First post, first tank

[Stonycorals]

Hello anyone who sees this post.
I'm currently in the process of getting everything together for my first build. It's taking me longer than expected to piece together everything I need to start. That being said I think it's given me the time to learn a lot more about reef tanks, and found reef2reef and some other great sources of information. I started by copying a build from saltwater aquarium's YouTube channel but tryed to upgrade everything possible and stay under their price. Definitely made some mistakes so far but it's been a fun lesson so far. Probably should have spent a little more on my rock (pictures should explain). I look forward to starting add my little piece of the tropical reef in my little place in Minnesota.
Thank you in advance for any advice or information.

My current build is
29 gallon tank (cheap new aqueon)
Tidal 75 hob filter
2 100w eheim Jager heaters
AI 16hd prime reef
Skimz ss6.0 DC wavemaker
5.5 gallon for quarantine or hospital
Still need a stand and more research on water and other needs for corals (want everything I see but starting with zoanthid).

 

[Stonycorals]

I'm not smart enough to know how to edit my post. Reason I would have spent more on the rock is, I had to chizel it to more manageable sized pieces before I could even start to plan my scape.

 

[Deschutes541]

Good luck. My best advice is to take your time and go slow. The people who succeed are generally those who are patient.

Regarding water, I strongly suggest getting an RODI system. I have a 4 stage BRS value system and I'm very happy with it. I know it's a lot of money for something that isn't fun like corals or fish but it's important.

I had a 29 gallon once on top of a solid wood night stand. You could look at flea markets, garage sales, etc. I strongly recommend staying away from particle board though.

 

[ndrwater]

Welcome to R2R!! You'll like it here!!

 

[Paulie069]

Hello anyone who sees this post.
I'm currently in the process of getting everything together for my first build. It's taking me longer than expected to piece together everything I need to start. That being said I think it's given me the time to learn a lot more about reef tanks, and found reef2reef and some other great sources of information. I started by copying a build from saltwater aquarium's YouTube channel but tryed to upgrade everything possible and stay under their price. Definitely made some mistakes so far but it's been a fun lesson so far. Probably should have spent a little more on my rock (pictures should explain). I look forward to starting add my little piece of the tropical reef in my little place in Minnesota.
Thank you in advance for any advice or information.

My current build is
29 gallon tank (cheap new aqueon)
Tidal 75 hob filter
2 100w eheim Jager heaters
AI 16hd prime reef
Skimz ss6.0 DC wavemaker
5.5 gallon for quarantine or hospital
Still need a stand and more research on water and other needs for corals (want everything I see but starting with zoanthid).

Good luck brother Welcome aboard r2r

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Welcome

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome!!

 

[El_Guapo13]

Welcome to R2R!! I too have a Aqueon 29 gallon tank that I have setup as a mixed reef. Just click my build thread badge to go to the build thread for the tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Welcome to the R2R community and we’re glad you are here !!

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome to the reef going to love it here!!
lots of fun/info/fun/help/fun....

 

[Stonycorals]

Good luck. My best advice is to take your time and go slow. The people who succeed are generally those who are patient.

Regarding water, I strongly suggest getting an RODI system. I have a 4 stage BRS value system and I'm very happy with it. I know it's a lot of money for something that isn't fun like corals or fish but it's important.

I had a 29 gallon once on top of a solid wood night stand. You could look at flea markets, garage sales, etc. I strongly recommend staying away from particle board though.

Thank you. I've currently my budget leaves me no other option but to take it slow. It'll make it that much more of a reward when I finish. Plus I'm learning more daily.
As far as the water. I was more talking in regards of the alkalinity and other elemental needs of the corals, but I do plan to get a rodi system in the future. For now I plan on either buying rodi or saltwater from one of my lfs's.

 

[Stonycorals]

Good luck. My best advice is to take your time and go slow. The people who succeed are generally those who are patient.

Regarding water, I strongly suggest getting an RODI system. I have a 4 stage BRS value system and I'm very happy with it. I know it's a lot of money for something that isn't fun like corals or fish but it's important.

I had a 29 gallon once on top of a solid wood night stand. You could look at flea markets, garage sales, etc. I strongly recommend staying away from particle board though.

Thank you. I've currently my budget leaves me no other option but to take it slow. It'll make it that much more of a reward when I finish. Plus I'm learning more daily.
As far as the water. I was more talking in regards of the alkalinity and other elemental needs of the corals, but I do plan to get a rodi system in the future. For now I plan on either buying rodi or saltwater from one of my lfs's.

 

[KrisReef]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Crustaceon]

Thank you. I've currently my budget leaves me no other option but to take it slow. It'll make it that much more of a reward when I finish. Plus I'm learning more daily.
As far as the water. I was more talking in regards of the alkalinity and other elemental needs of the corals, but I do plan to get a rodi system in the future. For now I plan on either buying rodi or saltwater from one of my lfs's.

I see the same people loading up on ro/di all the time at my lfs so don’t feel too bad. At least with a tank of your size, you won’t need too much and it shouldn’t be too costly to do water changes that way. At least you know they’re probably using decent filters, resin and membranes otherwise customers would give them an earful if they were seeing bad tds readings. It’s a tradeoff that could actually balance out with a smaller tank since you aren’t the one buying replacement resin all the time. Also, taking your time is an admirable thing to do in this hobby. Keeping stable water quality within desired parameters is our goal and it’s a good thing to learn to do first before you load the tank up with critters.

 

[Dr. Phil]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Acskippy]

Welcome!! Take your time!!! Any changes you make, make them SLOOOWWLY! Unlike me who rushed and spent countless dollars by rushing... read this forum for EVERYTHING... comsider it ur bible the people on here are amazing!

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R

 

[Teri NewbieReefer]

Welcome to R2R. Lots of helpful people on here. Nice and slow is a smart way to go. Gives you time to learn and plan.

 

[Stonycorals]

I see the same people loading up on ro/di all the time at my lfs so don’t feel too bad. At least with a tank of your size, you won’t need too much and it shouldn’t be too costly to do water changes that way. At least you know they’re probably using decent filters, resin and membranes otherwise customers would give them an earful if they were seeing bad tds readings. It’s a tradeoff that could actually balance out with a smaller tank since you aren’t the one buying replacement resin all the time. Also, taking your time is an admirable thing to do in this hobby. Keeping stable water quality within desired parameters is our goal and it’s a good thing to learn to do first before you load the tank up with critters.

Right now I know of a lfs that charges $1 for rodi saltwater. I'm just not sure of their salt so I will probably buy rodi and mix it myself. Tell me if I'm wrong, but I think that will make less shock on my tank then switching from a premixed.
I only need pair of Ocellaris clowns otherwise the plan is to keep the small group of cleaning crew. Right now I want to focus on corals. It a lot of information so I'm going to start with one species of fish and one or two species of corals.

I really appreciate your knowledge & advice! I can tell it was a good choice to join r2r.

 

[brandon429]

Welcome

Cycling a new Biocube 32

Hello all! My name is Daniel from Florida and I’m starting to get into the reef hobby. I have been cycling my tank for two weeks now and logging it into an app. I have recently been gifted a live rock with some good amount of coralline on it. I also got some water from and established tank. My...

www.reef2reef.com

you will want to consider that thread for sure, it’s how to bring up a dry start thirty gallon without fail. meaning any nano that runs the method will grow coral. *theres twenty ways to reef that’s not the best way, it’s just a certain way in a world of maybes

defined and practiced there:

when a cycle closes and allows you to add life


when to test and what


when to act on new growths, when to specifically allow.


case studies involving nanos using opposite means and the problems they face


how to not cause dinos that lasts for eight months


how to handle fish introduction


how to force a reef to work vs hope it works.