New Tank (Back after 10 years!) Need Advice!

[JasonK84]

Here is a pic of a tank I had back in 2012. The lighter rock on the bottom is Marco rock and they were about football sized pieces. They'll get whatever size pieces you request.
I took this tank down back in 2014 then got back into the hobby early this year.

 

[gtrider]

welcome back. i took off 10yrs as well and always promised myself that i'd start a new reef when i bought a home. That happened last year and i set up my new 65g in april. technology has changed so much! here's what i purchased-

65g c2c starphire tank
octo 130 skimmer
gyre macspec 250
radion xr30 g4
35g sump w refugium
75lbs LR

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Welcome back. I took a 5 year break and just got back in the hobby as well, tank is 7 months old. A lot has chanhedcin the hobby, LED has taken over and displays differe t color in corals which has made a new ultra high end market for certain corals that look awesome under blue led but normal under normal 10-14K light. Coral and fish collection in places like Fiji has been banned so corals and fish are harder to get and price has gone up not to mention the near zero supply of live rock. Research helped me get up to date again but I still stayed pretty old school with my reef tank.

 

[JRAD]

Marine Depot and BRS(Bulk Reef Supply). Have tons of really informative videos to help guide you. I like to read the reviews left by customers who use the products I am interested in. Is your tank really going to be 54 inches deep? It will take powerful lighting to get to the bottom, but it all depends on what you want to keep. Fish only needs enough light to please your eye. Soft corals and Lps need moderately intense light to live. SPS corals need even higher intensity and quality of light/spectrum. You will have fun choosing all your new equipment! This is a great resource for all your questions. Good luck- J

 

[ktbug545]

Thank you all so much for your responses! This is such a wonderful community. I’m having such a hard time knowing what to do for lights. I would really like something i could clamp on to the back. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Barry_Cuda]

We're in a similar boat - I'm also returning to the hobby after 10 or so years away. It seems like a LOT has changed in the hobby during that time, but much of that is to the good. I'm excited about having jumped back in. My 32 is cycled and I'll be putting my first couple fish in quarantine as soon as I'm confident the QT is fully cycled.

You'd asked about where to get live rock - it seems to me that actually LIVE live rock is harder to get than it used to be, with many jurisdictions having banned its export. I'm sure some of the veteran folks on here can tell you more about that situation than I can. I ordered aquacultured rock from KP Aquatics and was really happy with the experience. It wasn't cheap, but it seems like good quality rock with plenty of life (including, unfortunately, at least one aiptasia that I've spotted so far) and good coralline coverage. They delivered exactly what they promised and I had no issues at all. I'd definitely recommend you check them out if you're still sourcing rock.

 

[JRAD]

I think the best value for the money in lighting is the AI (aqua illuminations) AI prime HD. They are about 199 normal price. They are small and bright. They sell mounts to mount to the back of your tank. They are controlled by a free app from cell phone or tablet. Easy to program an can even program moon lighting over night. Only downside is you would need 3 over a 72 inch long tank. You could prob start with 2 then add a third as you add more light dependent livestock. A lot of reefers like Kessil. They are nice but expensive. I have some of their A 80 Nano lights that are great on a small tank but way too underpowered for your big tank. They need a 99 dollar controller to automate if you want dusk/dawn simulation which is important. Fish get startled by sudden on/off lighting.

 

[dutch27]

I've always had algae issues in tanks with quarried rock. You may want to look into the acid baths that people do with that stuff to burn off the layers that may have phosphates locked in. I never did it myself, but if I were to start a tank with quarried rock again, I would.

 

[Victoria M]

I've always had algae issues in tanks with quarried rock. You may want to look into the acid baths that people do with that stuff to burn off the layers that may have phosphates locked in. I never did it myself, but if I were to start a tank with quarried rock again, I would.

I acid washed mine. So far so good.
As for lights...why not check out the subforum on lighting? You will get a lot more help deciding, and there is lots of reading to do? Did you mean to say your tank will be 54 inches tall/high? That is way tall. My 30" high tank kicks my butt!

 

[ktbug545]

It looks like you’ve got some great advice already, and welcome to R2R as well!

And if you haven’t already, start a build thread when you get the chance. And we NEED pictures! Lol

You will absolutely get pictures! As soon as I get everything bought and start setting it up, I’ll make sure to start a build thread! I’m going to start buying and setting everything up as soon as we get into the house! Everything will be bought by the end of January!

 

[ktbug545]

For those of you who were asking, my tanks dimensions are 21 in x 74 in x 54 in. It’s a 125 gallon.

My fiancé finally agreed to let me put it in the entry way of our new home Im very excited to get it started.

 

[ktbug545]

We finally move into our new house next week! I will be going to pick up the tank, and ordering equipment, sand, and rock here soon! (Probably over the weekend)

(Tell me if this is a dumb plan)
I think I’m going to order the “essential equipment” while the tank cycles.... and then the rest of the equipment in January, when my tank has cycled. (Just to spread out the cost a bit)

So NOW I’ll order,
Tank
Sump
Overflow box
Pump (and plumbing)
RO system
Sand
Rock
Heaters
Test kit

In January I’ll get
Nicer Lights (the tank has a hood with lights)
Protein skimmer
Powerheads
Filter media for sump
My “Incase of emergency” battery (for power outages


I don’t think I’m forgetting anything... Feedback anyone??

 

[ktbug545]

I’m BACK! Wanted to let everyone know I’m finally starting my reef build