New here
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Description: Introduce Yourself the the club.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=45763
Printed Date: November 23 2025 at 5:17pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New here
Posted By: superchud
Subject: New here
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 4:05pm
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Hi all, I was directed to this site by a friend of mine. I have been wanting to set up a salt water tank for some time now. And I have finally decided to take the plunge. This site has been a great deal of help thus far and I have only been on it for a few hours. I have looked at purchasing a new tank 90+ gallons with all the fixins, however I have found there is quite a few used tanks out there. It seems like a used tank would be the way to go is that the case? I am completely starting from scratch, and I have no experience in reef tanks, I have kept fresh water tanks for some time now, but I won’t be sacrificing any of those for this endeavor. I am looking for some advice on how to get started and what to watch out for. |
Replies:
Posted By: Reefboy4life
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 4:06pm
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I would try to get a nice used setup. ------------- 90 gallon mixed reef |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 4:26pm
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Welcome! You'll find lots of help here. Search around the buy sell trade area for great deals on used stuff popping up everyday. But first, check out some tanks in your area and see what you like. People are always willing to show off their tanks. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Josh95
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 4:42pm
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Reefboy4life wrote:Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 5:25pm
| Yes, welcome..... I am located in murray and you are more then welcome to check out my tank if you would like |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 8:25pm
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Welcome!!!! Your more than welcome to come over anytime!! ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 8:50pm
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Thank you for the input! Badfinger I would love to check out your tank. I found a few tanks on KSL most of them have an established reef in them and moving them really concerns me. I read the moving thread and I am not sure if a newbie like me would be able to pull that off. Here are the links to some of the tanks that interest me. 180g http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13831388&cat=371&lpid=2&search= - http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13831388&cat=371&lpid=2&search= A 90g that looks nice. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13538045&cat=371&lpid=2&search= - http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13538045&cat=371&lpid=2&search= 210g right on the edge of my budget. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13736579&cat=371&lpid=19&search= - http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13736579&cat=371&lpid=19&search= 180 close to home http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13019391&cat=371&lpid=17&search= - http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=13019391&cat=371&lpid=17&search= Also a few Red Sea, and a few posted in the trade section here. Any input woud be great. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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Posted By: jwoo
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 9:01pm
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Welcome to WMAS!
I think that a 90 gallon is an excellent size for a starter tank. You don't get the same problems that small tanks get or the maintenance headache of bigger tanks. AND you see them for sale very often on KSL and this board. The one you posted I believe may have been sold but if not he is a member of this board so you can probably still find the post and respond to it. It looks like it's only sand+rock and equipment which I think a newbie would be able to pull off with no issues. Ask many questions, see many tanks, save yourself expenses and headache! ------------- None at the moment Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront |
Posted By: lincsco
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 9:13pm
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I also live in South Jordan and I started in the hobby about a year ago. I currently have 2 90-gallon tanks and I would highly recommend starting with a 90-gallon. You're welcome to come by and look at my tanks and I'll give you whatever advice I can. I also have a couple of good books that helped me if you're interested. ------------- Lincoln South Jordan 90-gallon reef |
Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 10:22pm
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That would be awesome! |
Posted By: Reefboy4life
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 10:32pm
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that 180 you talked about first is an awesome setup. ------------- 90 gallon mixed reef |
Posted By: lincsco
Date Posted: December 31 2010 at 10:43pm
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I'll pm you my info. ------------- Lincoln South Jordan 90-gallon reef |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: January 01 2011 at 1:35am
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Welcome to WMAS, you'll find all the help you need here! I agree with jwoo 90 gallons is a great starter tank, if you can go bigger though I say why not. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: January 01 2011 at 10:28am
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Thanks again for all the input! How hard is to move a tank with livestock? I am terrified to attempt it.
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Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: January 01 2011 at 6:00pm
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It's not too hard. You can leave the sandbed in the tank with a little water, put the Live Rock into buckets submerged in water, and then put your fish/inverts into buckets as well. Keep as much of the original water as possible and then just put it back together. If you don't want to keep the original sandbed or if it is really dirty you can scoop it out and rinse it really well before putting it back into the tank, and then just seed it with a cup or two from another (trusted) established tank. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: January 02 2011 at 12:58pm
| That 210 is sweet! Especially if you have room for all the matching book cases! |
Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: January 02 2011 at 5:36pm
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I have the room for the 210 and the book cases, I actually went and looked at it yesterday and the pictures do not do the cabinetry justice. I just don't think I can move it. I will post some pictures of where I was thinking of putting it and what is underneath here shortly. |
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: January 02 2011 at 5:45pm
| 210 looks great, but i feel that is to much 5k to start off seems a bit too much. The 180G close to your home seems a great price and also you can have alot of options of what you want to add for corals and fish. Not to mention the frag fest is coming up |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: January 02 2011 at 7:34pm
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Hey, I saw this topic shortly after it was posted, but decided to watch it. Does anyone think like me; that Chad seems to be putting the cart before the horse? If he is going to be wise by coming here, introducing himself and asking our opinions,  then he really should go see some of our setups before buying something. He needs to actually see a few of our tanks and talk with us about how and why we did it the way we did before spending any money on something that may be a mistake for him. We see it all the time. People come here and in just a few posts find out that what they thought was something special turned out to be different than what they wanted. I commend Chad for asking us which one we would buy, but that's still opinion and without knowing just what kind of tank that person has at their house, I would never buy something based on their forum opinion. But that's just me.  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: January 02 2011 at 11:08pm
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I went over to Lincoln's house just today to check out his tanks and visit with someone already in the hobby and it was great. So much better then just punching away on a keyboard or talking on the phone. Thanks Lincoln!! I am in no means in a hurry, I have been wanting to do this for a few years now and waiting another few months or longer does not bother me. |
Posted By: Tresa
Date Posted: January 03 2011 at 8:19am
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I would make sure that whatever you get is drilled..... much easier that way. I am also in South Jordan if you want to stop by sometime..... |
Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: January 03 2011 at 10:12am
| Thanks that would be great! |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: January 03 2011 at 11:04am
| I started out with my reef by moving a complete system to my home from the sellers home. It's not difficult if you make a good plan, but it is a lot of work and takes hours to do it right. It is totally worth it though if you find the right tank and can save you a ton of money over starting from scratch and buying everything new. I love to talk about aquariums and I'm out in West Jordan so not too far away. I'm also home most of the day since I work out of my house. You are welcome anytime and I can give you a run down of how I moved my 180 gallon reef. (I've also helped move MANY tanks for other people and learned a few lessons on the way.) |
Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: January 03 2011 at 11:17am
| Sweet, I have today off I will give you a ring! |
Posted By: Deluxe247
Date Posted: January 03 2011 at 8:48pm
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Whatever you do, take lots of pictures and post the whole thing in the tank build section! Those are my favorites to read. I think it's great that you're talking to lots of people before diving in. You will get some great advice, some perhaps contradictory because there's simply more than one "right" way to do things. Take it all in and weigh it against your own needs, wants, and budget.
Since you have experience with freshwater, you probably have a good understanding of the basic biology that makes up an aquatic ecosystem. In my experience, a reef may be more complex, but generally if done well, it is a more complete ecosystem than most freshwater tanks, and therefore can be more self-sustaining and easier to maintain. Anyway, welcome to "reefers anonymous." We're all a bunch of addicts. ------------- 90G Mixed Reef |
Posted By: vadryn
Date Posted: January 04 2011 at 2:08pm
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Hi,
I entered SW a lot like you, after a few years in FW tanks. I converted a 90g tank to SW about 20 months ago. I'm a HUGE fan of the 90g tank. It is an extremely flexible size that will allow you to house most reef-safe fish as well and lots of room for LR and coral.
I'm working towards a large SW setup, but some things are concerning. To quote my wife, "A small percentage of a big number is still a big number." In a 180 or 210 setup, anything you do will have to be done "big" and the cost really adds up. Expenses that you just don't see in FW.
A 20% water change on a 210 will cost $15 in salt. You will also need a container to mix that much SW in, a powerhead/pump to mix it, and a way to get it into the tank. A minimum of 25x flow in a 210 is 5250 gph. That's a lot of powerheads/pumps. Reefs require expensive lighting and, oh yeah, all this shows up on the power bill.
 I'm not trying to talk you out of it. You just want to move into this with the eyes wide open.
Prepare the wife to be patient. I new SW setup can look ghetto (inside the tank) for months. It takes 8-12 months for a tank to start to settle in. My 90g is in my entryway and we had a lot of raised eyebrows and even comments on how poor it looked while the system was getting established. I loved seeing it, but cyano and bubble algae are an acquired taste.
 I guess I'm biased, but I think doing one from the beginning is a worthwhile endeavor. I would NOT recommend buying new, though.
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Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: January 04 2011 at 3:18pm
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I would not recommend buying new or buying big as well unless you are wealthy or have estimated your costs. I was told when I first started my business that you should take what you anticipate in costs and double them and you'll be a lot closer to the actual number. I find that works pretty well in this hobby as well. It's always more expensive than you anticipate. If you can find a good reef system put together for a good price I would jump on it. You might not be happy with everything it comes with or how it was set up, but you can tweak it and you'll still save money in the long run. ------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: superchud
Date Posted: January 04 2011 at 7:37pm
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I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all their input. I am so much more excited and energized about doing a reef tank now then I was before I joined here. And a special thanks to Lincoln and Will for taking time out of their days to let me and my wife come visit with you and check out your tanks that was awesome. I met another great person this weekend, Jerry from Marine Aquatics, he will be moving whatever used tank I end up purchasing in the future. I am in a fortunate situation my wife wants to create a reef tank almost as much as I do. And if we can find a sitter Thursday night we will be at the frag fest even though we wont be able to purchase anything we still want to come and check out the atmosphere and frags of course (funny a week ago I had no idea what a frag was).
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