Starting Fresh - What Would You Do?

[TateLitts]

First time poster here, hoping to receive some advice.

I've never owned a saltwater aquarium, but studying hard in college, I'd like to reward myself with something I've always dreamed of. I currently have a dirted, heavily planted 5 gallon and a 10 gallon shelldweller tank, and have kept fish since 4th grade so I'm no fool when it comes to various livestock and water parameters in a nano tank - but saltwater and corals are a whole new ballgame. I've been researching the ins and outs, along with plenty of beginner threads, but I wanted to ask all experienced reefers out there what they would do on a $800-1000 budget encompassing everything for a relatively hardy 10-15 gallon reef. Start to finish, bare tank to livestock to water parameter testing, what specific equipment and stocking would y'all purchase/prefer if you were to set it up for yourself?

Of course I can browse Craigslist for live rock and sand, but I would prefer a no Bologna Sandwich, sure-fire approach with equipment.

Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Welcome to R2R!!

personally I’d go a little bigger to something like 29-40g. Why? Evaporation and stability is much more of a battle with such a small volume of water. Additionally, there are less options with gear (power heads for one thing) and livestock. That’s just me though.

before gear can really be recommended, it helps to have a plan of what you want to keep with regards to live stock. What sort of fish? What sort of corals? Corals especially will dictate a bit of what sort of gear you need

 

[Starkrost]

Welcome aboard! You'll get lots of good advice here

 

[jeffrey750750]

Hello and welcome

 

[TateLitts]

personally I’d go a little bigger to something like 29-40g. Why? Evaporation and stability is much more of a battle with such a small volume of water. Additionally, there are less options with gear (power heads for one thing) and livestock. That’s just me though.

before gear can really be recommended, it helps to have a plan of what you want to keep with regards to live stock. What sort of fish? What sort of corals? Corals especially will dictate a bit of what sort of gear you need

I would love to rock a larger tank - but my college puts a 15 gallon cap on tanks. Not that I think it’d actually be enforced, but I’d be moving with all 3 tanks, so a nano tank is easier.

All I know about corals is that they’re divided into softies, LPS, and SPS corals... I really like the look of soft corals, as does nearly everyone, as well as the classic zoas and mushrooms. I’m not sure if y’all have planted tanks, but I’m looking for the coral equivalents of Java ferns, Anubias, dwarf sag - bulletproof.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

You are at the beginning of a long and fun journey. Enjoy the journey part, as the destination is always changing.

Two roads to research; corals and the tank itself.

I can’t help with corals (I’m still learning too).

Tanks I can offer my 2 cents.

You can go cheap (petco tank, hob equipment, a good light). Not the prettiest but efficient and cheap.

Or you can go AIO tank, like a Nuvo. Lots of room for upgrades and looks much nicer. Little more expensive starting point.

Lights will be the most expensive equipment if you go corals. But with a $800-$1000 budget it’s still possible.

A 10g might only need one good light, like a AI prime 16.

I’m sure you’ll get lots of advice. Good luck.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

14 NUVO Fusion Peninsula PRO AIO Aquarium Bundle

A Small Slice of the Ocean with Sophistication and Style! Build a welcoming environment for yourself with the most advanced AIO in its class. Keeping in line with the features of their award-winning successor, the Fusion 14 Peninsula has generous display space making aquascaping fun and the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Prime 16 HD LED Reef Light - Black Body

Balanced Power and Spread for Optimal Reef Tank Lighting Discover the AquaIllumination Prime 16 HD Series, designed to enhance your aquarium with vibrant colors and powerful illumination. Control is easy with the myAI or Mobius apps, allowing you to adjust and customize the light spectrum and...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Osmolator 3 Nano Auto Top Off

Effortless Stability for Your Nano Aquarium Precision Optical Sensor for Consistent Water Levels High-Performance, Low-Voltage Dosing Pump Recommended for Tanks up to 66 Gallons Easy & Strong Magnetic Mounting Built with Durable, High-Quality Materials The Tunze Osmolator® 3 Nano Auto Top...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

A reliable water source is important. College? Dorm? Someday you will want your own RODI unit. You could get one now, install under sink not plumbed into lines directly, easily removable if you move. If it’s to much to think about now, just plan on where you get your water from.

TYPHOON III EXTREME 150 GPD REEFKEEPER RODI

Introducing our Typhoon III Extreme 5-Stage Aquarium ReefKeeper RODI (150 gpd). Build a RODI system for saltwater/coral reef tank water changes today!

airwaterice.com

 

[Rudzbrewski]

$1000 can go really fast in a 15g tank depending on a few things. I did a semi budget 10 gallon to start and now am transitioning to my ideal DT (which was always the plan). Two questions I have to start are what is you plan for water because an RODI unit is $150-200 and does that budget include live stock.

One piece of gear that may seem like an unnecessary purchase when looking at it from a strictly numbers standpoint originally is an ATO. However, the constant running around of college and major step to “bullet proof” as you envision is a good ATO like the Tunze to keep you salinity stable.

My build thread has a decent summary of my 10 gallon intro/semi budget build that is super easy.

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome to the reef going to love it here!!
lots of fun/info/fun/help/fun....
poss look into led 16 gal biocube,craigslist

 

[proxy001]

HUm... I wouldn't do 10 gallons, they are a mess to get stable and steady IMHO. Bigger is easier, yet more expensive.
Making mistakes is expensive so I would buy a running tank off craigslist so you dont have to worry about cycling and killing stuff. Also used gear is cheaper. Dont overpay for gear because livestock is expensive.

 

[blasterman]

I have a 20L packed full of healty growing coral and haven't spent close to $1000 on the entire time I've had it including livestock. Tank was $29 from Pet store.

A 15gal standard is a great mini reef tank because of dimensions. Acropora don't like small tanks. Nothing else cares. These cost $30 at any pet store. A Mars Aqua light maybe $100 and will grow anything in a 15 gal. A few higher end options for lights in the $250-$300 ,range, but what you are really paying for is prettier mounting options. A used Kessil 160 is perfect for a 15gal, and usually cost less than $200.

If you put a piece of glass over the tank like I do water evap is less than 1gal a week. Havent owned a RODI unit in years. A couple gallons of water from the grocery store a week and you are done.

Soft corals and LPS will do fine with a 2.5gal water change every couple of weeks.

You want to find good live rock if you can to save a lot of initial headaches and time and this is a big chunk of initial budget.

 

[TateLitts]

A reliable water source is important. College? Dorm? Someday you will want your own RODI unit. You could get one now, install under sink not plumbed into lines directly, easily removable if you move. If it’s to much to think about now, just plan on where you get your water from.

$1000 can go really fast in a 15g tank depending on a few things. I did a semi budget 10 gallon to start and now am transitioning to my ideal DT (which was always the plan). Two questions I have to start are what is you plan for water because an RODI unit is $150-200 and does that budget include live stock.

One piece of gear that may seem like an unnecessary purchase when looking at it from a strictly numbers standpoint originally is an ATO. However, the constant running around of college and major step to “bullet proof” as you envision is a good ATO like the Tunze to keep you salinity stable.

RODI water was a concern of mine... however I will be living in an apartment on campus so it's something I can look into. Is evaporation a huge issue if I have an AIO? Budget does include livestock.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

Evaporation happens. At what rate is the question. Glass tops = less. Mesh lids = more.
My 20g nuvo lost 1g every 3 days or so (mesh lid).

ATO is a big headache saver. Yes, you could do without. And you could do without RODI, at least things you can upgrade with later.

Used is always cheap, I sell my used items at 1/3 it’s original cost. BUT, I like new, just me.

New from a reputable retailer like BRS means easy returns if something goes wrong, and everything being undamaged (no worries on malfunctions, at least at first).

New also means everything in boxes. You mentioned moving. You could start to buy and take with you in original boxes.

Lots to think about! Fun!

 

[TateLitts]

Evaporation happens. At what rate is the question. Glass tops = less. Mesh lids = more.
My 20g nuvo lost 1g every 3 days or so (mesh lid).

ATO is a big headache saver. Yes, you could do without. And you could do without RODI, at least things you can upgrade with later.

Used is always cheap, I sell my used items at 1/3 it’s original cost. BUT, I like new, just me.

Im assuming evaporation further concentrates salinity? Which would be bad in a tank that requires specific params...

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

Im assuming evaporation further concentrates salinity? Which would be bad in a tank that requires specific params...

That’s why you (we) top off with fresh water. And the ATO does it at a small rate periodically that it keeps everything in balance. Smaller tank means things get affected faster. Less room for error. But if you go slow, and do it right, it’s definitely doable. But that’s why people say go bigger. I understand your situation. So stay at that limit (less than 15g), 1 small fish , a few easy corals to start.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

I like “live sand”. Instant ocean brand salt is easy to find and cheap (and reliable). Live rock is a huge bonus but hard to find and expensive. Dry rock will work.

You’ll get lots of “opinions”. I say cycle with a fish (and lots of bacteria. You can’t really overdose. I use 50% more than whatever is recommended). Dr Tim or Fritz Turbo start with a clown fish you plan to keep (or easy to catch and donate if you change your mind down the road). Damsels are mean, and super hard to catch.

Cycle done, you had a fish the whole time, and then you can add corals. Again, just an option. You’ll read lots.

 

[DSEKULA]

Welcome to R2R!!
Awesome goal, here's my 2gallon pico. Some of the things I've noticed doing a small vs large tank.. first off is pick one or two coral and cater to that. I did a maximini carpet tank with sexy shrimp and then let some zoa and shrooms run wild since they'll grow like weeds and come in lots of colors. My approach is to keep it simple, this is a low tech build that will rely on large wc for everything maintenance wise, the only real tech on the tank is an air pump for oxygen and recirculation, led lights, heater, and a gravity fed ato. I decided to go the route of making my rock(s) so it would fit exactly how I want with the equipment hidden inside. You can absolutely do something like this on a budget but it does potentially limit stock and you may need to custom fit some equipment or pay more for specific components.

 

[TateLitts]

Anyone have thoughts on the Fluval Evo? And honestly I’m impressed by the amount of people helping out so quickly! Greatly appreciated.

 

[Sump Crab]

First time poster here, hoping to receive some advice.

I've never owned a saltwater aquarium, but studying hard in college, I'd like to reward myself with something I've always dreamed of. I currently have a dirted, heavily planted 5 gallon and a 10 gallon shelldweller tank, and have kept fish since 4th grade so I'm no fool when it comes to various livestock and water parameters in a nano tank - but saltwater and corals are a whole new ballgame. I've been researching the ins and outs, along with plenty of beginner threads, but I wanted to ask all experienced reefers out there what they would do on a $800-1000 budget encompassing everything for a relatively hardy 10-15 gallon reef. Start to finish, bare tank to livestock to water parameter testing, what specific equipment and stocking would y'all purchase/prefer if you were to set it up for yourself?

Of course I can browse Craigslist for live rock and sand, but I would prefer a no Bologna Sandwich, sure-fire approach with equipment.

Any advice is much appreciated!

Buy REAL live rock!