some serious thought - it’s not like the hobby doesn’t take up a lot for time - We figured out a spot for the tank in the house which wasn’t easy. The house we built isn’t huge but it’s exactly what we wanted.
So here I am - researching start again and I’m shocked at how much it has changed. The automation that has come into the hobby is one of the reasons I was okay with coming back. I used to use all MH lighting (3x400s) and VHO mixed in and all where on timers. I was shocked to see the move to LED and the associated Wi-Fi capabilities. Not to mention how much Neptune/Apex has advanced. Assuming with the LED I won’t need a chiller. Ok blah, blah, blah I could go on for a while about the past and what I’ve seen online so here are my first questions if you have the time.... oh and to answer the budget question - I know this isn’t an inexpensive hobby so I know I’m spending many thousands. My plan is to try and save a little on some used equipment but will probably flip for a new tank. As far as what I want in the tank - all SPS.
So first to questions/thoughts..
Tank - I have a space that is roughly 5 foot long so I’ll probably go with something around 48in long so I have some room on each side. I’ve read about Waterbox and Red Sea - they seem to be very similar and I like the concept of getting the tank, stand, sump and lights in one package- thoughts? Are there any other manufacturers I should look at? I’m located in NJ if that helps.
Neptune/Apex controller - looks like they are the clear choice but how much will it help with water quality management - I used to use a calcium reactor but I remember always having to adjust it. I’ve spent some time reading on dosing - seems Triton is the ‘hot’ thing right now - is there advantages to one or the other using an Apex? I saw they have there own dosing pumps? I have the same question for in tank water movement - seems Tunze is still in the game heavily and the Gyre pumps look like a good option - however looks like Neptune makes their wave pumps - thoughts?
Also if the terms I am using are out of date - feel free to correct me lol.
These where some of the last pics of my tank...
