Hello from north of Toronto

BarrieNoob · Nov 3, 2021

Right, here goes.

I have little more than an idea-explosion making waves across my mind and it is saying, "build a low-tech cube or lagoon reef." I want to build an aquarium from scratch but then I look at these AIO aquariums available left and right across several price points and my dreams become fuzzy. Is my simple idea too complex to approach without a thorough foundation in aquarium maintenance? I know I need something to put water in and in my mindspace it is between 10-20 gallons, ideally a 20 gallon shallow reef tank. I know it needs a good light, a heater, some live sand and I personally like the look of dry rock held together with some epoxy and saltwater. After this I don't really know how to take my ambition and make it support life. with the exception of needing to a cycle an empty tank for 6 weeks or so first. Though really, I first have to get the glass box and that's where I'm stuck. I don't know enough about glass to to discern between brand names apart from looking at how thick and heavy said glass may be. I know TopFin, Fluval, Aquareon are easy to come across in any given chain store in Barrie. I think I want an IM or Redsea, but IM doesn't have a 20 gallon lagoon in Toronto and RedSea comes with stands that I won't want or use. Anyway...

Hello & Talk Later for Now

Jess

Peace River · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

PeterC99 · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

Looking forward to seeing your plan come fruition!

Kennya · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to R2R

Zach B · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome Jess

Jeffcb · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

Schraufabagel · Nov 3, 2021

Rick Mathew · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to the R2R Family…Great to have you

…Explore…Learn…Share---Practice Patience

Fred2482 · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome!

BroccoliFarmer · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to the R2R community!!!

Billldg · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!!

atomos · Nov 3, 2021

Karen00 · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to the salty side and to the community. It's nice to see another Ontarian in the club.

To answer your question, if you don't find a stock tank in the dimensions you want then you have three options: 1. Do a custom build, 2. Go with a stock tank that is the closest in size to what you originally wanted, 3. Check the selling forums on here or other local aquarium sites/clubs and sites like Kijiji. Did you check Big Al's?

I look forward to seeing what your build (whatever you decide).

G Santana · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome to R2R, think out your plan, do your homework and go for it .
Simple as that.
Your vision and approach is as unique as the next hobbyist.
Good luck with your build!!!

thatone08 · Nov 3, 2021

Welcome!

Manny’s Reef · Nov 4, 2021

Hello and welcome to R2R.

JXNATC · Nov 4, 2021

BarrieNoob said:
Right, here goes.

I have little more than an idea-explosion making waves across my mind and it is saying, "build a low-tech cube or lagoon reef." I want to build an aquarium from scratch but then I look at these AIO aquariums available left and right across several price points and my dreams become fuzzy. Is my simple idea too complex to approach without a thorough foundation in aquarium maintenance? I know I need something to put water in and in my mindspace it is between 10-20 gallons, ideally a 20 gallon shallow reef tank. I know it needs a good light, a heater, some live sand and I personally like the look of dry rock held together with some epoxy and saltwater. After this I don't really know how to take my ambition and make it support life. with the exception of needing to a cycle an empty tank for 6 weeks or so first. Though really, I first have to get the glass box and that's where I'm stuck. I don't know enough about glass to to discern between brand names apart from looking at how thick and heavy said glass may be. I know TopFin, Fluval, Aquareon are easy to come across in any given chain store in Barrie. I think I want an IM or Redsea, but IM doesn't have a 20 gallon lagoon in Toronto and RedSea comes with stands that I won't want or use. Anyway...

Hello & Talk Later for Now

Jess

Fish Think Pink · Nov 16, 2021

BarrieNoob said:
Right, here goes.

I have little more than an idea-explosion making waves across my mind and it is saying, "build a low-tech cube or lagoon reef." I want to build an aquarium from scratch but then I look at these AIO aquariums available left and right across several price points and my dreams become fuzzy. Is my simple idea too complex to approach without a thorough foundation in aquarium maintenance? I know I need something to put water in and in my mindspace it is between 10-20 gallons, ideally a 20 gallon shallow reef tank. I know it needs a good light, a heater, some live sand and I personally like the look of dry rock held together with some epoxy and saltwater. After this I don't really know how to take my ambition and make it support life. with the exception of needing to a cycle an empty tank for 6 weeks or so first. Though really, I first have to get the glass box and that's where I'm stuck. I don't know enough about glass to to discern between brand names apart from looking at how thick and heavy said glass may be. I know TopFin, Fluval, Aquareon are easy to come across in any given chain store in Barrie. I think I want an IM or Redsea, but IM doesn't have a 20 gallon lagoon in Toronto and RedSea comes with stands that I won't want or use. Anyway...

Hello & Talk Later for Now

Jess

Hi Jess and Welcome!

Sounds like you are having fun planning. Don't feel the need to rush it. It is hard with many good options out there. I was lucky and just found something used so it made a number of decisions for me.

This is a good reference book type online article I still refer:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

Happy Reefing & Happy Dreaming & Planning!

TnFishwater98 · Nov 16, 2021

BarrieNoob said:
Right, here goes.

I have little more than an idea-explosion making waves across my mind and it is saying, "build a low-tech cube or lagoon reef." I want to build an aquarium from scratch but then I look at these AIO aquariums available left and right across several price points and my dreams become fuzzy. Is my simple idea too complex to approach without a thorough foundation in aquarium maintenance? I know I need something to put water in and in my mindspace it is between 10-20 gallons, ideally a 20 gallon shallow reef tank. I know it needs a good light, a heater, some live sand and I personally like the look of dry rock held together with some epoxy and saltwater. After this I don't really know how to take my ambition and make it support life. with the exception of needing to a cycle an empty tank for 6 weeks or so first. Though really, I first have to get the glass box and that's where I'm stuck. I don't know enough about glass to to discern between brand names apart from looking at how thick and heavy said glass may be. I know TopFin, Fluval, Aquareon are easy to come across in any given chain store in Barrie. I think I want an IM or Redsea, but IM doesn't have a 20 gallon lagoon in Toronto and RedSea comes with stands that I won't want or use. Anyway...

Hello & Talk Later for Now

Jess

Welcome to Da Reef!