Noob to the Highest Power

[JWC67896]

Hey guys what is going on!!?!?! Im pretty excited i have always played with the idea of building a saltwater/reef tank. But recently me and the wife bought a house so now that the tank will have a perm home i am willing to start the journey. I have done a bunch of youtubing, forum lurking, reading and researching. My name is jim. dont get upset when i start pouring out with all the noob questions, but you cant learn with out failing epically first right lol.

 

[deerhunter06]

hey jim good luck feel free to PM me or post any questions you have. What size set up and equipment you planning on using? The best advice I can offer in the beginning is spending the money in the beginning will save you in the long run, and patience.

 

[JWC67896]

See this is where i suppose i guess i will be getting confused, People say do it big cause the bigger the "eco system" the happier everyone will be. I get that and i understand this isnt going to be cheap but neither is building my bikes lol. I guess where i run into some issues is how big is to big for a begginer and is buying something like a biocube the best bet or is buying just a standard glass aquarium better and then adding the needed items. and also im toying with the idea of a DSB vs the SSB due to a few very informational vids i saw by newyorksteelo. seems to know what the deal is.

 

[JWC67896]

Also i understand the whole sump system for the most part. Will adding a sump and running a dsb in the DT and algae in the refugium with a good protein skimmer and a reactor lessin the need for water changes? Not gonna lie you reefers are some hardcore people i mean **** i thought my 600rr.net forum were hardcore people on somethings but i have like about 1k pages of info printed and saved for constant reading. some guidance or assistance in just i guess getting what im gonna need is welcome.

 

[NC2WA]

Jim,

welcome to R2R.

I would highly recommend you getting and reading this book:

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist (Microcosm/T.F.H. Professional): Robert M. Frenner: 9781890087999: Amazon.com: Books


It will answer a major of the questions you will have..

The first half of the book talks about tank selection, curing live rock, aquascaping, water parameters, cycling a tank, fish disease and treatment, and more..
The second half of the book describes all the different fish species and which ones are good and which ones to avoid.

overall, in the 20yrs ive been in the hobby, I still use it today mainly as a reference, but a good first book to read.

 

[JWC67896]

Not gonna lie im gonna go buy it right when i get out of the shop! Ill read it a billion times. this is really nerve racking. I look at this tank as taking care of small people. I dont want anyone to suffer and i want them to enjoy their life. I know weird

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[JWC67896]

Also what is a good middle of the road tank size to start. I was thinking somewhere in the 75-100 gal range or is that just way to over achiever for a noob?

 

[Frostyfish]

The 75-100 should be perfect, as long as it is in your budget and the space you have available. The reason for the bigger is better water volume statement is if something is off, nitrates, phosphates, etc., it takes longer to become a major problem. Here's a few pointers:
The first cycle is more often than not, the only one. I had two smaller spikes of nitrate and phosphate within the first 8 months

Good flow throughout the tank is very important. No dead spots is very key

Research aquascape ideas, then research some more. Do a dry layout of where you want to place the rocks before putting sand and water in.

Water changes thru the first six months, maybe year, are your best friend

The most important is to research everything. The more you know about every aspect of the hobby the better off you will be. Be wary of info on forums, some is good, but every tank isn't the same, so find what works for you! Advanced aquarist is one of the best sites out there.

Have fun!!

 

[Frostyfish]

Sorry, I meant to say the first cycle is more often than not, not the only one.

 

[kireek]

Welcome to the forum,this one is one of the best!

 

[JWC67896]

Got a bunch of reading material couldn't get the one book but will order it off line. Got a few good ones. The thing that I am concerned about now is dead spots. Is there an easy way to make sure to minimize or eliminate dead spots?

 

[Tamberav]

I would say plan your livestock and budget 1st and then pick a tank to fit. Often I see people pick a tank and then ask if they can keep so-and-so fish, eel, seahorse, or anenome, ect in it only to be disappointed.

So I say pick whatever size is going to make you happy so in the end you aren't yearning for something different. If you're the person who loves tangs, then a larger tank would be better suited but if you like smaller inverts and critters, you will see them a lot more in a nano.

Don't be scared off from a nano if that's what you'd like. There is a lot of hardware and information out there for nano's. There is pretty much a nano version of anything to get the job done. There are pro's and con's of both systems. So my advice is do what you'd like best and have FUN!

 

[Frostyfish]

Got a bunch of reading material couldn't get the one book but will order it off line. Got a few good ones. The thing that I am concerned about now is dead spots. Is there an easy way to make sure to minimize or eliminate dead spots?

The best way to not have dead spots is to have your power heads and return lines aimed in all directions. Also don't put your rocks too close to the glass, so water is able to move around it and through it. Two or three less powerful power heads or returns are better than one powerful one in most cases.

 

[Frostyfish]

http://fish-etc.com/aquascaping-main/on-the-rocks-how-to-build-a-saltwater-reefscape

This is a good article on basic aquascape, that also helps with dead spots

 

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