My first setup - all comments/ advice welcome!

[Snowbed]

Hi all,
I’m aware you’ve probably seen this post 100x before, and please accept my apologies!

I am new to marine aquariums. I have however kept tropical fish previously, so have SOME experience and understand the vast differences between the two. It’s also worth noting I am taking my time before jumping into anything regarding a purchase. I am looking at this as a project, rather than a ‘whim’. I see it as long term and it is something that greatly interests me.

I was looking at options, and as budget isn’t a huge issue, was thinking along these lines:

Red Sea Reefer G2+ XL 200 Deluxe Aquarium (Black) | Charterhouse Aquatics

The REEFER G2+ series of reef-ready aquarium systems comes in a huge variety of sizes, includes top-of-the- line infrastructure, filtration, water management and the ReefATO+ system

charterhouse-aquatics.com

This is a suitable fit for my space and I think is a good enough size - not too big, not too small, right?
Are there any other options within this budget you’d have me consider?
Also, I see a lot of people talk about additions - perhaps additional lighting, for example (but not limited to), to run with the initial set up. Are there any other items you could recommend to enhance my initial set up worth considering or mentioning?

I intend to do a fish-less cycle. Will look at some live sand and rock (potentially dry rock to shape to avoid critters) further down the line but also open to suggestion. I also have a local, reputable marine shop within <20 miles of my house so intend all the water to be delivered from them, both for set up and for changes every week.
I’d like the tank to have a small (5/6) population of fish, not sure on which yet - however would like a good verity of corals, albeit within the restrictions of the tank.

Please ask any other questions you may feel relevant and genuinely thank you for helping me out with this!

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'm sure you're gonna get some great information here. Red Sea has been getting some negative reviews here on the site recently. Some have an issue with leaking. So there's that. But yeah, 200L is a good size. I would suggest live rock over dry rock if you can do it. I was of the opinion that dry rock was the way to go until I started on this forum. I've since changed my views. Yes, there are negatives, but the positives outweigh IMO.

And fishless cycling is the way to go IMO. I'm not a fan of putting livestock through the ringer while ammonia is present. I'd suggest that you also wait until about the 2 month mark to turn on your lights. That'll ensure that any photosynthetic algae will have minimal space to thrive as beneficial bacteria will have populated your surfaces and will crowd the algae out.

 

[Snowbed]

I'm sure you're gonna get some great information here. Red Sea has been getting some negative reviews here on the site recently. Some have an issue with leaking. So there's that. But yeah, 200L is a good size. I would suggest live rock over dry rock if you can do it. I was of the opinion that dry rock was the way to go until I started on this forum. I've since changed my views. Yes, there are negatives, but the positives outweigh IMO.

And fishless cycling is the way to go IMO. I'm not a fan of putting livestock through the wringer while ammonia is present. I'd suggest that you also wait until about the 2 month mark to turn on your lights. That'll ensure that any photosynthetic algae will have minimal space to thrive as beneficial bacteria will have populated your surfaces and will crowd the algae out.

That’s great to know, thank you for the comment it’s much appreciated. As I say, quite open to options if there are alternatives that people may have. I am not quite there for building a tank myself yet (hence the Red Sea set up) but did read that the ‘G2’ version was less likely to leak, but who knows. It does come with a 5yr extended warrantee if I did go down that route.

 

[PharmrJohn]

That’s great to know, thank you for the comment it’s much appreciated. As I say, quite open to options if there are alternatives that people may have. I am not quite there for building a tank myself yet (hence the Red Sea set up) but did read that the ‘G2’ version was less likely to leak, but who knows. It does come with a 5yr extended warrantee if I did go down that route.

OK. Cool. I was really unsure of which were the issue. Sounds like you're doing your research! I am too. I ended up settling on a Glass Cages 203g (48x39x25 inch) DT. Once my flooring is done, I'll be able to go. But I'm taking research on this hobby to the next level and remaining active on this site x18 months to ensure I have a good knowledge base prior to pulling the trigger. Having started a tank in the past with NO knoedge base, I have learned that this is not the way to go, lol!!!!

 

[PharmrJohn]

And LOL, I was just thinking that you were an early bird with your posting! Until I grew a brain. It's early afternoon where you are! It ain't even 6AM where I am!

 

[Snowbed]

OK. Cool. I was really unsure of which were the issue. Sounds like you're doing your research! I am too. I ended up settling on a Glass Cages 203g (48x39x25 inch) DT. Once my flooring is done, I'll be able to go. But I'm taking research on this hobby to the next level and remaining active on this site x18 months to ensure I have a good knowledge base prior to pulling the trigger. Having started a tank in the past with NO knoedge base, I have learned that this is not the way to go, lol!!!!

Haha - yes I’m going down a very similar route myself. Bet you can’t wait, when does your flooring go in?
I’m thinking of getting the tank I agree on in the NY. Like I say, long term project! I do love reading about it all though. There’s so much to take in!

 

[PharmrJohn]

Haha - yes I’m going down a very similar route myself. Bet you can’t wait, when does your flooring go in?
I’m thinking of getting the tank I agree on in the NY. Like I say, long term project! I do love reading about it all though. There’s so much to take in!

Flooring goes in around the December, January mark. Maybe Feb. Going from wood and carpet to all tile on the main level. Easy to maintain. And perfect for a tank. I'll end up starting a 40g (160l) Reef Tank for the meantime, to give me something to do, then convert it to a QT when the DT goes up and livestock transferred.

 

[Snowbed]

Flooring goes in around the December, January mark. Maybe Feb. Going from wood and carpet to all tile on the main level. Easy to maintain. And perfect for a tank. I'll end up starting a 40g (160l) Reef Tank for the meantime, to give me something to do, then convert it to a QT when the DT goes up and livestock transferred.

Brilliant. Hope it goes well for you. If you have any start up tips along the way or that you have learned feel free to share!

 

[305 Steve]

Hi all,
I’m aware you’ve probably seen this post 100x before, and please accept my apologies!

I am new to marine aquariums. I have however kept tropical fish previously, so have SOME experience and understand the vast differences between the two. It’s also worth noting I am taking my time before jumping into anything regarding a purchase. I am looking at this as a project, rather than a ‘whim’. I see it as long term and it is something that greatly interests me.

I was looking at options, and as budget isn’t a huge issue, was thinking along these lines:

Red Sea Reefer G2+ XL 200 Deluxe Aquarium (Black) | Charterhouse Aquatics

The REEFER G2+ series of reef-ready aquarium systems comes in a huge variety of sizes, includes top-of-the- line infrastructure, filtration, water management and the ReefATO+ system

charterhouse-aquatics.com

This is a suitable fit for my space and I think is a good enough size - not too big, not too small, right?
Are there any other options within this budget you’d have me consider?
Also, I see a lot of people talk about additions - perhaps additional lighting, for example (but not limited to), to run with the initial set up. Are there any other items you could recommend to enhance my initial set up worth considering or mentioning?

I intend to do a fish-less cycle. Will look at some live sand and rock (potentially dry rock to shape to avoid critters) further down the line but also open to suggestion. I also have a local, reputable marine shop within <20 miles of my house so intend all the water to be delivered from them, both for set up and for changes every week.
I’d like the tank to have a small (5/6) population of fish, not sure on which yet - however would like a good verity of corals, albeit within the restrictions of the tank.

Please ask any other questions you may feel relevant and genuinely thank you for helping me out with this!

Hey there Snowbed! What an exciting stage of the journey! As others have stated id be wary of Red seas newer products. I do recommend Innovative Marine or Waterbox as they are equally Aesthetic and functional and come in similar varieties! As for the lighting make sure you find something that has controllable spectrum and intensity. for a 40 gallon i recommend AI, Kessil, or Hydros as you said you plan on having a good amount of corals and these lights will allow you the room to grow into the hobby without costly upgrades on this tank! For your fishless cycle, i think that is a very conscious decision and i would recommend Live sand any is fine but i personally just started a tank with Two little fishes live sand and Julian Sprung is a very trusted name in the industry, Also if you want to save on costs you can do all dry rock and seed with some live rock or if you have no cost barrier i would recommend splurging and starting entirely with Cultured live base rock. Dry rock like marco rock surely makes it easier to build your aquascape if you are going to take the more modern approach to scaping, the drawback is that the cycling process does take much longer and goes through many more swings generally as the dry rock matures and starts to host the bacteria needed for your tank to flourish!

Im hoping you make a build thread so we can all follow along on this journey! Best of luck!

 

[Snowbed]

Hey there Snowbed! What an exciting stage of the journey! As others have stated id be wary of Red seas newer products. I do recommend Innovative Marine or Waterbox as they are equally Aesthetic and functional and come in similar varieties! As for the lighting make sure you find something that has controllable spectrum and intensity. for a 40 gallon i recommend AI, Kessil, or Hydros as you said you plan on having a good amount of corals and these lights will allow you the room to grow into the hobby without costly upgrades on this tank! For your fishless cycle, i think that is a very conscious decision and i would recommend Live sand any is fine but i personally just started a tank with Two little fishes live sand and Julian Sprung is a very trusted name in the industry, Also if you want to save on costs you can do all dry rock and seed with some live rock or if you have no cost barrier i would recommend splurging and starting entirely with Cultured live base rock. Dry rock like marco rock surely makes it easier to build your aquascape if you are going to take the more modern approach to scaping, the drawback is that the cycling process does take much longer and goes through many more swings generally as the dry rock matures and starts to host the bacteria needed for your tank to flourish!

Im hoping you make a build thread so we can all follow along on this journey! Best of luck!

This is exactly the sort of feedback I was after, thank you! I’ll keep everyone posted as everything develops.
Generally speaking though, outside of lighting do you think the Red Sea I’ve linked has everything needed as a solid ‘base’ to get started?

 

[305 Steve]

This is exactly the sort of feedback I was after, thank you! I’ll keep everyone posted as everything develops.
Generally speaking though, outside of lighting do you think the Red Sea I’ve linked has everything needed as a solid ‘base’ to get started?

Yes i do, and if you look at the product description it lists at the bottom the things that arent included that you will need to source yourself!
Return Pump

Recommended Flow - 2000LPH (Pump Not Included)

Filtration

Protein Skimmer - Recommended RSK300 (Not Included)
Mechanical Filtration (Bubble Trap) - Yes
Micron Filter Bags 225 Thin Mesh - 1
Filter Media Cup - Not Included
Carbon Filtration Media - Not Included <------------------------As far as carbon is concerned i recommend not using it until your biome is stable and converting ammonia quickly!

 

[Snowbed]

Yes i do, and if you look at the product description it lists at the bottom the things that arent included that you will need to source yourself!
Return Pump

Recommended Flow - 2000LPH (Pump Not Included)

Filtration

Protein Skimmer - Recommended RSK300 (Not Included)
Mechanical Filtration (Bubble Trap) - Yes
Micron Filter Bags 225 Thin Mesh - 1
Filter Media Cup - Not Included
Carbon Filtration Media - Not Included <------------------------As far as carbon is concerned i recommend not using it until your biome is stable and converting ammonia quickly!

Spot on. Thank you again!

 

[xitsmike]

I had the Red Sea Reefer 170 in the past. (Brilliant aquarium) and I had no trouble with it at the time.

Though this was 7 years ago, and a lot has changed since then. I do see a lot of negative comments, and If I could make a suggestion - If you haven't ordered yet, maybe take a look at Evolution Aqua. I had their EA Reef 1200 and it was the best tank i could ever ask for. I had the 900 prior to that. They are built very well and look exactly like Red Sea, but there's no doubts or worrying behind them. Red Sea is overpriced. Whilst their test kits are great, i don't recommend their tanks.

 

[Macbalacano]

Welcome and super exciting!

I also used to have a Reefer 170 and it was a good tank. But now I have a Waterbox and I love it. I think you would be much better set-up for success by getting a different tank and purchasing all the equipment separately. It likely will be cheaper also.