Is it a good idea to start a reef tank?

[kred47]

So here’s my situation. I had a reef tank in the past. It was great for a while but I realized I was way in over my head. Someone I knew through a friend wanted to buy the tank and said he would sell the livestock for me because he knew the tank was going in the wrong direction and the learning curve was just too big for me to keep up. In the end I sold everything and pretty much got all my money back. Well now I miss the tank and haven’t stopped monitoring the forums and YouTube since. I’ve learned a lot since I sold the tank, that really makes me regret ever giving it up.

I would love to start a new tank. I have a 40 breeder downstairs that I was using for beta breeding that I no longer need. So I have the tank and could realistically get everything into a working reef in a couple weeks.

here’s the problem. I’m deploying with the Army next year in late summer for probably 10-12 months. It’s stupid to start a tank now right? I really couldn’t think of a plan of who could care for it because I know my mom would try but that’s way too much to ask. So I pretty much know it’s not feasible, but I just wanted to get some opinions and see if anyone has been through a similar situation.

 

[killer2001]

When you have time to dedicate your life to the reef, that is when you begin. Since I started this hobby about 6 months ago, everything seems to revolve around it.

 

[RandomUser7]

I think it's be best you wait until you can commit fully to the tank. If you really wanted to I'd suggest a fish only tank, your mother would only have to deal with feeding the tank and maybe doing water changes. I think established tanks can go longer without water changes, especially without coral since you won't need to constantly replenish the minerals that corals need.

 

[trevorhiller]

So probably not a good time to start… you’ll be leaving right when it’s hitting the fun part which means it’ll probably skip the fun part and just go downhill until it crashes.

Contingent on someone being able to top it off with RO water and do an Infrequent water changes/feedings) what I would do is setup the 40 gallon breeder full of dry rock. Add a heater, some bacteria and a cheap power head and a budget light on low power. Some coralline spores would be nice too.

This will allow you to get your “system” going and cycle the rock for when you get back and have adequate time.

You’ll be a year or more ahead and you can move your now cycled live rock to whatever tank you want and have a semi-established system without the first 9-12 months headaches/uglies.

In the meantime you could add a single fish for some life if you have someone to care for it or a place for it to go when you leave.

Short of this compromise, I don’t think right now is the right time for a reef.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I wouldn't start a new tank if i knew i wouldn't have time to dedicate to it in the near future since 10-12 months is when most tanks reach a much greater level of maturity and start getting really exciting with all the corals and everything else that would be thriving or beginning to thrive at that point. Also, it's certainly not a cheap hobby (as you know) so I personally wouldn't make the investment if it's not something you expect to be able to maintain past 10-12 months. A small tank just with a few fish wouldn't be hard to find someone to look after it though if you just feel the need to feed a love for the hobby.

 

[Tcook]

Be safe on your deployment. Army dad here.

 

[kred47]

Be safe on your deployment. Army dad here.

Thank you!

 

[kred47]

So probably not a good time to start… you’ll be leaving right when it’s hitting the fun part which means it’ll probably skip the fun part and just go downhill until it crashes.

Contingent on someone being able to top it off with RO water and do an Infrequent water changes/feedings) what I would do is setup the 40 gallon breeder full of dry rock. Add a heater, some bacteria and a cheap power head and a budget light on low power. Some coralline spores would be nice too.

This will allow you to get your “system” going and cycle the rock for when you get back and have adequate time.

You’ll be a year or more ahead and you can move your now cycled live rock to whatever tank you want and have a semi-established system without the first 9-12 months headaches/uglies.

In the meantime you could add a single fish for some life if you have someone to care for it or a place for it to go when you leave.

Short of this compromise, I don’t think right now is the right time for a reef.

Thank you for the reply. I agree a reef would be too much. The idea of the live rock with a few fish is intriguing though. That’ll be something I’ll definitely look into

 

[kred47]

I wouldn't start a new tank if i knew i wouldn't have time to dedicate to it in the near future since 10-12 months is when most tanks reach a much greater level of maturity and start getting really exciting with all the corals and everything else that would be thriving or beginning to thrive at that point. Also, it's certainly not a cheap hobby (as you know) so I personally wouldn't make the investment if it's not something you expect to be able to maintain past 10-12 months. A small tank just with a few fish wouldn't be hard to find someone to look after it though if you just feel the need to feed a love for the hobby.

Ya I just can’t see a way the tank could do well when I’m gone unless it was pretty much fully automated, which I can’t afford. Fish only is an idea I’m definitely going to explore

 

[kred47]

I think it's be best you wait until you can commit fully to the tank. If you really wanted to I'd suggest a fish only tank, your mother would only have to deal with feeding the tank and maybe doing water changes. I think established tanks can go longer without water changes, especially without coral since you won't need to constantly replenish the minerals that corals need.

fish only might be the plan. Thank you!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Ya I just can’t see a way the tank could do well when I’m gone unless it was pretty much fully automated, which I can’t afford. Fish only is an idea I’m definitely going to explore

Well you can add some easy softies like zoa's that don't require much to thrive and would do fine in a tank with just a few fish...i wouldn't see am issue with that as long as someone can look after the fish

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

No.

 

[Sidsreef]

So here’s my situation. I had a reef tank in the past. It was great for a while but I realized I was way in over my head. Someone I knew through a friend wanted to buy the tank and said he would sell the livestock for me because he knew the tank was going in the wrong direction and the learning curve was just too big for me to keep up. In the end I sold everything and pretty much got all my money back. Well now I miss the tank and haven’t stopped monitoring the forums and YouTube since. I’ve learned a lot since I sold the tank, that really makes me regret ever giving it up.

I would love to start a new tank. I have a 40 breeder downstairs that I was using for beta breeding that I no longer need. So I have the tank and could realistically get everything into a working reef in a couple weeks.

here’s the problem. I’m deploying with the Army next year in late summer for probably 10-12 months. It’s stupid to start a tank now right? I really couldn’t think of a plan of who could care for it because I know my mom would try but that’s way too much to ask. So I pretty much know it’s not feasible, but I just wanted to get some opinions and see if anyone has been through a similar situation.

Hello,

I was in the military for a long time and I had a reef tank while I was on active duty. now that I look back at it I wish I had never done it. id just save your money and wait it out. and then when you go do something like instructor duty or whatever ( non-deployable command) then you can get a tank. the only type of reef tank the military should be keeping is nano tanks anyway's. and i say that because the military is always moving. hope this helps man! stay safe out there.

 

[Bitcoin Reefer]

No.

Just kidding. I love my tank, it's my absolute favorite hobby, and over time it becomes more and more rewarding. With that being said, I don't know that I'd recommend it for everyone. It's kind of like having kids. It's a lot easier if you've got a ton of money to support the hobby, and certainly some time. I think in some ways it's good to encourage people to try it, but also good to maybe set some expectations about the time and money required to do it right. For many people, I'd probably rather see them invest their money than pour it into reefing. For me I waited to start reefing until I could afford it without it draining my bank account. I did freshwater for 15 years before finally getting my 300g reef I have now.

On the other hand, like having children, once you do it, even if it wasn't the perfect timing, I suspect you won't regret it lol.

*Edit* I didn't read the post, a bit tired lol. In your situation that's a hard one. To start a tank before deployment. I guess it depends on how much you can afford to do something you may lose. It's hard to trust anyone to watch your tank. Many of us have had bad stories with friends watching tanks. I went to Europe for a couple of months recently and my tank went way down hill lol. Partially why I'm fighting dinos still, months later lol. I can only imagine leaving a tank with someone for 10-12 months.

 

[ReefRondo]

You could get some rock etc preparing for the tank while you are gone? Just a thought. Would still need a little monitoring and care however.

 

[fish farmer]

I would hold off on any tanks. I had a bunch of fw and some sw around college time. I kept a SW for about a year before I went into a seasonal workforce which lasted about four years moving every six months. I got rid of all the livestock and stored the tank at my folks for about 8 years until I was at a secure job.

 

[SlugSnorter]

So here’s my situation. I had a reef tank in the past. It was great for a while but I realized I was way in over my head. Someone I knew through a friend wanted to buy the tank and said he would sell the livestock for me because he knew the tank was going in the wrong direction and the learning curve was just too big for me to keep up. In the end I sold everything and pretty much got all my money back. Well now I miss the tank and haven’t stopped monitoring the forums and YouTube since. I’ve learned a lot since I sold the tank, that really makes me regret ever giving it up.

I would love to start a new tank. I have a 40 breeder downstairs that I was using for beta breeding that I no longer need. So I have the tank and could realistically get everything into a working reef in a couple weeks.

here’s the problem. I’m deploying with the Army next year in late summer for probably 10-12 months. It’s stupid to start a tank now right? I really couldn’t think of a plan of who could care for it because I know my mom would try but that’s way too much to ask. So I pretty much know it’s not feasible, but I just wanted to get some opinions and see if anyone has been through a similar situation.

three things needed to start a tank imo,

1. space

2. time

3. money

in this case it seems you're lacking the time, I would recommend waiting until you're settled in once place for the foreseeable future before getting a tank.

 

[SueAubu]

here’s the problem. I’m deploying with the Army next year in late summer for probably 10-12 months. It’s stupid to start a tank now right? I really couldn’t think of a plan of who could care for it because I know my mom would try but that’s way too much to ask. So I pretty much know it’s not feasible, but I just wanted to get some opinions and see if anyone has been through a similar situation.

My tank was going great! Then I went back to school (in middle age). Living in the same house, with the tank next to my bed... it all still went to ***ll because I didn't pay the right attention to it. Now, 18 months later, I'm starting with a 30G tank, not 95, and doing (almost) everything by the book in terms of cycling and acclimation because, by the time the tank is ready for coal, I'll be done with school.
What I'm saying is that I'm sorry, but its probably not the right time. My tank was between my bed and the bathroom and I still didn't have the time to keep it going. Now, I still don't but, like you, I REALLY want it, so I'm setting myself up to be ready to go when my time is my own, again.

And also... Thank you for your service.

 

[Rmckoy]

When I first started I asked the same question .
and the lfs told me in a joking way . “ when you can take a $100 bill light it on fire and not cry , that’s when you’re ready to start reefing .
At that time there wasn’t as much information about different coral species , and wasn’t as much selection . But they were cheaper to experiment with