noob in need lol

Hello everybody,
My name is efrain and Im 22 years old male. I live Carson, California. I always wanted a reef aquarium but never had the money or time to maintain one. I finish college (I attained a BA in Computer Science) and currently employed. I have the time to take care of an aquarium and I work 3 miles away so I can come home for lunch to feed the fish if needed. i been reading forum and books on how to set-up and maintain the aqurium.(currently reading "Saltwater Aquariums or Dummies") I have a aquarium that measures 48 ½ X 24½ X 24 1/2. (120 Gallon) . I want coral, live rock, invertebrates, and a couple of fish. im also going to buy another aquarium (FOWLR) maybe a 96 X 24 X 24 (240 GALLON) or a 84 X 24 X 24 (210 GALLON) but i cant decide.Im open to any suggestion on equipment that I should buy or stay away from? (For the size of my aquarium)

 

Welcome to 3reef

Slow down there, think about one tank at a time. Start with the 120 gallon reef for a few months. Get that set up and running nice and a little mature and make sure you have the time and money for one tank before setting up a second. One at a time will keep your hands full.

Ask lots of questions and you'll learn quickly. Once again welcome to 3reef.

 

I would recommend starting with the 120 gal as well. However, I would start with a FOWLR or a FO so you know what your getting yourself into. Reefs are the hardest and most time consuming of the saltwater aquariums to take care of.

I'd also recommend these 2 books to read before starting: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner. Once you think you're ready for a reef aquarium I would read at least the first of a 3 Volume Book Series for reef aquariums called The Reef Aquarium: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tropical Marine Invertebrates by Julian Sprung and J. Charles Delbeek. The 3 Volume series carry a hefty price tag but I believe that they are worth every penny. These books have saved me from making many mistakes and unnecessary livestock deaths.

Good luck and make sure to post a thread of your aquarium adventure with tons of pics!;D

 

I agree,slow down and learn from your first tank, this will help you decide how to set-up your next tank. You may want to completely change the next tank and do things different. Two or three big tanks at first and you will probably be wasting alot of money and alot of time.Get your first tank going,get everything stable,buy some fish and corals and learn their needs and the next tank will be so much easier on you.
Also...welcome to 3reef.

 

Not to mention the cost in equipment!!! Dont you have some loans to pay off??? lol!

 

welcome to the hobby and 3Reef!

 

Welcome 2 3reef.

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

I been reading and making notes for about 1 year. I know it will be allot of time and money. I’m not in a rush nd I want to let it mature for about 6 to 8 month. (No fish) It gets kind of confusing because I read different books but some contradict each other. Forums are even more confusing but I read them for situation and solution and to help me prevent future problems. I’m remodeling and I wanted to put the aquariums in the wall. Time frame to have the equipment set up for both aquarium is 01/10. i want to frame the wall for the two aquarium.

 

sounds like an adventerous project efrainz28

welcome to 3 reef

Steve