Hola! New reefer from Miami!

[um_fan5]

Hola Everyone!

For the past 20+ years I've always wanted reef aquarium!
So against the advice of the Mrs...I purchased a used aquarium on offerup! 125 Gallons!
Not sure if I'm in over my head for my first tank! ;Joyful

Plans are to refinish and paint the cabinet and canopy...White with gray doors [Small concession w/ the wife] after she saw it in the back yard. But I may change that.
Yesterday, I removed the overflow and plan to paint the back black and resealing everything just for personal peace of mind!

Included with the sale:
Wet dry sump, LED light (unk brand), Skimmer, return pump, UV sterilizer, various chemicals and misc things!

Any suggestions and more more important - advise from the community.
The last thing I wanna do is to spend money on unnecessary/useless equipment.
Right now, I'm on the hunt for a sump that can house a refugium.

Can't wait to get this thing up and running!

 

[dwest]

Welcome! Try to get the Mrs. on board. I know, easier said than done. She might like picking out a fish.

 

[F i s h y]

welcome. Include the better half. It makes things easier. Do lots... LOTS of research and go slow. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank. Happy reefing!

 

[Silverfish]

Doing the right thing buy asking for advice. The more you know the more successful you will be!
Also...
Welcome to R2R!

 

[Smarkow]

Welcome to R2R!! Taking my Mrs. to the fishy store and doing a live-sale together got her hooked.

You’re not over your head - I think the 125 is a great starter size bc it is big enough to offer stability and small enough that you can fill it without a 2nd mortgage

I have found good flow to be the best bang for the buck. Skimping on lighting early on the easiest. Most do not need a protein skimmer from day 1. Solid ATO (tunze is the gold standard) can save your tank.

Good luck!

 

[Lazydayz]

Welcome to R2R fellow Floridian!! I agree with the above, I've taken my wife to the stores with me to pick out fish, coral, crabs and snails. She is slowly coming around to it and even likes to look at the things she has picked out.

 

[RiversideReefer]

welcome!!! i tried getting my lady into it and she doesn't even like going into the fish store says it smells/looks dirty.

 

[um_fan5]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!
As I’m cleaning the tank...I’m have a difficult time removing the overflow since I wanna soak it in citric acid to get it clean! Thoughts? Should I leave it alone?

 

[Fishbro]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[BrandonS]

Welcome to reefing! Starting bigger if you can swing it is beneficial as it can be and is usually more stable.