Can everyone help me I’m new at reefing

[Fish Fan]

So glad you are here! This is a great forum. As others have said, GO SLOW! I might even suggest getting a smaller All In One tank (AIO) to get your feet wet, build some skills and test some equipment. When you have vetted the functionality of the 220 and start to build it, then the smaller AIO can be a launch pad, and then a Quarantine Tank (QT) if you choose that route. For me, if I was trying to run a system that big, I would definitely do a QT.

Look at people's build threads that:
1. Give you advice
2. Have similar sized systems that you aspire too.
3. Real Ocean Live Rock is GOLD DUST. Worth every penny...

Solid advise! I'm not trying to be a downer, and I'm glad to help where I'm able, but I've seen the OP's other posts about repairing this 210, and I feel too that maybe a smaller tank that they know would hold water would do the OP well here. I would say to put a 40 AIO on the OP's Christmas list, and use that as a starter tank, and later a QT or cool side project when they get the 210 figured out.

 

[Adolfo]

 

[rc8t6353]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! All I can offer you advice wise is to read and study, then do that again. Come up with an overall game plan. A 220 gallon reef tank is not a light task in any way, especially for a new reefer. It can be accomplished with patience and knowledge. We'll all be here to offer as much help as we can.

 

[G-BO]

Choosing gear can often take a lot of research, maybe your people can get you gift cards for now? Just a suggestion. And, I’d make sure your tank holds water, or you have another tank, before buying gear.

Good luck!

I’ve decided to break it down and re-do it from scratch.

 

[G-BO]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef . Gift certificates are a good idea to give you some time to figure at least some things out.

That’s a good idea. I live in Canada so unlike the US we don’t have the selection of stores to shop at and I find it very pricey when shopping at Big Al’s that’s the only fish place I can think of around here in T.O area. Buffalo is just a hop skip and jump through is there anywhere around Buffalo that has descent prices?

First off, you're going to have to reconcile that you are going to spend EASILY well into four figures with a tank that size. You need to set goals for your tank, first. FOWLR, Corals (if so, what kind, Softies, LPS, SPS), etc. Gift cards, as mentioned, are the way to go for now. To give you an idea of what top notch equipment costs overall for a mixed reef (all corals), I'm dropping 13K for my set up. The tank and stand alone (48x39x25 --- 203g) is going to run me 6.3K. Another 7K for top of the line equipment (see my signature). And I'm not going all out. I won't have automation for a few years. Also, BEFORE you start, learn. And I mean everything you can. That'll take months anyway, so as you save, you can exercise your brain and feed it as much info as.possible. it'll be fun!!!! Just BE PATIENT!

13k

Welcome! Start by telling us whats in this tank you inherited? Is it just the tank or does it have live stock? Do you want a fish only or a reef tank with corals? Having those ideas can help with gear suggestions too if you know what kind of tank you want. My 300 gallon is more predator oriented so I have larger skimmers and filtration for that reason. Just as an example of why I asked. Post a picture of it too so we can see what youve got!

Theres absolutely nothing in it, no lights notta thing. So that’s why i need a starting point even heaters. Mechanical stuff because I have to chip away at it and buy things as I go. It’s a project and it going to take some time. How many heaters, what size, how many watts etc???

 

[Dom]

Hey referees I’m brand new at this I inherited a 220 gallon tank and want to start a reef tank. Christmas time is almost here and people want to know what I’ll need to get it going. Can the community come together and help me because I have no idea. I’m learning by reading on this forum

To people getting started in the hobby, ,I always suggest tailoring your tank and equipment around the fish you want to keep.

So... what fish do you want in your tank?

 

[Fish Fan]

I’ve decided to break it down and re-do it from scratch.

I think that's a great idea, but I'd still do that first and make sure the tank is solid before buying equipment for it.

That’s a good idea. I live in Canada so unlike the US we don’t have the selection of stores to shop at and I find it very pricey when shopping at Big Al’s that’s the only fish place I can think of around here in T.O area. Buffalo is just a hop skip and jump through is there anywhere around Buffalo that has descent prices?

I'm near Rochester, and though I've never been there, A Reef Creation in Buffalo is supposed to be excellent:

A Reef Creation

A Reef Creation

areefcreation.com

If you come out the the Rochester area, we have two very good reef stores.

 

[G-BO]

First off, you're going to have to reconcile that you are going to spend EASILY well into four figures with a tank that size. You need to set goals for your tank, first. FOWLR, Corals (if so, what kind, Softies, LPS, SPS), etc. Gift cards, as mentioned, are the way to go for now. To give you an idea of what top notch equipment costs overall for a mixed reef (all corals), I'm dropping 13K for my set up. The tank and stand alone (48x39x25 --- 203g) is going to run me 6.3K. Another 7K for top of the line equipment (see my signature). And I'm not going all out. I won't have automation for a few years. Also, BEFORE you start, learn. And I mean everything you can. That'll take months anyway, so as you save, you can exercise your brain and feed it as much info as.possible. it'll be fun!!!! Just BE PATIENT!

Is is possible to do both and I’m thinking I like the hard ones but the softies are cool too but I haven’t seen many tanks so how are you supposed to know

 

[G-BO]

To people getting started in the hobby, ,I always suggest tailoring your tank and equipment around the fish you want to keep.

So... what fish do you want in your tank?

I still don’t have a clue I just want to get the thing up and going to start then slowly add things in. Can you give me a list of anything mechanical I’m going to need. Pumps , wave makers, heaters etc

 

[G-BO]

First off, you're going to have to reconcile that you are going to spend EASILY well into four figures with a tank that size. You need to set goals for your tank, first. FOWLR, Corals (if so, what kind, Softies, LPS, SPS), etc. Gift cards, as mentioned, are the way to go for now. To give you an idea of what top notch equipment costs overall for a mixed reef (all corals), I'm dropping 13K for my set up. The tank and stand alone (48x39x25 --- 203g) is going to run me 6.3K. Another 7K for top of the line equipment (see my signature). And I'm not going all out. I won't have automation for a few years. Also, BEFORE you start, learn. And I mean everything you can. That'll take months anyway, so as you save, you can exercise your brain and feed it as much info as.possible. it'll be fun!!!! Just BE PATIENT!

That’s good idea. I’ve been reading but this is going to be a very slow process I’d imagine

 

[G-BO]

So glad you are here! This is a great forum. As others have said, GO SLOW! I might even suggest getting a smaller All In One tank (AIO) to get your feet wet, build some skills and test some equipment. When you have vetted the functionality of the 220 and start to build it, then the smaller AIO can be a launch pad, and then a Quarantine Tank (QT) if you choose that route. For me, if I was trying to run a system that big, I would definitely do a QT.

Look at people's build threads that:
1. Give you advice
2. Have similar sized systems that you aspire too.
3. Real Ocean Live Rock is GOLD DUST. Worth every penny...

Where exactly do you buy this live rock and what exactly is it. Is it wet when you buy it with organisms and beneficial bacteria on it or is is just rock that you stick in your tank and you stick your corals on it?

 

[G-BO]

I think that's a great idea, but I'd still do that first and make sure the tank is solid before buying equipment for it.


I'm near Rochester, and though I've never been there, A Reef Creation in Buffalo is supposed to be excellent:

A Reef Creation

A Reef Creation

areefcreation.com

If you come out the the Rochester area, we have two very good reef stores.

I just checked it’s only a 14 hour drive, I’m from Toronto Ontario, Canada

 

[Dom]

I still don’t have a clue I just want to get the thing up and going to start then slowly add things in. Can you give me a list of anything mechanical I’m going to need. Pumps , wave makers, heaters etc

This all depends on which fish you want to keep.

But to be fair, things like heaters are based on tank size. When it comes to heaters, I suggest Finnex.

Some other equipment you will need:

- Lighting - Proper lighting can only be determined by the tank footprint (LxWxH)

- Flow - Consider the Nero line. The only down side is that they can't be adjusted; they mount flat to the glass.

- Protein skimmer - Usually installed in the sump. But if you don't have a sump, then you can get one that hangs on the back. I suggest using a sump as they are better to have as your equipment needs expand.

- Heaters - I understand the general rule is 5 watts per gallon of water. I run 6oo watts in a system whose total volume is 140-150 gallons.

 

[littlefoxx]

Okay so research basic set ups for saltwater. Youre going to want a sump, so look at sumps, and plumbing to start. Post a picture of your tank, that will help

 

[ScottJ]

That’s a good idea. I live in Canada so unlike the US we don’t have the selection of stores to shop at and I find it very pricey when shopping at Big Al’s that’s the only fish place I can think of around here in T.O area. Buffalo is just a hop skip and jump through is there anywhere around Buffalo that has descent prices?

I can second that A Reef Creation in Buffalo is very good. They have the occasional coral auction also. And you can pic up locally, but I don't the rules about livestock across the border.

I'm in Rochester and we do have a couple good reef stores. I like Caribbean Forest. You're about an hour from Buffalo? So maybe about a 2.5 hour drive for you to Rochester?

 

[shakacuz]

welcome aboard the r2r board. hello from PA!

 

[jabberwock]

Where exactly do you buy this live rock and what exactly is it. Is it wet when you buy it with organisms and beneficial bacteria on it or is is just rock that you stick in your tank and you stick your corals on it?

Sorry - I noticed you are in Canada. I don't know of a Canadian source, and I would be careful about importing live stock or real ocean live rock. I don't know the laws regarding such things across international borders.

We have a couple great sources here in the US. Tampa Bay Saltwater is where I go t mine. You can check out their website to read up on it. https://tbsaltwater.com/