New to Reefing, need some advice on tanks and equipment.

[zachadri]

Hi everyone!

My wife and I are looking to get into the hobby of having a mini coral Reef and saltwater fish.
We have visited our local aquarium store to get some basic information. They recommend is a coralife bio cube 32 gallon that came with everything we needed. Plug and play essentially. We definitely don't want to break the bank getting into the hobby. We want to take it slow and build it up over time. We like the idea of the AIO setups for ease of use. As far as fish and coral we really just want some colorful fish that are nice to look at and add to our apartment. We don't need anything crazy. We are open to tank sizes around 20- 30 but are open to smaller or larger depending on price and ease of use.

Any advice or tips would be great!

 

[KrisReef]

FOR SALE IM 20 GALLONS AIO

Hey guys ! I’m selling my AIO IM 20 Gallons is kinda “new” I bought it on May 8th and only used it for 1 and half months. I also have the LID and a AI Prime 16 HD for sale

www.reef2reef.com

The want adds, where those who have gone before seek to upgrade and usually they save you some dough.

 

[NanoNana]

Welcome to our addiction!
A lot of people use biocubes and like them, I didn’t go that route because I just didn’t want everything that enclosed. And knew that I would want better lights and power heads that I could control and a pump that I could control without putting my hands in the water. I bought a gently used aquatop 24 gallon cube with stand and tons of equipment for $200.

If you can, I would recommend a rectangular tank over a cube. Fish prefer horizontal swimming space over the vertical space offered by a cube, I have found other things with the cube that make me wish I had gone with a rectangular tank. Lighting and flow are a challenge when you start getting into 18 and 20 inch depth tanks with that short horizontal foot print.

Also, keep in mind that with an AIO tank, you are loosing water volume to your sump. My sump space effectively makes my display a 20 gallon.
Is your primary focus going to be corals or fish? Do you have dream fish? If you have dream fish, research what size tank those fish need and build the tank around your fish wishlist. You’d probably be surprised how many marine fish aren’t suited for 30 gallons and that list gets smaller if it’s a AIO cube. I bring this up because very often people get a tank and then come here asking about the best fish from their preferred fish list and maybe one fish on the list is suited for their tank size.

Don’t get me wrong, I love having a small tank, and I was completely fine with my nano fish list. It’s a rewarding hobby and patience is key.

 

[irischan]

it really depends on what kind/number of fish and coral you like to put in. for example, a pair of clownfish and some easy corals, plus weekly 10% water change, should have no problem.

 

[zachadri]

Welcome to our addiction!
A lot of people use biocubes and like them, I didn’t go that route because I just didn’t want everything that enclosed. And knew that I would want better lights and power heads that I could control and a pump that I could control without putting my hands in the water. I bought a gently used aquatop 24 gallon cube with stand and tons of equipment for $200.

If you can, I would recommend a rectangular tank over a cube. Fish prefer horizontal swimming space over the vertical space offered by a cube, I have found other things with the cube that make me wish I had gone with a rectangular tank. Lighting and flow are a challenge when you start getting into 18 and 20 inch depth tanks with that short horizontal foot print.

Also, keep in mind that with an AIO tank, you are loosing water volume to your sump. My sump space effectively makes my display a 20 gallon.
Is your primary focus going to be corals or fish? Do you have dream fish? If you have dream fish, research what size tank those fish need and build the tank around your fish wishlist. You’d probably be surprised how many marine fish aren’t suited for 30 gallons and that list gets smaller if it’s a AIO cube. I bring this up because very often people get a tank and then come here asking about the best fish from their preferred fish list and maybe one fish on the list is suited for their tank size.

Don’t get me wrong, I love having a small tank, and I was completely fine with my nano fish list. It’s a rewarding hobby and patience is key.

Thank you for the reply! I've been watching BRS videos all day and decided I might go the 40 Gallon breeder route and just get the needed items.
I'd start with the 40 Gallon tank, live rock and live sand most likely and buy my water at my local aquarium store. Purchase my protien skimmer, heater, (2) powerheads not really sure what gph to get, and then after a few days add a clown fish or yellow tang. Over the course of a few weeks add another clown fish and maybe some other fish. Once they are comfortable after a few months I'll get lighting and start getting ready for coral. I really just want a nice tank to look at and enjoy but also pick up the hobby.

 

[ScottJ]

I think the best advice you can get is to research all you can before you spend any money on a tank. Look at the difference between All In Ones and sump systems. AIO's are defiantly easier to set up for a beginner. A sump system is more flexible in terms of equipment, but more complex to set up and requires a place to put the sump. IMHO, stay away from hang on back systems. They are great for fresh water, not so much salt.

You mention your in an apartment, are there any rules about having an aquarium? Size restrictions?

Don't buy your water, get an RODI, even a small one, and make your own water.

Sad to say, but many LFS's are not great places to get advice. Many are, some just want to sell stuff. Some employees at your LFS are better than others. I once had a guy at a really, really good LFS try to sell me a Six Line Wrasse for a 10 gallon. Don't think he works there any more.

Don't try to put a Tang in a 40 gallon, it won't end well

Did I mention research? Read/watch everything you can!

 

[NanoNana]

Thank you for the reply! I've been watching BRS videos all day and decided I might go the 40 Gallon breeder route and just get the needed items.
I'd start with the 40 Gallon tank, live rock and live sand most likely and buy my water at my local aquarium store. Purchase my protien skimmer, heater, (2) powerheads not really sure what gph to get, and then after a few days add a clown fish or yellow tang. Over the course of a few weeks add another clown fish and maybe some other fish. Once they are comfortable after a few months I'll get lighting and start getting ready for coral. I really just want a nice tank to look at and enjoy but also pick up the hobby.

40 gallons is not large enough for tangs. Yes you can possibly keep a baby for a while but you will have to get rid of the fish and you will have to rehome it more quickly than you think you will. Most tangs need 125 gallons or larger. An exception is a tomini tang which can spend its life in a 50 gallon.

 

[zachadri]

40 gallons is not large enough for tangs. Yes you can possibly keep a baby for a while but you will have to get rid of the fish and you will have to rehome it more quickly than you think you will. Most tangs need 125 gallons or larger. An exception is a tomini tang which can spend its life in a 50 gallon.

Yes, I'm aware about rehoming. I know they help control algae population so that was my plan to get one for the first 6 months to a year of the tank and then rehome it afterwards. They local stores near me would help with taking the fish in and the giving me another tang free of charge as well. Basically fostering the fish lol

 

[zachadri]

I think the best advice you can get is to research all you can before you spend any money on a tank. Look at the difference between All In Ones and sump systems. AIO's are defiantly easier to set up for a beginner. A sump system is more flexible in terms of equipment, but more complex to set up and requires a place to put the sump. IMHO, stay away from hang on back systems. They are great for fresh water, not so much salt.

You mention your in an apartment, are there any rules about having an aquarium? Size restrictions?

Don't buy your water, get an RODI, even a small one, and make your own water.

Sad to say, but many LFS's are not great places to get advice. Many are, some just want to sell stuff. Some employees at your LFS are better than others. I once had a guy at a really, really good LFS try to sell me a Six Line Wrasse for a 10 gallon. Don't think he works there any more.

Don't try to put a Tang in a 40 gallon, it won't end well

Did I mention research? Read/watch everything you can!

Thank you for the advice! I definitely want to get a 40 gallon to start. I know sump systems are more optimal but a hang in unit for now until money allows might be our only option. Good thing about not getting and AIO is I can make upgrades how and whenever I want. We are going to visit another Local shop tomorrow for some other advice. I've been watching the beginner series on BRS and that has helped me a lot in terms of timing and equipment.

 

[NanoNana]

Thank you for the advice! I definitely want to get a 40 gallon to start. I know sump systems are more optimal but a hang in unit for now until money allows might be our only option. Good thing about not getting and AIO is I can make upgrades how and whenever I want. We are going to visit another Local shop tomorrow for some other advice. I've been watching the beginner series on BRS and that has helped me a lot in terms of timing and equipment.

There are other fish and inverts that will eat algae that won’t be over stressed in your tank. Starting with real live rock is going to minimize your ugly stage greatly anyway.
Also look for your QT setup while you’re looking. QT tank is going to save you from a lot of headaches.

 

[ScottJ]

Yes, I'm aware about rehoming. I know they help control algae population so that was my plan to get one for the first 6 months to a year of the tank and then rehome it afterwards. They local stores near me would help with taking the fish in and the giving me another tang free of charge as well. Basically fostering the fish lol

It's just my opinion, but don't put a fish in a tank you know is too small for it. It is about the activity level of the fish, not just the size of it.

 

[zachadri]

It's just my opinion, but don't put a fish in a tank you know is too small for it. It is about the activity level of the fish, not just the size of it.

Do you have any recommendations for fish that will flourish in the 40 gallon tank and also help keep the environment clean for the first few months before I add lighting?

 

[zachadri]

There are other fish and inverts that will eat algae that won’t be over stressed in your tank. Starting with real live rock is going to minimize your ugly stage greatly anyway.
Also look for your QT setup while you’re looking. QT tank is going to save you from a lot of headaches.

Are you referring to a quarantine tank? I don't want to sound totally ignorant when asking but is that 100% required or are their other ways to acclimate fish and coral?

 

[paragrouper]

I have a 32 gallon rectanglular (Fluval Flex). My wife originally bought it for me for Christmas a little over 18 months ago. Most of the original equipment that came with this complete system, including lights, has been replaced. If you have the opportunity, invest more in the beginning to save yourself money on the upgrades.

As far as fish go, you will discover that there are a number of gobies, blennys Cardinal Fish and similar you can look at that are suitable for a 30-40 gallon tank. You can also get away with a dwarf angel (remember though, they are reef safe with caution) To get into some of the more popular wrasses you will need at least 50 gallon size and larger fish, such as tangs really require a much larger tank. Your LFS may tell you it’s okay to keep the. While they are small, but they will quickly outgrow a 30-40 gallon tank and capturing a fish in a tank with rocks/hiding places is not an easy event.

So if you can afford the initial investment, go larger.

 

[paragrouper]

Are you referring to a quarantine tank? I don't want to sound totally ignorant when asking but is that 100% required or are their other ways to acclimate fish and coral?

It is a risk to not quarantine fish, as you can introduce disease into your tank and not be in a position to treat it. The are ways to mitigate this, if you don’t have the resources for a quarantine tank. One I use is to buy from company’s who offer quarantined fish. I have personally bought from Dr Reefs and I have had no issues. If you are buying locally, avoid fish that they have just received in stock. If they cannot tell you how long they have had a fish in their system and what methods they employ for disease control, you may want to shop around a bit more.

 

[ScottJ]

Do you have any recommendations for fish that will flourish in the 40 gallon tank and also help keep the environment clean for the first few months before I add lighting?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/content/post/top-10-beginner-fish-beginners-guide-ep-31a

I've never really had any real luck with critters that are supposed to solve a particular problem. Clean up crew members help with waste and leftover food, but not different kinds of algae really. (My tanks aren't big enough for Tangs and such)

Get fish that are the right size and temperament for your tank because you like them and they will fit in with the other creatures of your reef.

 

[NanoNana]

Are you referring to a quarantine tank? I don't want to sound totally ignorant when asking but is that 100% required or are their other ways to acclimate fish and coral?

Yes. Quarantine. It’s not for acclimation it’s for treating fish before you introduce them to your tank. Go take a gander at the fish disease/illness sub on this forum and read through the threads. Most LFS keep fish in low salinity and/or have a little copper in their tanks so all the fish look disease free. It is not uncommon to discover too late that your fish was NOT healthy. Clownfish are particularly susceptible to diseases that will kill off every fish in your tank very quickly and once disease is introduced, it is recommended that you go fallow (no fish at all) for a period of at least 45 days. A QT tank doesn’t have to be fancy or super large. There are some vendors who QT fish, read through the QT recommendations on the site if you choose to go that route and make certain that their protocol is at least close to what our experts recommend.