how long for a tank?

[rayn]

As I look through some of the build threads, whether it is a tank or a whole room dedicated to one or more tanks, I wonder how long it takes. Everyone dreams of buying a tank and having it wet with a sump, skimmer, ato, and all the pumps bells and whistles from the get go. We all know that isn't reality though.

So, how long did your tank take to get running?

My current build took just over a year before getting wet.

 

[Trex]

Still in the process of setting up my 210.

8/11/14 is when I paid for the tank.

Didn't take down the 40 breeder that was in the same spot (( or part of it )) until 9/22/14 -- main delay there was waiting for my electrician to come and put in 2 20 amp circuits.

Actual tank/stand (( canopy came later, there was a flaw )) came 9/26/14

Between now and then I have been setting it up --- wow it has taken a long time.

As of today 12/10/14, it is about 3/4 full of salt water. I hope to have it completely full and running (( no fish )) by Xmas.

Would like to have the contents of my 75 (( at least the stuff I am keeping )), in there by the end of January.

In the end, it will take about 6 months from first purchase to full transfer.

 

[rayn]

Anyone else? We all have built our tanks, so how long did it take you?

 

[Pete polyp]

My 29 had a fish in it on day 6 and the first coral on day 10. My 40 took about 4 months to get wet because the gentleman who built my overflow broke the tank and I was waiting on him to replace it for over 3 months. Once I got the tank it was wet within 6 hours. First fish within a week.

 

[ReefFreak@]

for reef building slow is always better. i bought my tank in april 2014 plumbed and tested mid summer. Rest of the summer bought everything i needed(vortechs,skimmers,lights, etc) October 2014 setup and wet with rocks. first fish end of October. Now has 4 fish and a handful of lps sps and 2 softies.

 

[Kyuss414]

I got my 150g in early 2010 and it didn't get wet til October 2013 lol. Other stuff came up during that time though so it got pushed to the back burner a few times. That said, I'm still moving quite slow as there's only 3 fish in it and only a few softies (only planning on softies and maybe a couple LPS.) Recently added a fourth fish but the harlequin tusk that was already in the tank is quite a bully so he got moved to the sump, so technically there's a 4th fish. Still very much enjoying the tank though and I don't slack on maintenance like I have on filling the tank.

 

[Pete polyp]

for reef building slow is always better. i bought my tank in april 2014 plumbed and tested mid summer. Rest of the summer bought everything i needed(vortechs,skimmers,lights, etc) October 2014 setup and wet with rocks. first fish end of October. Now has 4 fish and a handful of lps sps and 2 softies.

How is slow better?

 

[ReefFreak@]

How is slow better?

well atleast for me it is. I like to take my time and plan/think about how i want the setup to be. I end up figuring out a better way or research a better product . Theres a lot more room for mistake if you just rush through everything. kind of like taking a test.

 

[rayn]

Slow can be better, but if you are just transferring it can be quicker. Sometimes setting it up and quick stocking can result in less then stellar tank.

 

[ReefFreak@]

Transfering and upgrading is different. But starting from scratch I'd take it slow.

 

[Pete polyp]

Slow can be better, but if you are just transferring it can be quicker. Sometimes setting it up and quick stocking can result in less then stellar tank.

This went from getting a free used tank one morning to being wet within 24 hours.

 

[ReefFreak@]

This went from getting a free used tank one morning to being wet within 24 hours.

not to big on the rock pill scape

 

[pnastys]

The idea of going slow should be one that comes from inexperience. That said we all have experience to gain. The reefer must decide what they are comfortable with when it comes to the well being of the animals. Meaning if you don't have a job or a life you may not need an ATO to keep your reef. Furthermore, when you get that job/life you may want to buy an ATO. And once you purchase that ATO, it is advised that you completely understand it before going to work, ie taking time.

Every reef is different and you can keep cheap or expensive ones with a wide range of setup times. The trick is the knowledge, which will hopefully keep growing.

 

[Pete polyp]

The idea of going slow should be one that comes from inexperience. That said we all have experience to gain. The reefer must decide what they are comfortable with when it comes to the well being of the animals. Meaning if you don't have a job or a life you may not need an ATO to keep your reef. Furthermore, when you get that job/life you may want to buy an ATO. And once you purchase that ATO, it is advised that you completely understand it before going to work, ie taking time.

Every reef is different and you can keep cheap or expensive ones with a wide range of setup times. The trick is the knowledge, which will hopefully keep growing.

This is what I was going for. Well said

 

[KorD]

Got a lot of good deals on equipment locally, had the tank wet in 1 month.. first fish added a month latter.
before that I had a 5 gal rimless I lived with for about 81 months

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

8 months

 

[jerseypete]

This was my first tank and took about a year. Mainly buying one thing at a time.spent a lot of time reading up on saltwater and coral. Tank is almost a year old and going great.

 

[ReefFreak@]

love the yellow tang. Looks just like mine lol