Looking to start an reef aquarium

[Dtrisc]

I'm very new to aquariums, but plan to major in Marine Biology. Something I've been interested in is starting a reef aquarium. I'm looking to start up a reef aquarium for that's less than $2000 or so. If anyone could help me out with figuring out what I would need for the aquarium equipment-wise, and how to fit is into a 75 gallon tank, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R

@Anirban would be a good help.

 

[Dtrisc]

Welcome to R2R

@Anirban would be a good help.

how would i contact him? Is it in the 'conversations' tab?

 

[Nate77]

Welcome 75 gallons and 125s (if you have the room are always posted on CL ,Offer up etc if it doesn't have to be new. Also in classifieds here. Tons of equipment there too.

 

[Dtrisc]

Welcome 75 gallons and 125s (if you have the room are always posted on CL ,Offer up etc if it doesn't have to be new. Also in classifieds here. Tons of equipment there too.

Thank you for your comment! I didn't expect to get replies this quickly, and I'll look into it. Also, thank you for the advice on size!

 

[Nate77]

Think you need so many post to send pm , jsker tagged antirban to get his attention to thread. The more water volume the more stable the water.
As far as basic needs
Tanks ,stand , filtration, lights ,heater
Check out some of the build threads.
And the diy section.
Decide on tank then figure out equipment.

 

[Dtrisc]

Think you need so many post to send pm , jsker tagged antirban to get his attention to thread. The more water volume the more stable the water.
As far as basic needs
Tanks ,stand , filtration, lights ,heater
Check out some of the build threads.
And the diy section.
Decide on tank then figure out equipment.

Thanks, man. You've been a big help.

 

[hwntunda]

Welcome to r2r, larger tank-more stability in water concerns. The larger the tank also means larger skimmer(depending on tank sizes), bigger lighting setup, and of course larger footprint (but worth it IMO)

 

[Mark Gray]

Hi you will get a lot of help here, first decide on the space for your tank, and how large. like it was said above the larger your water volume the less your tank will swing parameters, it does not happen as fast at lest

 

[Dtrisc]

Hi you will get a lot of help here, first decide on the space for your tank, and how large. like it was said above the larger your water volume the less your tank will swing parameters, it does not happen as fast at lest

yeah, im gonna have to stick to a 75. I just don't have the space in my house for a 125 gallon tank, even though it may be more work, or harder work, my space limitations really got me here.

 

[Mark Gray]

yeah, im gonna have to stick to a 75. I just don't have the space in my house for a 125 gallon tank, even though it may be more work, or harder work, my space limitations really got me here.

My first salt water tank was a 30 with an under gravel filter, If you need feel free to PM me I don't mind

 

[Anirban]

Welcome to R2R...

You can do this in 2 different ways. One will be to get something like the Red sea or Water box package tanks but you still have to buy the skimmer and lights. The other way is to build your own with buying each components individually. I can try to give you a budget idea with each of them...

Main tank- 75G or https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/75-gallon-and-custom-stand.426644/
https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax...lar_Aquariums-AquaMaxx-UJ94563-FIAQRA-vi.html
Or Aqueon tanks and drill it by yourself (Cheaper)
Dont go over $400
Stand- Build your own if you can save some money $250
Sump- Used or new with skimmer https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-filtration-system-somatic.html $280
Lights-https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ati-36-t5-dimmable-sunpower-fixture.html $560 (a used one will be lesser within $300)
Skimmer- Used ones for $200
Plumbing-$125
Rocks and sands-$150
Power heads- mp10 used $125 x2 = $250 or Tunze (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...ch-tunze-etc-need-fishing-kayak-funds.428022/)
Heater-https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eheim-jager-trutemp-aquarium-heater.html 200W EHEIM JAGER AQUARIUM HEATER $27.54
Return pump- Siecce or Eheim pumps for $125
RO/DI setup-$150 BRS https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-value-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html
ATO- Tunze ATO 3155. $115 used (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...ch-tunze-etc-need-fishing-kayak-funds.428022/)

So, this will add upto $2500 total and most of the equipment you can even use for your future builds too. If you go all used equipment then it will can cost you less than $2000 too but always buy quality equipments as they will save a lot of money in long run. I added some link for your equipments from the sale thread here as well as from other websites for your reference. Most of my equipments are used ones and they are working like champs since last 3 years or more. Hope this helps you. Let us know if you need any further information.

Happy reefing.

 

[Dtrisc]

Welcome to R2R...

You can do this in 2 different ways. One will be to get something like the Red sea or Water box package tanks but you still have to buy the skimmer and lights. The other way is to build your own with buying each components individually. I can try to give you a budget idea with each of them...

Main tank- 75G or https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/75-gallon-and-custom-stand.426644/
https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax...lar_Aquariums-AquaMaxx-UJ94563-FIAQRA-vi.html
Or Aqueon tanks and drill it by yourself (Cheaper)
Dont go over $400
Stand- Build your own if you can save some money $250
Sump- Used or new with skimmer https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-filtration-system-somatic.html $280
Lights-https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ati-36-t5-dimmable-sunpower-fixture.html $560 (a used one will be lesser within $300)
Skimmer- Used ones for $200
Plumbing-$125
Rocks and sands-$150
Power heads- mp10 used $125 x2 = $250 or Tunze (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...ch-tunze-etc-need-fishing-kayak-funds.428022/)
Heater-https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eheim-jager-trutemp-aquarium-heater.html 200W EHEIM JAGER AQUARIUM HEATER $27.54
Return pump- Siecce or Eheim pumps for $125
RO/DI setup-$150 BRS https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-value-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html
ATO- Tunze ATO 3155. $115 used (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...ch-tunze-etc-need-fishing-kayak-funds.428022/)

So, this will add upto $2500 total and most of the equipment you can even use for your future builds too. If you go all used equipment then it will can cost you less than $2000 too but always buy quality equipments as they will save a lot of money in long run. I added some link for your equipments from the sale thread here as well as from other websites for your reference. Most of my equipments are used ones and they are working like champs since last 3 years or more. Hope this helps you. Let us know if you need any further information.

Happy reefing.

Wow man, thank you a lot for the help, this is basically all the info i needed to know, plus it's even more helpful w the links. You're awesome man!

 

[Dtrisc]

Welcome to R2R...

You can do this in 2 different ways. One will be to get something like the Red sea or Water box package tanks but you still have to buy the skimmer and lights. The other way is to build your own with buying each components individually. I can try to give you a budget idea with each of them...

Main tank- 75G or https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/75-gallon-and-custom-stand.426644/
https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax...lar_Aquariums-AquaMaxx-UJ94563-FIAQRA-vi.html
Or Aqueon tanks and drill it by yourself (Cheaper)
Dont go over $400
Stand- Build your own if you can save some money $250
Sump- Used or new with skimmer https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/60-filtration-system-somatic.html $280
Lights-https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ati-36-t5-dimmable-sunpower-fixture.html $560 (a used one will be lesser within $300)
Skimmer- Used ones for $200
Plumbing-$125
Rocks and sands-$150
Power heads- mp10 used $125 x2 = $250 or Tunze (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...ch-tunze-etc-need-fishing-kayak-funds.428022/)
Heater-https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eheim-jager-trutemp-aquarium-heater.html 200W EHEIM JAGER AQUARIUM HEATER $27.54
Return pump- Siecce or Eheim pumps for $125
RO/DI setup-$150 BRS https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-value-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html
ATO- Tunze ATO 3155. $115 used (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...ch-tunze-etc-need-fishing-kayak-funds.428022/)

So, this will add upto $2500 total and most of the equipment you can even use for your future builds too. If you go all used equipment then it will can cost you less than $2000 too but always buy quality equipments as they will save a lot of money in long run. I added some link for your equipments from the sale thread here as well as from other websites for your reference. Most of my equipments are used ones and they are working like champs since last 3 years or more. Hope this helps you. Let us know if you need any further information.

Happy reefing.

I'm hoping to do this myself, but what are your thoughts on the 65 gallon red sea reefer? Do you think that it's worth it for the price? The 65 Gal. one I'm looking at rn costs $1,349 for the tank, cabinet, sump, and plumbing.

 

[Anirban]

I'm hoping to do this myself, but what are your thoughts on the 65 gallon red sea reefer? Do you think that it's worth it for the price? The 65 Gal. one I'm looking at rn costs $1,349 for the tank, cabinet, sump, and plumbing.

Then add light, skimmer, pump and wave maker and etc