To reef or not to reef?

[Globalbutterfly]

If you are pretty sure you are moving in about 6 mos. but are sure you want a reef tank, I suggest you try one of the very small all-in-ones like the Fluval 13.5 or a 10 gal with an oversized HOB filter (look it up, easy to Frankenstein.)

Start slow, go through the entire cycle process (excruciating wait), testing all along, then when your water looks good and your LFS confirms, add a couple of small clowns, watch and test your water, etc... Your goal is once you have the magic to keep your water stable and those two clowns alive and happy. You CAN do it, but in a small nano tank like that, it will take attention and diligence. It will force you to learn about nitrogen cycle, water changes, ammonia spikes, over feeding and tank chemistry on a small but very immediate and urgent level.

When you are ready to move up to the bigger tank you will have a better understanding of what you are doing, WHY you are doing it, and what you really want to be doing. Also, you will likely find the bigger tank is SO much easier than the nano tank was. Using what you learn, planning and saving up for the new tank is a great idea. Don’t suggest buying equipment ahead of time. What you initially think you want may be very different than what you want in 6mo to a year.

Just my two cents as someone who started out with her son’s bucket of hermit crabs from Panama City beach, put in an old 10 gal, then a 13.5 gal, then THOUGHT she just wanted a small 67 gal reef tank but would start with a 20L with a sump...and now has a 133 gal with a 32gal sump.

 

[Keiffer the reefer]

I had a couple different size tanks when I was in my early 20s and moving every 12-18 months. The experience was fun, but I’d probably stop short of calling them successful tanks. Now that I’m settled in, I got a Red Sea reefer 250. Man, this is a really easy size to maintain and letting a tank mature for 2+ years makes a big difference. I think you’d have fun with one of the innovative marine AIO tanks but temper expectations, keep your coral selections to softies and put only one or two fish.

 

[JRAD]

Wow, that sounds exhausting! Hopefully I won’t have to move it once it’s set up... yikes. Curious, do moving companies do that service?

Moving company that we used moved the tank and stand and empty sump but I had to move all of the fish etc.!

 

[MLSReefer]

Welcome to R2R!

I agree, I would wait until you move out. By that time you can plan your full build and set up. There are deals upcoming too so you can snag what you want in pieces rather than buy it all at once. I'm moving in 5 months and right now just waiting and grabbing items as I see them on sale! Best of luck

 

[Trevor Johnson]

Thank you for all the responses so far! A lot of great feedback and insight. Based off of the majority, I think it's best for me to wait until I'm for sure in a new place and know what my limitations will be. As some of you mentioned, my system desires may change over the next several months and a new place may have limitations on sizing of systems in general.

With that said, I do also see the point of buying some equipment as I go along, but only the FOR SURE staple items. Things like a good RODI system, controller, maybe some power heads, or even a small 20gal tank for a quarantine system sound like good things to aim for over the next several months.

 

[ectoaesthetics]

I am someone who is slowly gathering stuff for my next build to cut costs. I have saved myself from spending hundreds so far. But that being said I think that is a LOT easier to do when you have been in the hobby for a while and know what you want.

My advice is to dip your toes. Pick up a nano. Remember the smaller you go the touchier the system will be and that bad thing happen in the blink of an eye.

Things worth mulling over if you go this route: 1) still setting up s sump. This will allow you to play with different filtration methods and get a feel for a bigger tank as well as give your current tank some stability. 2) Buying oversized equipment. If you are going to run a kessel or a radion there is nothing wrong with using on on a nano. This will let you get a feel for the light and allow you to make sure you like them before you have to commit to a few over a larger tank. 3) Pick up equipment that will transfer. Buy your lights, computer (like a Neptune), and your ATO system with your nano. Buy what you plan on using in the end with these three categories for sure -and possibly with others as well! If you plan on keeping the tank with a smaller light pick a light that can roll over into a fugue light on your bigger tank. Will save you a lot of learning and some money on your next tank.