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dayday24 
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 Topic: Rookie
Posted: May 23 2012 at 12:13am |
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I'm new to the sw world, and super excited about the new hobby. Ive been doing tons of research, but would love feedback on a first set up. For the most part I've been looking at all in ones, is that the way to go? I'm looking to do mostly fish and lps.
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Teknik777
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 12:31am |
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First off welcome! All in one systems are a great way to start this hobby and give you time to learn the basics! Post the setups and size you are looking at and feedback and personal experiences will start to come.
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220 G SPS Display.
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dayday24
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 12:55am |
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Thanks! I am looking between 24g - 34g. I have found a 34 solana and an rsm 34 that I'm interested in, as well as a jbj 24. Haven't heard too much about solana tanks as a whole. Anyone have good or bad experiences, upgrades necessary, opinions? I believe it is all stock w/ the "lamp" looking 150w mh.
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BillyC
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 1:17am |
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Here's my input man based on from what I've seen when people get in the hobby. You are more than likely going to want to upgrade very very quickly. People that start off with small nano cubes IME realize that they run out of space too fast and that they are very limited to what fish they can keep. Especially since your main focus is fish, I'd consider going as larger if your home permits it. A larger tank gives you options for amazing fish that should never be kept in a small nano. All-in-one tanks are awesome but can I ask your reasons for choosing that route?
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dayday24
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 1:29am |
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Thanks for the input. I initially took that route w/ my reaserch because it seemed like the most effective way to make sure I enjoyed the hobby. At this point I don't see that being a problem as I am basically obsessed:) I also want a cost effective way to get started. I don't want to set myself up for failure, but I don't want to break the bank on the first try either. As for fish I was planning to start w/ nano appropriate, clowns, goby, blennies, ect. Just as excited if not more so about coral options. So I think lighting is a big priority in tank choice. I am definitely not opposed to going larger, but initially put off due to not knowing where to start, cost, ect.
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BillyC
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 1:37am |
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Just so you know, the are plenty of setups that I see here on the classifieds all the time where someone wants to sell a full running reef tank for $200-$600. That's everything included. If you're already obsessed then I can almost guarantee that once you realized how much more obsessed you're going to get, you will be wishing you had saved your money and started with a larger tank from the start ;). Where are you located? I suggest going to visit different sized reef tanks, asking questions, and exploring your options. Trust me... almost anyone, including myself, would love to have you over to show off their setups and talk salt.
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dayday24
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 1:55am |
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Awesome, I'd love to check out different setups and see multiple possibilities. I am in Utah county. My main concern was lack of knowledge when it comes to all the hardware needed to get started with a bigger build. Super eager to learn, but can't afford to eat cost on too many mistakes. You have me pretty convinced though. Have to start somewhere, right?
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builderofdreams
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 8:48am |
I live in Spanish Fork and your more than welcome to come take a look. Pm me or text.
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It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession
150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post
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dayday24
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 8:58am |
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Great, thanks for the offer. What setup are you running now?
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Jeremyw
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 9:31am |
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Welcome to the addiction... I mean hobby. you are more than welcome to come take a look at my tank as well, im in PG.
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Ann_A
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 9:52am |
Welcome! I say go on the larger side of the scale. I started out with a 28 gallon nano cube and wanted to upgrade after only a few months. After a year I went to the setup that I run now, which is a 65 gallon RedSea Max. If I could do it again, I wouldn't have started with a nano cube, and I wouldn't have gotten a RedSea Max. I would have just started with maybe a 90 gallon or 120 gallon and pieced the system together instead of going the AIO way.
As I always say, anyone is always welcome to come check out my tank! I'm up in Kaysville though, so it's a bit of a drive for you. There are plenty of us up here though so if you do come up you could try to schedule it with people and visit multiple tanks in one day. I know most, if not all hobbyists here, are open to people visiting their tanks.
Anyways, welcome to the hobby!
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builderofdreams
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 10:34am |
 dayday24 wrote:
Great, thanks for the offer. What setup are you running now? |
I have multiple setups, 150 Gallon, 55 gallon,and also an 28 gallon. I just like everyone else want upgrade to a larger tank. Somewhere along the lines of a 500glln. Maybe next year.  Anyway Welcome.
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It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession
150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post
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bstuver
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 11:52am |
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As someone who has gone up and down in tank sizes, I am back to a 24g. Nanocube and love it. I love the all in ones! To me sometimes larger tanks can get intimidating fast. But it is true lots of people upgrade pretty fast. Any choice would be good.
I am in Provo and you are more than welcome to check out my tank as well.
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Jackie Stuver
"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
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Akira
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 8:19pm |
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Hi and welcome ! I dont know much about all in 1's but small isnt bad but might get more for ur money going medium to start. I was kind of scared of starting with a 72g bow(now I need more room after 6-7 months). But i was patient and bought all my equipment used . Best part about going that route is most of my equipment will be going into my next size which will probably be 125-150 g. Add a few new upgrades and im off without a huge new investment. Patience is key as all say , well it took me a lil over 2 months to get all the goodies and it was worth the wait. You are welcome to check mine out Im in Sandy . GL and have fun on this great adventure !!!
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rwgoose
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 8:51pm |
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welcom man!! i am in the same boat, totally new to salt, but i must agree.. bigger is better!!! i just bought a 90 gallon and FINALLY i am up and cycling with lots of help from this forum!! Akira, McClure, and builderofdreams are all very knowledgable and willing to help in any way they can!! i dont know much, but if since your in the utah county area you can come by and see a starter as well!!!
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getting fishy??
8016348673
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dayday24
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 11:26pm |
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Thanks all for the welcome! I appreciate all of the input, and I am sure I will have a million questions to come. I look forward to checking out your setups! I decided to pull the trigger on a 34g solana today. I will expand in the future, but currently I think this will be the best fit and a great way to kick off this on-going project! I am moving next week, so in the meantime I will be trying to track down ls, and lr so i can start cycling as soon as we make the move. Right out of the gate, if anyone has suggestions/required upgrades for the solana I'd love to hear em. Thanks again!
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McClure
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Posted: May 23 2012 at 11:53pm |
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+1 with BillyC....
I don't know one single thing about the Solana however, we have a lot of running tanks in the house if you would like to take a look and ask a bunch of questions.
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180 Gallon, 75 gallon, 30 gallon, 5 gallon. On a side note: I have just now decided that "Gallon" is a funny looking word.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: May 24 2012 at 3:58pm |
dayday24 wrote:
I am moving next week, so in the meantime I will be trying to track down ls, and lr so i can start cycling as soon as we make the move. |
There is no need to wait for the old, outdated "cycle" method to have a great reef tank. Look below at the WMAS Reefkeeping Tips on how to do it. You will find it very helpful to read that entire thread. Enjoy the ride. 
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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dayday24
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Posted: May 24 2012 at 5:23pm |
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Thanks Mark. Checking that out now.
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CapnMorgan
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Posted: May 27 2012 at 7:11pm |
As has been said by so many of our great members, welcome! We're glad to have you. If there is anything you need help with don't hesitate to ask, we're here to help!
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Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
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