Hello ! Need a few ideas...

[Transporter]

Hello everyone !
Just wanna start by telling a little bit about my ... Experience, or lack there of. I have had MANY fresh water aquariums over the years, since I was a teenager (I am 41 now), from little mason jar hatcheries for brine shrimp to 225 gallon predator (piranha) tanks, and everything in between. A few years ago, I decided to take a plunge and get a salt water tank. It was a FOWLR tank that was previously set up and running, so all I really had to do was move it from one house to another. Everything went really good for a couple years, (I had a few problems, like everyone else, but I took my time researched like crazy, and figured it out.) until my divorce happened and the aquarium had to come down. Since then I have lurked and scoured many forums, and read countless articles, stories, and guides...to the point I am forgetting some of the things I have read.

I am in the planning stages of of 2 different aquariums...one at work, and one at home. The one I'm focusing on first is the one I am going to put up at work. I will have questions later for the one at home, but I will make a separate thread for that.

I am limited by several things for my office aquarium, and the biggest one is size. I have about a 30x30 area that I can put an aquarium in. Another factor is I only work Monday - Friday so I will need something that does not require attention 7 days a week. The area I do have will not allow me to have a sump either, so it will be a display tank only. What I would 'like' to accomplish is only a couple fish, and just a couple corals. (I really like zoa's). I have all the means necessary to make it happen (water, salt, electricity, tools, etc.) with the exception of time (I am only at work through the week).

My main question is, is this a realistic goal ? If this is a realistic goal, what would you all recommend as far as tank size, filtration, etc ? I have plenty of patience to make sure it's done right, I just don't want to overlook anything.

TIA !

 

[Chefbill]

With an ATO and an auto feeder, I see no trouble leaving a small bioload tank over the weekend.

 

[jwhann6]

Yeah I agree with @Chefbill, an ATO and auto feeder make surviving the weekend no issue.
I'd take a look at some of the sleek looking all-in-one tanks from Innovative Marine or JBJ, they build a mini sump into the back of the tank which would be helpful for your situation. In terms of filtration, the chambers in the back of these tanks give you plenty of options.

 

[Transporter]

That is definitely good to know ! Thank you both. I have seen the JBJ acronym around a lot on the forums, and to be honest, I haven't looked into them yet. But I will start my research in short order.

I have read a lot about making sure the system (eco, bio,etc) is set up properly and for the long run. I have read several things on soft cycling, hard cycling, but I haven't ran across anything directly pertaining to setting up the beginning stages for the long run. I am planning on keeping the system as simple as possible (no automation, big reactors, etc) if I can help it. Other than time, what all could I do to help the set up, for the long run ? I read somewhere about introducing macro algae before starting the initial cycle ?

I do have close to 350# of base rock available to me. Between what I had in my old 75 gal and what my dad had in his 225 (he just game me his LR) this is what I ended up with. All of the rock has been powered washed, last fall, and sat outside (cleaned) all this summer. I am also planning on putting ~1" of dry sand in the bottom to start things off too.

~S~

 

[120reefkeeper]

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

This is how to cycle: http://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Fishless-Cycle

And get an apex! you'll definitely want to know if something's going on with the tank while you're not there.

 

[Jimbo662]

Another thing to think about in an office that's closed on the weekends is temperature. Do they turn the ac/heat off? If so, I'd test to see what the extremes are.

 

[jwhann6]

I think that something that might be helpful is to research a few tanks that will work for your space, see which ones you really like and then search for a build thread on R2R for that tank. Research is your best friend in this hobby (and patience), plus seeing how other people have been successful with a tank is the best way to decide how you might want to start yours.

Also, @cromag08 is right, even if you don't automate right away, eventually you're probably going to want to, so maybe plan accordingly.

 

[DeepBrew]

Another thing to think about in an office that's closed on the weekends is temperature. Do they turn the ac/heat off? If so, I'd test to see what the extremes are.

+1 to this! I've thought about putting a small tank in my office but the HVAC is turned off on the weekends unless someone is working and it has a habit of tripping off during the night. Monday morning it was 84 when I came in. Because of that I've tabled office tank plans for the time being.

 

[Transporter]

As far as the office temperatures go, I'm on the first floor of my building, and I have one of the more stable (temperature wise, lol) offices. Concrete floors, and 2' thick stone walls. Everything is usually pretty close to 75* with no more than a couple * in fluctuation. I have a temp gun that I use for racing RC cars that I occasionally bring in with me, just out of curiosity.
I have looked at some of the JBJ tanks, and they sure are nice, but I can't see shelling out over $400, including shipping, for a 33 gallon aquarium.
There is a glass factory/store less than 1/2 mile from my office, so I may just price out the glass and possibly make my own tank.
Chromag, thanks or the link. That is one, of the hundred or so, that I haven't seen yet. I was just curious to see if very many have actually put in macro's and such before starting the nitrate/nitrite/ammonia cycle, and how it worked for them.
Thank you for all the replies so far ! Please keep it coming...i know there has to be things I have not thought of...

 

[Transporter]

My building also has backup generators, battery backups, and surge protectors on everything =)

 

[Chefbill]

Got a lock on your office? If your janitorial staff goes in there and start spraying down everything that could be trouble.

 

[Transporter]

Oh wow...i never considered that ! There is a lock on my door...but maintenance/janitorial does have a key...looks like I need to talk to them. This may just be a deal breaker...maybe I'll just volunteer to clean my office. Thanks Chef !

 

[Chefbill]

Here to help [emoji5]

 

[skybears]

First I would like to say " WELCOME to Reef2Reef" There are an amazing group of people that have kindly devoted their time to help others "like me" get a good start in the amazing world of saltwater. Everyone loves questions and will do their best to help you, and if they can't they will sure get you to the right place. OH and.......we LOVE pictures. So enjoy and welcome to this great saltwater world

 

[Transporter]

Well, I am getting into the position that I have these things worked out... I will be starting a build thread, or 2 in the near future. =) Had to do some rearranging in my office, and bracing of the floors at home. That with 5 kids all goin in different directions at different times, makes this a slow process. lol

 

[4FordFamily]

Welcome home, you will love it here!

I'm old fashioned (mostly because I'm not handy and I'm too cheap to add expensive equipment) so I'm not much help on your questions.

That said, keep us posted on your progress/build!

 

[Transporter]

Thank you for the warm welcome ! You may be of more help than you think... although it may not be just on this thread. I have done a lot of reading, and I have always followed the K.I.S.S. ( keep it simple, silly) methods myself, and on more than just fish keeping. Life's lessons I guess... =)