Need some advice - hobby re-entry.

[boomeraudio]

Hi Everyone,

First-time poster here! Hoping for some advice from experienced hobbyists.

I'm looking to get back into the nano-reef hobby. I had a 10g setup a while back and when I moved, I sold everything. Last time, I did a lot of piecing together of my tank and needless to say, there were a lot of hangups. It was very frustrating.

This time, now I'm a little older and have a little more money to spend, but still on a budget.

Here's my question...do I go all out and get the best equipment right away? Or start with equipment and slowly increase to higher dollar things (ex: lighting, ato, skimmer, etc...) along the way?

I'm looking at a Nuvo 10g and really don't know that I can afford the EcoTech Marine MP10 and LED fixture right off the bat. HOWEVER I want to do this the right way. Any advice would be incredibly appreciated.

Thanks!

- Boomer

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Welcome to R2R!

If you are thinking strictly financial and already know you want the nicer equipment it is long-term cheaper to get the equipment to start with versus upgrading later. (Simple math: $100 item now + $300 item later = $400 spent - even if you sell the original item used you've still spent an extra $100 on something you didn't want - note emphasis on want)

If you are trying to get the tank up and running as soon as possible, then get what you can afford.

I personally would recommend saving a little longer and get the equipment you want for the tank.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Hi Everyone,

First-time poster here! Hoping for some advice from experienced hobbyists.

I'm looking to get back into the nano-reef hobby. I had a 10g setup a while back and when I moved, I sold everything. Last time, I did a lot of piecing together of my tank and needless to say, there were a lot of hangups. It was very frustrating.

This time, now I'm a little older and have a little more money to spend, but still on a budget.

Here's my question...do I go all out and get the best equipment right away? Or start with equipment and slowly increase to higher dollar things (ex: lighting, ato, skimmer, etc...) along the way?

I'm looking at a Nuvo 10g and really don't know that I can afford the EcoTech Marine MP10 and LED fixture right off the bat. HOWEVER I want to do this the right way. Any advice would be incredibly appreciated.

Thanks!

- Boomer

i’ve always felt it’s best to spend more upfront and get what you want. it saves the hassle of spending more money down the road, then you have to sell your old stuff and sometimes that’s a pain.

 

[DFR]

Welcome back !!!
I would get the equipment that I know would produce results. This doesn’t have to be the top of the line, just proven equipment. There are a ton of equipment that are decently priced, looks nice, and will do an excellent job at growing corals. Just do your research and planning before hand and you can get YOUR perfect tank built the way you want it within your budget. If you would like specifics on brands, let us know and we can put out recommendations, but honestly it’ll just come down to personal preference as most of the brands out there will produce similar results.
Also, remember your tank will take some time to cycle! I would just cycle it the slow, long, old fashioned way and use that time to stock up on needed equipment.

 

[boomeraudio]

You guys rock. The responses are so quick and greatly appreciated.

Basically here's my specific dilemma. I would LOVE EcoTech Marine MP10 and Radion XR15 with wireless control options, however I've priced out a WavePoint Blade and a Hydor Koralia Nano...I was thinking (given the lower cost of the WavePoint and Hydor) that I could get by with those for a short period of time and then upgrade.

What do you all think?

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

You guys rock. The responses are so quick and greatly appreciated.

Basically here's my specific dilemma. I would LOVE EcoTech Marine MP10 and Radion XR15 with wireless control options, however I've priced out a WavePoint Blade and a Hydor Koralia Nano...I was thinking (given the lower cost of the WavePoint and Hydor) that I could get by with those for a short period of time and then upgrade.

What do you all think?

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!

you can get good deals in the used equipment forum. i’d check it out. i love my mp pumps and wouldn’t switch to anything else at this point. but.... the koralia is much cheaper. i’d spring for a used radion and the koralia now. upgrade to an mp10 later.

 

[boomeraudio]

you can get good deals in the used equipment forum. i’d check it out. i love my mp pumps and wouldn’t switch to anything else at this point. but.... the koralia is much cheaper. i’d spring for a used radion and the koralia now. upgrade to an mp10 later.

Unfortunately, I can't post in used gear forum yet :/. They all seem to want like $30 or so less than retail for the Radion...some with mount some without. But you definitely think that light is the way to go?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Unfortunately, I can't post in used gear forum yet :/. They all seem to want like $30 or so less than retail for the Radion...some with mount some without. But you definitely think that light is the way to go?

you could look into the ai prime. not sure what the light spread is on that, depends on how high it will sit above your tank.

 

[cracker]

Welcome Boomer ! We are happy to have You. As for working on a budget, Be patient & keep your eye open for decent equipment. Now lighting can be the most pricey There are other less expensive very good lighting for less than the leds with fancy controllers etc. T5 lights are great & what I prefer . After all your wallet right ?
Any way Welcome again we be glad to help Ya with any questions.

 

[rkpetersen]

Welcome to the forum! The AI Prime would be a great first light for what you're setting up, easily controlled and programmed from your phone, and much less expensive than the Radions. (I like Radions too; I have them on one tank and AIs on another, both are doing great.) A T5 fixture might be even less but you have the ongoing cost of replacing bulbs yearly. Also T5s alone doesn't give you any shimmer at all and some people really like some shimmer and glitter lines to be present. If you can't afford both right now, I'd get the quality lights first and upgrade your flow pumps when possible. It's likely you'll want to readjust your flow anyway as the tank takes shape.

 

[Captain Quint]

Welcome aboard boomeraudio

So many options this day in time. The only LED's I've used are Radions and many of them so it's not really fair for me to compare against other brands.

I do know that I've always been able to have anything I want in my tanks.

You have gotten some great response from great members so far and we are glad you joined and looking forward to your journey.

 

[Greybeard]

There are bargains that are not 'cheap'... Nothing wrong with selecting something that is of excellent quality, but not bleeding edge, top shelf... with a price to match.

It's Black Friday, or will be soon... Lots of big discounts at the moment

 

[DFR]

Unfortunately, I can't post in used gear forum yet :/. They all seem to want like $30 or so less than retail for the Radion...some with mount some without. But you definitely think that light is the way to go?

Radions are nice, but I personally feel like most of what you are paying for is the name. For equivalent pricing, I would get a decent controller and lower cost equipment.
You can easily bundle the hydor, AI prime, and apex jr and be happy with the look, flexibility, and ability to monitor countless things. Trust me, even with all the functionality and features you can get with some equipment, you will end up setting everything to a specific setting and leaving it that way (ie. ask anyone with a dc return pump how many times they’ve even used the feed feature or changed the speed).

 

[rkpetersen]

(ie. ask anyone with a dc return pump how many times they’ve even used the feed feature or changed the speed).

Well, that would be whenever I do a water change, which would be twice a week on each tank. "Echo, tell Apex Fusion to start water change."

Although I agree, I've entirely stopped using Feed mode for actual feeding.

 

[Todvod]

you can get good deals in the used equipment forum. i’d check it out. i love my mp pumps and wouldn’t switch to anything else at this point. but.... the koralia is much cheaper. i’d spring for a used radion and the koralia now. upgrade to an mp10 later.

This!

 

[Greybeard]

"Echo, tell Apex Fusion to start water change."

And there is some reason why that wouldn't work with an AC return pump? Hmmm.... My Apex runs my AC pumps just fine.

 

[rkpetersen]

And there is some reason why that wouldn't work with an AC return pump? Hmmm.... My Apex runs my AC pumps just fine.

It would definitely work to turn the pump on and off, no problem. With a DC pump, you can set it to just enough thrust that all water flow stops moving, even hovering in the return line, while you remove water or do other maintenance. I know, it's totally unnecessary, but so cool anyway. Although I haven't been back in the hobby that many years and already I've had DC return pumps, by different alleged manufacturers, fail. If it keeps happening I may just get Abyzz and never think of it again. Although that's so much money.

 

[JasonK84]

 

[reef lover]

Welcome to r2r!!

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Welcome. Think with the end in mind. What kind of tank do you want? Then plan the equipment that will get you there. A simple fish and anemone tank may not require much but light, circulation, temp control, and regular water changes. The results can be dramatic with hosted Clown fish. So many options.