Would like your expert opinion please!

[Coralgurl]

I'll jump in too, as a newb to salt - 9 months. First, finding a site like this before you buy will save you a lot of headaches and money because you can ask before you buy. There are loads of great folks here that are willing to help. Also, I don't think I would enjoy the hobby as much as I do if I had bought something already fully running. When we started adding fish, I thought it was alright, but as soon as I added my first coral, I was hooked. There will be one aspect of the hobby that will draw you in and won't let go, whether is SPS, LPS, fish, softies, etc. The other bit is learning about how to take care of these animals, something you can't do all at once. I've been trying different things in my tank and have finally decided how I want my tank to look, something I wouldn't have been able to do if I just took something over. I've seen lots of great set ups for sale here in the short time since I joined, you just need to watch for them. I want to go bigger next year, but I have tons of time to wait. That's the most important thing to learn in this hobby - patience...lol

Welcome to the site and look forward to seeing your tank once you get er rolling!
Cheers

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

I'll jump in too, as a newb to salt - 9 months. First, finding a site like this before you buy will save you a lot of headaches and money because you can ask before you buy. There are loads of great folks here that are willing to help. Also, I don't think I would enjoy the hobby as much as I do if I had bought something already fully running. When we started adding fish, I thought it was alright, but as soon as I added my first coral, I was hooked. There will be one aspect of the hobby that will draw you in and won't let go, whether is SPS, LPS, fish, softies, etc. The other bit is learning about how to take care of these animals, something you can't do all at once. I've been trying different things in my tank and have finally decided how I want my tank to look, something I wouldn't have been able to do if I just took something over. I've seen lots of great set ups for sale here in the short time since I joined, you just need to watch for them. I want to go bigger next year, but I have tons of time to wait. That's the most important thing to learn in this hobby - patience...lol

Welcome to the site and look forward to seeing your tank once you get er rolling!
Cheers

+1... Starting from scratch means you get to design it from the ground up. This means it is unique to you and its ALL YOURS! That is part of the fun, designing the tank, sump, mechanics... Then landscaping, then fish and coral, etc.

I would suggest starting from scratch, with a new tank or even a gently used one, as long as it is empty and ready for you to start from nothing.

There are alot of good deals on here, so don't dismiss them, but if you want new, check out Kevin @ Red Coral as he will design for you. He is also in the process I believe of designing packages ready to go, not sure if this is still the case, but worth contacting him to ask.

Have fun, it is a wild ride... I am also a FW guy since childhood, and I have dismissed ever having FW again, love my salt... Well most of the time, but that is another story.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I would say keep your options open. You can often find really great deals on used or slightly used tanks/stands/etc, both with live rock and livestock or without anything but the equipment.

The thing you need to do is not jump in too quick. Figure out exactly what you are looking for (not just footprint) but also type of lights, skimmers, etc. Much of this will depend on your "must have" livestock wishlist (ie. sps vs mixed reef vs fishonly), as well as your budget.

You can also do a mix. Buy some stuff new and look for great deals in the classifieds.

Also, go visit Ken at Blue World Aquatics. He's a great guy and can give you some good pointers and you can then make arrangements to take him up on his offer of free delivery to Bonnyvill in the future.

If you've been doing salt for a long time like some of us, getting everything used is a great option because you already know what to look for and what to avoid. If you're a newbie looking to go big (or go home), then its a lot trickier to find what will work for you long-term.

You took the right first steps which is to find a tank system and then ask for help before making a commitment. One of my newbie friends didn't do that and ended up being terribly ripped off (not from a Canreefer, but from another buysell site).

180s and 210s come up for sale reasonably frequently. The bigger tanks are usually slower to sell so if you're not in a rush, keep checking the classifieds. Also, post a LF thread asking if anyone in your part of the world has a tank with that footprint for sale.

If you were in BC, I know of a couple tanks that would fit your space.

Good luck,

Anthony

[reefgirl189]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

180s and 210s come up for sale reasonably frequently. The bigger tanks are usually slower to sell so if you're not in a rush, keep checking the classifieds. Also, post a LF thread asking if anyone in your part of the world has a tank with that footprint for sale.

If you were in BC, I know of a couple tanks that would fit your space.

Good luck,

Anthony

Thanks, I'll post an ad. Any chance of you coming to Alberta with those "couple tanks" *wink lol