Soon-to-be new reefer from MN
- Hello
- Thread starter MonsterTaco
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Daniel92481
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2018
- Messages
- 1,622
- Reaction score
- 5,792
- Location
- Houston, TX
- What state or country do you live in
- Texas
Welcome to R2R! 
dbl
It Takes Less Energy to be Nice
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
Article Contributor
Moderator Emeritus
Reef Squad Emeritus
Hospitality Award
My Tank Thread
Welcome to R2R and thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself.
OP
OP
MonsterTaco
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 69
- What state or country do you live in
- Minnesota
Will do! Thanks!
HairyGary
Why do all your fish look like trout?
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2017
- Messages
- 1,772
- Reaction score
- 3,656
- Location
- Minnesota
- What state or country do you live in
- Minnesota
Welcome aboard! Where you at here in town? TCMAS.org is a great resource and be sure to hit up the swaps in April and October. Always good things to find.
paparoof
Active Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2019
- Messages
- 146
- Reaction score
- 177
- Location
- Minneapolis
- What state or country do you live in
- Minnesota
When I decided to get into reefing, I went on a "tour" of every fish store in the metro area just to get a feel for selection and how healthy the animals looked. I don't remember anything specific about Sea Level, but I never went back. So there must have been something that bugged me about that place.
forestsofkelp
Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2019
- Messages
- 179
- Reaction score
- 141
- Location
- Southern California
- What state or country do you live in
- California
Good plan. Personally I reccommend keeping a 20-30 gallon tank first..its good practice and you can decide if you want to risk for a bigger tank without going all in.
The pros of a smaller tank is that its more sensitive, builds good habits, and is cheaper, with less livestock at risk. You can also keep it as second or seed tank for your big one in a few years. If it goes south, you can rinse it out in your garage by yourself. Yeah, its a PITA and more time but it really builds confidence. Also, you get more chances to aquascape before going big.
You can definitely start with a big one though. They are more stable which is nice, just when things go wrong, there is more to deal with. So dont let the stability make you lazy. A 50% water change 2-3 days in a row is easy with 20 gallons. Not with 150 gallons. Restarting is a multi weekend project.
I only offer this advice because I have seen people buy a big tank, and either skimp or buy too many toys, have it go sideways, then be permanently discouraged at all the money/time they lost for "nothing" Its better to learn on a baby tank IMO. But, if you have the time, skill, resource and friends, you can start big.
If you are going to start with the big tank, I definitely recommend finding a mentor who won't mind helping/teaching. There for sure is one in your area. I also recommend keeping it really simple...start off a solid cycle, good lights and soft corals. Then move on up to LPS. If you want to go more, get SPS. If in doubt,do without; its better to under stock your tank with fish than overstock. You can always add more.
It also depends on how much cash, time, and heartbreak you are willing to risk I guess. Also your knowledge level.
The pros of a smaller tank is that its more sensitive, builds good habits, and is cheaper, with less livestock at risk. You can also keep it as second or seed tank for your big one in a few years. If it goes south, you can rinse it out in your garage by yourself. Yeah, its a PITA and more time but it really builds confidence. Also, you get more chances to aquascape before going big.
You can definitely start with a big one though. They are more stable which is nice, just when things go wrong, there is more to deal with. So dont let the stability make you lazy. A 50% water change 2-3 days in a row is easy with 20 gallons. Not with 150 gallons. Restarting is a multi weekend project.
I only offer this advice because I have seen people buy a big tank, and either skimp or buy too many toys, have it go sideways, then be permanently discouraged at all the money/time they lost for "nothing" Its better to learn on a baby tank IMO. But, if you have the time, skill, resource and friends, you can start big.
If you are going to start with the big tank, I definitely recommend finding a mentor who won't mind helping/teaching. There for sure is one in your area. I also recommend keeping it really simple...start off a solid cycle, good lights and soft corals. Then move on up to LPS. If you want to go more, get SPS. If in doubt,do without; its better to under stock your tank with fish than overstock. You can always add more.
It also depends on how much cash, time, and heartbreak you are willing to risk I guess. Also your knowledge level.
fishguy242
Cronies..... INSERT BUILD THREAD BADGE HERE !!
Partner Member 2024
Reef Tank 365
Photo of the Month
Hospitality Award
Midwest Reefer
Fish Medic
R2R Secret Santa 2023
FIREBUG
hi nice intro
welcome to the reef going to love it here ..no need to lurk come out to play
live by GO BIG OR GO HOME!! love it
welcome to the reef going to love it here ..no need to lurk come out to play
live by GO BIG OR GO HOME!! love it
Pau Hana Reefer
got reef?
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2018
- Messages
- 1,342
- Reaction score
- 10,076
- Location
- Pennsylvania
- What state or country do you live in
- Pennsylvania
Welcome to R2R!!! Great intro!
ReeferSteve
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2020
- Messages
- 372
- Reaction score
- 657
- What state or country do you live in
- Minnesota
Welcome to R2R. Sounds like we’re in the same area. I have to echo what others have said about new wave, great place.
If you ever need a hand with finishing up your basement or anything else. Give me a shout!
If you ever need a hand with finishing up your basement or anything else. Give me a shout!
OP
OP
MonsterTaco
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 69
- What state or country do you live in
- Minnesota
Will be creating an account there as well and added the April swap to my calendar. Likely won't even have a tank yet, let alone be ready for any corals, but still would be cool to check it out! Thanks!
Fish only, no coral. I stopped in about a year ago and there was a poor clown in a display tank laying on its side struggling and I asked the clerk about it and he said it's been like that for weeks and there was nothing he can do about it. They had some designer clowns in a tank beating each other up too. It was all a bit depressing so I never went back.
World of Fish is another local option, but the saltwater area is a complete dump, ripped up gross carpet etc...which I could live with except I could barely see inside any of the tanks they were so dirty.
These examples are why I'm such a strong supporter of New Wave Aquaria. It's a beautiful, well maintained store with a large selection of coral, plus they QT their fish. Marc Levenson (Melevs Reef) visited the store a couple years ago, you can find the video on YouTube.
OP
OP
MonsterTaco
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2020
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 69
- What state or country do you live in
- Minnesota
I'm in the Northwest suburbs - right on the Crystal/Golden Valley border.
I'll be doing the same. Sea Level is between work & home, so they may be the first one I visit, which is why I asked. But, I'll definitely be checking them all.
Appreciate the offer! I will definitely keep you in mind!
