Reef Tank Kit Recommendations?

[W Haymaker]

Good evening! This is all so new to me. No experience reefing but currently a freshwater tank owner (6 gallons).

A member K2 provided me link to getting started in saltwater reefing. Very helpful article but of course struggling to get my arms around this "sport". I'm okay with that though.

I am thinking I just need to just get started and thinking a kit is maybe my best bet. I'm open to all ideas. I'm fine starting from scratch and learning the basics. I've noticed so many kits out there with filtration and without but I keep thinking it might be helpful to have something to aid in water quality. Again, I'm open to any advice though!! Thanks!

 

[Ranjib]

Any starting points ? Like budget , time and elbow grease availability ? Size of preferred tank etc will be useful

 

[W Haymaker]

Any starting points ? Like budget , time and elbow grease availability ? Size of preferred tank etc will be useful

I like the idea of creating and being engaged. Something I would take care of daily but maybe require cleaning every couple weeks. Budget? Initially under $800 getting the right gear.

 

[Big G]

My daughter got a BioCube 32 a few months ago. She really likes it as a "starter" tank. Everything you need except: water, fish, rock, etc. Here's the link. https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-STY...F8&qid=1514694603&sr=8-4&keywords=bio+cube+32

 

[Ranjib]

Biocube's very well built. But you have to mod a lot if you want to grow all sorts of corals, in the long run. You can start with vanilla biocube, and decide as you go. They are great AIO tanks. I own one, but I ended up modding it along the way. Stock lights were not enough. The closed lid also caused serious heating challenges. Opening up the hood also made it easy to place skimmer and other equipment. I wish i could have also remove the rims. They are pain to clean and I dont really need them.

IM nuvo, and few other AIO tanks are cheaper, but not as good built as biocube, and also does not come with all the gears. They are really good on the nano / pico range. I will go with fluval spec V or something like that for 800$. And iteratively add a kessil a160 (or two a80), a smart ato micro and a mp10, over course of say 4 months.

You can compromise on may things as long as they are somewhat tested, PAR wise and spread wise. You also dont need everything in the first go. So, budget like 400$ for the first purchase and then incrementally spend the rest as time goes by. As long as you are getting decent equipments, minor variations within them wont be a big deal.

I'll definitely recommend something like ro buddie for your ro/di water source and a refractometer from the very beginning. Light can come later, mp10 even more late. Dont stock fast. If you can wait, do wait, a tank that is cycled for longer and had algae bloom is better. You can start with a minimal CUC and go from there. Till you are starting sps you can do with just API test kit.


If you want pre-built kit I think most of them (and micro reefs for temperate nano reefs) has some thing on these lines .. check out orbit marin and nano led also.

 

[JonPhillips]

Search Craigslist where you live. Buy a well established tank or someone will give you stuff because they want to pass it on. Buy used where you can and don’t be a gear junky. Except heaters. Look for a decent sized drilled reef ready tank that you can slap a sump under. All in one tanks look sleek, but are a nightmare for maintenance if you ask me. Go as big as you can right off the bat. It’s like buying a house. You think you don’t need the extra den because you’re coming from a smaller place, but, boy, the kids sure do play a lot there now! You need a sump. Just sump it already and months down the road you will be so glad you did (watch the salt spray on the back of the wall). All in one tanks are extremely limited in the “equipment fitting” department. Google it. The people who run those tanks are very hands on and change things constantly. The great tanks that have been running for years are all sumped, usually behind a wall too haha. Someone right now is getting out of the hobby near you. Kid on the way, moving, whatever. Watch for a listing, grab your buckets, and slap them some cash. People moving out of this hobby aren’t trying to make a killing. Saltwater stuff is a highly depreciating asset. Most people I meet are just glad their stuff is going to a good home honestly. Buy an established system that is relatively healthy, pest free, and save yourself 6 months of waiting for a tank to “cycle”, algae blooms, etc. Around Denver where I live people are selling good sized bio cubes that have been running for years for a decent price. Live rock, whole nine yards. Learn the hobby backwards by getting everything you need pre owned and then build a new system from the pre owned model. Unless you like wasting money. Your first tank will not be your dream tank! Just get your feet wet and and start swimming. All the planning we do and gear shopping we search for doesn’t amount to anything if we’re not growing any corals and fish. Your next great tank idea will come as you sit and stare at your current one. Buy cheap to figure out what works. The best way to learn is hands on what works for you, budget, living space, vision, etc. Watch YouTube videos from BRSTV and other reefers. Look for a reef group on Facebook and people sell and trade stuff their all the time. Think 2-3 years down the road. You will want an auto top off because topping off water is annoying and it’s not exact when we do it by eyesight. Think about what you need to be on vacation for two weeks. Auto feeder? Forget the neighbors. They will mess it up and it’s a huge burden on them to figure out in a 10 min conversation how to handle a tank they’re seeing for the first time. And do you really want to leave Thelma in charge of your pricy livestock? Didn’t think so. We can’t take our tanks to the dog kennel lol. Think about RODI water and where you’ll get it. Will you invest in a unit or count on your local fish store to have water? I make my own because because my fish stores water is junk. Takes about 8 hours to make 10 gallons and I do that once a week.

Love the hobby!

Just
My
Two
Cents

 

[W Haymaker]

Great advice guys. I had been looking at craigslist with lots of either questionable gear or really really big tanks. Found one a couple hours ago and sealed the deal. Ended up with a Fluval M60 24 gallon rimless tank with stand and cover. Kessil Tuna Blue a160We with gooseneck. I was searching for Kessil and that's how this set up popped up so thanks for the mention. Comes with upgraded pump, auto top off, 2 heaters (extra for water mix prep), newer Jaebo PP4 and origianal Fluval powerhead, upgraded media basket, SpectraPure 5 RODI with gauges, refractometer and other testers, extra 10 gallon tank, extra storage buckets and top off water container and few other odds and ends.

$485 cost. It was a reefer looking to get out but could tell he still likes it. Lots of pictures. Anyway, I thought the price seemed fair with that?!?. Picking it up in another week.

 

[Big G]

I would carefully clean all of the "wet" equipment and tank with bleach to remove any bio film that has built up. And then wash the same down with vinegar to remove any chemicals like copper, that may have been used. Lots of folks get out after a real bad die off through disease, etc. Enjoy the new tank! That's awesome. Sounds like you got a great deal. Happy New Year!

 

[Ranjib]

Great advice guys. I had been looking at craigslist with lots of either questionable gear or really really big tanks. Found one a couple hours ago and sealed the deal. Ended up with a Fluval M60 24 gallon rimless tank with stand and cover. Kessil Tuna Blue a160We with gooseneck. I was searching for Kessil and that's how this set up popped up so thanks for the mention. Comes with upgraded pump, auto top off, 2 heaters (extra for water mix prep), newer Jaebo PP4 and origianal Fluval powerhead, upgraded media basket, SpectraPure 5 RODI with gauges, refractometer and other testers, extra 10 gallon tank, extra storage buckets and top off water container and few other odds and ends.

$485 cost. It was a reefer looking to get out but could tell he still likes it. Lots of pictures. Anyway, I thought the price seemed fair with that?!?. Picking it up in another week.

It’s a good deal. Clean it nicely , give it a vinegar bath .
Salt , digital thermometer and refracto meter?

 

[W Haymaker]

Sounds good. I'll do that for sure. Refracto meter is included. I asked about a digital thermometer. I'll have to be sure to have one of those as well.

Would you recommend starting out with digital testers for Nitrates, etc? Or stick with the basic testers for the time being.

 

[JonPhillips]

Great advice guys. I had been looking at craigslist with lots of either questionable gear or really really big tanks. Found one a couple hours ago and sealed the deal. Ended up with a Fluval M60 24 gallon rimless tank with stand and cover. Kessil Tuna Blue a160We with gooseneck. I was searching for Kessil and that's how this set up popped up so thanks for the mention. Comes with upgraded pump, auto top off, 2 heaters (extra for water mix prep), newer Jaebo PP4 and origianal Fluval powerhead, upgraded media basket, SpectraPure 5 RODI with gauges, refractometer and other testers, extra 10 gallon tank, extra storage buckets and top off water container and few other odds and ends.

$485 cost. It was a reefer looking to get out but could tell he still likes it. Lots of pictures. Anyway, I thought the price seemed fair with that?!?. Picking it up in another week.

Super deal, man. I'd say you saved somewhere in the range of %50 on that. Probably would have dropped close to a grand on that setup new. That's gonna feel great as you go to add rock, fish, etc.