Newbie here... please give some good advice!

[awatarius]

Hello everyone,

Well firstly I would like to say that I am an Indiana native interested in a aquarium setup. I have been reading for a few days now several hours a day about everything that needs done, options on equipment--from self cleaning to completely home made, ph, salinity and everything else.

When I was about 14 I managed to become the 4H champion in aqualogy and raised my fish from babies, my plants, my wonderful eel Bob and everything else. It was a very thriving community that I loved, L O V E D. Then a genocidal maniac (my cousin) was supposed to watch it for one weekend... I gave very specific instructions that were to be followed. She started the first night and decided that why feed them 3 times a day when you can do a whole box on the first night and let them eat at their own pace. Needless to say when I got back my filter system was burned up. The water was a sludge and all my babies (plants animals and even Bob) was dead. I cried and cried.. For a few years I couldn't even look at an aquarium without getting all emotional.

Now Im 28 and would like to do this again. I was looking at some wonderful Nano-cube setups and my heart melted, but I don't know what to do or where to start. I would love to pay for lunch, or a phone call or even blog posts here for someone/some people to assist me and give advice. I live a very active life I work all the time as a Genius for Apple, on my off time I am involved in politics a little bit, and a few other things. So I need something I can take care of without it being crazy hard, and that's why the nano setups with coral and skimmer etc were looking great.

PLEASE HELP BE MY HERO GUYS,
Matthew D. Miller

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Welcome back into the hobby. For advise, will first need to know budget and end goals of what you want to display or raise.

Be that as it may, for a low maintenance system, I would recommend a 29 gallon nano with a decent skimmer and lot of live rock. For corals, stick with mostly large polyp types and soft corals with fish that stay very small.

 

[awatarius]

Thanks for the reply

Welcome back into the hobby. For advise, will first need to know budget and end goals of what you want to display or raise.

Be that as it may, for a low maintenance system, I would recommend a 29 gallon nano with a decent skimmer and lot of live rock. For corals, stick with mostly large polyp types and soft corals with fish that stay very small.

AWESOME.. so yeah what do I want to do? I would like as you suggested a very small nano. I had looked at some with the built in filter system with cartridges. Small and pretty fish are what I am looking for, and polyp types are so pretty how can you go wrong? What types of live rock would you recommend? I wouldn't mind throwing down like under a grand for this new project. I fall in love with things that I grow (like my 12x12 foot veggie garden in downtown indy) so things that are cute, and pretty lol and low maintenance.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

If $1000 is maximum budget, than go for a 29 nano with a halide light will be very easy and lots left over for hardware and "wetware". The cartridge filters are worthless for water quality, only good for particulate removal. Go with a nano sized protien skimmer. Bubble Magus makes a good one as do a few others. Buy the lightest live rock relative to size. Open and porous. Perhaps 20-30 pounds. Check the used equipment for the tank/stand before going new. Often Craigs list is good.

Do a google search for "nano reef", you will find tons of great ideas.

 

[Myteemouse]

Looking forward to seeing more of your posts of your new adventure here..
Lots of good folks to help out with questions or problems..
Welcome to the DARK SIDE

 

[awatarius]

Im impressed

Looking forward to seeing more of your posts of your new adventure here..
Lots of good folks to help out with questions or problems..
Welcome to the DARK SIDE

Thank you very much for the welcome. I will post pictures and a detailed list when I get started... I love this so much and have for a while wanted to dive back in. I know for a fact I will ask tons of questions until I can add this to my portfolio of nerdness!

Thanks,
Mattbew