Greetings!

My name is Patrick, I am from Cedar Rapids, and I am currently in the planning stages of my first saltwater tank!  It has been about 13 years since I last had a fish tank, 55 gallon fresh water setup that I built up to over 7 years (got my first fish at a carnival, won a gold fish, and took off from there).  It has been a long 13 years, but I am now in a position where I have the stability to give the time and dedication needed to care for another life, especially a saltwater fish tank that takes it to another level.
It is my goal to eventually have a very successful and happy reef aquarium.  Where to begin seems like a bit of a daunting task to define, but I am well on my way thanks to lots of time spend on Reef Central, and now in turn time spent on here as well... along with numerous other websites, several magazines I have procured, and talking with a buddy that has had a saltwater tank for about 5 years.
Now I just have to decide what route I want to go with my first tank; nano AIO or a 75 gallonish build with sump.  Cost is a big factor here (wife has approved a set amount for initial investment)... with that said, I guess it is time to go look at the for sale section and see what bargains I might find!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!

I do hope to go with a larger tank rather than smaller. I have been taking a good look at used equipment as a way to keep inside the wife's budget, yet still get the larger tank size. What I have planned out is a 75ish gallon with 40 gallon sump (already have the 40 gallon, $25 off craig's list). I really like the dimenesions of the 75, gets the length and depth (front to back) I want for extra swiming room and aquascaping, plust it isn't as tall so that will help keep lighting costs down a bit since I would like to do anemones and corals.

I am also eyeing a biocube/nano cube AIO since that really cuts the start up costs down a lot and lets me spend a bit more on secondary equipment, like getting nicer powerheads, a better RO/DI unit, etc.

Anyway it is sliced, patience is the most vaulable piece of equipment I have invested in. Going to take it nice and slow, make sure the tank is ready and that I am ready before I go too crazy. This pushes me just that much more towards the larger tank, since I won't need MH's and that craziness while the tank is cycling and getting established. I am sure my CUC would appreciate the tanning sessions, but seems a little silly to have MH for some live rock, algae, and a CUC. Plus, doing it this way, the wife won't notice that I went over the budget (plus with patience I will likely score a great deal on some used lighting, etc.).

 

This is true, since the internal footprint of the stand will be smaller than the tank it supports (in general), but I had also been playing with making my own stand that would allow for a sump of this size to fit.

 

Tell me about it!  And the prices they charge for them are insane given the quality.  I don't think it should be too difficult for me to make a stand myself given I have made work benches that could support several thousand pounds.  Plus I can make it the height I want (I like taller as well), and spend way less money overall.

 

What size of lumber/quality of lumber did you use?  I was thinking of using 4x4's for the legs and beams, 2x4's for the braces, carriage bolts to hold it all together (except screws for the top) and 1" ply wood for the top.  Won't win any awards for beauty, but I am a pretty teutonic sort of guy.

 

I will go take a look at the thread! Sounds/looks a lot like what I had planned out.

 

Either getting a used T5 to get started, or doing a DIY LED setup.  I have done a ton of research on the different options, and feel really comfortable I could do an LED set up for about what a good used or decent new T5 would cost.  I am really tempted to do the LED, since even though I won't start off with corals and anemones (going to wait until the tank is properly established like a good keeper) there isn't much point to spending the money once on a T5 to then spend it again on an LED set up.  But a decent used T5 setup is going to be even cheaper than both of those preferred options, so I might settle on that for the curing and establishment period so I can spend a bit more on some other equipment.