Bentonb
Active Member
Hi y'all, it has been a while. I first started back probably three years ago with the nano in 90 competition. But life happened and I ended up getting out of the hobby, mainly due to financial constraints haha its hard keeping a thriving tank while in an undergrad dorm! Anyways, graduation happened and now I'm settled into an apartment for graduate studies, and am looking to get back into the hobby. Since moving across the country, I decided I'd visit my new lfs out here in Southern California... and honestly compared to Ohio, I wasn't too impressed. Yes, they might have had a bigger selection of tanks, but the number of fish species was pretty lacking in my opinion. (they did have an awesome octopus though)
Anyways, I'm looking for input as to what has changed in the hobby over the past couple years, as well as ideas for a tank. At the lfs they had a deal for a rectangular 24g with built in refugium and a skimmer and stand all for 299. I'm not sure the brand of the tank, but it didn't seem like a bad deal. Any thoughts as to what I should do? I'd like to stay below 40 gallons, and above 20.. I know that doesn't leave a ton of room to work with, but that size is probably the only thing manageable for my apartment.
I know lights are an important part of reef keeping, and I do still have a light laying around. (pic below)
![IMG_0863[1].jpg](https://test9.reef2reef.com/attachments/img_0863-1-jpg.230671/ "IMG_0863[1].jpg")
It is a pretty good light, if I remember right I actually bought it from someone here, from the northeast I think. Anyways, I don't think that it would cover the whole bottom of the 24g, but if I got another, I think that would be perfect. Besides, I'm a graduate student, and that should be self explanatory (money lol.) I've also got a couple power heads which would work just fine as well. I guess the main question is do I go with the 24g or do y'all suggest something better? Also, where are the good LFS in the inland empire (southern California)?
Thanks in Advance!
Anyways, I'm looking for input as to what has changed in the hobby over the past couple years, as well as ideas for a tank. At the lfs they had a deal for a rectangular 24g with built in refugium and a skimmer and stand all for 299. I'm not sure the brand of the tank, but it didn't seem like a bad deal. Any thoughts as to what I should do? I'd like to stay below 40 gallons, and above 20.. I know that doesn't leave a ton of room to work with, but that size is probably the only thing manageable for my apartment.
I know lights are an important part of reef keeping, and I do still have a light laying around. (pic below)
It is a pretty good light, if I remember right I actually bought it from someone here, from the northeast I think. Anyways, I don't think that it would cover the whole bottom of the 24g, but if I got another, I think that would be perfect. Besides, I'm a graduate student, and that should be self explanatory (money lol.) I've also got a couple power heads which would work just fine as well. I guess the main question is do I go with the 24g or do y'all suggest something better? Also, where are the good LFS in the inland empire (southern California)?
Thanks in Advance!
Where are you from in Ohio?
