New to Hobby and Board.

[Tommyny26]

Hi all. I'm new to the hobby and I am doing my initial research and came across this board. I did not realize so many people were into keeping reef tanks in the boroughs.

I live in an apartment building in Astoria so I think that will have some issues that are specific to people that live in the city. I was also hoping to get some insight into some of the LFS's that I should check out. I have not purchased any equipment yet, I'm doing my initial research.

I have already checked out Fishtown on Northern Blvd, Aquarium Village out in Hempstead & the Petland on Northern has a couple of salt water tanks. Where else should I check out? With my initial set-up, which stores sell their equipment at decent prices?

Thank you for your time and I hope to meet some of the members.

 

[SI REEF]

welcome aboard. You can find a lot of great deals here from other members on the for sale forum.

 

[Clink51]

welcome dude! i live in East Elmhurst.
Fishtown is nice if you ina bind but they have crazy high prices.
I do most of my "fish" shopping at either Coral Theory (in Williamsburg, BK) or Manhattan Aquarium (37th btwn 10 and 11th) Max Reed is up in Yonkers and ive heard great things but ive never gone.
Most of my hardware shopping is done online. Bulkreef, dr foster, aqua hut are all good places.

Any ideas as to what you are getting?

 

[Tommyny26]

Thanks for the response guys.

Clink, East Elmhurst is right around the corner basically. I'm looking at a mixed reef tank, 75 gallon with a sump and a refugium in the stand. I'm looking at stands that my wife would be ok with putting in our living room. Once I figure out the stand I figure I can go to one of the LFS and maybe get a deal on stand, tank, power heads, heater, etc. I thought ,with shipping, it would be cheaper to get the initial set-up from a LPS. What do you think?

 

[edd]

welcome to mr, i would go with a 90g. same foot print as 75 but 4" taller.
i would buy the tank and stand locally or used on here.
dry goods on line.

 

[Clink51]

LFS wont give you good deals on dry equipment. they mark up the prices by a lot compared to online shops. Edd is right, by dry goods online.

What floor are you on? best to ask the landlord about what the floors can support. a 75g tank will weigh 750lbs wet, plus a sump, plus rock, sand, equipment... that all adds up very quickly and if your floor is not set up right, or you place the tank on a soft area, ur downstairs neighbors are gonna have alot of water and a new sun light into your apartment.

I agree with the 90 though, if your floor is able to hold it. If your on the floor level (concrete floors) get crazy and make a room a tank lol.

 

[Tommyny26]

Clink,

I'm on the 4th floor of a co-op. So, no landlord to worry about and I'm 95% positive that the floors are concrete. My ceiling is solid concrete so my floor should be the same. If I had the room I may go a tank room but as it is I have some space in my living room.

Edd,

I thought about the 90 but I have to ease into the hobby and I think a 75 will be easier for me to manage. Between initial stocking, water changes and the space I have available the 75 is where I'm at for now.

I see there is a new store Pop Corals that I want to check out. What other local stores should I check out? I was underwhelmed by Coral Aquariums in Jackson Hts.

 

[Frankie Marble]

Welcome to MR. It's actually not much difference in maintenance between a 75 & 90, but do what your comfortable with. As far as Pop corals goes, John, Alan, & David are great guys. Tons of experience & always a great deal.... Def check them out. Good luck with the build

 

[Clink51]

Frankie is right, the difference between the 75 and the 90 is strictly the height of the tank. In this hobby, Bigger tanks are easier to maintain than the smaller ones due to how quickly things change in less water volume. But i also agree with "go with what makes you comfortable" i went to small on my first buikd (29g) and will be upgrading later on in the year, maybe early 2015 into a bigger tank.

Pop Corals doesnt have a store front, you'd have to call them to make an appt and then go see what they have. I've never been but i heard its quite nice.
DONT. EVER. GO. TO. CORAL. AQUARIUMS...EVER. they are heavy on freshwater (which most have ick or are sick) and the salt water they do have, has ick or are sick. I go here alot to just look around while i wait for my bus lol. the supplies are INSANELY marked up (100w heaters for 50 bucks). Stick to Coral Theory in BK, Manhattan Aquariums in Manhattan or Fishtown USA in Flushing.

 

[Alexm8856]

Before you buy fish and corals buy the right equipment and get your tank stable
And running right by the way welcome to mr

 

[KathyC]

Welcome to MR


Be sure to check out the Marketpleace page on MR - there is a For Sale Forum in there that has just about anything you could want to buy, and often you will find full set-ups listed by folks getting out of the hobby.


You do need to make sure that the tank you buy and the tank you want to put on it are suitable with each other.


Equipment in LFS's tend to be overpriced, though you can sometimes find a good deal if you shop around.


Livestock - while nice to dream about - is at least 2 months away for you as the tank and all of the equipment should be set up first and then the tank needs to cycle for about 6 weeks before adding any living creatures to it.


Most importantly of all - ASK QUESTIONS before you make big decisions. This is an expensive hobby and buying the same equipment twice because you jumped the gun too fast on a purchase is a sure way to find yourself looking for a new hobby in a quick way


If you haven't done so yet - so take a look at the 'stickies' on the top of the Reefs for Beginners Forum - they are jam packed with great info

 

[Tommyny26]

Kathy & Alex,

Thanks for the advice. I have been reading almost non-stop about reef tanks for 3 weeks or so. I'm a planner so I think I'm more like 2 months away from purchasing a stand and tank. I have a spreadsheet set-up with what my initial investment will look like and it's at about $5,000. Then it's the monthly maint. & livestock purchases. So, I don't want to make any rash decisions. I appreciate all the advice on these boards and please keep them coming.

I hear the advice about a 90 gallon tank but that may be a little too much for my living room. I'm not the only decision maker in the house. And I'll keep an eye out on the Marketplace, I only worry about getting damaged equipment.

Clink,

It looks like Pop Corals is getting a store front, they will be open this weekend. I will stay away from Coral Aquariums.

Thank you again.

 

[Alexm8856]

Your welcome if you want I have some free sand

 

[Tommyny26]

Your welcome if you want I have some free sand

Thank you Alex, when I have my tank set-up I may take you up on this.