New with questions

USMA36 · Feb 5, 2017

okay I am brand spanking new, been researching heavily for about a month now. I think I am ready to get started. My budget is about 1300.00 so I am looking at buying used somewhere in the 90 to 110 gallon range and I'd like a reef set up. I have spotted a couple possibilities on Craigslist and wanted some advice. What type of questions should I be asking of a used setup? What warning signs should I look for? Is moving an established aquarium up to 2 hours away a viable option? Here are two set ups I am current interested in. One has a lionfish a tang and a couple others. I have no interest in the lion so not sure what I'd do with it.

Option 1 is a little more than I want to spend but I am hoping I can talk him down since it's been for sale for a while now. https://harrisburg.craigslist.org/for/5980564206.html

Option 2 is this https://allentown.craigslist.org/for/5982684028.html

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm sure this is the first of 6.2 million questions I am going to have.

jsker · Feb 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R

Both are nice systems.
Option 1. is a really good deal for an established system with all the gadgets that come with the system. I issue with move a established system is that you need to toss the sand and start with a bare bottom or new sand. You also need to save the existing of at least 75% of the water. The reason why, the sand disturbed will release a lot of bacteria in to the DT with causes many issues, and using new water will strip the current bio load of the system and you need something to maintain the bio load since the sand should be replaced.
Option 2 there is nothing really in the tank to lose and you could get the tank and start over again using the rock and sand and let the tank cycle again.

You are going to need test kits for testing to see were things are at. Would will need to run carbon during the fist couple of months to help with filtering out ammonia that will be spiking because of the move(critters in the rock and some die off).

ebushrow · Feb 5, 2017

Ok, so let me give you some suggestions....moving the tank that is established is not a big deal, however, there are a bunch of issues that will arrise once you put it in place at your house.

1 - almost all the water will need to be removed- depending on weight, you may need to remove all the sand as well. If you do so, you will be mixing up all the noxious stuff burried in the sand .... and when replaced into the tank, will likely cause a cycle...

2- the water removed from the tank will need to kept- as much as possible- and replaced upon setup

3- the fish- if you take them, they will need to be put in a tank separate from the one you are re-setting up - you will need to run it like a qt tank, checking ammonia and nitrite and doing many water changes over the period.

4- lionfish can be sold or given to a lfs for credit or just to get it out of your hair

5 - the live rock has mushrooms on it....great thing to get in a buy....but live rock will need to be submerged in tank water and heated until the tank is stable to return it to.

The best deal imo is probably the one with the mushrooms....but it is difficult to move a tank with livestock and re-set it up quickly....it can be done, but you have to thouroughly plan it out. That means enough buckets to hold almost all the water, totes to hold the live rock, and you need to do it fast.....you don't want to lose all the bacteria that is there, nor the fish etc.

One other thing is that you may inherit issues the previous owner has been battling when you get the tank....algae, nutrients, etc....again, nothing that cannot be dealt with, but just expect it to look exactly the same as it did when you took it down.

P.S. you may also be able to sell some of the mushrooms to the lfs to help fund the project for unexpected needs as well.

Salty1962 · Feb 5, 2017

Welcome to R2R! Check this article out. Could help you get started.
http://reef2reef.com/ams/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.84/

USMA36 · Feb 5, 2017

I did like the mushrooms too. Is it too many though? I want to have room for other corals and anemone's. what's the best way to transport the water? home depot type buckets? Would a 20 gallon qt be enough? I'll have to ask how many and what type of fish. I saw at least 3.

USMA36 · Feb 5, 2017

Salty1962 said:
Welcome to R2R! Check this article out. Could help you get started.
http://reef2reef.com/ams/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.84/

Thank you read through that a few times so far.