Totally new to this.

VanG · Nov 10, 2015

Hello everyone. I am totally new to the forums. This is actually my "thread" ever (if that is what I should call it). I dont even know how to navigate through here. Oh well a link brought me here. So here I am.
I so not have a saltwater tank...but I have always desired one. I do have 4 freshwater tanks from 29 to 79 gallons and an outdoor pond.
I have been lerking around on craigslist looking at all the saltwater set ups for sale and I can't quite figure out, from lack of experience, what would be my best purchase. So I figured I could come here do some learning.

kschweer · Nov 10, 2015

Welcome to R2R!!

steelheader.262 · Nov 10, 2015

Welcome, I would probable start out small till you get comfortable with the new hobby.

My first tank was a Biocube and have since moved to a 65g.

Next system will be 150 or 200g.

Good luck and do a lot of research, don't rush into it.

Triggreef · Nov 10, 2015

Found a good place to learn. Can probably find a local area part of the board and find a local reef club to ya. Lots of good info here, the search bar is your friend...

VanG · Nov 10, 2015

It is so tempting to jump into it now..it is so fascinating but your right. Slow and stead and study up. But I have read many other comments, statements, and remarks on not starting little. But they all have recommended to get the biggest set up I could afford simply when they are small an upgrade is inevitable.

KJ · Nov 10, 2015

Welcome to R2R.

twilliard · Nov 10, 2015

Well welcome to R2R!

melypr1985 · Nov 10, 2015

VanG said:
It is so tempting to jump into it now..it is so fascinating but your right. Slow and stead and study up. But I have read many other comments, statements, and remarks on not starting little. But they all have recommended to get the biggest set up I could afford simply when they are small an upgrade is inevitable.

Welcome to the forums! This is the best place to learn! The reason everybody says to start as big as you can is because it's more forgiving of mistakes. The more water volume you have, the less of an impact a small mistake will have on your system. It gives you wiggle room to learn. Many people start out small and do a fine job of it. Of course, like you said, they almost always upgrade within the year. I would say pic a size that you can afford to maintain, not just to purchase outright. The bigger the tank, the bigger the water changes for instance. So you'd be going through more water and more salt. You'd also need an RODI unit and you'd be using a lot of water to make water for you changes. Your water bill WILL go up. lol < learned that one the hard way

VanG · Nov 10, 2015

Thanks..already I am liking it very much here. Hmmm...does there happen to be an equation on the cost of maintenance based on fish/tank size etc.? Just kidding. Ok so what your saying about monthly maintenance costs has not been in the front of my mind at all. Thanks for brining that up? Can you give me a run down of your tank size fish count and monthly cost?

melypr1985 · Nov 10, 2015

VanG said:
Thanks..already I am liking it very much here. Hmmm...does there happen to be an equation on the cost of maintenance based on fish/tank size etc.? Just kidding. Ok so what your saying about monthly maintenance costs has not been in the front of my mind at all. Thanks for brining that up? Can you give me a run down of your tank size fish count and monthly cost?

I have a 75 gallon mixed reef. with 6 fish. Your fish count doesn't always mean as much as fish types. Tangs, for instance, will create way more waste than a clownfish. Aggressive fish like triggers are going to be extremely messy. They create more waste and so require better filtration and more water changes, which leads to more expense.

Talking about what I spend monthly on maintenance? I try really hard not to think about it lol. I honestly haven't sat down and done the math.

Dr. Phil · Nov 10, 2015

Welcome to R2R!

I would recommend getting a larger setup to start out, but like melypr1985 said make sure you can afford the maintenance. I would also recommend planning for many unexpected costs in your first few weeks. There can be many small things that you don't realize you need at first.

As far as how much monthly maintenance costs, I think many of us try not to think about that.

Mykulak · Nov 10, 2015

Welcome! R2R is a great place to learn!
Some people do recommend to start out big or as big as you can afford ($$$$).

VanG · Nov 10, 2015

Oh geez. All this monthly maintenance cost and no one talking about it makes me a tad nervous. What goes into a monthly routine?

Dr. Phil · Nov 10, 2015

VanG said:
Oh geez. All this monthly maintenance cost and no one talking about it makes me a tad nervous. What goes into a monthly routine?

Monthly costs will vary for each hobbyist. They can include: salt mix, filtration media, and later on reactor media and trace elements. These are just a few things and I am sure others can think of more that might be more applicable to a new setup.

melypr1985 · Nov 10, 2015

Let's see. When I got back into the hobby and didn't have many corals. I just spent money every week on saltwater and fresh water. I have 4 5 gallon jugs and would go to the LFS every friday to get my water. Then there's food for the fish, but that's not a weekly thing at all. Coral food... again not weekly or even monthly depending on how frequently you feed them. And then any media you decide to run. I didn't run any at first and only had a 40 gallon tank. Now my tank is bigger and needs more things. So the cost is bigger. These are just things to think about.

For example. You may have no problem supporting a 100 gallon tank, but a 200 may be way too much for you.