Recommendation's for someone wanting to get into the hobby.

[nathansosa]

Hello Reefers!

My name is Nathan and for a few years now I have been wanting to get into the hobby, but never actually got around to actually starting. After much contemplating I have decided I am ready to start my first reef! I have been doing a tun of research on what type of reef i would want to do and how to build one in general although I have a few questions that i was hoping some experienced reefers could answer for me. Is there any brands that I should avoid? Is there certain brands that will easily sell later? Im sure after a year or two Im going to want to upgrade to a bigger tank when I have more space. Where should I get my first tank? What size tank would you recommend for a beginner? I was hoping to get a 40-60 gallon as this is most likely what i can make fit comfortably in my current living space. What General Equipment, Hardware, Filtration do you recommend for a 40-60? I have been searching offer up but a lot of the tanks I have found and want to offer on either sell before the person gets back to me or they're asking for a lot and im not sure its worth it. example being 40 gallon with stand for $300? Are the Red Sea Reefer tanks worth the money? I've been contemplating offering on used ones. Any and all recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Wolf89]

Welcome to Reef2reef!!

 

[Wolf89]

Where should I get my first tank? What size tank would you recommend for a beginner?

Used usually. New is a ripoff imo. 40 breed or 75/90 gallon. 55 gallons are no good for reefs.

 

[piranhaman00]

I think all in one tanks are great to start off, they help show you have everything should run, plumbing ect. Then when you want to go larger you can custom do your whole setup how you want it.

Red Sea is frustrating to say the least lately whith some of there tank failures, however, the smaller versions are usually really sought after. I will recommend a WaterBox all in one anyway

These all in ones are expensive but tbh, whatever budget you have in mind you are gonna want to re think, money goes quick in this hobby and its little things you dont think about.

 

[Dom]

I think a 75 gallon tank is a good place to start. The bigger the tank the better for rookie-reefers.

As you get started in the hobby, your biggest challenge will be stability in water chemistry. It isn't uncommon for new reefers to have chemistry fluctuations as they learn the ropes. The larger the tank, the longer it will take chemistry changes to impact the tank. The bigger the tank, the more gradual the changes.

But before you pick a tank, I would ask; what animals do you want to keep? It is common for people to approach reefing by purchasing a system and then figuring out what they can fit in it. I would suggest the opposite.

You should tailor your build around the animals you want to keep. So tank size, lighting, filtration and other equipment choices should come after you've decided on the inhabitants you want to keep.

Dom

 

[DungSl1nger]

As someone who was in your position 2.5 months ago. Expect to spend twice what your basic tank cost. I went with a Redsea Reefer 250. All the little things add up, quarantine tank, RODI, rock, sand and medicine, especially if you don’t have a local store to buy things like medicine.

 

[RedSea500MaxS]

Hide your wallet! Kiss your wife good bye, you will be busy.

 

[Katrina71]

I'd suggest starting with an aio as well.

 

[Hydrored]

Check out waterbox to start.

take it slow, I would not go cheap on lighting to start- buy something that you can use on the bigger tank once you upgrade

If you are in or near Texas I have a 4 month IM 20 with aluminum stand, skimmer, ato, G4 with diffuser, 6040 power head, heaters with some coral and a couple fish for 900 bucks lol.

 

[gabrieltackitt]

Take a look at my build thread for an idea of what I’m doing with a 40breeder and trying to keep it under $1000 total! And always be asking questions, I have found that there is an insane wealth of knowledge here.