Looking for knowledge

[Ryan Moeller]

I have been wanting to get into the saltwater hobby for such a long time now and still haven't taken the plunge.. I'm currently doing research for a good size to start with for my first tank. I really like the JBJ 45 gallon cube and stand combination. There are so many options out there for pumps, wave maker's, lighting, sump, etc.. I'm in Yuma. AZ and there are no LFS here.. Any help or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Dkmoo]

Welcome to the hobby!

A 45G is a good size to start.

As far as "looking for knowledge" that's such an open ended question lol bc there is a ton of things to cover. Stick to the below rule of thumbs and you should at least be on the right path:

1) I would recommend checking out all the stickies in the new to hobby section of this forum - esp the ones on cycling, setup, and acclimating yiur first fish

2) Then read up on all of Randy's articles on water chemistry - especially before you start going into corals.

3) be patient and try not to overreact to the smallest little things. This is not a hobby of instant gratification. I know as a beginner its hard not to overreact esp since you don't know what to expect when things go slightly off course so this is where we can help answer any of your specific issues that you may encounter along the way.

4) to that end, ask q lot of questions and do your own research

5) before adding any new live stock - esp corals or fish, do your research first to see if its appropriate to add. Don't get tempted to "buy everything" when you get to the LFS just bc it looks pretty. In this hobby "slow and steady wins the race" is never truer

6) finally, enjoy the process, this hobby is about the journey as much as the final destination.

 

[JumboShrimp]

... also watch the BRS '52 weeks of reefing' series as a good overview. And remember than when you boil it all down, happy water = happy fish. Best wishes!

 

[Ryan Moeller]

Welcome to the hobby!

A 45G is a good size to start.

As far as "looking for knowledge" that's such an open ended question lol bc there is a ton of things to cover. Stick to the below rule of thumbs and you should at least be on the right path:

1) I would recommend checking out all the stickies in the new to hobby section of this forum - esp the ones on cycling, setup, and acclimating yiur first fish

2) Then read up on all of Randy's articles on water chemistry - especially before you start going into corals.

3) be patient and try not to overreact to the smallest little things. This is not a hobby of instant gratification. I know as a beginner its hard not to overreact esp since you don't know what to expect when things go slightly off course so this is where we can help answer any of your specific issues that you may encounter along the way.

4) to that end, ask q lot of questions and do your own research

5) before adding any new live stock - esp corals or fish, do your research first to see if its appropriate to add. Don't get tempted to "buy everything" when you get to the LFS just bc it looks pretty. In this hobby "slow and steady wins the race" is never truer

6) finally, enjoy the process, this hobby is about the journey as much as the final destination.

Thanks for the info!! You have some very good points I'll be sticking too. So do certain corals do better in certain water parameters? I know not all corals are at the same depth, lighting, etc.. I like torches, Duncan's and soft corals that move with water flow..

 

[Ryan Moeller]

... also watch the BRS '52 weeks of reefing' series as a good overview. And remember than when you boil it all down, happy water = happy fish. Best wishes!

I've watched most of that series and I would LOVE to have that tank!! It's gorgeous..

 

[Phil D.]

You also can call Artistic Aquariums in Chandler, AZ. They would be more than happy to help out.

 

[Ryan Moeller]

You also can call Artistic Aquariums in Chandler, AZ. They would be more than happy to help out.

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely look them up and get in contact with them.

 

[JumboShrimp]

'Yes, no, and maybe so' is something you will encounter a lot of as you progress-- but soft corals would indeed be an excellent get-your-feet-wet way to go when your tank is ready.

 

[Dkmoo]

Thanks for the info!! You have some very good points I'll be sticking too. So do certain corals do better in certain water parameters? I know not all corals are at the same depth, lighting, etc.. I like torches, Duncan's and soft corals that move with water flow..

My first corals are zoas and torches. Softies are usually more beginner friendly as they are less sensitive to alkalinity, ph, and CA ( once you get into corals you will be breathing in these terms)

Had to get rid of zoas bc they ended up taking over the tank and concerned about palytoxin. There are many other softies instead of zoas too - ricordias, discosomas, etc.

 

[Ryan Moeller]

'Yes, no, and maybe so' is something you will encounter a lot of as you progress-- but soft corals would indeed be an excellent get-your-feet-wet way to go when your tank is ready.

Yes sir! I need to do some research on corals that inhabit the same area and require the same parameters..

 

[Jedi1199]

Thanks for the info!! You have some very good points I'll be sticking too. So do certain corals do better in certain water parameters? I know not all corals are at the same depth, lighting, etc.. I like torches, Duncan's and soft corals that move with water flow..

From my own research... I do not believe the specific parameters are quite as important as maintaining the same parameters once introduced. I have found that "Most" people try to maintain the same parameters as what has been proven to work in successful tanks. You may have a slightly different specific gravity for instance, or a slightly higher or lower temperature, or maybe you don't use a refugium... Doesn't mean you can't be equally successful. Just maintain what is working for you.

 

[Ryan Moeller]

From my own research... I do not believe the specific parameters are quite as important as maintaining the same parameters once introduced. I have found that "Most" people try to maintain the same parameters as what has been proven to work in successful tanks. You may have a slightly different specific gravity for instance, or a slightly higher or lower temperature, or maybe you don't use a refugium... Doesn't mean you can't be equally successful. Just maintain what is working for you.

Learning everyday!! I really enjoy learning all the in's and outs.. So it'd be best to have water and the rock's in there probably for a month or so before adding corals and fish to get the water chemistry on par..

 

[Augus7us]

75g and 40g sump. If I was new but wanted to start out with a good sized tank, that's what I would do.

 

[Jedi1199]

Learning everyday!! I really enjoy learning all the in's and outs.. So it'd be best to have water and the rock's in there probably for a month or so before adding corals and fish to get the water chemistry on par..

A LOT of what people say here is based on their own particular setup and observation, this is true. One factor that is ABSOLUTELY not in question is the "nitrogen cycle" Before you do ANYTHING else, learn everything you possibly can about that!!! This is ABSOLUTE fact and cannot be denied! Cycle your tank completely before you even consider adding any kind of livestock, corals, fish, whatever.

 

[Dkmoo]

Learning everyday!! I really enjoy learning all the in's and outs.. So it'd be best to have water and the rock's in there probably for a month or so before adding corals and fish to get the water chemistry on par..

Haha, more like 1 week to 3 months, before adding fish, depending on what methods you cycle with. Then 3 - 4 months before adding first coral.

Its possible to be successful adding more things faster, but thats also more work and more risk of something going wrong.

The more you research, the more you realize that reef tank isn't just about the rock, the sand, the fish, and coral, and the water. Its about this infinitly intricate web of biological and chemical cause and effects from the organism that we both can and cannot see. (Mostly cannot see)

 

[Ryan Moeller]

Haha, more like 1 week to 3 months, before adding fish, depending on what methods you cycle with. Then 3 - 4 months before adding first coral.

Its possible to be successful adding more things faster, but thats also more work and more risk of something going wrong.

The more you research, the more you realize that reef tank isn't just about the rock, the sand, the fish, and coral, and the water. Its about this infinitly intricate web of biological and chemical cause and effects from the organism that we both can and cannot see. (Mostly cannot see)

Yes sir. I just wanna make sure and do it right. Can't lie, I am nervous.. Haha.. I also don't have an RODI system for water changes, etc..

 

[Jedi1199]

Ryan Moeller,

It appears to me from your questions that you are not only new to reefkeeping, but aquarium keeping in general? This is not a hobby for "Instant Gratification" As others have said, PATIENCE is key here. Take your time. The goal is a stable tank, not to produce the most impressive tank you can in 2 weeks, only to see it crash in a month. Every single thing you do should be researched faithfully before you try it.

There are SOOOOO many great people here with expertise in different aspects of this journey. Ask questions, do your homework. Trust me, you and your fish, and your wallet will be happier for the effort.

I wish you the best of luck,
Steve

 

[Ryan Moeller]

Ryan Moeller,

It appears to me from your questions that you are not only new to reefkeeping, but aquarium keeping in general? This is not a hobby for "Instant Gratification" As others have said, PATIENCE is key here. Take your time. The goal is a stable tank, not to produce the most impressive tank you can in 2 weeks, only to see it crash in a month. Every single thing you do should be researched faithfully before you try it.

There are SOOOOO many great people here with expertise in different aspects of this journey. Ask questions, do your homework. Trust me, you and your fish, and your wallet will be happier for the effort.

I wish you the best of luck,
Steve

I am new to aquariums.. Thanks for the help good sir!

 

[Rmckoy]

Go as big as you can afford and have room for .
you will want to upgrade from the 65 in a short period of time .

plan your equipment around your life stock want list .

 

[Ryan Moeller]

Go as big as you can afford and have room for .
you will want to upgrade from the 65 in a short period of time .

plan your equipment around your life stock want list .

Yes sir! There are SO many choices.. I'll probably focus on corals first then add fish.