Is live rock too hard?

[KentuckyKenny]

Hi again. I've pretty much talked myself out of doing a reef with live rock, corals and such. I'm really interested in inverts especially anemones. Is their an easier way to do this easily?

 

[Azedenkae]

Hi again. I've pretty much talked myself out of doing a reef with live rock, corals and such. I'm really interested in inverts especially anemones. Is their an easier way to do this easily?

Perhaps. What difficulties do you have with live rock specifically?

 

[count krunk]

reef tanks aren't hard, per se. They require time, and more time the less experience you have. Have your seen bulk reef supplies youtube videos for new to the hobby?

 

[KentuckyKenny]

I do not have a tank as of yet. The more I read the more I get scared off. I don't know if I can provide the proper filtration, lighting etc.

 

[mdb_talon]

I do not have a tank as of yet. The more I read the more I get scared off. I don't know if I can provide the proper filtration, lighting etc.

It is certainly intimidating and if you go reef tank with corals there will be frustrations and setback(as there likely will be if you go invert only).

However i think sometimes new people are scared off and shouldn't be. People talk about needing to spend several thousands of dollars and water has to be perfect....that simply is not the case. You need a glass/acrylic box, lighting, waterflow, rocks, some filtration, test kits, salty water, and some miscellaneous items(refractometer,etc). Things like sumps, skimmers, uv, etc can all be useful depending on your goals and needs, but other than choosing sump/no sump most all of those additions are easily added doen the road if you want/need.

Depending on tank size providing adequate lighting can be done under $100(black box). I have 2 in operation over 6 years old and still growing coral just fine. Filtration can get complicated and expensive, but again it does not have to be...especially if starting with corals that do ok in a dirtier tank.

If you really want a tank with coral give it a try! Ask here for help or even private message someone you trust for individual advice without the overwhelming noise that can happen when we all chime in on how we would do it.. I would bet most are more than happy to help.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Ocean live rock, a skimmer, water changes, t5. That's the easy way.

 

[gentlefish]

It’s intimidating. You could try to buy a complete system that someone gave up. If money is no concern, a complete system with return pump, lights, top up system, heater. All it needs then is saltwater, reverse osmosis water, rock, bacteria and time and anemone. Also talk your local fish store and let them explain their tank and setup.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Hey bud. Don't let analysis paralysis get you. I'm only a few months into the hobby and reading the front page of R2R scares the bejesus out of me because it's all about problems.

What you don't see is the THOUSANDS of refers here enjoying their tanks daily.

There's a lot of info. A lot of gear. A LOT of conflicting information.

With keeping an anenome tank, you'll need to be keeping water to the same parameters as keeping coral.

Just take the first step. You'll be glad you did.

 

[NashobaTek]

Start out with a basic fish only with live rock, it gets your feet wet and it's not over whelming.
Once you have a few months under your belt you're going to be hooked and wanting to upgrade to a few of the easier corals

 

[NoahLikesFish]

Live rock makes a reef easier

 

[NoahLikesFish]

Plus you can get hitch hiking nems

 

[reefinatl]

All about what you want. Go grab a 20g toss in some live rock wait for ammonia to go to zero, do a 50% waterchange. Add a damsel or clowns, some easy corals, cheap powerhead cheap lights, do 10% waterchanges and watch it grow. If you like it, then learn more and upgrade.

Dry rock starts are the source of a lot of heartache in my opinion. Unless you are near clinical levels of OCD you'll deal with some adversity occasionally. Pulling a crab or tufts of macro off some fresh rock is easy compared to the being 5 years in and fight aefw.