OmegaOmega
Reefing newb
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
Matute -
I spent over $3800 setting up and starting a 12g I got for free at the store, switched to a BioCube (all-in-one system) and have no upgraded to a 120g Tech Tank. I bought digital instruments, upgraded the hell out of lighting, etc.
All the complex stuff in my BioCube I'm getting rid of - now in my tech tank I just have a sump, skimmer, powerheads and lights. You'll read around that there are some people that even have a 'skimmerless' system - just organic filtration and management.
Lessons learned:
1) Go big. In a 12 gallon, that extra drop of Kalk, that accidental flick of Iodide and it's not pretty. Two angel fish that died in my 12g sent my nitrates up three color bars - in a 120, it didn't register. If you can truly afford the upfront costs the rewards are fantastic. Better fish, larger corals, etc.
2) You dont' need the best of the best - as I painfully learned. Livestock does 90% of the job for you! I bought the best sand-sifter, cannister pump, etc. All for ten times the price of what a crab-costs and can do overnight!
3) Yes the upfront costs and labor are very high. Yes they definitely settle down and become incredibly routine and nominal once everything is going - but one issue, such as a kalk overdose, an anemone bomb, etc. - and you'll be spending hours (if not days) doing emergency water-changes, monitoring and correcting. If you're not easily discouraged, you'll manage fine through these disasters.
4) Research. No, seriously, research. +1 to Yote. I've learned more about water chemistry, conversion tables and livestock than I thought I would. I've also had to learn about species indexes, what's compatible with what, what eats this, converts that, etc. If you hate researching, drawing conclusions or analyzing items, you'll quickly become distraught and discouraged by this hobby. There's a lot of fact, and a lot of opinion and plenty of experience to wade through.
5) Be mindful and respectful. At the end of the day we're all a custodian of an entire ecosystem living in our bedrooms, garages, houses, etc. Be prepared to dedicate your self to the hobby in that regard and it becomes easier to deal with the ups and downs that you'll encounter, IMO.
All that aside, you can look at some BioCube or RedSea all-in-one systems. The newest BioCube models have MH (Metal Halide) lighting with glass tops and enhanced mini-sump areas that help reduce your cost and 'ease you in'. Many people on this forum, or Nano-Reefs, have them and can also provide plenty of insights and experience.
