restarting a tank after more than a decade

mhan · Apr 19, 2019

After more than a decade out of reefing, I’m getting back in and introducing my housemate to the joys of saltwater reef keeping. We have a 40g cube, and I’m using sand and rock I saved from my last tank. We’re basically in need of everything else— salt, hydrometer, an extra light, and then LR and LS to seed the tank. If anyone knows of a person getting out of the hobby or has this stuff to donate or sell for cheap, PM me. Thanks!

Mastiffsrule · Apr 19, 2019

Welcome to the group, you’ve come to the right place for all things reef related. Check out the sales forums for lots of items for sale.

And #WelcometoR2R

RIreefGuy · Apr 19, 2019

WELCOME TO R2R!!!!!

I took a 10 year break myself. I am just up the road in RI if ya need anything.

pjb9166 · Apr 19, 2019

Welcome back PM'ed you.

Dr. Dendrostein · Apr 19, 2019

mhan said:
After more than a decade out of reefing, I’m getting back in and introducing my housemate to the joys of saltwater reef keeping. We have a 40g cube, and I’m using sand and rock I saved from my last tank. We’re basically in need of everything else— salt, hydrometer, an extra light, and then LR and LS to seed the tank. If anyone knows of a person getting out of the hobby or has this stuff to donate or sell for cheap, PM me. Thanks!

Welcome comrade, I'm back little over a year.

mhan · Apr 20, 2019

My friend donated salt, so now I have a tank filled with salt water. I guessed on the SG b/c my refractometer doesn’t work anymore, but it’s a good start. I’m going to get a hydrometer (anyone have one lying around?) to confirm the specific gravity. Anyone have a tank between Coventry and Glastonbury who would like to donate a small cup of sand to seed my new tank? I’m driving to church tomorrow and will be heading to Glastonbury.

I might be trying to rush this too much, but I haven’t been this excited about something in a long time. Or any other advice is appreciated. It has been a number of years since I’ve been active in the hobby.

Minh

Good_vibes_reefing · Apr 21, 2019

Minh the next meeting is in Manchester at Lutz museum next Sunday the 28th at 5:30pm. It would be great to see you there! I can bring you some of the rock to seed the tank.

mhan · Apr 21, 2019

Thanks Earl. I do hope to be at the meeting at the Lutz.

Minh

Dzurilla · Apr 23, 2019

I live with Minh and we got everything set up. The specific gravity is 1.023 so the tank should ready for some live sand and critters. If anyone has anything, we will be at the meeting Sunday. I’m new to all this and am enjoying learning this new hobby. Thanks for the support!

mhan · Apr 23, 2019

I’ve been adding bacteria from a bottle every day but haven’t dosed it with ammonia or added any shrimp, etc to cycle the tank. I think I’ll stick with live sand, live rock, macroalgae, whatever critters come with the sand, and coral frags.

High ICP · Apr 23, 2019

mhan said:
After more than a decade out of reefing, I’m getting back in and introducing my housemate to the joys of saltwater reef keeping. We have a 40g cube, and I’m using sand and rock I saved from my last tank. We’re basically in need of everything else— salt, hydrometer, an extra light, and then LR and LS to seed the tank. If anyone knows of a person getting out of the hobby or has this stuff to donate or sell for cheap, PM me. Thanks!

Ive been out 4 years

People actually dose Nitrate and Phosphate to their tanks now. That’s new.

Salty Lemon · Apr 24, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

mhan · Apr 24, 2019

Salty Lemon said:
Welcome to R2R!

Thanks. I was a super active member of Reef Central, but it’s been a long time away. I’m excited about getting back in.

hans1976 · Apr 24, 2019

Hey Minh, welcome back. I have been out for about 5 years, think about getting back in every now and then, but just been too busy.

mhan · Apr 24, 2019

Thanks Jeff. I'm planning to have a VERY budget conscious and hands-off approach to this tank. Not trying to set myself for any flaming, but I don't plan on doing a sump, refugium, wave maker, dosing, scheduled water changes, measuring anything more than specific gravity, or any number of other "must do's" that other reefers consider necessary. I want a mixed reef with donated or cheap coral frags and fish and clean up crew from members who are downsizing or taking a break. I want the tank to give me joy, not heartburn about how much it costed to set up and time to maintain.

Paulywalnuts · Apr 24, 2019

Hey Minh
If you are on a tight budget, you should have got goldfish. IMO, successfully running a reef tank is not wise on a tight budget .Without a sump? Ok you will need to take a minimalistic approach. Free or not, the corals/fish have requirements for survival. Not testing anthing except salt gravity? That is going to send “many” live animals to their death. Sorry if this sounds rough. I just have a passion for the live creatures we put in our tanks. They have many requirements for survival. If I were you, I would re think the no sump idea and not testing. Test kits are $15
Used sump $50?
Dosing pump? 100

Paulywalnuts · Apr 24, 2019

I have a ocean revive led light I will donate. If you get the tank running well. Many free corals too

mhan · Apr 24, 2019

Thanks Paul. I hear your caution. I actually do have most if not all the testing kits already from my previous reef tanks (125g w/ sump, 55g, 2g nano). So it’s not like I’m not going to test anything at all. But I won’t be testing every day or even every week like I used to back when I first started. I also know better how to eyeball a tank, see how things are faring, and catch things early hopefully. I think most of the time, the copepods and corals let us know if they’re happy.

As for the corals and budget, I’m going to get small and cheap frags rather than expensive large colonies. I don’t need the latest and greatest SPS. I’ll take the proverbial crumbs that fall from the table. If I take care of them, they’ll grow, and I can pay it forward to other new reefers with their own frags.