Getting Started

Hello Everyone. I am new to the reef.. I am looking to get started and always have wanted to begin this as a hobby. I have no experience so I am a total n00b. I have been reading alot and thats how I found this forum.

I was in the store the other day and saw the Oceanic Bio Cube. I was like HMMMM this might be a good thing to get me started. So... I began to research. I see that I would be pretty limited to marine life that I can put in there. But it may give me enough knowledge for when I would decide to invest in a bigger tank.

Is this a good way to go? I don't want to spend a boat load of money for my first tank so the all in one option was appealing.

What kind of fish should I go with? What type of corals and rocks? Just looking for a bit of direction. There is alot of info out there just want to narrow it down. Thanks everyone and I look forward to reading and participating on the forum.

 

Welcome to 3reef.

If I was you, I would get something bigger then a Nano. They are not easy to keep for a beginner, especially if you lack husbandry. Try a 55g to 75g to start with. That way you have plenty of water volume to dissipate problems.

 

Is there a large price difference between the 2? Well I may be receiving the bio cube as a gift so may have to just into the intermediate level...

 

You can usually find a 55g for about $30 if you just wait and look for classifieds. If the nano is free then by all means educate yourself off it. You will have to stay on top of that tank.

 

Explore the many categories here at 3reef and you can be assured of getting the answers you are looking for.

 

Thanks guys. I am exploring. I guess it is going to be a long night for me. I have been reading that with the smaller tank if you screw up it is alot more severe due to the less water so it is alot less forgiving.

Now I am trying to figure out what would be best to put in the tank.

 

Well with a 14 gallon biocube you would be looking at a pair of clowns (or 2 similar sized fish, and that may even be pushing it), and some very easy corals. That's about it. Honestly if your going for a reef, regardless of size, I would not do the biocube, as your quickly going to find out that most of the equipment that comes in them is inadequate and will need to be replaced. It will end up costing you a lot more money in the long run. I would just go with a plain old tank, and add to that as needed as you go along. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks Packleader. I think I am getting the 29 gallon one. Was thinking 2 or 3 fish and some corals and such.

 

I started off with a 28 gallon jbj nano cube. I had to go really slow on any additions, to avoid large fluctuations in water parameters. I like it but over time i have learned that i could have made a 40 gallon breeder into an AIO for alot less money.

 

Thanks yeager.