Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.
hey all! I just found out about this site from reefcentral!
I don't have a SW setup currently nor have I had any type of fw/sw setups ever. I'm doing my research & hopefully will have something by next spring.
BUT, the big question!
I'm not at a permanent residence. I actually live on a 2nd floor apartment w/ my own entrance. The complex is 5yrs old(also worried about weight being supported). I'll probably be living there for at LEAST 2 more years. I'm just worried about moving everything. I'll probably be doing 55gallons or more w/ fish & coral. I don't know whether I'll be buying a house or not.. the way taxes are and everything. Should I wait it out and see where I'll be?
Should I just start off with LR & fish in a smaller tank.(I know smaller tanks are harder to take care of, but doable)
I think for most of us here the hobby has been an evolution over time, at least for me it has. I don't think it would be a problem to short circuit that evolution and go right into a SW tank. But, I think it would be best to start with something relatively small, no bigger than a 55, and just do FOWLR. I think a 55 would be a good choice, since it would be large enough to be a little more forgiving than a smaller tank. It would be easier to move and can be used as a QT or even a sump or fuge when you go to a larger reef type set up. Everybody is different, but I think this scenario would give you the time to learn and gain some experience in the hobby and understand the patience that will be required for you to be successful.
Welcome Kevin...there are some pretty competent engineer types here who can chime in. Rule of thumb is 55G and less no problem. I've had freshwater fish since oh the 70s and saltwater fish for 8 years now...started small and progressed up in SW 10-24-120G...and am very happy that I moved up tank wise. There are a lot of nice tanks that should be safe in the 40-90G range that will keep you happy for a while. Smaller tanks are harder and easier as you seem to know.
Just take you time, maybe pick up a used tank in the middle range and get started. Keep a lookout here and locally for a decent deal.
James
I went through your exact situation over the last couple of years. I have been living in apartments for the past 3.5 almost 4 years and both on the second floor. We have moved a 20g, 30g, and a 12g last year and they were all full reefs. We are hopefully closing on a house and will be moving again over the next 2 weeks, we will be moving a 45g, 30g, and a 12g. I am not lookin forward to this at all, but we are moving into a house so I will not have to move again for a long time.
We have been very happy with the 45g cube, 2 ft x 2ft x 18 inches high. It is very easy to buy equipment for, is not an expensive tank, you can fit a lot into it, and is not going to be a devil to move. There are several people on here with the 45g cube and they are very happy with it.
think this is where I do this thought. I'm new to the site this is my first post!! i look foward to contributing and learning to/from the community!!
my name is
Bill
i'm a monmouth county resident 29yrs
i've got 5 yrs saltwater
and nearly 18 freshwater experience
currently i run a 30 gallon
ATI-T-5 lighting (4 bulbs)
semi reef tank
my livestock is
1X true perc.1X clarkii,1X blue hippo,1X yellow tang,1X coral banded shrimp.
1X GBTA, 1X RBTA, 2 frogspawn colonies, pagoda cup coral, 1 torch coral colony some waving xenias and various polys
I'll post pics when i get a new camera for now I dont have one...
I'm currently living in Union beach saving up for an LED system i priced out at my lfs in ocean
when my wife and i purchase our home we're going to be buying a 125 gallon.
thanks for the warm welcome
My name is AJ and I live and work in Toms River. Ive worked for the past 5 years in an IT department and have a habit of getting myself into expensive hobbies. I've been in freshwater for the past 11 years and on and off pretty much as long as I can remember we always had a tank in my house. I've always wanted to cross over to SW but was always hesitant. The other day I began throwing the idea around of getting a bigger tank and someone told us they had a 75g they would give us, wed just have to update some equipment with it. After deciding what type of fish we wanted my wife looked at me and said I really want a saltwater tank. Knowing theres a chance of her changing her mind I ended up finding a used tank fully stock within a week.
oceanic 72 gallon bow
Clown fish (not sure of the type)
Blue Hippo Tang
Yellow Tang (not sure of the type)
Green Spotted Goby
Green Chromi
Live Rock (Need more but building it up slowly)
t-5 4 bulb (Had two 175w MH but did not want to deal with heat
Refugium
Skimmer (not sure on model still working through all the stuff
Overly complicated Tunze controller and powerhead
Green Hairy Mushrooms
Purple Hairy Mushrooms
Purple Mushrooms
Leather
Yellow star polyps
2 Peppermint Shrimp,
1 Emerald Crab
lots of brittle star, pods, and some snails
Once I get my new flooring in the house I plan on moving this tank to my living room and will then post it in tales of the tank.
Also saw that you guys bought a new forum software. Good luck with getting that up and running. I used to mod a paintball forum for a large pb manufacturer back in 2006 using phpBB.
Dont know much about vbulletin but would be willing to look into it and help out if needed.