New to the Game

[Hornet]

Hi everybody I'm new to Saltwater aquariums. I find my freshwater tank to be to small for the room and a bit boring. I've been surfing the web and reading a lot and I'm thinking of setting up a 90 - 120 gal. reef setup. I've always wanted a saltwater but was not ready to learn the hobby.

I'm in no hurry to get set-up because I don't want to waste my money. So I'll keep reading through different stuff while i figure out a battle plan.

I've already been reading through the articles section here. Grrr, the more i read the more I realize I don't know

If anybody is in Virginia area and has suggestions on places to purchase aquariums and stands let me know.

[reeffreak]

Welcome to the site!

You are doing the best thing by researching as much as you can.Sorry,can't help on good location in Virginia to buy fish tanks.Any other specific questions-feel free to ask.

[RyanG]

Welcome to the Reef, read a ton then read some more and ask some questions then read while they are being answered. Have fun with it all!

[Bifferwine]

Hi and welcome! I lived in Falls Church, VA for 2 years, but that was before I set up my tanks... Sorry, I can't give you any help there.

But feel free to ask any questions you might have!

I think that if you start with a 90 gallon tank or larger, you will be very happy you did. That's a perfect size for a first tank! So much you can do with it and so many different things you can put in it, and the water volume is large enough to be forgiving of "newbie" mistakes and dilute out any problems.

[Hornet]

I've been reading through the forum and I came across glasscages.com. I may go with them. But I'm going to check my LFS before I order. Hopefully I can find a good tank local so I don't have to deal with the shipping charges.

I'm also thinking about maybe building my own stand to possibly save a few bucks. Although the basic design seems simple I'm no carpenter and I want something that is going to look real nice in my dining room.

Once I come up with a tank and stand setup I'll post before I buy so you professionals can advise me on things I may not be thinking of . I'm in a house that I plan on staying in for sometime so even though this is new to me I'd prefer not to throw $$ away setting up wrong.

[LionFish]

I would read up on Glass cages.

There are pros and cons on them,
it is a very smart decision going bigger.

Welcome to the reef

[Hornet]

Originally Posted by LionFish

I would read up on Glass cages.

There are pros and cons on them,

Mostly what I've seen on here is people have had issues with poor customer service. But most of those post I came across seem to be a a bit old. If anybody else has in suggestions for a place where I can get a good tank let me know.

[Hornet]

Did some more googleing on glasscages and I'm thinking I may try to look a little harder in local area to find a good shop. I live kinda close to beach so there has gotta be something around here somewhere. This is going to be a big investment and the more I think about it I'd really like to at least have the opportunity to talk with somebody face to face.

With all my googleing I did come across a local guy about 40 mins away that may work out. But he is know for custom acrylic tanks and I was leaning toward glass. I'l

[Bifferwine]

Definitely go with glass over acrylic, if you can. Acrylic scratches very easily and is difficult to clean. It's just not very practical for a saltwater tank filled with rock and sand.

[fatman]

I recomend that you just by a common AGA tank, not a "Reef Ready" and drill the back wall for an overflow and return lines. Get the best of both worlds, the cheapness of a mass produced tank and the customization of designing your own overflow and return system. Or crank it up a notch and also put in a closed loop recirculation system and then you will have a tank that does not require unsightly power heads or space robbing overflow towers. Not fully custom, but close enough to stand out from the average tanks and the outmoded "Reef Ready" tanks so common today. Do anything even SPS dominate with style. A lot cheaper than custom and you will still have the glass drilling holesaws to custom build sumps and refugiums with external pumps instead of heat producing submersible pumps. And make a lot of reefer friends drilling holes for their reef tanks and sumps etc. Hole saws are as cheap as the cost of having one hole drilled at most places. http://glass-holes.com is a good, cheap, reliable source for drills and overflow boxes.