[theaquariumguy]

please help a noob

anyone have a setup for a 180 gallon or larger? i need the tank, filter, stand, hood. If not where is the best place to buy a tank this size, for a reasonable amount?
and do i really need an overflow on my tank?

 

[monk]

don't take this the wrong way, but why do you want to start with a 180 with no reef experience? this is an expensive hobby. OH SORRY, welcome to michigan reefers.

best place to buy? i would buy used from perhaps one of our members. or start smaller if you want new.

opinions vary, but i would say an overflow filter is necessary. it takes the surface water which is the nastiest, to the protein skimmer to remove the scum. mother nature uses a simple process to remove surface scum, protein, funk. it's called waves. that throw the nasties on to the sandy beach humans love to lay in.

ask questions here, what kind of setup are you interested in. read books, etc. before jumping into a 180. unless you got money overflowing in your pockets, in which case i'd like to talk to you, lol. good luck and again, welcome .
Regards, Jim.

 

[theaquariumguy]

yeah, im actually thinking about a fish only tank to start, so im trying to find a tank, i had a 220 comming but i found out it has a leak

i also have someone willing to help me get setup, and i am looking to buy a big tank cause i want to get a snowflake and a few other large fish in there

and thanx for replyuing to my post

 

[theaquariumguy]

i also have 10 years experience with freshwater, everything from neons to freshwater (brackish) flounder, that i had for about 3 years before he died, right now i have a 30 gallon cichlid tank and a little 10 gallon community

 

[John Brancheau]

Welcome to the site, there are lots of informed people here that can help you.....

My opinion is this, if you can afford the 180, do it, the larger tanks seem to have an easier time stabilizing, more water volume means more room for error.


John

 

[Soulfigter]

The best advice I ever read in a book was "buy the biggest tank you can afford". My first tank was a 200 gallon, and let me tell you, it ended up being a lot more expensive to stock than I thought. But if you are going fish only, it shouldn't be too bad. I'd watch the for sale stuff, there are usually pretty good deals in that.

Good luck.

 

[DLBerlin]

Agreed- We started Our reef with a 180 and have never regreted it. It costs more to set up but as John said a large tank is much more stable. If you watch the selling forum there are some great deals on tanks and equiptment. Welcome to saltwater and the board!

 

[Lan C]

When I was looking to setup my 1st reef tank, a very experienced person advised me that a larger tank might be easier to stabilize, but realize that not only will the initial cost go up with the size (more sand, rock, lighting, supporting equipment, etc.), but the operating cost will also go up.
Lan

 

[theaquariumguy]

thnk you to all who responded so far, i have a guy with about 10 reef tanks off his own helping me, but thank you for backing me up on the size of the tank.
would i need an over flow on a tank that size?

 

[Russ K]

I would recommend a overflow on any tank. I have an over the side overflow and I have lost syphon a time or two. Now I check it everyday so that there isn't any air getting locked in there cutting down the flow.

I am upgrading soon also and I will be having overflows in the tank. I don't want any chances of flooding anywhere.

 

[Kenbow19]

IMO,do not use overflow boxes,if starting new,go get the tank drilled,and add a box.Overflow boxes suck,air that is,and will slow or stop flowing causing a flood.

 

[Russ K]

That is what i meant, an internal overflow. Have it drilled, do not go over the side, sorry.