Number one important detail here. Dedication and the right personality type. If you know you won’t keep up on maintenance or do a ton of research and have tons of patience, you won’t do well.
I started with a fluval 13 5 and it was hard but it taught me how to 'keep water' and better prepared me for the challenges of my second tank which is a red sea reefer 250. I'm 5 months in on the second tank and have certainly had a lot challenges but FINALLY seem to be having some successes. Thank you for all of your help along the way.
I disagree i started with a jbj 28 gal tank and its a perfect beginner tank i was even topping off by hand and didnt have a problem its a myth that bigger is better for success its better cause you get to put more corals but not for success plenty of people fail with big tanks and all the equipment money can buy i would say patience is the most important thing for success
@@TheEpicExpanse i made an experiment reef bowl to see and show how simple it is i took water from my main tank the bowl is only about 1.5 gallons just a sponge filter ive only done 4 water change in 7 month an ebay coral bulb and top off with purified water i just uploaded a video and its doing fine
@@reeffreak911 Nice! I recently started a Reef Bowl with tiny sponge filter as well. It's a problem, it's sits on my desk and I stare at it more than my main display...
Any time I get a new client that has yet to set up an aquarium and is doing the research on one, I always tell them to be honest with themselves on two specific things: time and money. If u do or can't dedicate either then I would suggest reconsidering what ur planning on taking on so u don't go down the rabbit hole a d lose yourself in the process!
I have 5 tanks going right now but my first tank, a fluval 5 gallon pico reef, was the nicest tank I've had because I did reliable water changes and never skipped them. Now I do water changes when I feel like it and my tanks don't look as good as my first tank despite water testing and supplementing. It's harder to do a 20% water change each week on larger tanks but if I did they'd look equally impressive probably.
I know you do not advocate dosing kalk or anything else for newbies. But I am curious how you dosed kalk in your 360 at your office with out any corals in it, and maintained alkalinity? Victor and Ryan both attributed the rapid coralline growth to dosing Kalkwasser. Would love to hear the progression and update on the 360 tank (after you set it up the second time!). Yes most of us are aware the sticks that wwc sent going to grow fast but I’d love to hear how long and what it took to get to the insane coralline growth that you have in that tank.
One source of information is good because each source has its own specific trajectory for a successful outcome. When you use multiple sources those trajectories get mixed up and you end up not achieving the successful outcome of any particular source.
Wanting to use a Red Sea 1200 mat roller but want a refugium as well plus protein skimmer but I’m having trouble finding a sump to fit it all. Any ideas would be great and it’s on a 125. Plenty of room underneath.
I’m a beginner, just about to get my first tank going, have most of the equipment. Do I need an Rodi or can I use tap water and prime? Or go to my local store and get RO water?
Lots of great info, but rather than telling beginners to fight the desire to not use instant tank methods or to choose only one type of coral, I would love to see companies like BRS embrace human nature, and find ways to make it work. If we know that newbies are frequently getting into trouble by putting livestock in their tanks too early, why do we keep telling them to ignore the desire that got them into the hobby in the first place instead of saying, “I know you’re going to want to add livestock soon, so here are your options, and here’s how you’re going to make it work.” Meeting people where they’re at is going to work better 95% of the time.
There is no one right size tank for a beginner the right size is the right size for you, how much you can afford and how much commitment you can give it, everything scales with size.
As for number 8 don't dose, not sure about this advice because it's known that low to zero nutrients promote dinoflagellate growth in new tanks which can be a nightmare. Therefore doing water changes once a week from the beginning probably isn't a good idea because you want the water to be somewhat "dirty". Another phenomenon in new tanks is alkalinity consumption due to calcium carbonate precipitation. I would say dosing alk to to keep it stable is a better idea than doing water changes early on. Yes you could just let alk drop but then you would be stymieing coralline establishment.
I totally agree new tank don’t need weekly or monthly water changes. I believe ppl killing more corals these days due over filtration and low nutrients .
While I understand the logic to suggest larger water volumes for beginners, it just really bothers me that so many people bar nanos for entry into the hobby. I didn’t find it anymore difficult than a larger tank. I started out with a 12-gallon. Just do your water changes. It’s not really brain science, lol.
I have to disagree. Only because you have to consider ‘most’ brand new reefers won’t be on top of their maintenance schedule. This doesn’t make smaller tanks any more difficult, it just makes your mistakes have a bigger impact. That being said I have to agree they do make this issue seem bigger than it is.
70 gallon or be sure to never introduce fish that as adults require rehoming. I went 30 and wish I had gone 70. Then there's the fact I have a supported wood floor. How much weight can my floor hold. That was my first consideration in my tank size
The bummer is that some manufacturers tell you to calibrate with RO/DI in the instructions, so it's hard to blame a new hobbyist who is simply following the directions. But you're 100% right! 99% of the time, we should be calibrating our handheld refractometers with a known calibration solution (usually 35 ppt), which is much much closer to the range we expect our tank water readings to be in.
While you have the CEO on ask him why his prices of corals are like down payments on a car ? Started this hobby 10 years ago and it was very different. Top companies like WWC and Top Shelf Aquatics have a heavy influence on pricing of corals throughout the hobby. It’s sad to see how this hobby drifted more towards the money rather than the actual passion of the coral and animals.
My biggest question too anyone on here who will please answer with experience is if I go with a 20 gallon long and be patient in the nitrifaction cycle in the beginning and keep up on regular matience but working a full time job 9 hrs a day will I still be able too keep my reef healthy with not being home until later on in the day?
Number one important detail here. Dedication and the right personality type. If you know you won’t keep up on maintenance or do a ton of research and have tons of patience, you won’t do well.
Loving these treasure troves of knowledge from my two go-to’s in reefing!
Excellent videos Guys! These are some of the best that you have done bar none!
I started with a fluval 13 5 and it was hard but it taught me how to 'keep water' and better prepared me for the challenges of my second tank which is a red sea reefer 250. I'm 5 months in on the second tank and have certainly had a lot challenges but FINALLY seem to be having some successes. Thank you for all of your help along the way.
True Great information all the way 👍🤩
I disagree i started with a jbj 28 gal tank and its a perfect beginner tank i was even topping off by hand and didnt have a problem its a myth that bigger is better for success its better cause you get to put more corals but not for success plenty of people fail with big tanks and all the equipment money can buy i would say patience is the most important thing for success
Well put! Didn't the guy with the cap have huge tank in his basement that failed recently...
Agreed. I have at 20Gal long that’s doing quite well. It’s coming up on two years old.
@@TheEpicExpanse i made an experiment reef bowl to see and show how simple it is i took water from my main tank the bowl is only about 1.5 gallons just a sponge filter ive only done 4 water change in 7 month an ebay coral bulb and top off with purified water i just uploaded a video and its doing fine
This 💯!!!!
@@reeffreak911 Nice! I recently started a Reef Bowl with tiny sponge filter as well. It's a problem, it's sits on my desk and I stare at it more than my main display...
Any time I get a new client that has yet to set up an aquarium and is doing the research on one, I always tell them to be honest with themselves on two specific things: time and money. If u do or can't dedicate either then I would suggest reconsidering what ur planning on taking on so u don't go down the rabbit hole a d lose yourself in the process!
Thanks for the video!
Love these knowledge bombs from you guys!! Thank you!!
Love the series
I have 5 tanks going right now but my first tank, a fluval 5 gallon pico reef, was the nicest tank I've had because I did reliable water changes and never skipped them. Now I do water changes when I feel like it and my tanks don't look as good as my first tank despite water testing and supplementing. It's harder to do a 20% water change each week on larger tanks but if I did they'd look equally impressive probably.
Best time is to set up in summer and let it just run for a few months, then it’s ready to go in the winter for your enjoyment
I know you do not advocate dosing kalk or anything else for newbies. But I am curious how you dosed kalk in your 360 at your office with out any corals in it, and maintained alkalinity? Victor and Ryan both attributed the rapid coralline growth to dosing Kalkwasser.
Would love to hear the progression and update on the 360 tank (after you set it up the second time!). Yes most of us are aware the sticks that wwc sent going to grow fast but I’d love to hear how long and what it took to get to the insane coralline growth that you have in that tank.
One source of information is good because each source has its own specific trajectory for a successful outcome. When you use multiple sources those trajectories get mixed up and you end up not achieving the successful outcome of any particular source.
Wanting to use a Red Sea 1200 mat roller but want a refugium as well plus protein skimmer but I’m having trouble finding a sump to fit it all. Any ideas would be great and it’s on a 125. Plenty of room underneath.
I’m a beginner, just about to get my first tank going, have most of the equipment. Do I need an Rodi or can I use tap water and prime? Or go to my local store and get RO water?
Lots of great info, but rather than telling beginners to fight the desire to not use instant tank methods or to choose only one type of coral, I would love to see companies like BRS embrace human nature, and find ways to make it work. If we know that newbies are frequently getting into trouble by putting livestock in their tanks too early, why do we keep telling them to ignore the desire that got them into the hobby in the first place instead of saying, “I know you’re going to want to add livestock soon, so here are your options, and here’s how you’re going to make it work.” Meeting people where they’re at is going to work better 95% of the time.
LOVE this!!!
There is no one right size tank for a beginner the right size is the right size for you, how much you can afford and how much commitment you can give it, everything scales with size.
Absolutely! Quality over quantity! 😀
As for number 8 don't dose, not sure about this advice because it's known that low to zero nutrients promote dinoflagellate growth in new tanks which can be a nightmare. Therefore doing water changes once a week from the beginning probably isn't a good idea because you want the water to be somewhat "dirty". Another phenomenon in new tanks is alkalinity consumption due to calcium carbonate precipitation. I would say dosing alk to to keep it stable is a better idea than doing water changes early on. Yes you could just let alk drop but then you would be stymieing coralline establishment.
I totally agree new tank don’t need weekly or monthly water changes.
I believe ppl killing more corals these days due over filtration and low nutrients .
Wish I knew some of these but you live and learn only took like 2 years almost.
While I understand the logic to suggest larger water volumes for beginners, it just really bothers me that so many people bar nanos for entry into the hobby. I didn’t find it anymore difficult than a larger tank. I started out with a 12-gallon. Just do your water changes. It’s not really brain science, lol.
I concur
I wish Water changes was a solution to everything..
Then we all be baller reefers😅
I agree 100%
I agree. I’m on my first reef tank (Max Nano) 20 gallons is fine and i’m happy. 2-3 gallons into a bucket into toilet done ✔️
I have to disagree. Only because you have to consider ‘most’ brand new reefers won’t be on top of their maintenance schedule. This doesn’t make smaller tanks any more difficult, it just makes your mistakes have a bigger impact. That being said I have to agree they do make this issue seem bigger than it is.
70 gallon or be sure to never introduce fish that as adults require rehoming.
I went 30 and wish I had gone 70.
Then there's the fact I have a supported wood floor. How much weight can my floor hold. That was my first consideration in my tank size
I had a 150g, and that was too much for my body to handle the maintenance. I'm getting a 75.
Great size
75's are awesome
I've also experienced Xenia melting in a new tank
I love these videos. We made a drinking game out of this. When Ryan says "first rodeo" you have to do a shot of tequila.
You don’t use RODI water to calibrate your refractometer should’ve been in there. I see or read too many people asking if that’s okay to do.
The bummer is that some manufacturers tell you to calibrate with RO/DI in the instructions, so it's hard to blame a new hobbyist who is simply following the directions. But you're 100% right! 99% of the time, we should be calibrating our handheld refractometers with a known calibration solution (usually 35 ppt), which is much much closer to the range we expect our tank water readings to be in.
While you have the CEO on ask him why his prices of corals are like down payments on a car ? Started this hobby 10 years ago and it was very different. Top companies like WWC and Top Shelf Aquatics have a heavy influence on pricing of corals throughout the hobby. It’s sad to see how this hobby drifted more towards the money rather than the actual passion of the coral and animals.
My biggest question too anyone on here who will please answer with experience is if I go with a 20 gallon long and be patient in the nitrifaction cycle in the beginning and keep up on regular matience but working a full time job 9 hrs a day will I still be able too keep my reef healthy with not being home until later on in the day?
I miss Randy
helpful with no salt tank.
10% water change in a 120 is 12 gallons that's nothing
these vic's series are way too serious and borderline snobbish.. bring back the lively energy like before .. even Ryan sounded like a boring professor