Hello. I'm new to the hobby

[Darthur586]

Hello my name is Dan and my wife and I are from Virginia USA. i am brand new to this hobby, so new infact I don't yet have a tank. We recently went on vacation to Aruba where I went scuba diving for the first time. I fell in love with all the beautiful varieties of life found under the ocean and decided I wanted to start a reef tank when we got home.

I'm currently in the research phase, trying to pick the correct setup to start out with. If anyone has any suggestions or can point me in the right direction that would be awesome! I can't wait to get my own setup going.

 

[dbl]

Welcome to R2R and you're off to a good start by doing your research before anything else. Best advice is not to be in a hurry. Read, read and read some more. You may have run across this thread already, but here is a good place to start.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R

 

[kschweer]

Welcome!!!

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R, also set yourself a budget, then a real budget with some extra expense. Myself I like tanks with in the 70 gallon range and that is a good size tank to start with. Not to big and not to small. And know we are here to help you through your first setup process

 

[Tahoe61]

Welcome.

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Diesel]

 

[4FordFamily]

Welcome home, you will love it her!

 

[p.pep85]

welcome!

 

[Quah]

Welcome to R2R it's a good group of folks ask us any questions you have. I'd recommend reading up on aquascaping, importance of flow, nitrification process, fish diseases, proper QT procedures, different coral requirements (and whether or not you want them). Read LOTS about livestock invertebrates / corals / fish. If there is one certain animal you can't live without research it because it may impact your livestock lists / equipment list / and maintenance routine in either minor or major ways.

 

[Salty1962]

Welcome to R2R!!

 

[glb]

 

[Darthur586]

Thanks everyone. Now don't everyone laugh at once, but when I first started looking into this I thought I'd just throw a traditional over the tank filter on an old tank fill it with salt water and I'd be in business.

Now that your done laughing and reading again lol......
There is ssssssoooooooo much more to this. The cool thing is I'm super excited about it. There so many ways to go with it. You literally get to build your own Eco system.

Here's a question though. What's a reasonable startup budget? I've seen pricing on tanks and equipment all over the map. Are there any good resources for good equipment at a reasonable price?

Which is better an all in one tank or a sump system?

 

[smh254]

Welcome what part of VA are you in?

 

[Darthur586]

Welcome what part of VA are you in?

Bedford

 

[smh254]

Was hoping you were a little closer. I'm in Manassas Virginia and could of helped You get started. There is a ton of help here on R2R so don't be shy.

 

[dbl]

If you have a local club in your area, it's a great place to start looking as there is an ebb and flow in this hobby. You may get lucky and find a nice deal. As to budget, it's a very wide range, but probably more than you originally figure you'll spend...lol.

 

[smh254]

Thanks everyone. Now don't everyone laugh at once, but when I first started looking into this I thought I'd just throw a traditional over the tank filter on an old tank fill it with salt water and I'd be in business.

Now that your done laughing and reading again lol......
There is ssssssoooooooo much more to this. The cool thing is I'm super excited about it. There so many ways to go with it. You literally get to build your own Eco system.

Here's a question though. What's a reasonable startup budget? I've seen pricing on tanks and equipment all over the map. Are there any good resources for good equipment at a reasonable price?

Which is better an all in one tank or a sump system?

When I first got started two years ago I spent $1500 on a 29g tank, sump, pumps, skimmer, test kits, and other odds and ends. There was a lot of wasted money so do your research. I swapped out the light and the skimmer within a few months $500 down the drain.

 

[kireek]

*Welcome to Reef2Reef @Darthur586 !* Great advice from @dbl and @Quah above.I would also highly recommend checking out your local clubs.Our sponsors also have some really good videos and check list available from their websites.Be sure to check them out and subscribe to some newsletters.