After ten years - time to return to the hobby..

IslandLifeReef · May 6, 2019

Welcome back to reefing and welcome to R2R!

Can't wait to see your new tank. Your old tank was awesome!

Peace River · May 6, 2019

Welcome to the R2R community...

and back into the reefing space!

scriptmonkey · May 6, 2019

Welcome to R2R, the best reefing site this side of Neptune!

blstravler · May 6, 2019

Thank you for all the kind words - glad to be back. I've been spending some time reading through a few tank builds on R2R - I have soooo many questions!!!

Peace River · May 6, 2019

blstravler said:
Thank you for all the kind words - glad to be back. I've been spending some time reading through a few tank builds on R2R - I have soooo many questions!!!

That’s awesome, because as a community we have so many answers!!!

LiveWire · May 6, 2019

Welcome back to the Reef!!

BeejReef · May 6, 2019

Hahahahaha.. so glad you're back! So glad wife misses the tank too! That's fantastic.

Our tank grew out of a "goldfish for potty training" too, though I skipped the goldfish part and bumrushed the fam straight into a Nemo

William zech · May 6, 2019

blstravler said:
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...

I jumped back in just over 6 months ago after being out for around 15 years. For an aquarium I went with Red Sea 250 reefer. Love it. The only change I would do is the valve on the down pipe. I would go with a full port gate. I have a Red Sea 170 reefer that I am setting up and I will make this change.

The biggest problem I found was obtaining real live rock. Forget Tonga live rock, it is all shipped in dry. So when you see live Tonga dry rock. It’s not what we had. The best I found is rock actually harvested from Tampa Bay, Florida.

Lights are another big change. The combination of metal halide and 03 actinic is now LED. The old combination is still available but limited and being phased out.

The newest and neatest item for me is the sulfur de-nitrate units. I just installed one about week ago. Also does calcium / alkalinity. Time will tell.

Anyways, welcome back! Ohh ya, everything is much more expensive

RJinPV · May 6, 2019

Your first tank was incredible. Are you familiar with the boat owner's term: 2 footitis? Are you sure you'll be happy with just a 4 ft long tank?

Salty Lemon · May 7, 2019

I was out for a loooonnggggg time too due to the whole family and life thing. Things have really changed, but the husbandry and chemistry is still the same. You are going to love getting back into the game.

vetteguy53081 · May 7, 2019

Great pictures !!! Welcome to the group !!!

blstravler · Jun 29, 2019

Money goes so fast... lol so happy with my new tank...

Salty Lemon · Jun 29, 2019

blstravler said:
Money goes so fast... lol so happy with my new tank...

You have a beautiful tank. If you get the chance, you should start a build thread under "member tanks". That way we can follow your tank progress and pictures. I'm thrilled for you and your new aquarium. Have fun!