Any Reefkeepers here ?
Discussion
Another vote for UR, but also look at some of the Facebook groups such Marine Keeping for Beginners, and Marine, Fish, Corals (mfc).
I've been running a 1200l fish and softies tank for 2 years now. The best advice is start slow and learn as you go along. Check water regularly and learn what makes readings go up and down, and the impact each seeing can have.
Remember that you keep water, not livestock. If your water is good, the livestock will thrive.
For beginners there are two schools of thought. A small tank is much cheaper, but much more prone to parameter swings. Getting on top of these in a small volume can sometimes be disheartening but also rewarding. A larger volume of water is more tolerant and slower to swing, but is more expensive to start up.
And like everything, learn to distinguish between fact and opinion on the groups and forums.
I've been running a 1200l fish and softies tank for 2 years now. The best advice is start slow and learn as you go along. Check water regularly and learn what makes readings go up and down, and the impact each seeing can have.
Remember that you keep water, not livestock. If your water is good, the livestock will thrive.
For beginners there are two schools of thought. A small tank is much cheaper, but much more prone to parameter swings. Getting on top of these in a small volume can sometimes be disheartening but also rewarding. A larger volume of water is more tolerant and slower to swing, but is more expensive to start up.
And like everything, learn to distinguish between fact and opinion on the groups and forums.
S11Steve said:
Remember that you keep water, not livestock. If your water is good, the livestock will thrive.
^^This is the best advice you will ever get.I used to run a 450 gallon (7.5ftx4ftx2.5ft) main display with a 6ftx2ftx2ft sump. Built in the garage with a picture frame viewing from the living room. Cost me loads to set up and run but it was a very enjoyable hobby. This was back in 2004 or so. I think CITIES changes have made the hobby harder now but LED lights and better pumps etc have made the running costs lower.
If I was to do it all again I would grow everything from frags only, no shop bought 'whole' coral. Much more rewarding to see a tank grow from nothing than to just plant it all out from day one.
Don't be skimping on flow either - get that water like a washing machine and everything will thrive. No matter what you do you'll never truely mimic the sea in terms of water flow.
I used to be a mod on UR back in the day. Reefcentral is better purely because there are so many more members there.
Oh - and buy 'The Reef Aquarium' series of books by Dellbeck and Spring.
Hey chaps...
After some advice...
I know I originally planned a Reefer 170, but I keep looking at the Reefer 250 - primarily because I think the cabinet is to small on a 170 to keep things neat and tidy.
Any idea how much extra Id need to spend on gear between the two ? They both seem to sell for very similar prices used, ie c.£450, and I think Id rather the extra capacity in both water and under tank....
After some advice...
I know I originally planned a Reefer 170, but I keep looking at the Reefer 250 - primarily because I think the cabinet is to small on a 170 to keep things neat and tidy.
Any idea how much extra Id need to spend on gear between the two ? They both seem to sell for very similar prices used, ie c.£450, and I think Id rather the extra capacity in both water and under tank....
Up to 6ft, look at £500 per foot to get wet, over 6ft it's a £1000 per foot, roughly.
As the water volume increases you need more rock and substrate, bigger skimmer and lights, bigger return pump and powerheads, bigger heaters, reactors. Over 6ft the glass needs to be a lot thicker, steel frame cabinet rather than wood and a likely a separate wiring circuit from the consumer unit.
As the water volume increases you need more rock and substrate, bigger skimmer and lights, bigger return pump and powerheads, bigger heaters, reactors. Over 6ft the glass needs to be a lot thicker, steel frame cabinet rather than wood and a likely a separate wiring circuit from the consumer unit.
Turn7 said:
Hey chaps...
After some advice...
I know I originally planned a Reefer 170, but I keep looking at the Reefer 250 - primarily because I think the cabinet is to small on a 170 to keep things neat and tidy.
Any idea how much extra Id need to spend on gear between the two ? They both seem to sell for very similar prices used, ie c.£450, and I think Id rather the extra capacity in both water and under tank....
Very little cost difference between the two IMO.After some advice...
I know I originally planned a Reefer 170, but I keep looking at the Reefer 250 - primarily because I think the cabinet is to small on a 170 to keep things neat and tidy.
Any idea how much extra Id need to spend on gear between the two ? They both seem to sell for very similar prices used, ie c.£450, and I think Id rather the extra capacity in both water and under tank....
Maybe a slightly larger return pump? Slightly larger skimmer? All other costs would be the same more or less.
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