Research phase

OmuNegru · Dec 7, 2020

Hi everyone,

I'm kind of new to this hobby (I had a freshwater tank when I was a kid) and I want to do it right.

A friend gifted me with a 5 gallon tank 3 months ago in which I started a small slice of ocean. So far I love it and already started research for a 75 gallon in the near future.

I'm thinking about keeping the usual easy/moderate care fish species (clowns, gobies, wrasse, maybe a yellow tang or a bristletooth, chromis, blennies, firefish, some cardinals, grammas, dottybacks, peaceful damsels), a useful clean up crew and of course corals (I'll focus on softies and LPS until I get more experienced).

I'll go with glass (not acrylic) - maybe starfire, solid stand and sump.

I know this is a pricey hobby and I'm prepared for it. I know I might have to invest around $5,000 for the startup but for now I want to research reef systems, aquarium brands and specs, sizes, etc.

Could you please help me out (based on what I want to do with this tank) on some good reef systems and brands? How is the best way to do this so I can keep a good balance between money and quality? (I'm not cheap, I'll always go with quality instead of money if needed) So is it better to go with an all in one reef system like the ones from Red Sea? Are there any other better brands? Any other better systems? Is it better to get all parts separately and then put them together (I have zero knowledge with drilling glass, plumbing and water systems so I might need a specialist to help with the setup) ?

Any ideas and advice will be valuable and very appreciated.

Thank you all!

BlennyTime · Dec 7, 2020

The best way to get good quality stuff for cheap is through your local reef club or Facebook marketplace/Craigslist. There are lots of people looking to get out of the hobby for one reason or another, and you can get some good deals on nice stuff. It might also come pre-plumbed.

Lots of tanks are sold pre-drilled. Putting together your own parts lets you get exactly what you want, but sacrifices some of the convenience of an all in one package. Red Sea is certainly a good brand, as are waterbox, fluval and others.

OmuNegru · Dec 7, 2020

BlennyTime said:
The best way to get good quality stuff for cheap is through your local reef club or Facebook marketplace/Craigslist. There are lots of people looking to get out of the hobby for one reason or another, and you can get some good deals on nice stuff. It might also come pre-plumbed.

Lots of tanks are sold pre-drilled. Putting together your own parts lets you get exactly what you want, but sacrifices some of the convenience of an all in one package. Red Sea is certainly a good brand, as are waterbox, fluval and others.

Thank you, BlennyTime.

Weasel1960 · Dec 7, 2020

Welcome to the reefing community here at R2R.

Also do your homework here on R2R. I have been doing it for months, reading various forums each day and new threads that catch my attention. I am seeing info recently that pricey may not always be best. Do what works for you, not just because a cost or name is associated with it. I have changed several ”want list” items on my equipment, fish, and coral list because of things I have learned here on R2R.