Diving in to a 265 Gallon tank

[jsiker]

Hello all.

I'm looking at starting up a 265 gallon reef tank. I've got some help with my sister in law but would love some advice on getting the tank up and running from a fresh start.

I know I need to get the sand and some live rock to start, but any advice will help.

Yes, I'm posting a pretty generic post to start but I have always wanted a salt water reef tank with certain types of fish and could really use some advice on getting everything up and running.

Any and all initial setup advice will be appreciated.

 

[Dreadnaught]

Watch the build series on bulk reef supply. Start from dead rock and work to keep pest out of your tank.

 

[Dwb5]

My advice is to go slow. Learn what items u need to spend extra money on or where u can save. Its a waste of money to buy something cheap just to get the tank going if your going to have to upgrade 6 months down the road. It took me 3 years to get my tank going its nothing fancy, but I did learb ways I could save money. Good luck!

 

[jsiker]

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate it.

 

[ScottMyers123]

Welcome to R2R! One thing I would advise is to as much research on tanks of your size. That way you will know what to expect on what things will need to be successful.

 

[Jimbo662]

Watch the build series on bulk reef supply. Start from dead rock and work to keep pest out of your tank.

+1...this series is great and details step by step and the also give you lots of equipment options to consider.

 

[jsiker]

Well, the 265 I was hoping to get fell through, along with several other tanks, including a gorgeous 310 I wish I'd been able to get my hands on. So, I regrouped and found a brand new 135 from someone that had purchased it originally from Glasscages but was unable to use it. It's got low iron glass on the front and both sides and I'm really looking forward to getting it all setup, cycled, and start getting coral in it.

I'll be starting up a build thread to help keep track of my progress and to share my experience with everyone, plus hopefully get some help along the way!

 

[jsiker]

Here is a picture of the tank a few days into the start of cycling.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

Looks like you are off to a good start. As everyone is saying take it slow. What are your goals for your tank?

 

[jsiker]

Here is the link to the build thread I created.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/jays-135-reef-tank-build.254319/

As for my goals, I'm taking that slow as well. I would like to have a coral heavy tank, but I am unsure exactly what types of corals I'm going to want overall. I've seen all the different corals everyone has put up to be seen by the members here and I admit I'm just excited to see where this all takes me.

That's very vague, and I know that, but that is how slow I really am taking this. I'll be honest, I love the look of most of the varieties of coral, so I'll just have to do my research when it's time and get started (which means I'm starting my research NOW so I am ready when the tank is fully cycled).

 

[Bj’s Reef]

I agree with you. There is so much variety to choose from. I'm Like you in a way in that I want a little of everything. However I'm leaning toward the sps side.