Hey all, my name is Jason and i have been into fresh water tanks for about 12 yrs or more. Just trying to get a start into a reef tank. I have wanted one for along time and finally get to set one up. So Im going big to start and Im not going to mess with upgrades every month until Im happy. Im starting at 180 gal glass cage tank with all the bells and whistles. WHY? you may ask. Because I got one with everything I need to get started and for the right price. I will keep you all posted as i get it setup and going. As of now its still dry but that will change once i figure it out and learn enough to feel comfortable with getting some water added..lol. Im in the research stage and dont plan on getting it running for about 5-6 months. I dont see a reason to rush into such a huge commitment. thanks and I will be around, snooping and asking dumb questions as every noob does.
New to the salty life..
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steve&mari
Blessed Reefer
Welcome to R2R hopefully you enjoy it here.
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Welcome. I began my 28g and had my 210g within a year, but it took me 2 years to actually get it wet due to research and planning. Good idea to be patient. Dumb questions are those unasked. 
Dtackett
Valuable Member
welcome. this is a great place to learn. feel free to join reef starters on facebook as well. have you decided on any of the equipment yet? remember, higher price doesn't mean better quality or more effective in this hobby. there are cheaper alternatives to a couple things that will produce the same results. however, there are other things I wouldn't skimp on. with a large tank such as yours, you would need 2 budget skimmers that would cost the same as 1 higher end skimmer that would do the same job and use less electricity. just something to think about.
steelheader.262
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Welcome to R2R!!!
buggynutt
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So to answer a few questions. I have been running fresh water tanks for along time. I have always wanted to get a reef tank and my wife and i have talked about it several times. Its never really been in the budget as a lot of you can understand. Well, on Saturday we got an email from my wife's aunt and it simply said "does anyone have any interest in a large fish tank". Not really thinking much about it I said well another 75 gal or something wouldn't hurt anything so we call her aunt and set up a time to go look at it. The tank belongs to her step son and we really don't know him at all. Actually its the first time we have met. Well i will get on with the story so you all don't get board. We go over and its a custom 180 gal reef tank with over 11k invested and I about loose my mind. I cant afford this and its huge. I look at the wife and she says ok. So i start talking to the guy and its a complete dream tank, you know one of those things you look and never really research because its out of your league. Well he has it listed for sale and everything, I don't have a clue what to do. He has to get rid of the tank as he it having health issues and some of them are created by the tank. he says he just needs it gone and its depressing him more everyday to see it sitting and not being used. I tell him I cant afford it and after talking to him he says it has found its new home. WHAT? Yes "its yours and I'm glad to see it going to a great home and not someone that is just going to sell it". Umm well I have to contain my self so I dont go running around screaming like a little girl. SO that's how I got the tank.
Here is what I got.
180 gal tank
custom made aluminum stand
precision marine pump
2 tunze pumps and controller
emgim pump 65 watt
2 blue line pumps model 30x 45 watt
aqua ultraviolet uv 56 watt
aqua controller- Neptune systems
4 small tunze pumps
my reef creations protean skimmer mr2
my reef creations kalkreactor
majano wand
a large and small waste container
korallin kalkeaktor
2 digital heater controllers
2 neo therm heaters 75 watt
300 watt titanium heater
4 250 watt titanium heaters
a solar light panel
3 water top off tanks and more that I don't know about
also included in this was enough supplies and parts to rebuild every thing twice. A closet full of books and just about anything you can think of to do with running the tank. Yes I am still in shock! I pick it up this weekend as I didn't have a place for it. Now I do.
Please let me know what you think and also any advice I can get is always welcome. If you have questions I probably cant answer them but I will try.
Here is what I got.
180 gal tank
custom made aluminum stand
precision marine pump
2 tunze pumps and controller
emgim pump 65 watt
2 blue line pumps model 30x 45 watt
aqua ultraviolet uv 56 watt
aqua controller- Neptune systems
4 small tunze pumps
my reef creations protean skimmer mr2
my reef creations kalkreactor
majano wand
a large and small waste container
korallin kalkeaktor
2 digital heater controllers
2 neo therm heaters 75 watt
300 watt titanium heater
4 250 watt titanium heaters
a solar light panel
3 water top off tanks and more that I don't know about
also included in this was enough supplies and parts to rebuild every thing twice. A closet full of books and just about anything you can think of to do with running the tank. Yes I am still in shock! I pick it up this weekend as I didn't have a place for it. Now I do.
Please let me know what you think and also any advice I can get is always welcome. If you have questions I probably cant answer them but I will try.
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Some nice stuff there. Tunze and Neptune controller alone would break the bank. I do not see the lights mentioned. Am I missing something? Anyway, best thing to do is find out what you want to house in the tank. Make a plan for the animals and build the system around that. As you figure out what you want to house, ask questions on best practices for those species. This will give you a great advantage to setting up the system correctly in the first place.
I do not see the lights mentioned. Am I missing something? Anyway, best thing to do is find out what you want to house in the tank. Make a plan for the animals and build the system around that. As you figure out what you want to house, ask questions on best practices for those species. This will give you a great advantage to setting up the system correctly in the first place.buggynutt
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I know for sure that we as a family have decided that corals is the main thing we want. I can not have a tank without nemo in it as the kids have already made quite clear. I will not be setting anything up until march as im going to be out of town for 2 weeks on a family vacation and dont have anyone to take care of it while we are gone. I have lots of time to research and make decisions and have no need to hurry into this.
Ahruk
Active Member
Well you're in luck clown fish are considered one of the easiest fish in the hobby Just keep in mind, it's gonna be a slow process of cycling and getting everything ready before you get to add them
Just keep in mind, it's gonna be a slow process of cycling and getting everything ready before you get to add them
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Also, if you want an anemone with them, you need to wait a long while to mature the system prior to adding one. Clownfish will adapt to anything and do not need a nem though.
Ahruk
Active Member
Also there are a lot of corals that look like anemones... Like most LPS and softies which are generally considered easier to keep. Whenever any non-reefers come to my house they always think half the stuff in my tank is anemones xD Clownfish will host just about anything too (although it can take a while) one of mine is currently hosting zoas as seen in my profile pic.
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Welcome to R2R and the dark, err, salt side! 
buggynutt
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I went to all the local shops today. WOW they all suck. Went out to price stuff and its ridiculous. a bucket of instant ocean salt is $80. I think i saw it online for like $45 or something. I did find a good deal on sand I think. 40 lbs bag for $28 of natures ocean or something like that. Still looking for a good place to buy stuff. I like to shop local so i can see what im getting but it doesn't look like that going to happen. thanks everyone for your help.
