Beginner HELP! Where to start!?

[Susan Edwards]

here's what I did. It was so overwhelming checking out all the equipment choices and lighting etc. that I decided an all in one would help me get my feet wet and learn the basics of reefkeeping without the hassels of what skimmer or lights etc. to purchase. Or how to set up a sump etc. From there I started checking craigslist. Had a 66 gal red sea come on for 800, brand new, no water even. Best decision. A year, almost to the day, I picked up a used 125 gal--knew I wanted 6' this time around. That has been filled with some issues I didn't know about (checking glass with a flashlight or in the sunlight for cloudy/haze, ratty silicon seals, stands with hidden rot, stands way too tall (didn't ask how tall) etc. See my build thread for my journey in used 125 gal. . My great deal is still great but not as great as I thought but with the experience of the all in one tank behind me, and a year here on this forum reading and interacting, I was much more prepared this time around.

I would go at least 40 gal. Smaller tanks are less forgiving of errors. Just no room to play and if you're serious, a 40-60 is good and will take time to outgrow. I'm adding the second tank to the livingroom as the other tank is in my office.

Keep in mind that equipment and tanks aren't the main costs, not even fish or corals. You have all the maintenance and if you need something, you need it now. Here is my first year break down in costs
Nov/Dec 2016 2017
equip 1036 2725
66 gal set up (tank, sand, rocks etc) 1191 405 also includes qt tanks & display refugium
maintenance 329 2827
Livestock 233 1569

costs was a bit of sticker shock. I spend on average of prob. 4-500 a month and not always on goodies like fish or coral....

Welcome and let us know what you decide. Oh, check out tons of build threads, esp. in the size tank you're shooting for once you decide. Build threads might help you choose. You find them in signature lines.

 

[Pivitol]

So what are some of your suggestions on what to start with? Size tank, equipment, ect. Where/what to buy and what to stay away from... anything can help! Thanks!

1st and foremost be aware of what you are getting yourself into! Myself I had 6 freshwater tanks and said "I want a saltwater reef tank" so I joined another forum and went to the new member section and introduced myself stating I had all these tanks. The first person to respond said "that's great but you don't know anything about reef tanks". At first I was like this guy is a ******, I know about the nitrogen cycle and beneficial bacteria! After a year in if I could shake his hand I would, there are so many differences between them it's not funny. To start I would recommend a larger pre-drilled tank with a sump. As far as water movement I currently run Jebao products, my return is a Jebao/Jecod DCT12000 and it has been flawless, my powerheads are sw15's one failed about 3mo ago but the seller I purchased it from offers a 1yr warranty and replaced it. As well as a Jebao gyre that has been ok. My skimmer is a Lifereef that has been great with a Danner Magdrive 9.5 pump. Lifereef skimmers are nice because you do not need a specific pump for it to operate. As far as certain brands on different products it's kinda like asking which car manufacture is the best everybody has an opinion.

 

[Susan Edwards]

+1 on the jebao wavemakers. Just got a jebao return pump as well. For the new tank I went with current usa eflux powerheads as I'm doing those lights--lighting is crazy expensive. Figure this will do and I can either supplement or upgrade. Lots of sticker shock out there!

I'm not sure anyone else has comment on this aspect: it is a very rewarding hobby. I can sit and watch my tank for hours. Not just the fish but the corals. never expected that fascination or the lure of thriving corals. Nothing gets the happy-smily-glow than seeing new heads on a coral or the appearance of feeding tentacles out waving about or the gentle flowing tentacles of other corals. Just so rewarding to have and experience a thriving bit of the ocean in your home.

 

[SoonerBerrios]

I'm wanting to start out with a 40-50 gallon tank. I have plenty of room for it where it will be going. Im going to build the stand my self so i can hide everything. And i do know i want to have some live coral and some Ocellaris Clown fish and an anemone. Still studying and researching about what type of coral i want. Budget getting things started is around $1500-$2000.

Welcome to the forums and the hobby! The key here is to research and to plan out your spend. I started with the same budget you have, went as least expensive as possible on things that ended up costing me more in the long run. My initial build ended up being $1,387.45, not counting water. After tons of research I decided to go with a 40 gallon breeder because of the stability of a larger tank. The part I cannot stress enough, is whatever tank you decide if it's not a nano, is to go with a sump, it will make life so much easier. With $2,000 high end, I would spend money on buying a sump, maybe a SynergyReef Shadow Overflow, a non HOB Skimmer. It's definitely doable. My cost for my first build is below.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Also helps if you plan out your build by the month--what you want to accomplish and how much to spend. I started in December with research goals and budget planning and getting a stand. January's goal was to get the tank on the stand and in final position and get my sump (bashsea--reasonable cost), and buy the plumbing bits. This month is getting all the equipment to start the tank, the sand, filling with water, testing and starting the cycle. Next month the lights and CUC, Apr fish for qt, ato and other items like back ups. It helped to break down the task into smaller bits. Thank goodness for excel!

 

[Greybeard]

Definitely ^^^ Phase in your purchases. No need to buy a dosing system, and let it sit in the box for 5 months until you get to the point you need to start dosing.

And don't get in a hurry. I know, everybody wants to see water in that glass box... but getting it filled early in the process is NOT necessarily a good move. You've got lots of supporting equipment that needs to be in place before you're ready for water. Once you fill that glass box, making changes become drastically more difficult.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Agree with @Greybeard. Oh, forgot, getting rock and rockscape done were part of january. Just rocks and plumbing were a bundle. Another reason I do not regret going an all in one tank first time around. I can honestly say I wouldn't have been as successful (even with all my mistakes) had I had to set up equipment and a sump. The journey was much easier.

 

[SoonerBerrios]

Definitely ^^^ Phase in your purchases. No need to buy a dosing system, and let it sit in the box for 5 months until you get to the point you need to start dosing.

And don't get in a hurry. I know, everybody wants to see water in that glass box... but getting it filled early in the process is NOT necessarily a good move. You've got lots of supporting equipment that needs to be in place before you're ready for water. Once you fill that glass box, making changes become drastically more difficult.

Great advice on the phasing in. Some of my purchases were phased over the first few months. Another tip, you will eventually want to go bigger, so plan purchases around what may be used in a bigger tank to minimize future expenses.

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

My first tank... 3 months in and having just been through this, take for what it's worth. Wanted a small tank to start and while I could have bought used I am in a position where budget really isn't a consideration for me, which is good for two reasons. I am a firm believer of new and quality. Not knocking used but I prefer new and my own problems not someone else's. Second, didn't realise how quickly it added up and for the small setup i have, spent 2 to 3 times the budget.

Biocube 32 with stand got on sale and thought was great deal and I do love it. Then sand and added life rock which is 8 bucks a pound and added about 30 pounds plus 20 pounds of sand. Then the water premixed. Wasn't long before spent the money on rodi. Then testing kits cleaning supplies fish food. Heater., Media and skimmer. Added 2 wave makers and controller then an ato because was annoying to fill every day. Add Apex controller then the IP camera followed by backup battery power and voila done.

Oh wait... 2 full time QT tanks and 2 ttm tanks with equipment for those., Even bare bones still 4 of everything. Then another heater for mixing station with another power head for mixing. Siphons for cleaning etc etc. Addictive and adds up.

Then the fish. Two clowns two chromis 5 shrimp (3 types) snails and emeral crab. And livestock add up. Haven't even started coral yet.


Not trying to say don't start hobby or try and do on a budget. Just realise that it is addictive and whatever you think you are budgeting double it or triple it. May not spend that much but you are going to want to keep adding and if you are tight on funds it may not be best hobby to start.

Do lots of research and know what you're getting into. If all that is good then you will love it. I do and already planning a 120 g tank

My opinion only