Howdy!

[mobdc202]

Hello all,

 

I am new to the society and a virtual ignoramus to salt water in general. I have found a lot of great information here, and I am trying to suck it all in. Funny thing is I bought a tank that I saw on craigslist that I am trying to get cut and ensure I have everything I need to get it up and running. I want to do it right the first time, but the aquarium is a 225 gallon monster! Little did I know when I bought the tank that I would decide to go the saltwater route, or how technical this hobby really is. Nevertheless, I have the desire, but I can see this is going to require help as it would probably take me 10 years before I got one fish in it. So with that being said, if anyone would like to help me figure this initial process out, I would be eternally greatful. Just trying to at least figure out how I can get the glass cut, and what I need for this size tank (skimmer model, etc) to get to have everything for the initial setup process. You guys rock. Thanks

[WaterDog]

Welcome to the club! In general though, larger systems are more stable so having that big of a tank isn't bad.

[gmubeach]

You can either pay someone like naga to drill the tank and build a nice custom overflow or you can do it yourself with a glass drill bit and a peice of plywood... first thing to check is the glass tempered and if so is it only on the bottem.. second thing is it really glass and not aryclic... maybe those should be reversed anyway welcome to wamas 265 is a monster of a tank.. makes my little 46g look tiny. Lighting is the most expesnive part so you need to figure out what kind of corals you want to grow.. theres a great members only sale page if you pay a membership fee... will save you a ton of money!

[gmubeach]

The other nice thing about a larger system is you can get a wider array of fish! tangs are soo cool too bad My tank is too small...anyway the club can also help with moving the tank and other problems that may arrise

[gmubeach]

You asked about skimmer for skimming purposes most ppl would agree that bigger is better.. you really can't overskim... I'm putting a 90 gallon skimmer on my 46 bowfront!

[Origami]

Welcome! As gmubeach eludes to, there are a lot of great reasons to join WAMAS. That should be the first $20 you spend in this hobby because you'll save way more than that very, very quickly. You won't regret it. See the link in my signature for more information from one of our members. Joining is easy.

[F&Fmgr]

Welcome to WAMAS!

 

If you're looking for tank drilling, there's a place in Sterling that will drill them for (I think) 10 bucks a hole. As far as skimmers, the easiest way for you to decide what you want on your tank is to do research online. Aqua Euro USA makes some nice skimmers, and there are plenty of ways to mod them.

As mentioned before, lighting is generally the most expensive part of a marine aquarium, and the type of lighting you need depends on what corals you would like to keep.

 

Good luck and have fun!

 

Sean & the Team

[firerbta]

How are you planning on making water for you tank... a 265 means you most likely need a ro/di machine on site... if it was smaller you could get water from another member or a pet store... I would start making a list of stuff you need and then stuff you want.... that way you can budget better.

[mobdc202]

Welcome! As gmubeach eludes to, there are a lot of great reasons to join WAMAS. That should be the first $20 you spend in this hobby because you'll save way more than that very, very quickly. You won't regret it. See the link in my signature for more information from one of our members. Joining is easy.

 

 

I was looking for the area to become a member but can't seem to find it. Where do I go to sign up?!

[mobdc202]

How are you planning on making water for you tank... a 265 means you most likely need a ro/di machine on site... if it was smaller you could get water from another member or a pet store... I would start making a list of stuff you need and then stuff you want.... that way you can budget better.

 

 

I am trying to put a list together now. I just want to make sure that I am getting the right stuff. But I am def going to get a ro/di machine, eventhough it would probably take about a week to fill. lol

[mobdc202]

The other nice thing about a larger system is you can get a wider array of fish! tangs are soo cool too bad My tank is too small...anyway the club can also help with moving the tank and other problems that may arrise

 

 

Wow. That's amazing. Help with moving the tank?! Im so glad I found this site because I would have really been lost.

[mobdc202]

You asked about skimmer for skimming purposes most ppl would agree that bigger is better.. you really can't overskim... I'm putting a 90 gallon skimmer on my 46 bowfront!

 

 

Good point. I want to make sure I get the right thing the first time. Do you have a model skimmer recommendation for a 225 gal?

[Origami]

I was looking for the area to become a member but can't seem to find it. Where do I go to sign up?!

 

At the top of the page, it says, "Join WAMAS"- click on that and you'll be on your way.

 

Also, another piece of advice, if you click on the "MultiQuote" button in the lower right hand corner of each post that you want to respond to, and then select "Add Reply" (toward the bottom right of the page) when you're ready to reply to people, you'll have a single post with multiple quotes in it. This makes it easier to respond to everybody in one shot rather than having to serially respond to everyone.

[Hilary]

As you work through the different choices - lights, skimmer, etc - feel free to post your questions. You'll get a LOT of different opinions, but that's a definite benefit of the club. As you get closer and are ready to start your setup, keep in mind that you can get liverock from tank breakdowns at up to a third of the price you'd pay from a vendor.

[Origami]

By the way, welcome to the club. I made up your membership card last evening and it will be in Monday's mail. All the best!

[TonyInVa]

Welcome to the club. I might as well give some advise based on my experiences. In my opinion the biggest key to this hobby is patience. You have to have plenty of it. The other thing you have to have plenty, of is money, this hobby is not cheap. As people have eluded to, the membership will save you money. I have been in the process of upgrading from a 55gal to a 110. Buying the lights from a club member has saved me over $700. So it was well worth it. But the best value of your membership will be its members. Good luck!

[Coral Hind]

Welcome to the club. I am looking forward to the build thread.

[mobdc202]

Welcome to the club. I am looking forward to the build thread.

 

Okay I had a great, great idea. I was wondering if someone would like to help me set up the tank. I have all the funds to do whatever. But I was thinking if someone came through to see what I have, etc, etc, I could at least get a gameplan together for all the different scenarios that exist with my build. I inturn would by everything possible from my wamas fam, and compensate whoever could come over and get me in some type of order as I know time and knowledge is money. Let me know if this makes any sense. Oh yeah, btw, I have two other friends that I have been talking to about wamas and they are going to become members too! woo hoo!

[zygote2k]

Welcome to WAMAS.

 

Before you buy any equipment, you should decide what type of fish and coral you really want. Design your system with those particular species in mind.

[Coral Hind]

I would get out and visit various member's setups to get some ideas. See what is working for them and what might be close to what you are thinking about doing. If you get over this way you are welcome to stop in for a tank tour.

[davidm]

I second the recommendation to see other people's tanks to decide what you're most enthusiastic about - if you find softies or long polyp (LPS)coral fit your fancy, you would probably go one route for lighting, and if small polyp stoneys (SPS)is your direction you'd probably want to look at other lighting options. The skimmers and most other equipment will be the same irregardless of the types of corals. Many people keep mixed reefs of all kinds of corals, and many people start with softies and then build up to SPS, so this isn't an irreversible decision, but it would help with the initial lighting decision. My main tank is at my home in Vienna, VA, but I have one at work in Foggy Bottom which might be closer for you to look at and make some of these comparisons. good luck and welcome to WAMAS.

[JMsAquarium]

Okay I had a great, great idea. I was wondering if someone would like to help me set up the tank. I have all the funds to do whatever. But I was thinking if someone came through to see what I have, etc, etc, I could at least get a gameplan together for all the different scenarios that exist with my build. I inturn would by everything possible from my wamas fam, and compensate whoever could come over and get me in some type of order as I know time and knowledge is money. Let me know if this makes any sense. Oh yeah, btw, I have two other friends that I have been talking to about wamas and they are going to become members too! woo hoo!

 

That is a huge step towards the right direction

 

Welcome to WAMAS.

 

Before you buy any equipment, you should decide what type of fish and coral you really want. Design your system with those particular species in mind.

 

+1

 

I would get out and visit various member's setups to get some ideas. See what is working for them and what might be close to what you are thinking about doing. If you get over this way you are welcome to stop in for a tank tour.

 

+1

 

 

With all of the above, I would get people over to chat about what options you have , as in where will this tank be in your house. This will lead to a better understanding on how the remainder of the equipment could be set uop as well. Then having a rough idea of the set up, go visit other's people tanks and you can grab ideas as well as dos and don'ts

 

And WELCOME to WAMAS