Back in the saddle after almost 25 years

[wilafur]

Wow, time sure flies.

Getting back into reefing after a nearly 25 year hiatus. Picked up a near-new IM15 for my son for his goldfish. But after unpacking it, I have decided to keep it and set it up in my office, and will get my son a different tank. LOL. Currently, in the planning stages so no photos as the tank is just sitting in the corner of my office while I figure out equipment and a solution for a stand.

The IM15 came with the factory return pump; and the seller threw in a NooPsyche K7 Mini and an Aqamai wavemaker.

When I left the hobby, I was focused purely on SPSs (back when the purple monster, efflo and willy-milly were the hot tickets) and I plan to set this up as a SPS-focused tank as well.

I am thinking no substrate so that I can crank up the flow. Do I need a protein skimmer since I'll be focused on SPS? If so, would appreciate any recommendations. Any other "must have" pieces of equipment while I am building the list?

I've starting going down the reefing rabbit hole in my spare time and wow have things changed in the past two decades.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Welcome to R2R !!!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!

 

[JonoH]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

 

[code4]

Welcome aboard. SPS dominate you say! Look at the Reef of the Month tanks here. They will give you some great ideas.

Shelley

 

[jsmkmavity]

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome back, glad you are here!

 

[ReefNutsThailand]

Welcome

 

[TJ42]

Welcome!!

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Wow, time sure flies.

Getting back into reefing after a nearly 25 year hiatus. Picked up a near-new IM15 for my son for his goldfish. But after unpacking it, I have decided to keep it and set it up in my office, and will get my son a different tank. LOL. Currently, in the planning stages so no photos as the tank is just sitting in the corner of my office while I figure out equipment and a solution for a stand.

The IM15 came with the factory return pump; and the seller threw in a NooPsyche K7 Mini and an Aqamai wavemaker.

When I left the hobby, I was focused purely on SPSs (back when the purple monster, efflo and willy-milly were the hot tickets) and I plan to set this up as a SPS-focused tank as well.

I am thinking no substrate so that I can crank up the flow. Do I need a protein skimmer since I'll be focused on SPS? If so, would appreciate any recommendations. Any other "must have" pieces of equipment while I am building the list?

I've starting going down the reefing rabbit hole in my spare time and wow have things changed in the past two decades.

Welcome back to the fun and welcome to Reef2Reef! Did you realize that a goldfish was going to rope you back into reefing? That is a funny story!

Looks like you've got some great equipment to get things started! As for your questions on skimmers and other equipment, you may get a better response by posting a thread in Reef Aquarium Discussion (Click HERE). Also, @code4 suggested checking out some of the Reef of the Months for inspiration on equipment, which I agree is a great place to start. Here are a few that may lean towards your goals:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-of-the-month-march-2025-aries-midwest-mini-ocean.1091/https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-...-faco_reefs-spectacular-mixed-reef-cube.1014/

 

[Evil1]

 

[Gman83]

Welcome!

 

[Chriscz]

Welcome to R2R. I’m in the process of getting a tank going in my office as well. Hopefully your office colleagues will be helpful, but not too helpful.