acperge
New Member
So, I got pretty heavily involved in this hobby back in 2009/10ish, when it consumed all of my time and money... Previously had a 180, 120, 90, and 75 going, along with some smaller frag tanks, etc. The 180 was OLD SCHOOL, like Pheonix 14k MH bulbs with Icecap ballasts old... I got out of the hobby at least 10 years ago, and sold off everything I had. Now, it's 2024, and I've been thinking a lot lately about getting something going again, for a small (at least small-ish) living room display.
Previously I was far more interested in the fish, vs the coral. This time around, I'd like to get a good mixed reef going that give me a good color pop, accented with just a couple fish. Nothing crazy, some easier LPS like torch, frogspawn, or hammer, some nice zoas, maybe some montipora... Ya'know, that usual suspects stuff.
I've been considering a few options, such as a 40 breeder (with a sump), a 29gal oceanic biocube, a Fluval Evo 13.5, the list goes on... I like the idea of an AIO or cube, but my old school knowledge is all sump based... Perfect world, I'd get a 180 going, but the wife has a hard 'NO' to that idea, and agrees something smaller would be nice to have going again.
I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation on between an old school tank and sump setup, vs a cube style, and any advice on what the latest 'must have' tech might be - especially in lighting. I see there's been a pretty significant uptick in technology, so looking for feedback on what's worth investment, etc.
That said, if you’re in Michigan, and have a setup kicking around that you're looking to move, I might be interested... I'm starting back from zero, and I'm willing to consider just about anything that feeds the habit and gets my feet wet again.
Previously I was far more interested in the fish, vs the coral. This time around, I'd like to get a good mixed reef going that give me a good color pop, accented with just a couple fish. Nothing crazy, some easier LPS like torch, frogspawn, or hammer, some nice zoas, maybe some montipora... Ya'know, that usual suspects stuff.
I've been considering a few options, such as a 40 breeder (with a sump), a 29gal oceanic biocube, a Fluval Evo 13.5, the list goes on... I like the idea of an AIO or cube, but my old school knowledge is all sump based... Perfect world, I'd get a 180 going, but the wife has a hard 'NO' to that idea, and agrees something smaller would be nice to have going again.
I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation on between an old school tank and sump setup, vs a cube style, and any advice on what the latest 'must have' tech might be - especially in lighting. I see there's been a pretty significant uptick in technology, so looking for feedback on what's worth investment, etc.
That said, if you’re in Michigan, and have a setup kicking around that you're looking to move, I might be interested... I'm starting back from zero, and I'm willing to consider just about anything that feeds the habit and gets my feet wet again.
