Newbie in research/planning stages

DiverGirl82 · May 19, 2015

Hi I'm thinking about putting together a reef tank and this would be my first time. Right now I'm just in the research phase. I've been looking around online, YouTube and now on here. I've found a 60g cube tank on Craigslist I'm interested in going to look at. It comes with the tank, stand, bonnet, led lights, custom sump, skimmer with pump, built in over flow box, mag 9 return pump and 2 power heads all for $350. Of course being used I'm sure there's no guarantee that all those pumps actually still work but even if only some of it works it seems like a pretty good deal. What do you think?

I'm wondering about RO units, which I just learned about on here. I'm a renter so I'm pretty limited in what I can set up. Everything that comes with that tank seems to be contained within the stand so I think that will be ok. But how are RO systems setup? Can I make it renter friendly?

I eventually want to make it a reef tank but will start it out as a FOWLR tank while I'm still learning. I'm thinking first I'll introduce the cleaning crew and once I get the hang of them add some fish. I would really like a good variety of fish and have already been making a list by looking around online. I'm going to a fish shop tomorrow to look around and ask some questions. Unfortunately the closest one to me is about 1 1/5 hrs away. Here are some of the fish I would like. Let me know what you think. I know I won't have room for all of these, they're just ideas...
Firefish
Green clown goby, I really want this one
Clownfish
Kaudern's cardinalfish
Pajama cardinals
McCosker's Flasher wrasse, I really want this one too
Tail spot blenny
Red/green mandarin, eventually after I'm more experienced

I'm wondering about Clownfish. Should I wait until I'm ready to add an anemone before getting Clownfish?

When I go to the shop tomorrow I'm going to ask if I buy that setup from craigslist if they provide a service where they would come out and check it all out and make sure everything is working properly. I'm not particularly mechanical and would prefer a professional experienced eye to look it over. I hope that works out. That would be a big relief.

Anyway sorry for the long post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pete polyp · May 19, 2015

Welcome to r2r! You seem to have a pretty good handle on things for having no experience at all. The tank you are talking about getting seems like a good deal, if everything is ok with it. I think it would probably be worth the chance though. If half the pumps don't work and the tank leaks you're still cheaper than going out and buying new. Nice fish list! Clowns don't need an anemone at all, so you can be comfortable by putting the clowns in there until the tank is mature enough to handle an anemone. Just keep is informed here about the progress and some of us can answer your questions and help you along the way

DiverGirl82 · May 19, 2015

Thank you! I've been researching pretty much non stop since I found that tank. I was even up till after midnight last night. I can't wait to go to the shop tomorrow and look at the "candy".

Pete polyp · May 19, 2015

You sound about like me and all excited to go to the lfs. I have to drive a little farther than you do and usually don't find anything of interest to me. I hope the store you go to will be helpful because there are so many that aren't. So whatever they tell you just come here afterwards and ask if the information is correct or not.

Have fun at the lfs tomorrow

DiverGirl82 · May 20, 2015

So it was an interesting day. I my way to the fish store I decided to stop in at Petco and see what they have. I talked to an employee there and even though she had admitted that she didn't know a whole lot about it she pretty much told me flat out that I shouldn't do it because I've never run any kind of tank before. So needless to say I left there feeling extremely discouraged and a little angry. Then I found a wonderful surprise...there's a fish store only 30 minutes from my house! They didn't pop up when I did a Google search but I saw the sign when I drove by. I went in and they were very encouraging. I showed them the info on the tank on Craigslist and the guy said it sounded like a good deal and gave me some advice and said once I got it if I had any questions I could call them. And he even has several of the fish I want including the green clown Goby. I left there feeling much better.

DiverGirl82 · May 20, 2015

Oh yeah and when I told him what the girl at petco said he told me that he taught himself how to do saltwater tanks and that it can be scary at first but he said once he got his first one going and got it all squared away and had some fish in it for a little while he wondered why he had ever been afraid. And he said he only lost one fish in the learning process. So it is possible.

French27 · May 20, 2015

It sure is a lot of fun going through the research process. Like you, I have love going to the LFSs in my area. Nothing like seeing the real thing in person after doing research. I wish you the best of luck with everything.

DiverGirl82 · May 20, 2015

Thank you. Are you starting your first tank too?

PatW · May 21, 2015

Well about RODI water, I am sure you know that tap water is not the best. You want pure water to add your salt mix to. That way you avoid several problems. Tap water often has nitrates and phosphates which are fertilizers and cause algal blooms. Tap water can and usually will have metals like copper in it that can poison your inverts. Finally, tap water can have pesticides in it that can poison your reef.

You can buy RODI water from your local fish store. Or you can install one of your own. Bulk Reef Supply has some good U tube videos on RODI systems. You can unscrew the aeriater on your faucet and with the right fitting hook up your RODI system for when you need it.

thejuggernaut · May 21, 2015

Yea, I've been doing allot of research on RODI. First you need a water report to actually see what is in your water. Figure out your ALK and if they run chlormines. You will need to know chlormines to know what type of carbon blocks to get. ALK and TDS will tell you how much waste water you need to produce to flush the membrane. If you have fairly clean water you can get away with less that 4:1. I would suggest Spektrapure. Spektrapure allows you to adjust your waste water ratios by cutting the tubes to a certain length in the flow restrictor. I would look on their website and their youtube page. You also need to know your line pressure. If it is too low you will need a booster pump, which will more than double the price. With a 60 gallon, you may be better off just lugging water from your LFS for the first few months. Like was said above, you can add a switch to your faucet sink. Just hook up the line and flip a valve. Although, while using it, you can't use your kitchen sink. Welcome to clay-boa! LOL JK (Some people in the know will think that was funny)

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Pete polyp · May 21, 2015

Most lfs sell Rodi water and if not you can use distilled water from the supermarket.

melypr1985 · May 21, 2015

To answer your "renter friendly" question.... I had an RODI unit in an apartment several years ago. I installed in on the wall above my washing machine and had the waste water drain into the washer. I used the water to wash clothes (no sense in wasting it). Just be careful.... I didn't pay enough attention a few times and flooded my kitchen with it. Anyway, depending on which unit you get, you just screw it to the wall. It wont create any real damage to the wall you have to worry about with landlords. Good luck!