Newbie

Hello, I'm 'new' to the forums. I have been reading many of the AMAZING threads in the Show Off Your Tank forum, and finally became a member.

I am REALLY looking forward to getting into this hobby, however, I am currently trying to sell my home, so I am not yet ready to start a tank. I know that I could break it down and move it, but I feel that it would just be too much work if I am already selling the house by the time I am going to begin.

When I DO start up a tank, it's going to be a reef tank. I have seen many FOLR tanks, and a few reef tanks, and I find the reef tanks to be far more fascinating (IMO). There is a cool aquatics store in the town next to my parents, about 30 minutes away, so that isn't too bad. I am hoping to move to the same town as my parents after this house sells, as most of my dad's side of the family lives in the surrounding towns there, and I am the farthest away.

I am doing LOTS of research on tank set up's so far, and just trying to figure out which size tank would be good for starting. I am thinking 55 or 90 gallon probably, since the bigger the easier with the water parameters, from what I have read here.

-Zach

 

go for a 100+Gallon you will thank yourself in the end Trust me...once you get into the hobby...your tank can never be big enough..lol

 

i bump that one my god i got a 55gal and now i am looking at high 100's to 200+ cause the more room the more fun;D

 

I think it should be law, all saltwater noobies should be required to start the hobby with a 180G. This gives them ample room to experiment with various aquascapes, forces properly sized external equipment and can prevent 90% of the noobie impulse buying mistakes





For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon

 

Welcome Zach.

This is a great forum. The folks here are top notch and very knowledgeable.

I am new here as well and am currently shopping for a tank to. I bought a 90 gal Oceanic bow front on Craigslist prior to doing any research and have been kicking myself ever since. It has no built in overflow, is made of tempered glass so I can't drill it and it isn't as big a tank space wise as I can support. Needless to say, it's probably going back on Craigslist soon unless I decide to set it up as a second tank- FOWL... not sure yet.

There's not much advice I can give, me being a newbie to, but I do know that you should take your time and go as big as you can. I already made the mistake of starting out with the wrong tank. Thank god it's still empty!

Good luck!

 

I totally agree with the statement that "size matters".;D No seriously Zack take your time and consider this. A 180 gal tank is the best way to start out. I foolishly bought a used 65g tank on craigslist and I had to replace the sump and skimmer. Then my fish got bigger along with the corals and I bought a 120g All Glass w/dual overflows. I at least bought a skimmer and sump/refugium designed for up to 300 gals. Shortly I realized I made a mistake and upgraded to a 210g All Glass with dual overflows. I wanted the 180(72x24x24) but the 210(72x24x29) was on sale and it was going to be a while before the 180's come in. I wasted soo much money to get it right. You NEED 24" or more of depth (front to rear) to set up the rockscape right for a coral reef. Tangs and angels NEED 72" or more of length as they grow bigger which they do that pretty fast.

What you are doing right now is the smartest way to go about it. Read a lot and take your time and look at different tank sizes. You could easily in this market wait a year or so before you sell your house. Get your ducks in a row mentally and on paper and then in the end you'll do what works for you. Lots of luck my friend!

 

welcome to 3 reef Zach



Steve

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

Welcome to 3reef

 

This is very true. Just be sure whatever tank you do get, you have the money to support it and its maintenance.