Should I do this?

[rural-reefer]

Welcome, I am looking at the 170 too. Keep us posted!

 

[maleshka21]

Hi! I used to have a saltwater tank back in the late 80s, but things seem to be so different now, that I feel like it's not even the same thing! I didn't have any corals, just fish. I honestly don't even remember buying ROID water- I think I just did water changes with tap water! Yikes!! All this was pre internet, so you had to rely on your LFS to help you out and I think a lot of the things people know now,weren't known back then.

Anyway, I'm in the very early stages of researching this hobby. I think reef tanks are fascinating, but they look like a LOT of work! I work and don't have oodles of free time to maintain a tank so I'd appreciate advice about how much time and effort these tanks require to maintain. I'm looking at getting a Red Sea Max e170 or a comparable Nano tank, with some easy corals and a few fish.

Thanks for any advice!

Hi and welcome. I don't know why people say it's a lot of work, i think if you enjoy this hobby so it's not work it's labor of love I'm new to this hobby as well started 1.5 years ago. started with 40 gallons upgraded to 150 RS xxl 625 and I absolutely love it. Like most of us I made tons of mistakes. what i recommend is to watch BRS 52 youtube videos.
My mistakes where trusting my local LFS and getting RODI at 26PPM, and buying none QT fish and corals. If you enjoy this hobby you will enjoy more today because it's way easier plus the technology that is available now is just awesome.

 

[dwair]

Hi! I used to have a saltwater tank back in the late 80s, but things seem to be so different now, that I feel like it's not even the same thing! I didn't have any corals, just fish. I honestly don't even remember buying ROID water- I think I just did water changes with tap water! Yikes!! All this was pre internet, so you had to rely on your LFS to help you out and I think a lot of the things people know now,weren't known back then.

Anyway, I'm in the very early stages of researching this hobby. I think reef tanks are fascinating, but they look like a LOT of work! I work and don't have oodles of free time to maintain a tank so I'd appreciate advice about how much time and effort these tanks require to maintain. I'm looking at getting a Red Sea Max e170 or a comparable Nano tank, with some easy corals and a few fish.

Thanks for any advice!

Welcome to Reef2Reef!
I think the initial time planning out and building the setup from ground up is more intensive than when it’s up and running. Maybe a few hours per week after that

 

[Billldg]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[SaltwaterGuruNeeded]

Hi! I used to have a saltwater tank back in the late 80s, but things seem to be so different now, that I feel like it's not even the same thing! I didn't have any corals, just fish. I honestly don't even remember buying ROID water- I think I just did water changes with tap water! Yikes!! All this was pre internet, so you had to rely on your LFS to help you out and I think a lot of the things people know now,weren't known back then.

Anyway, I'm in the very early stages of researching this hobby. I think reef tanks are fascinating, but they look like a LOT of work! I work and don't have oodles of free time to maintain a tank so I'd appreciate advice about how much time and effort these tanks require to maintain. I'm looking at getting a Red Sea Max e170 or a comparable Nano tank, with some easy corals and a few fish.

Thanks for any advice!

Just from the experience I have, I find you may be doing more maintenance with a smaller tank but with less cost and more stress probably because things can change alot quicker than with a larger tank. Now, with a larger tank things are more stable so less maintenance but larger cost, although, you may still be stressed from things going wrong because of the amount of money that you can loose if things go south, but less of a chance for things to go south. Although people may beg to differ, this is how I see it.

 

[Marinelifelover]

Welcome. This is definitely the place to guide you through your 21st century build!

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

You can do it!

 

[Seachelle]

Thank you for all your encouraging and kind responses! I am overwhelmed!!

I'm the kind of person who researches things to death before I make a move, so I am loving this site! I have so much to learn and am happy I found a place with so many knowledgeable people. The internet has so many opinions about how to approach reefing. I've seen someone who hasn't done anything but top off the water for 2 years (didn't even cycle the tank when starting?) and someone else who tests all his levels everyday. I feel like maybe the path is somewhere in between.

Another consideration is how much space the reefing equipment will take up. I am limited on storage space and was hoping to keep it all in the stand. If you make your own RODI water, do you need to keep it in a garbage can or something?

Thanks again for all your replies! I'm excited to be learning so much!

 

[DeniseAndy]

As so many others have said, it can be daunting when first coming into it. I know I had saltwater fish back in early 90's and when I went into reefing in early 2000's it was a whole different story.

For any system with coral, you will want to use RO/DI water. How you get that is up to you. You can buy from a LFS (some sell it) or have a system in your house. I have a friend that would just set it up to make water when needed rather than have it permanently set up. Takes some forethought and a timer!!! We have all forgotten the RO/DI bucket to only have a nice spill all over the floor. (My friend then ran it in the bathtub after her first overflow!)

A smaller system is nice for maintenance and supplies.

I laughed at the comment about how people can be so extreme. You will find your happy place if you dive into this hobby.

Curious, what animals are you thinking about?

 

[Screwgunner]

Welcome to R2R. I have a 125 gallon with 30 gallon sump . Should be 155 gallons right . No my system has 120 gallons of water . I come home from work feed my fish and top off my water with rodi water. Weekend ,I prep my top off water with reef builder to keep my alkalinity up .and clean the glass on my tank. And water tests. So 5 min. A day after work . Weekend is where my time goes into it . Making up rodi water add ing alkalinity, calcium, trace.,water change. Its not to bad .

 

[stewie]

Welcome

 

[Just John]

I have an Evo 13.5 gal AIO with softies only. No fish. When I just came back from a week of vacation I did a water change, which takes no more than 15 minutes, cleaned the glass and that's it. I do water testing every week, which obviously takes a little time. That's all that is required to keep it going happily once it is set up. I also dose a few things during the week, but that takes 30 seconds. It may not seem like enough is being done, but I have about 30 corals crammed in there and nothing has ever died, so I think it's doing ok. If you have fish, your work load will obviously go up, though

 

[Seachelle]

As so many others have said, it can be daunting when first coming into it. I know I had saltwater fish back in early 90's and when I went into reefing in early 2000's it was a whole different story.

For any system with coral, you will want to use RO/DI water. How you get that is up to you. You can buy from a LFS (some sell it) or have a system in your house. I have a friend that would just set it up to make water when needed rather than have it permanently set up. Takes some forethought and a timer!!! We have all forgotten the RO/DI bucket to only have a nice spill all over the floor. (My friend then ran it in the bathtub after her first overflow!)

A smaller system is nice for maintenance and supplies.

I laughed at the comment about how people can be so extreme. You will find your happy place if you dive into this hobby.

Curious, what animals are you thinking about?

Hi DeniseAndy! Thanks for your reply. I would probably have to do as your friend is doing and make the RODI water in the tub. I live in a pretty rural area, and the closest fish store is 45 minutes away. Is using distilled water from the grocery store for water changes an option?

I haven't really narrowed down which corals I want, but I think primarily soft corals. As for fish, maybe a pair of clowns, a goby and some shrimp or snails. Nothing that will get too big, and preferably things that will help me maintain the tank.

 

[Seachelle]

Welcome to R2R. I have a 125 gallon with 30 gallon sump . Should be 155 gallons right . No my system has 120 gallons of water . I come home from work feed my fish and top off my water with rodi water. Weekend ,I prep my top off water with reef builder to keep my alkalinity up .and clean the glass on my tank. And water tests. So 5 min. A day after work . Weekend is where my time goes into it . Making up rodi water add ing alkalinity, calcium, trace.,water change. Its not to bad .

Thanks for the details! That doesn't sound like too much work!

 

[Seachelle]

I have an Evo 13.5 gal AIO with softies only. No fish. When I just came back from a week of vacation I did a water change, which takes no more than 15 minutes, cleaned the glass and that's it. I do water testing every week, which obviously takes a little time. That's all that is required to keep it going happily once it is set up. I also dose a few things during the week, but that takes 30 seconds. It may not seem like enough is being done, but I have about 30 corals crammed in there and nothing has ever died, so I think it's doing ok. If you have fish, your work load will obviously go up, though

30 corals in a 13 gal tank?! That's amazing!! Do you have a picture?

 

[Just John]

30 corals in a 13 gal tank?! That's amazing!! Do you have a picture?

I'm not at home, but they are mostly small or are frags. I am slowly getting rid of some as everything grows.

 

[1ocean]

Glad you jumped in the water...

 

[Just John]

After 2 pages of positivity and support, I feel confident that you are going to do this tank. Don't forget a build thread. When can we see the photos?

 

[FTW-Reef]

Hi DeniseAndy! Thanks for your reply. I would probably have to do as your friend is doing and make the RODI water in the tub. I live in a pretty rural area, and the closest fish store is 45 minutes away. Is using distilled water from the grocery store for water changes an option?

I haven't really narrowed down which corals I want, but I think primarily soft corals. As for fish, maybe a pair of clowns, a goby and some shrimp or snails. Nothing that will get too big, and preferably things that will help me maintain the tank.

I am new to the hobby as well (researched off and on for a year before pulling the trigger).

Two things I can add (especially since you're in a rural area):
- get your own RO unit (the one I got was from BRS, but since they bought out MarineDepot I am somewhat regretting it due to the liquidation sales at MarineDepot going on this month)
- lots of helpful knowledge shared on the BRS YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJv2rQDivg8NwXIxydJ86A), especially considering things have changed even in the last 5 years it's nice to see the progression.

Apologies in advance if these convince you to spend more $...enjoy the journey

M

 

[Seachelle]

Its

Glad you jumped in the water...

It's just my toes in at the moment! Lol!