New Guy on the Block (in Arizona) - Help

Young@Heart

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My Name is Ed, my first SW tank was a 20 Gallon that I did for my daughter - a "Nemo" Tank - it had a 45 Gallon HOB filter with about 15 Lbs of Live Rock. Kept it until I got too aggressive with cleaning the filter (HOB) and got some cleaning solution (maybe vinegar) in the tank (I did not know it at the time). Eventually all live stock died (Rest in Peace). Fast Forward 4 years or so. I started a 55 Gallon Mixed Reef Tank (Fish, Live Rock and Corals). Using 2 75 Gal HOB Filters and about 38 lbs of LR + 60 lbs of live sand and 2 AI Primes lighting about 10 hrs a day ramping time included in that figure - this tank has been running about 2 Months now. Inhabitants seem happy, but I hope I am not moving too fast. I have 2 Clowns, Pigmy Angelfish, Sleeper Goby + 3-4 Emerald Crabs, 2 Zoas, 2 Gorilla Nipples a Fancy Chalice and a Torch Coral (The Torch was a fathers day present from my wife and daughter).

This is where I hope I am not getting over my head - Within the next couple of weeks, I plan on getting a 185 Gallon Aquarium (Stand, base, Sump, UPS, Protein Skimmer, any living livestock (including corals and LR), t5 Lighting, reference books and Canopy included). I realize, I have a few things to look at:

- Live Stock Compatibility
- It is a Pre-Owned Tank - so it will need TLC (Cleaning) - Maybe even stain the wood.
- Cycle the Tank (Planning for a month)
- Plan for Aquascapeing (after all the new tank is 3.3 times the size of what I have now)
- Once Cycled - Decommission 55 Gallon Tank and Transfer Livestock, LR.
- Still thinking about Substrate - Not Sure I want Sand, but I have a Sleeper Goby and he sifts sand and he hides in the sand/Builds Tunnels.

The Biggest Problem, I foresee is I don't know anything about sumps, protein skimmers. I am trying to read what I can find here, But I am getting a little nervous. I have created a check list for moving the 185, but I hope I am not forgetting something; Please help with comments, suggestions, tips, references to look at.

Best to all,

Ed
 
Your best bet is to hook up with fellow reefers to help with the move. Look into local clubs and join one. I also know that we have a number of R2R members living in Arizona.......hopefully some of them will chime in.

HERE are the three AZ clubs listed on R2R.
 
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Welcome!! I would slow down and do a ton of research before starting a tank that size. You'll definitely want a sump/skimmer. Ask a ton of questions here. We all want to help!
 
Thank You, do you have any suggestions for learning about Sumps.
You would want too try and get the biggest you can.. that will fit .. decide wether you want one with a refugium or not .. look on YouTube for sumps /reefaquariums .. 100s of videos
 
Welcome Ed to R2R and congrats on the upgrade. Just take your time, read, read and read some more before trying to get it started. There are plenty of willing and able folks here to help along the way. The link provided above by @Jason mack is a good place to start.
 
Welcome to R2R, Ed. I went online with my first sump last year and have not looked back. I built is a couple of safety measures for overflows, this was my main reason for not having sumps in the past. Sumps are not as scary as we all think;):)
 
Welcome to R2R, Ed. I went online with my first sump last year and have not looked back. I built is a couple of safety measures for overflows, this was my main reason for not having sumps in the past. Sumps are not as scary as we all think;):)

Thanks to all that responded. I know it seems like a pretty big upgrade, but it looks like a Screaming Deal.

I think I will move every thing in and we will see about the livestock that comes with it. Once I get the tank I think I will move SLOWLY probably spend a week cleaning, assessing/setting it up. I am thinking about just starting from scratch. I like the idea of starting it up new - the big thing is the live stock, frags and LR - that could change things. Lots to consider ... I know I will have questions so those will come soon enough. Thanks again!
 
Welcome to R2R!

welcom.jpg
 
Thanks to all that responded. I know it seems like a pretty big upgrade, but it looks like a Screaming Deal.

I think I will move every thing in and we will see about the livestock that comes with it. Once I get the tank I think I will move SLOWLY probably spend a week cleaning, assessing/setting it up. I am thinking about just starting from scratch. I like the idea of starting it up new - the big thing is the live stock, frags and LR - that could change things. Lots to consider ... I know I will have questions so those will come soon enough. Thanks again!
At the least you have a plan
 
Please post a pic!
I will probably get the new system in about 2-3 weeks (got to get the $ together and workload issues), but once I get things I will start posting pics and questions.
 
Yup down in Amado/Elephant Head. You have a lot of good resources up in that area, much more than down here.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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